Hi All,

We are having such a great time with all the LCTers that I haven't had time to post. Since I am up early I am drinking coffee in the Coffee Connection and reading posts. The wireless connection in our suite isn't the best, so I am unable to post pics from there.

Crystal, Randy and I enjoyed the Cruise George Inlet and Crab Fest yesterday. Ate until we almost popped. Today we are Whale Watching in Juneau.

Haven't seen many officers or staff members, so this is a different feel from DC.

Our LCT trivia win, in a tie breaker, was sweet yesterday. Yeah for Kathy & Al, Nancy & Bill(Kathy's friends), and Randy.

I hear Alice is doing a bang-up job on her token collection. There is a disclaimer on the bottom that says they must be reimbursed on this cruise.

Oh, some of our favorite Navigator crew who have moved over to the Mariner are the wonderful Seth (yes Pam we said HI from you and Mark), Ronald, Rexy, Christopher the bar waiter and the delightful Irma in security. So great to see familar faces here.

Off to the Observation Lounge for Terry's Tracy Arm talk.

About to head up to Observation Lounge to see Tracy Arm. Alan's saving me a place.

We took the float plane Misty Fjords tour in Ketchikan. Outstanding although very, uh, misty.

Today we'll be on a Helicopter and glacier walk about. Will tell you about it later.

As the Captain says, "Chow."

Is the Captain FELICE PATRUNO? Short Italian?
He is really a neat man you should just go up and talk to him if you see him. He was all over the place on Koala and I really did like him.

Sounds like you are all having a great time, makes me happy that I decided to do BEAR in 2010. My favorite port and excursion is the whale watching in Juneau, usually some of the best whale watching in the world. Humpbacks and Orcas. Hope you all had a good whale sighting on that excursion.

YEAH an LCT win at Trivia!!!

Great to hear that Seth and Christopher are onboard--hopefully they'll be on for a while so we can see them. See if you can find out. Keep up the good work in Trivia.

Yes, Ngaire, the captain is Felice Patruno. Haven't seen much of him, but he is very good at keeping in touch via the intercom. Imagine we'll all meet tonight at the SS Society cocktail party.

This is a wonderful cruise and wonderful group of people. Wish you were here!

Kathy

Is Dana also onboard with her husband CD Jamie Logan? I didn't know they ever worked on the Mariner. They'll have the W.C. coming up soon on the Voyager.

Hi Marcie: Dana and Jamie are on board. Would you believe they have been on our last three cruises, although they were on Voyager - great couple!

Had a great time with Suzie and Marilyn last night but I'll have to admit three Brandy Alexanders are just too much for my head to cope with - can't keep up with the sistahs!!!

Lee

Thanks for telling Seth "HI" for us, Beth. We'll miss him in May, unless he moves back over. He is such a sweetheart.

Marcie, WC isn't for several months, is it? This is just early September.

Tracy Arm cruising was a fantastic experience. We're on our way to Juneau now. Trying to upload some photos, but not having much luck. I'll keep trying.

The ziplining was very fun! Haven't seen Karen yet to report on our successful ziplining excursion. It was really a lot of fun. Very well run operation... no smashing into people.

The evening started with James Bond themed music, dancing, caviar and martinis. Alice and I enjoyed a quiet dinner then crashed!

We're going on the extended helicopter glacier trek this afternoon. It's a 5.25 hour excursion with 3 hours of hiking on a glacier. Might crash early again tonight!

I think Jamie and Dana normally get on the Voyager for the Christmas cruise but I'm not sure? I'm guessing that maybe they'll have Oct. and Nov. off since once they get on the Voyager, they'll be on until mid May with no breaks and lots of hard work. (On WC they really have to keep coming up with new ideas unlike cruises that turn over every week or two with new passengers).

I just didn't know that they were ever on the Mariner...like to learn new things.

Marcie, I told Jamie that you and Tom said hello and he said to say hello back at you :)

Jamie said he doesn't know his schedule yet as to were he will be next year so I can't answer if he will be on the WC or TUT for that matter.


I am just delighted by the weather, it has been beautiful. Beautiful but COLD today! At least the sun is peaking out and there is no fog or rain. If we can keep this weather for the rest of the trip, I will be a happy camper.

I feel so lucky to meet the LCTers that were new to me. We have the one big happy family feeling going on on this cruise. Really a great group of people!

Mike is the chef and he has always been my fav. Joanna, tell Tony that I requested some of those yummy giant soft pretzels that Tony and I od'd on during LAMB :yummy1:

We will be in Juneau in a few hours, if there are any other ships in port, I will mention it here so maybe the stalkers can see us.

Finally...
Cruising Tracy Arm:






Alice chipping golf balls into the hot tubs:

Finally met the last 2 LCTers. "Mr Anna B" stopped by our table 2 nights ago and then yesterday for the sail away I finally met Kathy (Anna B) Lovely couple.
This afternoon I will be on a raft either floating or actually "rafting". Waited all summer for this tour. And the best news - it is COLD outside. Cool weather actually does exist in places other than the freezer section at the local grocery.
Off to look for a whale or 2!
Editing....No whales in sight - it's now raining. But they are having one grand time in the Observation Lounge. Liquids are flowing freely.
Oh yes - we hit some very rough water in the middle of the night. Everyone survived!

Love the seamail and pixs - sure sounds like a wonderful cruise with great bunch of people - keep having fun!!

Brrr! What are the temps? Looks refreshing! Actually, it's only 71 here in DFW today but it's raining like crazy. In fact, pretty much all of Texas is getting doused - Karen & Betty, you are missing this icky weather!

I love reading all your posts and seeing your pics! Keep them coming.

Kristin, it's a cool 51F as we dock in rainy Juneau. Great weather this AM in Tracy Arm as you can see by Kim's photos. Capt. Felice was able to get far up into the arm.

Having a Librarian's (and Friends of Librarians)Dinner tonight with DCer, Herb and his wife, Larraine, Betty, Crystal, Randy and me.

Bundling up for our excursion..... and loving this cool weather!

I will posst photo in a few days. My view in Juneau from my balcony is a 4 story parking garage. Maybe I can find a story in that bldg after I raft. It's raining but I'm bundled up and ready to go.

I am so enjoying all the posts from our MOOSE'ers aboard! One thing about Alaska, you need to roll with the punches on the weather part of it!

Betty, I think one of my Alaska cruises had that very view to the garage, looking up the mountain with the lift that I never took? Juneau always has opportunities for great excursions, land, water, glacier and air, whatever.

Hi all,
Have so enjoyed seamail and pix and have tried to post last 2 nights, but got "kicked off" internet. DH did a lot of "cleaning" of computer today, so hope I'm fixed!
What a group with the "mystery guests" and everyone! Love the photo from Starz, but, Karen, didn't you tell me you don't stay up late partying??
:D

Thank you all for all the seamail. Such a good bunch you all are.

Great seamail so much fun to leave and enjoy the trip with you --- keep it coming.

Ngaire: Sure wish you could join us - you've got a couple of days to organise it!

Went whale watching today - saw lots - took wonderful photos of a grey sky! Saw a mother and calf which was special. It was miserable weather but we managed to enjoy it anyway.

Off on a steam train trip tomorrow - just love them (my vintage?), so am looking forward to it. Just hope the weather improves a little.

Lee

The sail into Tracy Arm this morning was fantastic. We went far up into the arm due to the weather gods smiling on us. However, they paid us back with rainy weather in Juneau. Alan and I had scheduled the helicopter with glacier walk about. It was canceled. They changed us to a different helicopter glacier tour. We made it all the way to the helicopter port. We put on the boots and special life vests before being told that it was canceled due to weather. We were sorry to miss it but appreciated the attention to safety, especially since it was our safety.

Dinner tonight in La Veranda was wonderful. The staff provided the personal service that we expect from a luxury cruise line and that we have found sorely lacking in Compass Rose so far. The food was excellent. We'll definitely be spending more time in La Veranda. But, we'll be giving Compass Rose another chance too.

Sure hope the sun will come out tomorrow in Skagway when we'll be spending 7 hours on the Glacier tour with Speedcat.

Even with the rain, we love Alaska and this itinerary. With so many excursions to choose from, Alan and I can see ourselves sailing on another Alaska cruise.

Lost 3 postings to the topic. So for now float/rafting trip was cold, wet, wild and wonderful. Only 1 photo due to constant rain. Tomorrow's project. Relearn how to retrieve photos from camera.

Yes, the whale watching excursion was great. With the rain, we were able to see more humbpack whales, one breaching very close to our boat. What fun! Lee and I met Charlene another LCTers. We are such a fun group.

Had dinner tonight also in La Veranda. The cream of halibut soup and baby lamp chops were delicious. Went up to the Observation Lounge and listened to Natural Rhythmn Trio. What a way to end the evening.

Tomorrow Randy and I have a massage and facial then the Steam Train with Lee up the White Pass. Seven Seas Society party is tomorrow night.

Just pulled alongside Skagway. Going on a White Pass railway & heli-hike this morning. Waiting for room service at the moment. Alice and I managed to stay up a bit later than usual. After a wonderful dinner at Signatures with Karen, Julie, Marilyn and Suzie; we went to hear the Beatles in Horizon. Chatted with Mr & Anna B, Charlene and Wendy.

Our Extended Glacier trek was cut short a bit due to weather , but at least we got up there . All the heli trips after ours got cancelled. We had hiked quite a bit before having to leave, but we were just about to climb an ice wall. Dissappointing, but it was still a great experience.

A Carnival ship just pulled in behind us.

Robert, Coffee Nelson has a shot of Frangelico in it. Pretty tasty!

Thanks, MOOSIES for your reports. Sounds like a wonderful time being had by all.
We sure could use more photos. Especially people photos! Please!

LOL, Kim - at first I read that as "hell"-hike! I've gotta wake up! :D

Karen , funny!! Room service never showed up. We ran to Coffee Connection and stuffed bagels in our mouths and made it down to the pier. Waiting in temsco office to get on helicopter now.

Speaking of room service, Julie ordered breakfast for us the other day and I wasn't paying attention. In front of what she wanted, she would put a number of how many she wanted. Like, 2 eggs scrambled, 2 pieces of bacon, 2 pieces of sausage for me, etc. We ended up with 2 orders of everything instead of 2 pieces, lol. The guy had to make 3 trips into our room with food :)

Off to breakfast right now, later I will tell the story of Julie going on an excursion by herself yesterday and almost getting mauled by a bear with cubs that was 6 feet from her!

aLSO, there is a Carnival ship (i think) with it's webcam pointing right at the ship today.

Ngaire, the answer to the question you emailed is yes. Sorry everyone--my email replies won't load.

Yesterday was wonderful. A beautiful sail into Tracy Arm, and then a very wet but great row to the face of the glacier on a native canoe. I've never been so close to a glacier before. But it was sad to see a brown waterfall coming off the side of it--our guide says that's the sign of a sick glacier, and it had only formed 3 weeks ago.

Great as yesterday was, I didn't think I could face another day so intimate with the water, so I traded in my rafting trip for a scenic train ride. Leaving shortly....

Thanks for the great reports!

Enjoy, Nancy

The Sea Mail is great...everyone seems to be having a wonderful time.

Back is so such better that when I ran into Crystal this morning on her way to the train I decided on the spot....stop by Destinations Desk, change my hiking safari tour for the train. So happy I did. We did pass Alice and Kim on their hike, waiting for the train behind us to bring them back to ship. Weather getting colder as day progresses. Are there that many "s"es in progresses. Who cares? Not me. Nap time. Or maybe a stroll by the Red Onion - Skaway's answer to the red light district. Have found a book title that will tell me everything the guides won't. Bye for now. Great stalk Robert. Yes - that is us!

The Glacier Point Speedcat Adventure was awesome. Alan and I agreed that it's the best ship's excursion that we've ever taken. I'm cold and sleepy so it's time to snuggle under the afghan and take a nap. More later.

Neat Donna!!!!!!!! Take it easy till you are fully up to snuff!!!

Seven Seas Society party was tonight; but we keep missing the events because the sail-aways are so beautiful from the Observation Lounge, along with Terry Breen's commentary and a glass of champagne. Since this is our first time in Alaska, we keep choosing the scenery. All those parties can come later.

The fish triology dinner in Compass Rose was outstanding. Of course, chocolate souffle for dessert wasn't too shabby either.

More sea mail tomorrow from Sitka.

Sailing away from Sitka now. An incredibly beautiful day!!!!! Alice and I went on the drysuit snorkel. Saw tons of huge and colorful sea stars, starfish, a school of small fish and I saw a little shark, I think.

Photo from Compass Rose last night, great time!