An Un-Cruise Adventure - Pt 12, Final Day

The grand finale of our magnificent voyage from Juneau to Seattle aboard the SS Legacy with the unique style of Un-Cruise Adventures... 

Day 12 - Seattle

It's 7am and we have finally come to the end of our fairly epic voyage with Un-Cruise, the navigation of the Hiram M Chittenden Locks (known locally as Ballard Locks) into Fishermen's Terminal in Seattle.

It's always a fascinating process going through the lock stage and we enjoy an  early-morning gathering on deck with Larry talking us through what's going on, and a bit more about Seattle itself. The salmon are still active and we see some beautiful specimens jumping several feet out of the water with resounding splashes!

After arriving in the inner basin (once again, where the big ships never venture), we troop down to the Klondike Dining Room for our final breakfast aboard.

The disembarkation arrangements are as smooth and seamless as those when we arrived,

with our suitcases being whisked off the ship while we are at breakfast, and loaded onto a bus for the airport without us having to lift a finger.

Thankfully, there is no rush to get off and we are able to say some heartfelt goodbyes to fellow passengers who have become firm friends in the course of the 12 days. Notable among them are Australian photographer Jocelyn Pride (who has taken some magnificent pics during the voyage - be sure to see more at http://www.jocelynpride.com.au/) and her husband Peter, and Jim and Ann Blanchard, plus just about everyone else!

It has been a wonderfully convivial group, apart from everything else, and it has been great to share travel stories with such a collection of well-travelled and fun folks. It was quite startling to learn that just about everyone had travelled with Un-Cruise before and were keen to come back for more - the ultimate endorsement of the product.

Finally, we DID have to get off, and it was to a full line-up of the crew and staff, providing hugs and handshakes all round as we said some more fond farewells. And yes, there were a few tears, too. 

The voyage itself has been a dazzling daily collection of highlights, both on board and in the

scenery and wildlife around us. Alaska never disappoints from those points of view, but this cruise proved off-the-charts amazing.

Equally, the Un-Cruise Adventures style of relaxed, unhurried and (often) unscheduled cruising is a huge hit with us. We loved absolutely every minute of it.

Now, we wouldn't normally do this, but we want to give a name check to everyone who helped and made this journey special, as it's one we will always remember. To a certain extent, the PR people and the crew are simply doing their job and (without wishing to sound condescending) it is important for them to showcase their product as efficiently as possible. But we think this went above and beyond all but one cruise we have previously experienced, and is certainly on a par with the

great Nomads of the Seas voyage we enjoyed in Chile a few years ago.

So here goes with the extensive array of fully-deserved plaudits...

EVP Tim Jacox and director of business development LouAnn Stanley, who proved such wonderful company onboard, as well as ensuring we saw everything we needed to (and to Sarah Scoltock, back in the office, for great pre-cruise organisation).

Captain Dano (Daniel Quinn) and his wheelhouse staff of First Mate Katie, Second Mate Rob and Third Mate Lyman (my Open Mic Night partner!) for both great navigation, enormous skill in finding (and staying with, the wildlife), and the personable style to tell us all about it, along with deck hands Travis and Kristen (a more conscientious, hard-working and ship-proud pair would be hard to find).

Then there were the Grand Salon staff Jason, Heather and Sharon for serving great drinks

and providing ever-smiling service, even at 6.30am; and the Klondike Dining Room staff Cheryl, Amber, Julio, Derek and Kirsty for equally good service with a fun attitude.

Finally, there were the incomparable troupe of re-enactors/entertainment staff/historians/characters/naturalists/photographers and all-round stars Larry West (a fount of all knowledge on the region) and Kenne Williams (together, below), Ryan (as Swedish photographer Eric Hegg, right) and Arika (above left). 

Four true champions of Alaska and the Heritage Cruise style - long may they fly the Un-Cruise flag and its unique style! More importantly, the 49th state is now firmly embedded in our hearts forever and we WILL be back, as we can feel a much longer - and deeper - story that needs to be written.

To learn more about Un-Cruise adventures, call 1888 862 8881 in the US; or visit www.un-cruise.com. In the UK, specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line can also help with bookings.

Be sure to read the full report of the cruise in the Autumn edition of World of Cruising, out now! You can subscribe here: www.worldofcruising.co.uk/subscribeOrder.html 

 

"This article has been written to recognise the author's contribution to travel and tourism by Avis Car Hire (http://www.avis.co.uk) on the A-List Awards 2013." 

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An Alaskan Un-Cruise Adventure - Pt 9, A Whale Of A Day

(Pic Courtesy Jocelyn Pride)

Continuing our magnificent Alaska cruise experience aboard the SS Legacy with the unique style of Un-Cruise Adventures...

Legacy Cruise Day 9

Finally out of US waters, we are heading for two days of gentle sailing through Canada’s own Inside Passage, a series of narrow inlets that the big ships avoid but which is tailor-made for Un-Cruise sailing.

The weather varies from periodic curtains of light rain to bright sunshine, with cloud still lingering among the towering hills and mountains to either side.

Spectacular waterfalls cascade down precipitous slopes and the occasional sea-lion and porpoise slides by in the ice-cool green waters. After the run of port calls, today’s ambience is distinctly slower and lazier, with people taking

the time to settle down with a good book, a game of cards, a jigsaw puzzle or just convivial conversation in the lounge. The Grenville Channel provides the occasional whale sighting, but they prove fleeting and largely elusive.

Several groups of passengers – notably the New Zealanders – gather to rehearse for the evening’s ‘Open Mic’ night, which promises to be quite a laugh, but otherwise this is about as low key as the voyage has been.

Of course, the lure of the local wildlife keeps many eyes drifting back to the windows and the waters beyond; waters that have developed a distinct glitter under the late-morning sun and are studded every now and then by another startling waterfall.

A message from the bridge briefly brings most people out on to deck at reports of a humpback whale sighting but, once again, it dives deep and is not seen again, even though our Captain idles the engines for a while in hopes our mammalian friend might resurface (yet another reminder of the unscheduled Un-Cruise style).

Lunch is interrupted by a ‘call’ at the former cannery site of Butedale, a derelict Canadian industrial plant that was abandoned in the 1950s yet still has a caretaker (and his family) standing guard over the slowly decaying remains. The Legacy noses up to his small dock

and one of the crew throws several bags of cookies to the eager incumbents. A special delivery indeed!

Another tannoy announcement of ‘Whale!’ brings a minor ripple of attention to the outdoor decks – which soon becomes a MAJOR event, and quite a surprise for the sleepy day.

Two humpbacks are spotted feeding close in to the shore (barely 5 yards away at times), then two more and then another couple, including a calf. A huge breach REALLY gets our attention, and that quickly gives way to another example of bubble-net feeding – not as dramatic as Day 4’s but still attention-grabbing.

What happened next will probably have us still talking about it for years to come. As the ship again cut its engines to allow for a prolonged observation of the group, two broke away to come and look at US. Passing along first one side, then the other, they topped this truly eye-popping close-up wildlife show by nosing under the bow and drifting along the port side, tilting to one side to eye us up and ascertain what kind of creature was threatening to move in on their feeding grounds.

Or maybe they were just curious. Or maybe they were feeling playful. Either way, we were again treated to the kind of live-action wildlife theatre you usually see only in the most vivid TV documentaries. We galloped from one side of the ship to the other as the duo performed their slow-motion ballet alongside and cameras almost went into meltdown as everyone

tried to record the moment and add it to an indelible memory.

Both whales eventually moved off with a long, languid wave of their huge tails, and we settled back – emotionally exhausted once more – to compare notes on this amazing hour-long experience that even had Captain Danno looking back in awe.

First mate Katie drew a good crowd in the lounge for her lecture on maritime navigation and, before we knew it, it was cocktail hour once again and the precursor to a dinner featuring an absolute feast of Alaskan king crab (or filet mignon for those who might be shellfish-averse).

Finally, Open Mic Night offered us a hugely amusing mix of the entertainment crew (our re-enactors, turned singers, musicians and comedians) plus passengers in a fairy raucous selection of singers, comics, poetry readers and Capt Danno (again) offering one of his

inimitable rhyming stories (poems are too small a word for them).

Yet again, another example of a day at sea with a difference. We can’t wait for another one tomorrow! 

To learn more about Un-Cruise adventures, call 1888 862 8881 in the US; or visit www.un-cruise.com. In the UK, specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line can also help with bookings.

Be sure to read the full report of the cruise in the Autumn edition of World of Cruising, out now! You can subscribe here: www.worldofcruising.co.uk/subscribeOrder.html

PS: Yes, that is Yours Truly at Open Mic Night - a fearsome sight (and sound!) to behold. There is even a video file of it online somewhere, although I hesitate to mention it. Oh go on, then... http://s203.photobucket.com/user/SusanVeness/media/P1450843_zpsb06ca823.mp4.html

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Oceania's New Alaska Option

Oceania Cruises has announced changes to its 2013 Alaska sailings on Regatta, including the addition of a 14-day Pacific Exploration voyage round-trip from Seattle on June 4. The new itinerary features calls into Kodiak, Hoonah and Seward as well as cruising Alaska’s Inside and Outside Passages and the awe-inspiring Hubbard Glacier.

The new voyage combines two originally scheduled seven-day sailings on June 4 and June 11. Oceania has also amended its June 28 and July 5 Coastal Alaska sailings so they now begin and end in Seattle. The changes were made based on feedback from the line’s guests and travel partners.

Included in the fares are free return flights from London and promotions that currently include substantial bonus savings, plus up to $500 ship-board credit per stateroom, two-for-one deposits and an Unlimited Passport Collection shore excursion promotion valued at up to £637 per stateroom on select sailings booked by December 31.

The destination experience can be further enhanced with excursions such as a sea kayaking adventure at Mendenhall Glacier, a day of fishing for salmon, trout and halibut and the Spasski River Valley Wildlife & Bear search.

Guests will discover Alaska aboard the 684-guest Regatta, an intimate ship acclaimed for its open-seating gourmet dining (with no surcharges), luxurious public rooms and accommodations, and warm and attentive service.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's luxury cruising specialists.   

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Sample Pristine Alaska With Hapag-Lloyd

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises offers two unique expedition trips through Alaska in Summer 2012 and 2013 on board their adventuring duo MS Hanseatic and the MS Bremen. 

Hanseatic is the world’s only 5-star expedition ship while the 4-star Bremen was also created to provide intensive exploration in the most elegant surroundings.

Two expedition-style voyages will be operated jointly in English and German languages and feature spectacular landscapes and wild, unspoilt nature in the home of bears, whales and bald eagles. Alaska's deep fjords, snow-covered mountains, endless forests and shimmering glaciers make for spectacular landscapes and an unforgettable expedition.

Summer 2012: The 184-guest Hanseatic sets sail in July through the legendary Inside Passage of Alaska, considered one of the most beautiful waterway passages in the world. Guests can experience the following optional excursions on this trip: a glacier flight, a dogsled trip, a boat trip and hike in the rainforest, a helicopter flight over the glaciers and a ride with the historic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. Trip Details: Sailing July 14-20, from Seward/Alaska to Vancouver/Canada, rates for this itinerary start at £4,700 per person. 

Summer 2013: The 164-guest Bremen takes a similar route in June 2013, with a shorter trip through the Inside Passage, highlighting more of the Alaskan islands along the route. Guests will be able to observe colonies of fur seals while kittiwakes and guillemots circle the seemingly endless sky over the solitary waters on this itinerary. Trip Details: Sailing June 19-July 7, from Nome/Alaska to Vancouver/Canada, with rates from £5,710 per person.

For bookings, follow this link to The Cruise Line Ltd, the UK's expedition cruising specialists.

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Spectacular Anchorage

By guest blogger Steve Newman

Well, the Gold Rush may be long over, but there is another stampede starting to happen as more and more dedicated cruisers discover the natural wonders of Alaska.

Imagine standing on your private veranda watching humpbacked whales breaching, eagles soaring above you and then being one of the privileged few on Earth to spend a whole day in Glacier Bay National Park.

All of these - and much more - are now available from Holland America's 2011 Alaska cruise programme. The company have been cruising to Alaska longer than anyone else and also take tours into Canada's Yukon territory.

But it's the way that these comfortable mid-size ships seem dwarfed by snow-capped mountains that literally sit on the shoreline that stays longest in your memory here.

There are a wide range of cruises on offer in this marvellous area of the world, where names like Seattle, Anchorage, British Columbia and Vancouver are all steeped in Northwest history, to become vivid memories along with many of the smaller coastal places such as Kodiak, Skagway and Homer, still clinging to their pioneer heritage.

The scenery on this tour is simply breathtaking, from the stunning glaciers to the sheer beauty of sailing through the Inside Passage - a collection of islands and channels running along the coast (see above).

And, if you want to do your bit for the environment, Holland America have an excellent online check-in system as well to cut out on all that unnecessary paper.

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