HAL Eurodam Round-trip Seattle to Alaska
September 17~24, 2022
If you have been following our blog, you may remember that husband got an emergency medical issue (non-COVID) while onboard the NCL Encore last year (2021). Well, to make it up for him, we decided to take another Alaska cruise just so he can totally enjoy the trip this time around. This would be our seventh Alaska cruise which I don't seem to get tired of. This is also our second cruise for the year of 2022, with three more following. That is why I am scrambling to get these reports done before going on our long cruises in 2023. Instead of doing a daily report, I will just make it short by posting some photos from each port since we have already covered most of these places previously. Also, if you are interested, please click to see the videos of each port for more details.
After spending a week in Seattle with family, we were taken to Pier 91 at Smith Cove to board the Eurodam. With Verifly done, we were able to board the ship quicker than the long line of people who did not have the Verifly. Soon, we boarded the beautiful ship in no time.
Yay! Let's go!
Eurodam sailing out of Pier 91.
Video: Eurodam Sail Away
We had issue with the A/C in our cabin and had a freezing first night with extra blankets. When the mechanics came the first evening, he kind of made a sarcastic comment, something like "You are in Alaska..." when just turning the knob and told us to wait, which we already did and didn't work. They finally came to check and decided that there is no way we could stay in that same cabin. So for the morning of the first sea day, we were busy running back and forth trying to get the problem solved. They finally helped us to switch to a new cabin on the same deck. Thankfully, an upgrade to a balcony cabin. Everything worked well from there on. Thanks to the staff at Guest Services.
Sea Day Tea was wonderful!
A surprise plate of chocolate-covered strawberries from Guest Services.
What a wonderful gentleman who made our dining experience complete! Gred, the manager (?) of the main dining room.
The chefs came by to greet us.
A great team in the dining room.
Our new cabin on deck 4.
Trying out their Pan Asian breakfast.
Covered pool.
Sale on the pool deck. Make sure you go for some really good buy. Got a great sweat shirt for 75% off with the HAL logo.
Crow's Nest was crowded as we were sailing into Juneau.
Juneau
First stop, Juneau, Alaska. Eurodam docked right in town, very convenient!
Taking the tram up to Mt. Roberts for the very first time. Not cheap, I believe it was $50 per person, but still worth it for a one time visit.
Totem pole along the hiking trails on Mt. Roberts.
After about an hour walking around the Mt. Roberts trail, we were ready to get back down to town. BTW, I forgot to take pictures of the tram station, restaurants, and stores up there. There is a trail that can lead back to town if one doesn't feel like taking the tram, but it's a long hike down. They also have warning signs that you must be prepared for the hike with enough water and time. As for us, tram it is!
After getting back, we walked from the pier to a new tourist sight near the Douglas Bridge where the Whale Project is. This is a little more than a mile of flat walking, mainly along the main highway.
Stunning!
Walking back to town and a little shopping made it a relaxing afternoon in town. It was much busier than last year when we were here with only one ship docked. Alaska is slowly back to normal.
After dinner on the ship, we went back out to walk around near the pier just enjoying the night view of the city. It was beautiful with colorful lights all lit up, a very different feel from day visit.
Ships still in port at night with colors-changing lights by the pier.
Glacier Bay
A day sailing into Glacier Bay and we have done that many times in the past. This time around, I found myself thinking that I much preferred the Hubbard Glacier. It seems that Margerie Glacier is getting smaller (maybe it just felt that way to me), but still grateful that we got to see it one more time.
Margerie Glacier
Icy Strait Point
This is my favorite port in Alaska but unfortunately, we are here at the hours that not much can be seen in the late afternoon. I remember our first time here when we took the walk to the town of Hoonah, such a beautiful trip along the bay where we could see plenty of whales swimming right next to us. When we were here last year (2021), it was raining hard and we missed going into town and now, we are stuck near the port area.
Still beautiful and serene.
A very quiet and empty Adventure Center by the pier.
We took the free cable car ride to the Wilderness Landing, the other pier where a trail connects the two. We were not able to walk on that trail because of bear sightings and that it was getting dark. The other cable car that takes people up to the zip rider was closed and that one cost $50, we were told.
Back from the cable car, we walked to the whale sculpture and then to the cannery.
Still interesting to see what they had on display at the cannery.
Sitka:
Sitka is a little different from the last couple of times we were here. We used to tender into port but now the ship docked a little further away and no tender is needed. Instead, we had to take a shuttle into town and I have read reports that there could be long lines when there are more than one ship in town. We got out early and caught the bus when there was not a line waiting. The shuttle took us to the Sitka Historical Society Museum/Library area. From there we walked up to Lincoln Street towards the Sitka National Historical Park area trying to make our way to the Raptor Center.
Bus stop at the Museum/Library area.
Bishop House on Lincoln Street.
It was a beautiful walk all along, near the Crescent Bay.
Indian River with lots of salmon spawning.
Reaching Raptor Center after the hike. In my opinion, there's not much to see here other than some eagles and owls.
Then we back track and got to the town center.
Iconic Orthodox church in the middle of town.
Pioneer s' Home and the tall totem Pole at Totem Square.
Then we made our way up to the Baranof Castle State Historic Site where Alaska was officially transferred from Russia to the United States in 1867.
A must-visit place when in Sitka.
I remember this from our last visits to Sitka.
Ketchikan:
Like last year, we had another rainy day in Ketchikan. Except this time we docked right in town, making it a lot more pleasant and easy than Ward Cove when we were on NCL Encore last time. We tried to look for the free bus but after a long wait we gave up. Took a walk around town in the rain and enjoyed our day there as much as we can. By the time we were ready to get back on the ship, it cleared up a bit and we were able to walk a little north along the berth.
A wet morning in Ketchikan.
Creek Street with no salmon in the creek.
Yay! It stopped raining.
The Eagle statue
From where we docked.
Our favorite wait staff.
Laundry service was great on the Eurodam.
Good turnaround time and nicely done.
Won two different raffles at the shops on board. Possibly because there weren't many people there.
Arrived at Victoria in the evening on our last night.
An empty port with no immigration or custom clearance.
We just wandered around the port without getting into town. We shall be back in a couple of days on another cruise.
Back to Seattle early in the morning!
"Whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord." -- Ezekiel 12:28