Susan's Retirement Cruise. Alaskan Land and Cruise August 2014

Land and Cruise on the Coral Princess

Friday August 22nd

Trip started via American Airlines from DFW to Anchorage, leaving at 3:50 pm and arrived at 7:30 with a 3 hour time difference.  We stayed at the Hotel Captain Cook. Very nice room with a distant view of the water.  Dinner was in the hotel at Fletchers.  I had clams and mussels and Greg had gnocchi.

Saturday August 23rd

Checked out of the hotel, arrived at the train depot via a taxi ($4.50), checked bags and went inside to get our tickets.  Had a 45 minute wait to board so took a few pictures, looked around the depot and the curio shop.

The train ride to Fairbanks is 12 hours and with stops at Talkeetna and Denali.  Saw Mount McKinley's top without a cloud cover as we approached Talkeetna.  What a rare treat.

We paid for the Gold Star coach which gave us an observation car and dining room below.  We had breakfast and dinner on board, food was good.

I saw two glances of a moose and we both saw Dall sheep.  We were very glad that we took the train as we very much enjoyed the scenic views.  The time passed quickly.

Arrived at Fairbanks on time at 8 pm and took a taxi to Princess Riverside hotel.  Room was nice with a view of the river.  This is the most basic of the Princess Lodges and had the worst service.

We walked the grounds and then stopped for drinks and an order of onion rings.  Poor service and expensive.  $26! 

Sunday August 24th

Breakfast buffet weak for the cost.  It was a beautiful day and our excursion was included in the trip.  Before getting on the bus we met Ann and her party of 9.  We had been chatting with Ann on the roll call for several months.  It was nice to finally meet her and to have some friendly faces on our land tour.  1st part of the tour was on a riverboat where we saw a plane take off and land on the river,

sled dog puppies and explanation from two female handlers from Susan Butcher's Trail Breaker Kennel,

and a demo on filleting and smoking salmon.

We then stopped at a mock Athabaskan village.

After returning to the dock we had a lunch of beef stew.

Next up was a stop at the Alaskan pipeline and Gold rush dredge via a small train ride.  Interesting history.

When we read about this tour it sound kind of cheesy but we really enjoyed it.  We returned to the hotel. Nice weather gave out to rain so we ate at the hotel.  Food was good but again the service was very bad.  We asked 4 times for bread and never received it.  Slow to wait on us, no checking back and slow paying.  we visited the gift store and stopped for wine and beer at Trackers, the bar in the hotel.  Finally better service.  We met a couple from Australia that will be joining us on the cruise, unfortunately we never saw them again!

Monday, August 25th

Bags out before 6:30 AM but not meeting the bus until 9:15.  We ate breakfast in the buffet again.  We asked for the check as soon as we sat down.  This time, not a lot of waiting! The ride to Denali was about 3 hours.  Our room at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge was ready when we arrived.  It was in an older building, room was small with lots of wear and tear but we did have a king size bed.

We ate pizza at Lynx Creek.  It was good and service was good.  Greg went to play golf on the tundra

and I went to the  Denali Visitors Center.  Unfortunately, it rained the whole time for Greg but he can say that he played golf in Alaska! We had reservations for 8:00 for dinner and show at the Denali theater.  Dinner was family style barbecue and salmon.  Musical was pretty good. Enjoyable evening.

Tuesday, August 26th

We ate at the breakfast buffet and then headed to the lodge for the Tundra Wilderness Tour.  This was a 7.5 hour tour into the Denali National Park. This was not the standard tour offered and we had to request the longer tour.  So glad we did, it was an awesome tour. We saw grizzly bears four times, once very close to the road.  We saw Dall sheep twice, once very close to the road, several groups of Caribou and moose at the end of the tour but they weren't very close. Scenery was beautiful and tour guide was very knowledgeable.  The tour was on an old bus but it wasn't as bad as the reviews had led us to believe. A cold lunch box was provided and it was fine.

After returning, we ate at the more causal restaurant.  Greg had a crab cake burger and I had seafood Mac n cheese.  Service was better at Denali than Fairbanks but  the room was not as nice.  The lodge property was very nice with beautiful flowers everywhere with great views.

Wednesday, August 27th

Suitcase out at 7:30 and we left at 9:45.  Breakfast at the Expresso where I had their world famous cinnamon roll and Greg had a breakfast burrito.  We caught the train at 10:15 for Talkeetna.  Train ride was enjoyable again.

Instead of going straight to the lodge we stayed in Talkeetna for awhile.  We ate at West Rib (recommended by the bus driver) where we had great Crab Legs for $25.  Crab Legs at the lodges was $50.  Looked at a couple of shops, bought a tshirt, magnet, and small print and then took the shuttle back to the Lodge.

The Lodge is very spaced out with no internet access.  Room is nicer but it has two double beds.  We walked to the lodge, took pictures of what we could see of Mt McKinley, and walked the small walking track. 

Then stopped at the 20320 bar for drinks.  Met a couple (Trish and Lenny) from Atlanta and had several drinks visiting with them. Back to the room, packed, and off to bed.

Thursday, August 28th

Breakfast at 20320 where we ordered off the menu.  Suitcases out at 6:30 and on the bus at 8:15 for Kenai.  Driver was Jessica who had  a great personality.  Stopped for a lunch break in Anchorage.  We ate at the Glacier Brew House where I had seafood chowder and Greg had a blue cheese burger.  We  picked up our magnet and a coaster.  The ride to Kenai was more scenic.  Kenai lodge is individual cabins, a  much smaller facility with very nice views and walking trails.

Unfortunately, it was raining!  We went to dinner only to be told we needed reservations.  Hmmm, it is the only restaurant at the lodge and no one mentioned reservations were needed. They seated us with another couple that we met at the Denali dinner theater.  Greg ordered scallops and I had the salad with shrimp.  Went back to the cabin and built a fire.

Friday, August 29th

We woke up late and skipped breakfast.  Walked the half mile walking track and went to lunch at noon.  Our fishing excursion was at 1:15 on the Kenai river.  We had one other person with us (Ken).  Fishing was very good. We were in a small boat aluminum boat and floated the river using a small red ball that simulated a salmon egg.  Greg and I caught around 40 rainbow trout and dolly varden.  I did catch one salmon (humpie or pink salmon).  I think we would have caught more if Ken had not been with us.  He had his line in a mess more than he had it in the water.  All in all, a good day and our guide Jessie was very good.

We returned about 6:30.  We had dinner reservations for 7:30.  We went early and had a drink.  Greg had smoked rack of lamb and I had coconut crusted salmon.  We went to the bar and had one more drink while Greg worked on his fantasy football team.  Came back to the cabin, built a fire and packed for tomorrow.

Saturday, August 30th

Bags out by 8:30.  We went to breakfast about 9:15 and the bus left for Whittier at 11:00.  Whittier is a very small town with a one way tunnel for both cars and the train.

Coral Princess here we come.  The Coral is a midsize ship with 2000 passengers.  We enjoyed the size of the ship very much. 

Embarking was very easy.  There was a priority line with no one else in it.  After getting our sea passes we went straight to our room and met our steward Erwin.

After walking around the ship we ate a light lunch at the buffet.  My manicure from before the trip did not last so I booked a manicure at 4:00.  Only cost $115.  Visited the Explorer lounge where they have appetizers and reduced drinks for suites and upper levels.  Only three other couples were there. Obviously, a well kept secret! We visited for a while with a couple from Arizona.  Muster was at 8:00 and we set sail immediately after muster.

We had reservations in the specialty restaurant Bayou Cafe.  Greg had sausage, mudbug bisque, and a filet and I had shrimp, gumbo, and lobster.  Bread budding and sweet potato pie for dessert but we didn't each much of it because we were so full. We both thought it was very good.

Sunday, August 31st  Hubbard Glacier

A suite perk is breakfast in the Specialty Restaurant, Sabitini's.  Greg had smoked salmon and a bagel and I had one egg with bacon.   A Bloody Mary was not included as it had been on a different Princess Cruise.  Only 3 other couples in the restaurant with us.  We walked through the library and every chair was taken.  Our room had been cleaned while we were gone.  We attended the meet and greet at 11:30 in the Wheelhouse Bar.  A fairly good turnout and a wonderful turnout from the officers including the captain.  After the group gathering we went to lunch in Bayou Cafe for the Crab Shack, a lunch that is offered on Sea Days.  The crab was pretty good and we asked for mussels as well.  Walked around, visiting the few stores, bought our ship magnet and returned to the room.  We arrived in Hubbard Glacier around 4:00.  The ship did two 360's but no calving today for us.

Since it was formal night and we did not bring formal attire we ate in the buffet.  Greg had ham but I only had salads and soup.  We went to the 8:00 Production Show "Motor Town" in the theater and both thought it was well done.  After the show we went to the Wheelhouse Bar and listened to Rhapsody.  The band is from Barbados and may be the best band we have heard on a cruise ship.

Monday, Sept 1st Glacier Bay and John Hopkins Glacier

Breakfast at Sabatini's.  We both had eggs Benedict and they were prepared correctly. Maybe a first for us on Princess.  Previous Egg Benedict orders arrived with hard boiled eggs on top of the English muffin!   Most of the day was split between our room balcony and the aft balcony as we passed through Glacier Bay and John Hopkins Glacier.  John Hopkins opened up today after being closed for seal mating season. We saw several calving on the glaciers.  Spectacular.

Only disappointment, no whales spotted. We ordered lunch through room service.  Hot soup, bundled up in Glacier Bay.

Our evening started with pre dinner drinks in Explorer's Lounge.  Dinner was a 45 minute wait. This was our first experience with long waits for a table on a cruise. Joined a nice group at a table for 8, but the dinner took 2 hours!  45 minutes waiting and then 2 hours for the meal, so obviously, no entertainment tonight.

Tuesday, September 2nd   Skagway

Asked for room service between 6:30 and 7:00, but it arrived at 6:20 and we were still in bed! Oh well, better early than late.  My food was okay but Greg's was very greasy with no jelly or catsup.  Missed Sabatini's this morning!  We left the ship at 7:30 and met Dyea Dave on the pier.

It was a bit confusing as he sorted out who was going with whom but all was sorted out and we were in the van with Dave.  It was a delightful day with lots of gorgeous scenery.  Started over the summit where it was very cloudy and foggy.  First stop was a view of the White Pass and Yukon Railway. We did this train excursion on our last Alaskan cruise.

Carcross was the next stop for coffee and a bathroom break.  We were able to get our passports stamped for British Columbia here.

Then onward to Emerald Lake which did not disappoint.

Back to Carcross for lunch at the Sourdough Baking Co where we had a very expensive lunch of soup and sandwich.  After lunch we looked around, visiting the train depot and bought a magnet and Xmas ornament.

Then back to the van and our descent into Skagway. The trip back was clear skies and many stops for pictures including a mountain goat and Yukon and US entry signs.

Dave dropped us off downtown where we looked around the quaint town, stopping for a drink at the Bonanza Bar and Grill.

We visited with a couple from Australia that was on Holland America.  After boarding the ship we changed for dinner, joining a table for 8 again.  The conversation was okay, but not as lively as the previous evening.  We tried to go to the 8:00 show (Bayou) in the Universe Lounge but it was packed 30 minutes prior to start.  We went to the Wheelhouse Bar to listen to Rhapsoday.  They were 15 minutes late starting so we only listened to 3 songs before leaving to get a seat for the second show.  Enjoyed the show Bayou and then off to bed.

Wednesday, September 3rd Juneau

We had breakfast at Sabatini's and then off to meet Harv and Marv for whale watching.  They picked us up at the end of the dock and took us to the marina where we boarded our boat.  Captain was Liz and there were 6 of us on board.  It was a great 3 hour tour with us seeing many, many whales, sometimes 3 at a time.  Lots and lots of tail shots. Seeing the whales was the highlight of the trip.

After the boat returned to the marina,  they took us to Mendenhall Glacier for a 15 minute stop.  It was a nice addition to a great morning.

Back on the ship,  we stopped at International Cafe for a sandwich and drink. Taking our Bloody Mary's  back to the room, we checked our email and then went to Internet cafe to post whale pics to Facebook  and Greg drafted for fantasy football in his yahoo league.  Dinner tonight was in the specialty restaurant Sabatini's. Our reservation was for 7:00.  I had seafood spaghetti and Greg had rack of veal which was excellent.  The calamari appetizer was also very good.  We listened to Rhapsoday before the production show, Dance, at 9:30.

Thursday, September 4th  Ketchikan

Breakfast at Sabatini's  and off the boat at 10:00 which is when we docked.  Our trip today was on the St John (large jet boat) to the Misty Fjiords.  We saw a small group of humpback whales on the way out.  The scenery was spectacular and the excursion nicely done.  Lunch was a cup of clam chowder and a snacks were a pastry in the morning and smoked salmon in the afternoon. 

We returned around 3:00 and walked around Ketchikan until around 4:30. 

Drinks in Explorer Lounge and dinner at the specialty restaurant, Bayou cafe.  I had the fillet and Greg had the porterhouse.  No entertainment tonight that we were interested in.

Friday, Sept 5th  Sea day

Breakfast in Sabatini's for the final day.  Went to the Internet cafe to upload fishing  pictures but no luck. Back to the room where I sat outside enjoying the sunshine.  We ate lunch at Crab Shack at 1:00 and it was very good again.  Watched the seas for whales but only spotted a couple in the far distant.  Dinner in the MDR where we dined at a 2 top but we were so close to the table next to us it was like a table for 4.  I had the fettuccine Alfredo and Greg had turkey.  After dinner we put our bags out and went to listen to Rhapsody one last time.

Saturday, Sept 6th  Disembarkation

Room service for breakfast and then to Explorer's Lounge for suites and platinum members.  Getting off the ship was about as easy as we have  ever experienced.  Took a cab to our hotel -The Georgian Court, hoping to store our luggage.  The lobby was packed but we were able to check in!  Greg went and picked up the rental car.  We paid for the HOHO bus and set off.  Stopped at China Town

and then Stanley Park.

 We transferred to a bus that took us around the park.  We then stopped at Granville Island.

We ate at The Keg where food was good but service poor.  Ate half of our meal without drinks. After lunch walked around a bit more and then got back on the bus to the hotel. Glad we spent the day in Vancouver but not our favorite stop.  Very crowded and hotels and food were very expensive.

Sunday, Sept 7th  Vancouver to Seattle

We had breakfast at the hotel and the left about 10 for Seattle, crossing the border at Sumas.  The crossing took less than 20 minutes.  We took a couple of scenic detours.  First was the Checkanut trail and 2nd was the Cascade trail around Fidalgo Island.  Beautiful country! 

Hotel was the Radisson near the airport.

Monday, Sept 8th

Breakfast at the hotel and then to the airport.   On time plane and then home after our traditional stop for Mexican food.