This was our first international cruise and a celebration of our 30th wedding anniversary. It was with mixed feelings for Becky as we did not really know what to expect especially so that we are both non-swimmers and Titanic has always been in our minds.
We drove the night before to Seattle and made our embarkation at the city’s port. We were really excited to board the next day and we felt pampered the moment we stepped into the ship – Holland America Lines (HAL)’s Westerdam to commence our 7- night Inside Passage to Alaska. We had our welcome drinks before we were ushered into our Balcony room. Our delight could not be contained as we started to check the room. It was very spacious and comfortable and could see the Seattle skyline from the Verandah stateroom. The first stop was in Victoria, BC. It was a short stop. We didn’t even get off the ship and was busy wandering around the ship.
We thought it would be a pleasant 7- night trip until the ship started to sail away. The ship’s route was the inside passage through the islands and supposedly shielding it from the Pacific Ocean. However, the water was unusually rough the first 2 days. We could see the ocean waves splashing below the balcony and we were like on a roller coaster. Becky started to get dizzy and sea sick and was throwing up. We had to seek some medical assistance and she was given motion sickness tablet, green apples and crackers, delivered to the room. Becky was saying that it will be our first and last cruise…ever! We prayed to calm ourselves down and take away our fears and anxieties and we were able to catch some sleep on the second night.
The third day was a complete turnaround. The water was very calm and you could barely sense the movement of the ship. Becky felt a lot better and she was smiling again and started to enjoy it.
Our next port of call was in Ketchikan. Ketchikan is usually the first port of call going in the innermost stretch of waterways and beautiful landscape and scenery in this area. It was easy…no need for “tender” transport as the ship was docked by the port and a short sweet walk to the pier. There are so many things to do at Ketchikan and we opted to stay in and enjoy the ship…our very first cruise. Becky ventured out on her own as I watched her got down the plank and off to the shops a wave away from our room. I followed her and there she was shopping for “black diamond” jewelry…semi-precious stones most commonly known as “Hematite”. She even dragged me to check out the fur store…but was able to convince her not to buy anything.
The next port of call was in Juneau, the capital city of Alaska and is actually the second largest city in the United States, by area. Here, we went on the short excursion to the see the glaciers at the Mendenhall Glaciers in the Mendenhall valley. We learned from the short video clip presented at the visitor centre that the end of the glacier has retreated, and will continue to retreat in the future. After the excursion, we strolled through the historic town and shopped for some souvenirs…canned salmon and gourmet caviar.
Our most anticipated destination was Glacier Bay and we were not disappointed. Glacier Bay is a world heritage site, a national park with such amazing scenery of the snowcapped mountains, spectacular glaciers and emerald green forests. It is certainly a place to enjoy through ages… the glaciers and wild life in all its grandeur. It was a sight to behold, right in the middle of the bay with floating icebergs of different sizes in crystal clear water.
Our next stop was Sitka. It is a small port town and a charming island community known for its beautiful thick spruce forest. It used to be controlled by the Russians until the mid- 1800s hence, you see a lot of Russian influence in the city’s architecture. This time, we boarded a “tender” to go the mainland. We took a cultural excursion that highlighted a visit to the local museum and a special treat…a cultural dance presentation.
Our first cruise experience in 2008 may have not started well but it certainly ended so nicely that it created our desire for more. Looking back, we did enjoyed the ship facilities and amenities, the food was excellent, and most of all, the staff on board serving us were gracious and treated us very well.
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