Icy Strait Point, Alaska

NCL Jewel 21-Day Transpacific Cruise Tokyo to Seattle

May 23, 2018 (Wednesday) -- Icy Strait Point, Alaska

Time in Port: 7:00 AM ~ 3:00 PM

Icy Strait Point is a brand new port for us in Alaska. None of us have been here before and we were really looking forward to our first visit of this island called Chichagof on the Southeast of Alaska. The Chicahagof Island has more than seven hundred miles of coastline, which makes it the fifth largest island in the United States. 

Icy Strait Point

First thing I noticed when we docked at Icy Strait Point was the newly built pier stretching out from the visitor center. Throughout the day, I could see how this town worked together to make this a very well-planned destination for tourists. All the shops, adventure operations and restaurants here are locally owned and operated. From the beautifully printed brochures to the organized shuttles all showing that they are trying their very best to make this a welcoming site for visitors. It seemed to me that the whole town actually work together to keep everything running as they intended. Just a well-organized town that I have not seen anywhere else. I later found out that the town is actually own and run by a company called Huna Totem Corporation. An Alaska Native corporation formed under the terms of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. It's mission is "to advance the economic aspirations and culture of the 'Xuna Kaawu' (the people of Hoonah) through business excellence, sustainable economic growth, leadership and education." They are really doing an excellent job in making this town a shining star in Alaska!

Our ship docked at the Hoonah Cruise Ship Dock.

With a long walkway leading up to the Adventure Center where many land tours depart from.

People wearing the bright red uniforms were everywhere. From the pier, to the adventure center, to the shops in town. Everything was orderly.

Some excursions depart from the pier. The little shed is where people can wait for the 'Care Carts' for the ride to the Adventure Center.

The first bald eagle I saw that day.

"Care Carts" taking people with mobility issues across to the Adventure Center. Where else do you see that?

Now, I am really anxious to find out more about this town. But, first thing first, breakfast!

O'Sheehan's became my favorite spot for a quiet breakfast.

Getting off the ship and walking to town.

I believe that's the Duck Point Smokehouse near the pier.

First thing we saw as we walked down from the 'walkway' was the Adventure Center where tourists can join a tour, shop for gifts or borrow an umbrella to use for the day. All the staff there were friendly and helpful.

Back of the Duck Point Smokehouse which is right next to the Adventure Center.

The Ziprider Landing on the left as we walked towards the cannery.

Past by some private residences. It must be amazing living here. They have the best views of the bay and the whales.

Turned out to be a beautiful day!

I don't think this is a real ticket booth. A cute set up for photos though.

The Warehouse Shops and Cannery Museum on the left and the Crab House on the right.

Good place for a group picture! Those were the borrowed umbrellas. They had barrels of these umbrellas for people to use inside the Adventure Center. All we had to do was to return them to one of the barrels when done. We thought it was going to rain but it turned out to be a sunny day.

That's the Warehouse Shops and the Cannery Museum.

It was lovely everywhere we looked. That's the Cookhouse Restaurant on the right.

Inside the Cannery Museum.

The little brown building is where shuttle tickets to the town of Hoonah can be purchased. The while tent is the waiting area. The big building on the left is the Tribal Dance Theater. There is a Salvation Army Donut stand on the right which I did not get a picture of.

After putting four of our members on the shuttle, the rest of us took the 1.5 mile Sea Walk to Hoonah. 

The path was well paved...

and absolutely beautiful. Here we saw another bald eagle standing right on top of the pole.

Looking back at Cannery Point.

More eagles. Not a good picture.

They have benches along the walk for people who need to take a break.

A cemetery by road side.

First of many whales that we saw that day.

                            

Russian Orthodox Church

Finally reaching the town of Hoonah.

Presbyterian Church

Yaakw Kahidi Cultural Center run by the Hoonah Indian Association.

They provide year-round displays and opportunities to meet storytellers and local artists such as carvers, and weavers.

Local carvers at work.

More totem poles at the city schools.

I thought that was the Eagle Nest Tree according to the map, but we did not see any eagle nest.

Then we followed the map down to Keidladee Park...

and George Hall Harbor and boat launch.

There were eagles everywhere but most of them were high up on the trees.

Hoonah is a very unique little town with authentic culture and tradition. It is also the largest Tlingit village in Alaska. Unlike the other ports in Alaska, it is not commercialized by jewelry stores and souvenir stores. A place full of natural resources and beauty.

Boat repairing

Walking back to Icy Strait Point.

We kept stopping to watch the whales frolicking in the harbor.

Sometimes very close to shore.

It was so exciting that I kept forgetting to take pictures until it was too late.

This has to be the port that we saw the most whales on all of our trips to Alaska without even being on an expensive excursion.

We did spent some time in the Warehouse Retail Shops on our way back and bought a few things there. These retail shops are very different from the souvenir shops at other ports. A lot of interesting local merchandise here if looking for something different.

Back to the cruise dock area.

Nice camp fire was set up for all to enjoy.

There is a natural trail that wraps around the forest near the port and the Adventure Center.

Just be careful when taking walks on the nature trail. They suggested to walk in groups and make noise in case encountering bears. 

One beautiful eagle just sitting at the pier.

After checking out the buffet, we decided to have lunch at the O'Sheehan's.

Craving for another serving of their Buffalo Chicken Wings.

Chef Salad

And a hamburger for me. I know, too much food.

Our ship was scheduled to leave at 3:00.

Passengers getting back before all aboard time.

But we waited and waited, the ship was not moving. Seeing the port workers were all patiently waiting for over an hour, we knew that something must be happening.

Finally, an ambulance showed up. Someone needed medical care and had to leave the ship for the hospital. I was told that the closest hospital is in Sitka. Hope and pray that everything is going well with her.

I have decided that Icy Strait Point is now my favorite stop in Alaska. It's an easy port to explore and with so much wildlife everywhere. The only thing we did not get to see were the bears. Maybe next time! 

VIP Farewell Party

We missed the VIP welcome party but we received an invitation to the Farewell Party at 6:00 this afternoon at the Haven Courtyard. Jellica had called and set up the time to meet with us so she could escort us to the party. It was very nice of her to take such good care of us! 

With Steven, the Hotel Director. A really nice gentleman.

It was so nice of Jellica who went to look for the Captain and brought him over so we could have a picture together. A special moment for us indeed!

We stayed for about 30 minutes and then left for dinner.

Spotted more whales as we were preparing for dinner back in our cabin.

"Whoa!"

And the Grand Princess went past us.

Moderno, Again!

This was our second time here on this trip and this time we were using our Platinum vouchers. It seemed more crowded this time around. Service was a little slow and the meats were not going as frequently as last time. We had to literally tell them to bring certain items over as they would skip tables without serving everybody. Even the salad bar was running low of stuff. Fortunately, I was not that hungry after that big lunch at O'Sheehan's and really did not mind just watching all that was going on.

My salad

These were the cutest tea bags that I've ever had! This was the only time that we were served these throughout this cruise.

A standing tea bag!

lamb chop

Macadamia Ice Cream

Rice Pudding

It's kind of sad that we would be leaving the ship in a couple of days. The Farewell Party reminded us that the good times will soon be over. Oh well, there is an end to everything, I guess.

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."   Psalm 34:8