We booked a 7 night cruise on Holland-America Line's msWesterdam.
We were lucky as we tried to book a departure from Vancouver, BC and because of credit card hiccups our booking expired. We soughted the credit card problems in time to buy a discounted deal departing from Seattle, WA for a stateroom with a balcony.
The itinerary was depart Seattle, WA, call into Juneau, Glacier Bay NP, Sitka, Ketchikan, Victoria BC then back to Seattle.
The cruise was mostly overcast which had a beauty of its own.
Juneau
Approaching Juneau.
Juneau Harbour.
A bear in the shopping centre.
There are a number of shore excursions available to the passengers.
I elected to do the Photography Tour. This involved a boat trip to a bay known to harbour many whales. Here we passed an island which was home to a pod of Harbour Seals.
An island view.
We followed a mother whale and her juvenile who seemed to be playing and constantly breaching.
Back in the harbour and the salmon were jumping.
A local hauls his catch back to his cooler.
This seems to be a large Sockeye Salmon however they are all this big and in abundance.
Next we walked in the forest. This is one of the beautiful Alaska Lupine wildflowers.
The streams are teaming with large spawning Sockeye Salmon. Here the salmon are changing colour. Red with a white fin. This means after spawning they are now will die in about 2 weeks.
The Sockeye Salmon Life Cycle.
We watched a bear catch one in the stream then carry it in the forest for lunch.
The forest walk ended at the Mendenhall Glacier.
I was a bit unlucky with the weather and could not get a good picture.
Back on board and Chris attended an interesting demonstration from the kitchen staff on decorative carving vegetables into flowers.
The ships indoor/outdoor pool. It is heated and has a sliding roof for those cold days
Next day were off to Glacier Bay NP.
A curious gull peers in the window.
Glacier Bay National Park
We spent some time at the face of the Margerie Glacier.
Two brave kayakers traverse the glacier face.
And this is why I use the word brave. The whole time we spent in the bay the tranquility was interrupted by loud cracking sounds and monstrous pieces of ice breaking off.
A tour boat cruises the bay.
Ahh, the pleasures of an Alaskan cruise.
No use complaining as the locals just laugh at you.
The gulls followed the ship when we departed Margerie Glacier.
Our first attempt at this photograph resulted in a pain full peck on Chris's hand. On went the gloves and success. The last attempt resulted in the ships director ranting and raving from the bridge from which she had a clear vision of our balcony, indicating not to feed the wildlife. .
More you ask?
Reid Glacier
Sitka
Arriving in Sitka.
Sitka Harbour is an interesting place comprising of dozens of small islands. Many have private residences.
Saint Micheal's Cathedral in the centre of town.
Sitka Rose Gallery.
Hanlon-Osbakken House
Circa 1885
A Woolly Mammoth Skull.
Approximately 30,000 years old was an exhibition in a local gift shop.
Chris doing a touristy thing.
That night back on board the kitchen put on this dessert extravaganza of cleverly made chocolate, ice and vegetable sculptures as well as a large selection of cakes and deserts.
For those who know me, yes, I did over indulge.
Ketchikan
Next port was Ketchikan.
Ketchikan gets a lot of rain.
Ketchikan also has a lot of Salmon.
Circa 1919
Creek Street is a historic boardwalk perched on pylons along the banks of Ketchikan Creek.
Laws were passed prohibiting brothels to be built on the land so they built them on pylons over the creek.
"A former Red Light District where both men and salmon swam upstream to spawn."
A seal munches on a tasty salmon in the creek.
Dolly's House on the left.
The Bordeaux's now serve as tourist shops and galleries.
Southeast Alaska Wildlife Center had a booth setup in town.
The American Bald Eagle.
This magnificent Bald Eagle flapped its wings and gave Chris a blow dry.
Wahoo! The sun came out, the pool roof opened and the cooks fired up the barby.
What on earth is this?
Each day when we returned to our room we found a "towel animal"
The clever stewards show how they make the "towel animals"
Victoria BC
At last. The weather fined up for our last port of call, Victoria, BC.
What a beautiful city this is.We arrived Friday afternoon, in time for market day.
The harbour is spectacular, lined with historic buildings, colourful gardens and abuzz with a vibrancy.
The colourful market.
The "bathtub" water taxis.
The statue busker.
Another busker entertains with his daring stunts.
A lemonade stand.
Circa 1897
Killer Whale topiary.
Diners enjoy the warm Friday afternoon.
Throughout the city the streets were adorned with floral hanging baskets.
