May 10, 2025 update

 

We forgot to mention that there were six, yes six, cruise ships in the small town of Ketchikan on Thursday.  The port authorities told us there were 16,000 visitors.  Likely more visitors than locals.  Still, it did not seem crowded.  Maybe the weather had something to do with that.

We also forgot to say that we were listed as having a third roommate on our ship, Layla!  When we were being seated in the dining room the first time, the waiter asked if we wanted to wait for our third.  A trip to Passenger Services confirmed that we did not have a third.

We were in Juneau on Friday and just walked the town in the afternoon.  It was raining pretty hard in the morning, so we stayed on board until after lunch then went to town. We walked about three miles and hid a whale rock.  No visible changes since last year and no excitement.

On Saturday we were In Skagway, the last of the three ports that every cruise ship goes to.  It was sunny, no rain, but cold, and oh the wind!  Again, we waited until after lunch and walked to town.  Again, we hid a whale rock, then headed back to the ship.  There were two other ships in Skagway Saturday.  There were whale sightings right off the ship when we were having breakfast.  This was the first cruise to Alaska for a number of crew, and they were excited to see whales for the first time.  Also, some were to see snow for the first time. 

We will be in our first unknown to us port tomorrow Sunday, Icy Point Straight, also known as Hoonah.  It seems to be really small, even by Alaska standards.

John & Colleen