(2014-August 2-9) Vancouver Canada to Glacier Bay Alaska Via the Inside Passage on the Holland America ZUIDERDAM.
When I decided to go on a cruise again, I knew it had to be Alaska!! Last year while cruising the Inside Passage on Holland America Line, I had the time of my life!! Absolutely beautiful country. This time cruising through the Inside Passage began in Vancouver Canada. The first stop was in Juneau and an excursion to the Mendenhall Glacier as well as a whale watching tour in the surrounding waters.
The next port we hit was in Skagway, where we took another excursion involving the White Pass Railroad, which was constructed during the Klondike Gold Rush in the early 1900's. I highly recommend this ride up into the mountains, very scenic and a lot of history is discussed. The next day of fun was an all day cruise into Glacier Bay National Park. The ship cruises all the way to the end of the glacier carved fjord to the Grand and Margerie Glaciers, where they calve off into the water. Watching and photographing the glacial calving is extremely exciting for me.
First you hear the cracking thunder of the ice as it screams down the valley at approximately 22' a day, then you see the house size pieces break off and fall into the water, creating a liquid explosion. Incredible!!! The next and last port on this cruise was to Ketchican, where it rains more than 300 days of the year and this day was one of the 300 (just like last year). Got off the ship for a bit, walked the town, had some fish and chips, and shopped. Cruised back into Vancouver after two more days of cruising. Just a beautiful time!!! If I go on a cruise again, it will definately be BACK TO ALASKA.......
Read MoreThe next port we hit was in Skagway, where we took another excursion involving the White Pass Railroad, which was constructed during the Klondike Gold Rush in the early 1900's. I highly recommend this ride up into the mountains, very scenic and a lot of history is discussed. The next day of fun was an all day cruise into Glacier Bay National Park. The ship cruises all the way to the end of the glacier carved fjord to the Grand and Margerie Glaciers, where they calve off into the water. Watching and photographing the glacial calving is extremely exciting for me.
First you hear the cracking thunder of the ice as it screams down the valley at approximately 22' a day, then you see the house size pieces break off and fall into the water, creating a liquid explosion. Incredible!!! The next and last port on this cruise was to Ketchican, where it rains more than 300 days of the year and this day was one of the 300 (just like last year). Got off the ship for a bit, walked the town, had some fish and chips, and shopped. Cruised back into Vancouver after two more days of cruising. Just a beautiful time!!! If I go on a cruise again, it will definately be BACK TO ALASKA.......
