Viking Invades Alaska!

[Pushka]

Don't think you will go hungry though you eat less these days. Is that a wholemeal croissant as it looks quite dark.
The important question though is about the quality of the coffee?????

Coffee isn’t too bad but am using the machines.
Has been wonderful scenery today. Sunny even. Tomorrow is expected to be fine in Ketchikan which is one of the wettest places in USA. Lucky.

 

[Pushka]

Talked with a Brit couple who’d booked a suite. The arrangements yesterday were so disorganized that they boarded much later than us in the cheapie.

Gorgeous views today in sunshine. On my iPad. Will post more later.

And a nice stay at the bar.









Indian community with totem.

 

[Pushka]

Gonna be busy in Ketchikan. It’s not raining which is a miracle.

And we tender again.

 

[Pushka]

 

[love_the_life]

Looks like Princess, Regent, HAL and is that Lizzy?

 

[Anna]

Exactly 7 years ago I was on an Alaska cruise ex YVR on Celebrity Millennium. Ah memories I def don't remember that many ships being in Ketchikan on the same day though

Loved Alaska. Non stop 24 hour scenery with the (almost) midnight sun in June, it felt like a waste to sleep!

 

[Pushka]

Just in the Explorer Bar. Where the sunset has been spectacular.

Photos of Ketchikan later.

 

[love_the_life]

You and the hordes at Ketchikan? There must be 12,000 passengers all up?

That sunset looks pretty stunning tough.

 

[Pushka]

You and the hordes at Ketchikan? There must be 12,000 passengers all up?

That sunset looks pretty stunning tough.

We really didn’t notice the crowds in the end. Our Alaskan Fisherman excursion only had 20 people so we could move around. Creek Street was busy but I wasn’t feeling the best so we did a quick tour then sat in a coffee shop in the sunshine. Viking cancelled their float plane trips as they were the company that had two crashes in the last 2 weeks.

A couple of photos from today. It’s late and we have an early start tomorrow.

It was a fun afternoon. The Eagles were fantastic. Tomorrow is Sitka. We’ve organised a small private excursion on a small boat.

We also had a Cruise Critic gathering of tasty bites and drinks put on by Viking. About 15 attended along with various officers. I got a round of applause for keeping the thread alive. I can’t help meself.













The Prize. King crabs. This boat features on Deadliest Catch.

 

[love_the_life]

Was this a private tour or a Viking one? And the burning question, was it a fishing expedition?
Glad you weren't impacted by the crowds,
Hope you are feeling better.

 

[Pushka]

Was this a private tour or a Viking one? And the burning question, was it a fishing expedition?
Glad you weren't impacted by the crowds,
Hope you are feeling better.

This was a Viking one because we knew the show would end at the last tender.

We are struggling with poor communication onboard. The crew work hard but we get conflicting information or no information. A lot of guests are really angry right now and previous Viking cruisers keep telling us that what we are experiencing on the cruise is not the Viking way. But first impressions count. Currently I can’t actually recommend them.

 

[love_the_life]

Gorgeous eagle. There is something special about them.
Hope Viking gets their communication act together soon. I would imagine that passengers who had booked seaplane excursions that were cancelled would be pretty annoyed unless another super option was provided.
Weather is looking glorious.

 

[Pushka]

Gorgeous eagle. There is something special about them.
Hope Viking gets their communication act together soon. I would imagine that passengers who had booked seaplane excursions that were cancelled would be pretty annoyed unless another super option was provided.
Weather is looking glorious.

The company that Viking used was responsible for both crashes and so people were fine about it.

Today we did another private shore excursion in a six person small boat. Another fantastic day and we crossed off so many “must sees”.

First up. Otters. They are so cute and the ham it up to tourists.

 

[Pushka]

Next up. Seals and puffins. We also saw more Bald Eagles.

 

[Pushka]

Gorgeous scenery. Chocolate Box stuff. Sitka was originally founded by the Russians and was sold as part of the Alaska sale to the US.

 

[Pushka]

Am I done? Oh, wait. I almost forgot the whales! Humpbacks. Beautiful.

 

[Pushka]

The first thing you see is the blow, then the noise, wait, then it’s back. If you are lucky it flutes the tail. We saw so many. Mum and baby, and two other adults.
Last two.

 

[Pushka]

In Juneau today where it is genuinely hot! Today was our helicopter trip to the glacier to see a dog sled camp. Simply fantastic.
Some of the photos were taken from inside the chopper so a bit grainy.

But first, someone else put in an appearance. @Denali



Just realised the chopper ones are on the phone not the camera. It was so bright up there you can’t see what you taking.

 

[Pushka]

Helicopter ride.

 

[Pushka]

More photos from yesterday. And a stunning sail out where we were moving so slowly and just a couple on the forward deck just absorbing the serenity.