SUPER ALASKA CRUISE
M. Day 7: Inside Passage Southbound
Sometime during the evening my ship, the Norwegian Wind, lost sight of the Dawn Princess and the Volendam. The weather this day was again relatively warm and sunny, making viewing sights from the top level and forward decks a memorable experience. This day was an excellent opportunity to grab a deck chair, sit on the top deck, soak in the sunshine, and watch the scenery passing by. This day was also filled with activities including exercise classes, bingo games, an art auction and an outdoor salmon barbeque. There was also a talk about the disembarkation process whose attendance was not necessary because it was videotaped and the tape looped continuously on the ship’s TV system.
Since the route taken when heading north was different and the weather was clearer, the sights seen were new. The Canadian inside passage is a very beautiful mostly uninhabited area. The islands that we sailed between were beautiful with snow-covered mountains and forested plains.
Many passengers dedicated the time after dinner and the show to packing. Passengers taking ship sponsored transportation to the Seattle airport received bus specific luggage tags delivered to their staterooms. Other passengers were able to pick up color keyed luggage tags in the lobby. The tags’ colors indicate when your flight leaves Vancouver airport or that you will be staying in the city. If you want luggage tags that permit you to be one of the first ones off the ship, you must show your airline tickets to get them. Unless you want to drag your suitcases around for an hour or so while waiting to depart, through the ship, down the gangplank, through the pier etc, you should leave your bags outside of your room as instructed on the ship. Also, if you will be taking cruise ship sponsored transportation to Seattle, you must have your bags tagged, I think it has something to do with customs procedures and I think the bags will go directly to the cargo hold of your bus. As instructed, you must leave your bags, with tags on, outside of your room by midnight or so. Some passengers are not aware that ships occasionally rock side-to-side, and bags balanced on top of other bags and wheeled suitcases standing vertically blocked the hallways after they crashed down during the evening. It was lucky that no one was injured. The ship should have assigned a person to walk the halls to clear fallen bags and reposition bags that could fall to fend off liability lawsuits from falling bags. Of course, you need to make sure that you keep in your room clothing for the next day, valuables including tickets, and an overnight bag to carry them.
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