We have been planning a cruise to somewhere, anywhere for over two years. Thank you Covid! Our cruise to the Caribbean, an ultimate two week adventure was the first one cancelled. Then came Southeast Asia, Alaska (twice), Japan, and then we're set for Alaska 2022 and what happens?! Our second leg of our first Back-to-Back cruise is cancelled because the ship has acquired barnacles. Yes, Barnacles!!
The summer of 2022 thusly became. . . A Tale of Two Alaska Cruises
Cruising to Alaska Without the Kids
Still masked up in the airport for safety!
We had so much fun traveling to Alaska with our in-laws. (We left the kids at home!)
It was a great time, filled with lots of laughs, while getting to know each other better.
I highly recommend travel as a way to learn more about one another and find common interests and experience enjoyable adventures.
This first Alaska cruise was aboard the Celebrity Eclipse.
I'm of a mindset to accentuate the positive, so here goes.
First off, we all flew into Vancouver and enjoyed a day and a half wandering the downtown area.
Kathy's First Boba & they were so Yummy!
Native American Art and Local Sculpture
We stayed at the Renaissance in downtown Vancouver and it was a fabulous stay.
This is a perfect location for an easy 1/2 mile walk to the pier on embarkation day.
We had rain, and it wasn't too bad at all.
Here are some pics of this beautiful ship and our itinerary.
Let the relaxation begin!
Leaving Vancouver
The Lawn Club
A Gorgeous Ship
A Real Live Tree in the Piazza - So Cool!
Sitka Sound
Scenery Along the Way
Enjoying our balcony cabin with Hubbard Glacier beyond
Doesn't this snow-melt resemble a face?
Local chocolate - so good!!
The itinerary was stunning and the sun shone on us every single day.
We felt lucky to visit Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Hubbard Glacier
amidst absolutely gorgeous conditions.
We saw otters, bald eagles, and humpback whales in Sitka Sound.
We had no idea just how spectacular this particular area would be.
Hubbard Glacier was not really calving this early in the season, but
Our captain navigated us very close, so we could feel the immensity and grandeur.
Wandering in Juneau is always a treat.
The Inside Passage is absolutely breathtaking and our favorite day of the cruise.
Sailing back into Vancouver, catching a ride on the Express Bus to Seattle, and
then a super easy flight home helped make this trip a breeze!
Until we got home... and we both came down with Covid. Ugh.
Our first time getting it and it was no picnic.
But we are well, and happy and looking forward to our second week in Alaska.
Our rescheduled week was just 7 weeks later and we sailed aboard the
Celebrity Solstice this time, out of Seattle.
Alaska Part Deux!!
Seattle is as gorgeous and delicious as ever!
Lunch - Von's 1000 Spirits - Handmade Pasta with King Salmon - Yum!!!
Best Chocolate in Seattle
Old Stove Brewing Company - Great Beer!
I am definitely Pro-Choice AND Pro-Cupcake!
Le Panier - Best Croissants around
I can never get over the gorgeous flower bouquets at the Seattle Market!
We boarded Celebrity Solstice and the ship design was exactly the same as the Eclipse.
Much was identical, but certain areas were just a bit different.
We found our way around the ship with no problems, whatsoever.
We loved Cafe Al Bacio for coffee, cocoa, and tea.
The Lawn Club, just as on the Eclipse - loved our beermosas!
The only difference - it rained every single day on this July week.
Still beautiful, still a great time, but brrrrr - so cold.
Ketchikan - Our Misty Fjords excursion was cancelled due to weather.
From here on out - Misty Fjords will remain - Mystery Fjords!
Celebrity Solstice thru the trees in Juneau.
Can you imagine taking these steps to your front door every day?
Out to Mendenhall Glacier
Beautiful Mendenhal Lake
From here we traveled to Auke Bay where we say more
Humpback Whales and Orcas than we have ever seen before.
They are all in my mind's eye, because I never took my camera out for pictures.
I didn't want to miss a thing!!
Skagway!!
Notice the Celebrity Mercury Artwork - that was our very first Alaska cruise ship.
Jeff Smith's Parlor in Skagway
Dinner in Blu Restaurant aboard Celebrity Solstice
Can you say, "Spoiled"?
Nothing beats cupcakes and beermosas!
This was our last day and our first day of sunshine.
We loved it.
The relaxing view from our aft-facing balcony.
Loved it.
Our last night was a quick stop in Victoria, BC, Canada.
We took a bus out to Butchart Gardens and it was gloriously in bloom!!
We had been here once before over 10 years ago, during September.
I was so excited to see it during the middle of summer and it did not disappoint.
Our flight home from Seattle was easy-breezy.
We came home healthy and ready for our next adventure!
But absolutely NO cruises on the horizon for now!!
Until Next Time
:) Deb
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