Thursday and Friday were what is called "Scenic Cruising Days." Our ship sailed through Glacier Bay National Park on Thursday and College Fjord on Friday. This was when we were able to view Alaska's tidewater glaciers up close.
We
stayed on the Promenade deck, Deck 7 the whole time since it was partially
covered and we had shelter from the wind and any rain. I had gotten this tip on Cruise Critic and it was the perfect place to be on the ship!
Waiting
for the glaciers!
Ben got an Irish coffee to sip while waiting.
Soon John Hopkins Glacier came into view.
This is Margerie glacier. Here, the boat came to a complete stop and was completely quiet so you could hear the calving which is where pieces of the glacier fall off and fall into the water. It sounds like really loud thunder. I thought Princess did a great job in Glacier Bay.
I was able to catch some calving.
I thought College Fjord would be a letdown after Glacier Bay but it was really beautiful too.
More calving.
At the end of College Fjord day, we thought we were done viewing and went to our room to see the glacier RIGHT THERE! So we spent time out on the balcony until we sailed away.
On College Fjord day, I ordered tea in our suite and Fran and Harvey came over and enjoyed it with us. We only ordered scones so it wouldn’t be so much this time!
When we weren’t glacier viewing, we went to the gym, relaxed, had tea, napped, and went to the thermal suite. Fran and Harvey went to a few of the Ranger presentations and talks. I would consult my cruise companion to see what we would be going to see the next day. And we viewed the amazing scenery and watched for wildlife.
We had dinner again at the Bayou Café on Glacier Bay night (which was the second formal night). I got the lobster this time. I am not a huge fan of lobster in general really but it was good. Ben ordered the steak only but the waiter insisted that he get “surf and turf!”
This was the day that the ship hit the open waters in the gulf of Alaska and there was quite a bit of movement. I felt like a drunk person trying to walk everywhere.
After
dinner, we all saw the show Motor City. This was a show of Motown music and we all really enjoyed it.
After
the show, Ben and I checked out the Wheelhouse bar which we had not been to
yet. I got a toasted almond and it was
yummy!
On Friday we made do with pizza and salad and then snacks in the suite lounge for food. Then we saw the Voice of the Ocean finale which is the cruise ship version of the Voice. During the week, cruise passengers had tried out and got to sing for everyone in the finale. It was really fun—probably my favorite show I’ve ever seen on a cruise. Then Ben and I had our last drink at Crooners of the trip.
