321GO - The Alternative West Coast TR - Day 9

[Chilly]

Friday 25th May

Up early again today for our tour. First stop BBB for breakfast then over to the theatre again to meet our group. Today there was rather a lot more people than yesterday, about 2 full coach loads. First stop was the Mendenhall Glacier, we only had an hour here so we charged off the bus and went to the photo spot and clicked a few photos before most people were off the bus.

It said the walk to the waterfall was a 45 minute round trip so off we headed again at a brisk pace to get more photos.

We headed back to the visitor centre where I popped to the restroom and had a quick look around. I thought we were probably a few minutes late to get back to the bus but I think we may have been slightly more than that as I think the bus was about to go without us!

 

[Chilly]

Next stop was whale watching, even though we were a large group the boat wasn't completely full and there was plenty of space for everyone to get near a rail if they so wished. Before we'd even left the dock we saw a humpback whale, they said that had never happened before.

Once under way they told you about the animals we might see and how to spot them such as for the humpcak whale look for the blow and other interesting information. They also provided stuff for kids to do and had some free snacks and drinks and others that you had to pay for. The time went by in a flash. We saw 2 more whales, lots of eagles, some seals in the water and a mass of sealions on land.

Back on the bus we were dropped in the centre on Juneau where we grabbed a quick lunch (paying for food was a shock) of teriyaki chicken with rice which we just shared and i'm glad we did as the portion was huge. We then wrote our postcards and put them in the post box but they didn't arrive in the UK till way after we were home. We explored the town a bit and decided against going up the Mt Roberts Tramway.

 

[Chilly]

We caught the shuttle bus back to the ship and headed to the Buena Vista Theatre to watch the Avengers film in 2D, the show tonight was Toy Story and we weren't bothered about seeing that plus they were mainly showing Avengers in 3D so this was one of only a couple of 2D showings. We got some drinks on the way from deck 9 and then some popcorn, for some reason you had to buy 2 bags at once. We both really enjoyed the film and when it was over we quickly headed back to the room to change for dinner. Tonights menu was Taste of Alaska but it was also Pirate night (no fireworks due to noise laws in Alaska though), and we were in PC. The servers outfits tonight were boring, just an earthy orange shirt with a cowboy necktie. Our servers let us down slightly tonight as they were still giving out the pirate bandanas but for reason our corner of the restaurant didn't get any. I've written in my notes that I had an Artist Impression cocktail but that's what I hd last night, i'm pretty sure I just got a coke tonight as I was feeling tired but wanted to stay awake. To eat I had a cheese and carrot souffle which I didn't like, with elk for my main and panne cotta to end. DH had crabs legs, followed by a steak with peppercorn sauce and also panna cotta for dessert.

After dinner the plan was to run back to the room and put on warm clothes, go to the pirate party in the lobby atrium, then watch POTC on the funnel vision, the plan fell apart though as back at the room I fell asleep on the bed.

 

[Linda67]

It looks like you did the excursion that we are thinking of doing
The glacier followed by whale watching
Did you enjoy it and think it was a good choice?

 

[strawberry blonde]

Stunning photos. Must feel funny to be wrapped up on a Disney Cruise.

 

[darthtatty]

fab photos

 

[Claire L]

Certainly a busy day, no wonder you fell asleep after dinner! Fab piccies, so makes me want to do Alaska

 

[irongirlof12]

Breathtaking scenery, your meal looked nom, not surprised that you fell asleep, such a busy day.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I just can't get enough of the scenery. Was the photo of the whale taken with a big zoom or was it really that close?

Corinna

 

[princess_ariel_85]

I'm so jealous that you gotta see the whales!

The scenery really is breathtaking and I love the photos you took.

xx

 

[Chilly]

It looks like you did the excursion that we are thinking of doing
The glacier followed by whale watching
Did you enjoy it and think it was a good choice?

Yes we liked it but wish we'd had more time at the Glacier, i'm going to do a full extra post after my TR with reviews & tips etc.

Stunning photos. Must feel funny to be wrapped up on a Disney Cruise.

Our last cruise ended up being cold as well so it'll be odd to go on a warm one!

fab photos

Thanks.

Certainly a busy day, no wonder you fell asleep after dinner! Fab piccies, so makes me want to do Alaska

You'd love it.

Breathtaking scenery, your meal looked nom, not surprised that you fell asleep, such a busy day.

I need to plan more relaxing but there is always so much I want to do.

I just can't get enough of the scenery. Was the photo of the whale taken with a big zoom or was it really that close?

Corinna

It was pretty close, we've only got a point and shot nothing fancy, I think it goes up to 10xzoom.

I'm so jealous that you gotta see the whales!

The scenery really is breathtaking and I love the photos you took.

xx

The place was stunning.

 

[dolphingirl47]

It was pretty close, we've only got a point and shot nothing fancy, I think it goes up to 10xzoom.

That is pretty amazing. Maybe we need to consider a whale watching excursion after all. In Puerto Vallerta, where we saw the Humpback Whales, here are very strict rules governing whale watching tours that are enforced by the coast guard and there is no way we would have been allowed as close as that.

Corinna

 

[Chilly]

That is pretty amazing. Maybe we need to consider a whale watching excursion after all. In Puerto Vallerta, where we saw the Humpback Whales, here are very strict rules governing whale watching tours that are enforced by the coast guard and there is no way we would have been allowed as close as that.

Corinna

It was more a case of the whale getting close to us, we were still in the dock.

 

[tennisfan]

Another busy & great day, the photos are amazing

 

[Fantasia Sam]

What an exhausting and exhilarating day no wonder you fell asleep.

Eeee how exciting you saw whales that is so cool! Loved all your pics! What was the elk like?

 

[Chilly]

Another busy & great day, the photos are amazing

There is always so much to do on the ship plus all the tours on land.

What an exhausting and exhilarating day no wonder you fell asleep.

Eeee how exciting you saw whales that is so cool! Loved all your pics! What was the elk like?

Elk was like venison.

 

[Latte Lover]

Another fab day. You're certainly seeing plenty of wildlife! I'd love to go whale watching one day.

 

[Chilly]

Another fab day. You're certainly seeing plenty of wildlife! I'd love to go whale watching one day.

When your in the MED on the cruise you'll have to rebook for Alaska!

 

[Ware Bears]

The elk sounds interesting. Shame you didn't get a pirate bandana or that it's not a pirate menu although in some ways it seems a bit silly having a pirate party in Alaska - should be a goldpanner's or lumberjack's party! Did many people dress up for it? It was so embarrassing on our last cruise when we seemed to be the only ones in pirate T-shirts.

Yes we liked it but wish we'd had more time at the Glacier, i'm going to do a full extra post after my TR with reviews & tips etc.

Yes please, I think there's a few of us here who'd really appreciate it.

As your time was limited at the glacier I'm wondering if we'd be better making our own way there, I've just looked it up and it seems quite easy to DIY. Was there any reason why you decided not to go up the Mount Roberts tramway?

 

[Chilly]

The elk sounds interesting. Shame you didn't get a pirate bandana or that it's not a pirate menu although in some ways it seems a bit silly having a pirate party in Alaska - should be a goldpanner's or lumberjack's party! Did many people dress up for it? It was so embarrassing on our last cruise when we seemed to be the only ones in pirate T-shirts. Yes please, I think there's a few of us here who'd really appreciate it.

As your time was limited at the glacier I'm wondering if we'd be better making our own way there, I've just looked it up and it seems quite easy to DIY. Was there any reason why you decided not to go up the Mount Roberts tramway?

Yeah I thought that to about the pirate party but I could have done with the bandana today as Mike and I are going to a fancy dress party tonight as pirates! No we didn't see many if any costumes.

Yes I wish we'd done it DIY now but we thought we'd be safe and book with Disney. The shuttle to the glacier had booths selling tickets outside the tramway and their are lots of whale watching companies with smaller boats.

We didn't do the tramway for a few reasons, save the money, we'd done one in Vancouver, get back to the ship!