Last Sea Day Before Returning to Seattle

Pandemic Cruise on NCL Encore, Round trip Seattle

September 24, 2021 -- Day at Sea

Finally came to the last day on this cruise. It's the hardest part of a cruise when we have to pack our bags and say goodbye to all the wonderful experience on the ship and back to our normal life. (It turned out that our normal life would not be as normal as we thought after this trip.) 

As with any other days at sea, not much was planned and we just enjoyed a relaxing day visiting some of the places for the last time. We've noticed in the last few days that more and more people were going around without masks. For us, we played it safe and had our masks on and only taking it off for photos if necessary and when we were eating.

The day started off with weather that was not the best but then it turned better and better. In fact, this was the best weather we had on this cruise as we sailed back towards Seattle.

Enjoying the moment in front of guest service counter.

Having one last bowl of noodle soup at the buffet. I generally get the bowl of noodle soup from the station and then add whatever I like into the soup as I went around the different stations. A great way to have a special bowl.

Garden Café 

with a view of the bow and the Observation Lounge one deck below.

My lunch. Just loved their Indian food!

Back for some quiet time at Observation Lounge.

A wonderful place to be.

It's the last 'formal dinner' at the main restaurant.

Seared Sea Scallops

Mushroom Ravioli

Roasted Prime Rib

Veal Scalloppini Oscar

Galaxy Pavilion

This is the area where you can find all the mechanical games. This is the largest video/mechanical game room that I have seen on a ship and there are many activities to choose from, for adults. We did not have kids on this sailing so not sure if kids can used these. Not that many people were there while we were walking through it but they looked like fun. 

Soccer

After a night of smooth sailing, we arrived back at the Seattle Pier early morning on September 25. 

So happy with the cruise after months of not being able to cruise freely around the world. Let's pray that this COVID thing will soon be over and we can go back to our normal traveling in the very near future!

Video here for the day

"Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven."   -- Psalm 85:10~11

 

Ward Cove, Ketchikan

Pandemic Cruise on NCL Encore, Round trip Seattle

September 23, 2021 -- Ketchikan, Alaska

Just as Juneau, we have been here in the port of Ketchikan many times in the past. This is also a 'must-stop' for all the Alaska cruises. One thing that will be different this time around is that NCL built a new cruise terminal at Ward Cove, a 20-minute bus ride from downtown Ketchikan. This move was not appreciated by many on the first few cruises stopping here. I believe on the first Encore cruise, NCL was charging $8 per person for the round-trip shuttles without being well-planned. Passengers had to get in the long line for the shuttle tickets and then get in another long line to board the shuttle to town. A very frustrating process causing a lot of criticism. They quickly changed that idea and started to provide complimentary shuttles to town. Not sure if this will still be the case next year though. 

Ward Cove is quite scenic but just too far from everything. It is actually between downtown and Totem Bight State Historic Park, which is a fascinating spot to visit, along the Tongass Highway. We had taken the city bus from downtown to Totem Bight park once and enjoyed the ride and the trip. The problem is there are very limited public access going through this part of the highway, making it difficult to navigate on your own. The cruise terminal is actually an 'abandoned' old mill which is off the main highway. Some passengers were reported that they do not allow other tour vendors or buses to come onto the property for pick-ups, making it even more difficult to arrange private excursions. Walking out from the cruise terminal to the highway could be a problem. I was a little disappointed at this new port arrangement but also curious to find out what it is all about.

Our ship arriving at Ward Cove, far away from town.

Getting off the ship and walking up to the cruise terminal

...in the rain.

Line to board the shuttle wasn't that bad. It was very organized.

The very old warehouse that turned into the cruise terminal. Waiting on the bus for more passengers to board.

After the 20-minute ride, our shuttle arrived at the dock in downtown Ketchikan where a HAL ship was the only one in town that day. So envious of them.

Empty Ketchikan!

Front Street by the docks.

Iconic statue near the Visitor's Bureau.

Welcome to Ketchikan sign.

Walking up toward Creek Street and admiring the shops.

Chief Johnson Totem Pole near Creek Street.

Ketchikan Creek

Such a pretty scene!

Only a few salmon in the creek.

Shops on Creek Street.

Many dead salmon got washed off.

Quiet

Sign posted on Dolly's House.

The other end of Creek Street.

View of Dolly's House from Stedman Street.

With the not-so-desirable weather, after doing our share of shopping near the docks, we decided to take the shuttle back to the ship. I must say that it was easy to get on the shuttles, it was just the time wasted being on a bus instead of exploring the town itself. I guess you can look at it as a bus excursion to see what's outside of downtown Ketchikan if the weather is better.

Ward Cove

Back at the cruise terminal. It's a huge facility with many vendors selling different wares.

Good last minute shopping.

There is also a cafe and a chocolate shop.

Local

We were a little hungry so once we were back on the ship, we headed over to Local, the 24-hour eatery, for a late lunch. We just needed some food to last us through dinner which we have planned for specialty dining at Le Bistro tonight. 

This was the first and only time we dined at Local on this trip.

Excellent Buffalo Wings.

Cream of Mushroom soup

Ship camera of Ward Cove.

Le Bistro

We were very much looking forward to have a special dinner at Le Bistro, the French restaurant. We have enjoyed all of our dining experience whenever we ate there on other NCL ships. Again, this is a complimentary specialty dinner that was awarded to Platinum members. 

One interesting thing was our server that night was Rachele, whom we have met on our last transpacific sailing on NCL Jewel in 2018. She was our server in the main dining room for the long sailing days. What a nice surprise!

We were using two vouchers for four people, so we received two free bottles of wine.

Escargot

Cream of Mushroom

Lobster Thermidor, with $10 supplemental charge over the package. Worth every penny!

Sole to share, not that great!

Breast of Duck

What a wonderful dinner to end the day!

Video for the day here.

"He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken."  --  Psalms 62:6