Sitka I

2023 Cunard Queen Elizabeth - 29-Day Transpacific Yokohama to Vancouver

June 5, 2023 (Monday) Sitka

Once again, our group met as soon as the ship arrived in Sitka at around 9:00. We waited until 9:30 when everybody was ready to go. We boarded the complimentary shuttles to town and met back at the stop there before walking towards the Totem Park/Museum. It was pretty good weather, at least it did not rain. 

We were lucky to be able to dock at the cruise port.

Sitka cruise port

This is where we took the shuttle to town.

We stopped for about half an hour at the museum and the totem trail. Then we walked towards Indian River which did not have any salmon this time of the year yet. No bear warning signs and no foul smell. We continued our walk to the Raptor Center but after we arrived only son wanted to go in so we all stood around and waited for him. An excellent time just to talk and getting to know each other better. This is a friendly group of people that we were happy to have met. 

Community playground

beach near the museum

Totem poles at the museum.

Trail to the Indian River.

After a while, son wanted to stay longer so he can explore around the center, so we started our walk back to town. It was very crowded this day with 4 ships in town, 2 docked and 2 out in the bay that had to tender in. Good thing we did not have to tender

Walking by St. Peter's by the Sea on our way back.

St Michael's Orthodox Church

The main street (Lincoln Street) was blocked off and it became a pedestrian street for the day. I have never seen so many people in town of all the visits we’ve been here. Kind of making it into a festive atmosphere. We walked by the Pioneer Home, Totem Pole, then up to Castle Hill. Then we decided to let everyone go on their separate ways. 

Downtown

Pioneers' Home

DH and the two went back to the ship for lunch. Son and I went to look for the Russian dumplings place, which is near the back of the Cathedral. It turned out to be a very good treat.

Busy dumplings place.

We got the beef dumplings. Very good!

After the dumplings, we took the shuttle back to the cruise port and onto the ship for a restful afternoon. Our ship did not leave port until 7:00 with NCL Bliss left before of us.

Queen Elizabeth looked much smaller than the NCL Bliss.

We shall return in a week!

I did not take many pictures on this port day because we have been here several times before and we will be back again next week. My main goal was to take everyone on this tour of the town and making sure everyone is doing OK while in port. 

"For unto us a Child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."   -- Isaiah 9:6

Hubbard Glacier Fail and Sitka

2023 Cunard Queen Elizabeth - 29-Day Transpacific Yokohama to Vancouver

June 4, 2023 (Sunday) Hubbard Glacier

As usual, I got up at 6 this morning and we were ready for breakfast at the Lido at 7:00. In the past week I have been having Cat Rice (DIY bowl of rice with soy and bonito flakes with a fried egg on top) in the morning which was quite unique. But this morning, they did not have the rice in the rice cooker. I thought they didn’t put them out yesterday because of space availability, but again this morning. Not a good sign. I also had the waffle, which was good after I put it in the toaster for a couple of minutes making it crisp and hot. I actually came back and slept for an hour or so because I was still very tired from yesterday. We walked for 6.2 miles in Seward.

Then we went to the Sunday Service at the theater, which was lead by the Deputy Captain. It was precious to worship with other Christian from around the world on Sundays. 

Sunday worship lead by the Deputy Captain.

Then we checked out the sale by the pool, which turned out to be nothing much except some expensive merchandise. We walked up on deck and see if we can find a good place for the glacier viewing later. Weather was fabulous with wonderful sunshine, not cold at all. Then we went to the Lido and had lunch before we positioned ourselves on deck 5 forward to watch the glacier sailing. 

The Garden Lounge on Deck 9.

Hubbard Glacier

Unfortunately, the ship was not able to get closer to the glacier and we only had a faraway view of it without a chance to see any calving. The Oceania Regatta, which was behind us earlier, rushed up and passed our ship while we were having lunch, and was inside the bay right in front of the glacier before us and did not want to leave so we lost our chance to get closer. After turning around 2 times in 360 degrees, our ship just left the position and ready to sail out of the bay. Then Regatta also left afterward. How rude can that be! Fortunately, we still have another chance on this cruise to come back in a week or so.

Getting closer but not enough.

Our ship made the turns as we waited.

So disappointing!

The other ship just didn't want to leave.

Yep! We will always remember them.

Getting bored?!

I just came back to the cabin and rest for the afternoon before getting up at 4:30 to get ready for the Gala Dinner. It was the Black and White Night with people dressing up with the ice/glacier colors.

June 5, 2023 (Monday) Sitka

Once again, our group met as soon as the ship arrived in Sitka at around 9:00. We waited until 9:30 when everybody was ready to go. We boarded the complimentary shuttles to town and met at the stop there before walking towards the Totem Park/Museum. 

Docked at the Sitka cruise port.

Sitka terminal.

Shuttle to town.

It was pretty good weather, at least it did not rain. We stopped for about half an hour at the museum and the totem trail. Then we walked towards Indian River which did not have any salmon this time yet. No bear warning signs and no foul smell. We continued our walk to the Raptor Center but after we arrived only son wanted to go in so we all stood around and waited for him. An excellent time just to talk and getting to know each other better. This is a friendly group of people that we were happy to have met. Son finally decided that he wants to stay longer, so we started our walk back to town. It was very crowded on this day with 4 ships in town, 2 docked and 2 out in the bay that had to tender in. Good thing we did not have to tender.

Kids were happy to see the playground along the way. (Community Kids Playground)

Path near Sitka Sound Science Center.

Southeast Alaska Indian Cultural Center (Sitka National Historical Park)

Walking the trail in the Park to Raptor Center.

Beautiful walk back to town.

The main street (Lincoln Street) was blocked off and it became a pedestrian street for the day. I have never seen so many people in town of all the visits we’ve been here. Kind of making it into a festive atmosphere. We walked by the Pioneers' Home, Totem Square, then up to Castle Hill. Then we decided to let everyone go on their separate ways. Our ship did not leave port until 7:00 with NCL Bliss left ahead of us. 

St. Michael Orthodox Cathedral

Downtown

Pioneers' Home

After meeting back with son, we went to look for the famous Russian dumplings. It turned out to be a very good treat. After the dumplings, we took the shuttle back to the ship and had a restful afternoon. 

Waiting for our dumplings.

Yum!

What a nice, warm treat!

Back to the ship with NCL Bless next to us.

We will come back to Sitka in a few days for our second visit on this cruise.

We were supposed to dock at Ketchikan tomorrow, but the captain announced in the morning that instead we had to head over to Victoria for an extra inspection before getting to Vancouver. There goes the port of Ketchikan for those who are first time to Alaska. What a disappointment but at least we should have time to see some of Victoria when we get there in the afternoon the next day. Tomorrow will just be another sea day.

For video on this day in Sitka, please click here.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast."  -- Ephesians 2:8