White Pass Train, Skagway

I was just checking out what to bring on a cruise and I noticed this post in the "draft" section of the Alaskan blog.  I realized I never posted it last year, so I am now!

The White Pass Train trip out of Skagway, July 16, 2012

Leaving the "station" in Skagway

Heading up to the summit

Erin, Emily, Kelly and Kevin checking out the scenery

Kacey, Kate and Cara at the backside of the train

On the train crossing the Skagway River

View of the train as it winds around the mountains

First five photos, Elaine Beaudoin; sixth photo, Colleen Burke.

Weather Update - July 10

Most of the rain is out of the picture; extended forecasts looks pretty good.  Temperatures cooler in Juneau than forecasted 4 days ago, but warmer everywhere else.

The weather forecast, as of July 10, for the next 5 days is:

Seattle: Sunny lows 59, highs 84
Juneau: Cloudy, chance of showers, lows 43, highs 6
Skagway: Chance of showers, lows 43, highs 65
Victoria: Mostly sunny, lows 53, highs 80

Extended forecasts:

Seattle: Wednesday-Friday, July 11-13, mostly sunny, lows 59, highs 84 Yeah!
Juneau: Sunday, July 15, cloudy to partly sunny, low 48, high 61
Skagway: Monday, July 16, clouds and sun, low 52, high 64
Victoria: Thursday, June 19, clouds and sun, low 60, high 75

All-in-all, the weather is looking pretty good.  On the ocean, it will be cooler. 

Boarding the Ship

Cara said she had found a video on YouTube that showed what the Seattle port we will be leaving from looked like. Here is the video. It is a quick look at what we will see on Friday. Thanks Cara.



Source: YouTube - Rhapsody of the Seas Alaska Cruise - by akmountainclimber

Rhapsody of the Seas - Photos after renovation

Photos of the renovated Rhapsody of the Seas ship.

Source:  Inside Cruise - April 2012 with Neil Newton

Walking Tours of Victoria

They say Victoria is a walking city.  Here are two tours recommended by Frommer's"

Walking Tour 1: The Inner Harbour

2 hours, not including shopping, museum and pub breaks.

"Victoria was born on the Inner Harbour.  When the Hudson's Bay Company's west coast head of operations, James Douglas, happened across this sheltered inlet in 1843 while searching for a new corporate HQ, it was love at first sight."

Includes Victoria Visitor Centre, The Fairmont Empress, Thunderbird Park (Totem poles), Helmcken House, a pub stop and more.  The Inner Harbour.


Walking Tour 2: The Old Town and Chinatown

2 hours, not including shopping, sightseeing and eating stops

Walking north up Government St., you'll find a number of historic buildings including British Columbia's oldest brick structure.

Includes The Fairmont Empress, Windsor Hotel building (oldest brick structure), Fort Victoria (constructed in 1843), an art gallery and cafe, Bastion Square, museums, Chinatown and St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Cathedral among others.  The Old Town & Chinatown

Weather Forecasts

The weather forecast, as of July 7, for the next 5 days is:

Seattle: Sunny low 57, high 84, sunny over the next five days
Juneau: Cloudy with light rain, low 42, high 68 over the next five days
Skagway: Rain, low 44, high 62, sun coming out on July 11
Victoria: Mostly sunny, low 51, high 78, starting to cloud up on July 11

Extended forecasts:

Seattle: Wednesday-Friday, July 11-13, mostly sunny, lows 56, highs 83
Juneau: Sunday, July 15, sunny, low 57, high 74
Skagway: Monday, July 16, periods of rain, low 50, high 68
Victoria: Thursday, June 19, mostly sunny, low 53, high 73

All-in-all, the weather is looking pretty good.  On the ocean, it will be cooler.  Will check again closer to departure.

Departure Day Carry-on

When we check in at the dock in Seattle, the porters will take our luggage and then bring it to our stateroom most likely sometime after we set sail.

Royal Caribbean suggests the following for your carry-on:

For the first day of your cruise, pack a small carry-on bag with your travel documents, a change of clothes, bathing suit, maybe workout clothes, and any medications you may need. This will allow you to begin enjoying your vacation immediately, because you won't have to wait for your bags to arrive at your stateroom. 

I usually don't worry about a change of clothes, as the first night is casual in the dining room.  However, I do try to have available my toothbrush, toothpaste, makeup and other personal items I may wish to use to freshen up before dinner.  And, of course, I have my camera at the ready!

Also, I usually have a book or magazine available to kill time until the luggage arrives and I can get settled in the room.

Think about what you would like to have available to you for the afternoon we board the ship and pack it in your carry-on.  Spending the night at the hotel before our cruise makes this an easier task than if you were coming directly from the airport.

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 Of note, in checking the Royal Caribbean website, it reads:

   We regret that luggage tag mailers are no longer available because the number of requested mailers has exceeded our permissible limits. You may secure your luggage tags from our porters once you arrive at the pier.

Glad we ordered ours!  One less item to worry about on cruise day.