Our Alaska cruise was nicely rounded out by port calls at Sitka and Ketchikan. Again, the weather held firm for us with no rain and mild temperatures. Well for us it was mild. For the locals 19C/66F is being considered a heatwave and they told us they are in the middle of a drought.
Sitka, with its one stop sign in the entire town, was the former capital city of Alaska before the title went to Juneau. Like Juneau, it is only accessible by air or sea; there are no roads leading into Sitka. Our shore excursion here was an opportunity to see local wildlife and we weren’t disappointed. Otters, stellar seal lions, whales and bald eagles all made an appearance and our time in Sitka was completed with a visit to the local bear sanctuary for bears who cannot be returned to the wild due to injury or abandonment by their mamas.
Ketchikan, the salmon capital of the world, was up next. Ketchikan is also known for its collection of totem poles and so off we went in search of them. In Potlatch Park we found totem poles galore and spent time wandering amongst them and checking out the carving house where the totem poles are created.
Our final cruise destination was a quick stop in Canada’s Victoria, B.C. Apparently the cruise liners need to make a stop here in order to deem the cruise as ‘international’ and be able to sell duty free goods and services. Who knew? Regardless of the reason for stopping here, Victoria is beautiful and somewhere we will return to for sure when we start to explore Canada.
Our top tips for anyone wanting to do an Alaska cruise to Glacier Bay:
1. Make it a Holland America Liner cruise. HAL were the first cruise liner to break in to the Alaska cruising industry and therefore they are always guaranteed entry into Glacier Bay. Other cruise liners are not guaranteed and only two ships are allowed in to the Bay each day.
2. If you can, go for a veranda room. There is just something special about being able to sit outside your room and watch the world pass by.
3. This time of year is the perfect time to make this trip because the whales are making their way back to Alaska on much the same route as the ship takes.
4. Bring a pair of very stretchy comfortable pants for your waistline. The food on Holland America is superb.
So now our Alaska chapter has come to an end and we return to the Lower 48 to reunite with Ruby and continue our journey by road. Idaho, see you soon!
P&S