Seward, Alaska

NCL Jewel 21-Day Transpacific Cruise Tokyo to Seattle

May 18, 2018 (Friday) -- Seward, Alaska

Time in Port: 8:00 am~5:00 pm

We have been to Alaska four times before but this was our first time stopping at the port of Seward. 

After four continuous sea days, it was good to finally be able to set foot on solid ground. Our ship docked at Seward early this morning before I got up for breakfast. Needless to say, the Garden Cafe was packed with passengers who tried to get a head start. This was the first port entering the United States, which meant we had to go through immigration/custom starting at 8:00. 

The instruction was for us to wait for the announcements in the order listed on the paper according to deck numbers. It turned out that they were running about 30 minutes later than schedule. The problem was after they called the people on NCL excursions to go through the process, they kept telling people to go ashore after they are done with immigration without calling the decks. We finally figured it out that they were not going to call the deck numbers and went down to the Fyzz Lounge instead. Lo and behold, they were not following any type or order as people were just getting in line to get their passports stamped. All that time wasted just to follow direction. There were only two immigration officers there but they did it efficiently and quickly. The super friendly officer even told us to stamp our own passports which was kind of fun. Just wish we have that kind of quick and pleasant experience at the airports! After everybody went through and got a sticker on our key cards, we were ready to get off the ship.

Bar at the Atrium

Chandelier

Gathering time.

We finally got off the ship at 10:00.

The Celebrity Millennium was docked next to the Jewel.

Walking into the very crowded terminal which was filled with passengers disembarking and embarking the Millennium.

The line for the complimentary shuttle to town was super long, so we decided to just walk the 1.7 miles instead of standing in that long line.

Parking Lot at the terminal.

It was actually a pretty easy walk for those without mobility issues. This is the corner of Dock Street and Port Avenue.

A Hertz rental office very close to the terminal on Port Avenue.

Making a left turn on Port Avenue took us to the Seward Harbor area. For those who do not wish to walk to downtown, this is a good area to do some shopping and taking in the sights. A short walk from the terminal.

We could see the ships from the harbor.

This is the main street in town (4th Avenue) towards the Alaska Sealife Center.

Shops in the Seward Harbor area.

Instead of taking the direct route to the Sealife Center in town, we decided to take the longer route and walked along the sea view trail.

It was absolutely beautiful wherever we looked.

This was the only hard part, getting back on the trail from the memorial taking a short cut.

Otherwise it is all flat easy walk.

Passing by parks and campgrounds.

Seward Waterfront RV Park

Head of the trail

Finally reaching the Alaska Sealife Center.

It was very crowded at the Sealife Center. We went inside for the restrooms but got out fast.

This was where the complimentary shuttles drop-off and pick-up passengers.

We just went across the street to 4th Avenue and checked out some souvenir stores there before walking back to port. 

4th Avenue downtown Seward

On our return walk, we just followed 4th Avenue all the way back to port. This was one of the side streets.

Back to Seward Harbor. I thought this puffin mural on the wall was very pretty.

According to my cell phone, we have walked a total of 6 miles that day.

Walking back to the terminal.

Seward cruise terminal

We were back on the ship a little before 2:00. Just in time to have a late lunch at the buffet. It got quite crowded as most people were returning to the ship in the next hour or so.

The crew were having a drill that day while we were in port. All the tenders were lowered and circling around the bay in the afternoon. It was quite funny watching them going around and around.

At 5:00 we left Seward with Millie still in port.

That was the RV campground we past by earlier.

Dinner at Tsar's
Waves were a little big this evening and some had to go back to their cabins before finishing dinner. Rechelle, our server, brought us plates of cut up green apple slices and said that should be good for sea sickness. Needless to say we all had some green apples that evening.

Haha, I got a menu with Chinese translation!

Yellow Split Pea Soup

Chicken Ceasar Salad

Prosciutto and Melon

Fried Calamari

Roasted Pork Loin

Always available steak

We thought he looks like the famous Hong Kong singer Aaron Kwok. He said he had been told about that many times.

OK, I'll be good and have something with no sugar added. Really?

Tonight we received an invitation card in our room to the Glacier Viewing in the Haven Courtyard tomorrow between 11:30 to 12:30. This will be a good chance to check out the Haven on this ship! We had no idea why we received this invitation since we were just in a regular balcony cabin but will gladly accept any invitation for special functions!

"Everything is permissible"-but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"-but not everything is constructive.                                                                       I Corinthians 10:23