before boarding in Seattle, we took the train in to DT from the airport, no-brainer for $3pp one way. The rideshare to Hattie's Hat in Ballard was spot on. Sierra was a gem bartender.
Then we boarded the ship and we were off (for 7 days on a ship w/ 3k people on board)....I got dizzy the first night. Apparently a lot of people were sea sick. Rough seas. The food was absolute yuck....except Guy Fieri's hamburger stop (?). Jamie was at the bar a lot. We paid extra to eat decent food at the "fancy" restaurant for dinner most nights. I deserve a medal in bearing Jamie's and my boredom and pissy attitude. Didn't see any stars, the sun didn't set till after 11pm. Scenery was great after day 2. High's in the 50's. Clean cool air. Saw lotsa whale plumes, LOTSA bald eagles. There oddly wasn't a lot of fish choices besides Halibut and some salmon? Otherwise...only other highlight on the ship was the"lecture" on the glaciers and icebergs etc....can't deny the last few years have been significantly different in glacier melting.
Fjord day - Apparently, the Tracy Arm fjord had too many icebergs to safely enter so we turned up the Endicott fjord. Lovely. A highlight.
Skagway Day - just a straight up tourist town. We got a helicopter to take us to the Meade glacier 20 minutes out. Pretty neat. Nothing but a certain kind of moss can live on it. We drank glacier water.
There's a 15 minute hike left of the airport. What must've been a 5ft wide bald eagle flew right over Jamie's head. He got a good picture of it where it landed in the tree. Lunch at Brew Company (BrewCo), the fish/chips were delicious. There's the Kone company fudge shop that was the most delicious fudge I've ever had. Went to Olivia's for some soup, sat at the bar, Jamie ate some salmon spread at FishCo. And like cattle, had to board the boat.
Juneau Day - just the walk to get out of town was killer, straight up. We walk/hiked to Ebner Falls on the Perseverance Trail. (6ish miles rt?). Nice. Back in town, took an uber to Douglas cafe (good biscuits/gravy) then drinks at Island bar overlooking the inlet. Bus back, $2pp easy. Had a "Alaskan right of passage" Duck Fart shot at Red Dog Saloon. There was an annual tribal gatherings going on in DT Juneau...if I would've known I think i might've planned around that.
And like cattle, had to board the boat.
Ketchikan Day - breakfast at New York cafe (good), walked the historical red light district. Found a hole-in-the wall bar...Eagle (something)...old school. Ate at Alaskan Fish company for lunch...meh.
And like cattle, had to board the boat.
Victoria BC night - only got to really see the place we ate dinner (cause like cattle we had to board the boat). Little Jumbo restaurant had a good feel and - really good food/drink. I think I'd really like to go back and visit the non-cruise ship parts one day.
Will we ever go on a cruise again - no.
But we liked what little we saw of Alaska to think we'd like to go back. (and whew...locals are TALKERS)
I think I'm on book 9 of Christi Caldwell's Heart series? I got on a Penny Reid re-read kick too.
