Ovation Goes North, Way North to Alaska! 11 Nights, May 13, 2019

[twangster 22,917]

On 5/20/2019 at 3:04 PM, Aeroman380 said:

I am going on Ovation when it goes back down to Sydney. They usually have kettles in the room for tea and coffee. Have they taken them out for Alaska?

The kettle available in my cabin.

Our progress...

 

[twangster 22,917]

Day 9 - Approach to Endicott Arm

Yesterday the Captain projected a 5am arrival to the mouth of Endicott Arm.  Consequently I was up early and top side to capture it.

Time 4:57am.

The moon was clearly visible.

This is the direction we are heading.  That valley to the right of center is where we will be in an hour or so.

Glacial ice coming towards us was a sign we are on the right path.  This one struck me because at a distamce it looked like a small fishing boat.

The sun was thinking about rising.

The entrance to Endoctt Arm is close to the entrance of Tracy Arm and I suspect that is where this boat was heading.

Looks like some rain in the distance.  No worries, that's Alaska.  

It might look like a dead end but that is where Endicott Arm leads.

On a growler, the name for medium sized chucks of glacial ice, I spotted a Bald Eagle keeping an eye on us.

The ice was quite fascinating, very different sizes and shapes.  

Upon closer inspection this one had a small colony of birds on it.

Time to move around and see it from another perspective.

Time 5:51am.

[twangster 22,917]

I hadn't spent very much time in Two70° so I thought I'd pop in to show what the views are like while the ship is in a channel.

First I passed through The Via.

[twangster 22,917]

I think a lot of people become focused on Dawes Glacier and miss an incredible experience in Endicott Arm.  Glaciers are cool but you can only take so many pictures of a glacier.  Endicott Arm is constantly changing as you sail down it.  For me it's as incredible as the glacier is if not more.

While I was down here on deck 5 I thought I'd check out the outer viewing areas on this deck.  I like being down here when we are sailing through lots of ice.

I thought I saw something on a piece of darker ice.

Sure enough a Bald Eagle was perched on the ice, watching.  

The surrounding terrain is pretty amazing.  Remember that drizzle we sailed through?  Beautiful blue skies now.  That's Alaska weather.

Incredible volume of water coming down these waterfalls.

Time to head up for a different perspective.

They were running the North Star on a test run without any passengers.

The Solarium was a popular viewing location but I still prefer being outdoors and moving around too much to try to anchor in a chair.

It really is pretty amazing.

I knew we were getting closer and I didn't want to be fading at the glacier without anything in my stomach I popped into the Windjammer for a quick breakfast.  Talk about a meal with a view!

Time 7:34am

[WannaCruise 840]

twangster what amazing photos!.  All I can saw (or write) is wow!

PS- Not sure your profession, but if you are not a photographer, you sure could be.

[Sweety 1,398]

I am planning my next Alaskan cruise. Awesome, amazing and wow are words that come to mind as I look at your pictures.

[Sweety 1,398]

As always, I will be spending more money. Thank you @twangster, you strike again.

[Lovetocruise2002 9,727]

6 hours ago, WannaCruise said:

PS- Not sure your profession, but if you are not a photographer, you sure could be.

Old news..he's a bot. 😉

[twangster 22,917]

Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, continued...

It's been a struggle but here are some of my favorites pictures from several hundred taken this day.  However I wanted people who are taking this awesome cruise to get a preview of what to expect so here comes a bunch of photos.

After breakfast I ran back to my cabin to clean my lens.  Looking forward to where we are going. 

Looking down from my balcony it's amazing to see these pieces of the glacier floating by so close to the ship.

We had entered a section where there were a lot of small pieces of glacial ice.

I remember this side channel from a previous cruise.  It was estimated this is where the face of the glacier was ~100 years ago.  Note the presence and size of trees.  It takes several decades for trees of this size to arrive.  Remember 100 years ago this was solid glacial ice and no vegetation was present as the ice moved down the channel. 

I like to move around the ship so back to the bridge wings off the Solarium.

They were getting more crowded but people tended to move forward, take a picture and back away so someone else could.

For those that sought to stay in place the Solarium has awesome views.

Starboard bridge wing.

Looking back where we came from.  The walls of the canyon are very steep and drop off several hundred feet.  We are in deep water.

First signs of the glacier!  

Time 8:30am

The paid North Star Alaskan Experience ride was carrying guests at this point.

Larger pieces of glacial ice was becoming more common.  These pieces are called growlers.  Actual icebergs are pretty uncommon at these glaciers which tend to calve resulting in these smaller pieces which are harmless to the ship.  

We slowed and inched closer to the glacier.

Each growler is unique and display what has been locked inside the glacier for scores of years.

With my telephoto lens I was able to see the glacier quite clearly even at the distance of over a mile from where we were.

Crowds where starting to form to take it all in.

Large waterfalls line the sides of Endicott Arm.  These are pretty massive and the volume of water in each is pretty impressive.

Here a mile or so from the glacier the vegetation is very different compared to where the glacier was 100 years ago   

This early low vegetation is beginning a life cycle that will eventually turn into a soil that eventually will support larger and larger vegetation   One hundred years from now trees will most likely be found here just as they are in that earlier photo of the side channel.

I took a time lapse video approaching this point.

 

The North Star Alaskan Experience review has been posted to Royal Caribbean Blog here:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2019/05/23/review-north-star-alaska-experience-ovation-of-the-seas

[twangster 22,917]

Dawes Glacier

My reservation for the $49 North Star Alaskan Experience was for 10am.  Best times for glacier viewing on this sailing were between 9am and 10am.  This will vary for each sailing depending on arrival time and ice conditions.

After check in for the North Star Alaskan Experience there is a waiting area in a roped off section of the North Star Bar.    Hot chocolate is complimentary.

As we waited the ship began it's turn.

Incredible weather compared to the drizzle we sailed through earlier today.  That's Alaska weather.

The glacier is approximately 1 mile away at this point.  This illustrates just how big it is - that's it's this visible from this distance.

When it was our turn we were led up to board the North Star.

By the time we boarded North Star the ship had turned and pointed down the inlet in the direction had had arrived from.

We started our way back down Endicott Arm.

I used wide angle lens for this next shot so it makes the glacier look small but the views are pretty impressive.  Seeing the ship from outside the ship really makes you appreciate the scale of the mountains beside us.

Rotating out over the side of ship is pretty awesome.  On Anthem the North Star only goes up and does a slight left/right move.  This ride takes you right over the edge of the ship looking down at the glacial ice floating below us.

It's a pretty awesome experience.  

When I first learned of the $49 charge I was skeptical but having done it at both Hubbard and Dawes Glaciers I am sold and would do it again on another cruise to Alaska.

Plus I still had my complimentary ride in the North Star booked for later today.

[Skid 1,595]

Seriously @twangster you should publish a book of your fantastic photos. It would probably make the best seller list. Your skills are unbelievably amazing!

[twangster 22,917]

The way back out Endicott Arm is still a pretty cool experience.  Now with the sun higher in the sky and seeing it from the other direction resulted in equally impressive sightseeing.

To prove the Arm is tidal here are some chucks of ice stranded from high tide.

Waterfalls galore.

Paid North Star Alaskan Experience rides continued.

The inlet opens up as we move closer to the Inside Passage where we started.

Ice like this doesn't hurt the ship, it basically bounces off..  A few days later on a bridge tour I learned they used the bow thrusters to push ice away from the ship.

Time for my complimentary North Star ride.  I had picked the first complimentary time slot of the day in the cruise planner before sailing.  

While this one doesn't go over the side of the ship there are still great views.

Time 11:30am

\

If I hadn't mentioned it before the North Star Bar offers great sightseeing views.

It's hard to put into words but I could sit here all day and watch the landscape go by.

Remember that sunrise shot early this morning?

I spotted another Bald Eagle.

Time for a beer.  Okay I had two using my Crown and Anchor BOGO coupon.

A small tour boat was entering the Arm.

The complimentary North Ride Experience as we enter the Inside Passage in a time lapse captured as I drank my beer.

Lastly, here is a time lapse from my balcony starting with our entrance to Endicott Arm through Endicaott Arm to Dawes Glacier and back down to where we re-enter the Alaskan Inside Passage.

 

[twangster 22,917]

Day 9 - Afternoon

Shortly after leaving Endicott Arm and re-entering the Inside Passage there were dozens of whales in the area.  A tell tale sprout of water was the easiest way to spot them.

Some were closer to the ship but many were more distant in just about every direction I looked.

When Humpback whales prepare to dive deep they go through a series of breaths designed to prepare their lungs for an extended submersion.  It starts with surfacing to deep breathe.

The body barely skims the surface as they swim shallow for several breaths.

Here you can see the blow hole they exhale and breathe through.

After several deep breathes they are ready to dive which is characterized by curving their body driving their back higher above the surface.  This is why they are known as Humpbacks.

Then they began to dive sometimes forcing their fluke or tail into the air.

Once you see the fluke disappear like this they have likely submerged deeper looking for food or to swim underwater for a greater distance.  They can stay submerged for several minutes.

Our position as we started the trek to Seattle.

Sometime after 4:30pm I headed down to the Diamond Lounge for happy hour while continuing to whale watch.

[twangster 22,917]

Earlier I mentioned that the Prince and Greene store on board was being converted to offer Alaskan merchandise.  It opened on day three. 

Here are some pictures.

Having been on different classes of ships to Alaska it's not a bad little store.  I've grabbed things in these types of stores before and every time I use it I am reminded of my Alaska experience.  This is a great way to dispense of any extra OBC or on-board credit you might have left over at this point.

[twangster 22,917]

Day 9 - Evening

Crown and Anchor Top Tier event in Two70°.

With the screens lowered the Vistarama was displaying the virtual fleet sailing behind us.  I've seen this before on Anthem and it's impressive.  On Anthem they presented the fleet starting with the Song of Norway slowly adding ships over the years.  The video was originally created for a Board of Director's meeting a few years ago and it's pretty impressive.

Crown and Anchor numbers:

Pinnacle 84, Diamond Plus 386, Diamond  598, Emerald  284, Platinum 476, Gold  999.    Total 2,827 C&A members on board.  

With the evening progressing a sunset was in the making.  Possibly the "worst" sea conditions so far.

I ventured back to the aft Windjammer outdoor seating area for it.

What fantastic weather we've had.

Our progress... as we leave the Alaskan Inside Passage and re-enter the Pacific Ocean.

[SpeedNoodles 3,905]

Nice shout out from Royal Caribbean's Chief Meteorologist James Van Fleet tonight!

[twangster 22,917]

Day 10 - Sea Day

Bridge Tour!

How about a tour of the bridge of the largest cruise ship ever to visit Alaska?

A cadet is charged with guiding our tour today.  He is early in his nautical career and is currently spending a few months on various ships learning more about ship operations.

Here is demonstrates the observation panel in the floor of the bridge wing so that the pier can be seen as the ship approaches it.  It's very thick.

The view down through the observational panel in the floor.

The view aft.

The Captain comes over to answer a few question and thank us for cruising with Ovation on this very special itinerary.

Pretty good views forward as well.

Quantum class are in the Guinness World Records. 

A pretty cool tour compliments of the Crown and Anchor Society for top levels of the program.

[twangster 22,917]

Day 10 - Evening

The bulk of this sea day is just like any other sea day.  I did get some work done.  

Around 6pm I was in the vicinity of the North Star and there were no lines, so...

Time change back to Pacific time tonight.

Our progress...

 

[WAAAYTOOO 10,221]

Horrible carpeting on the bridge !  LOL

[Sweety 1,398]

Love the whales. 

[twangster 22,917]

Day 11 - Sea Day

I woke early and checked our position.

Never get tired of a sunrise over the sea.

The day progressed and eventually led to the craze know as the 2 for $20 sale.   Deck 5 was a viable route to avoid the crazy shoppers that rival a black Friday experience.   

Late afternoon the Food and Beverage team put out a cake in the Windjammer.

It grew foggy.

At times they sounded the ship's whistle every two minutes per standard fog protocol.  

At this point we were within the Strait of Juan de Fuca in between Canada to our North and America to our South.

Whale sightings became frequent.  The Captain called out some of them over the PA.

At one point I looked down from my balcony and a whale was right beside the ship.  I could clearly hear each breath as it surfaced for air.  Amazing!

A pod of Orca's was on the other side.  More whale call outs by the Captain.  Pretty cool.

Afternoon turned into evening and the fog lifted some, enough to barely make out Canada to our North.

Our progress...

Evening turned into a sunset.

Ugh.  Time to pack.  

[twangster 22,917]

Day 12 - Seattle

Around 5:30am we were along side Pier 91 in Seattle.  Below was the passenger drop off and pick up area.

Cruise terminal to the left services two ships.

Company ship Celebrity Solstice was arriving right behind us. 

I went up to eat a last Windjammer breakfast at 6am.  Seattle from the ship.

While up here I grabbed some photos of the pool signs for the main pool and the kid/baby Splash zones.

The current pool is that circular pool like a lazy river that has jets to keep it circulating.

After breakfast I was going down the aft stairs where they have a clear floor to look down the height of the elevator bank down to deck 5 below.

The self-assist line was forming.

I headed back to my cabin for a last minute sweep for any missing items I forgot to pack and to brush my teeth.

[twangster 22,917]

For embarking Seattle passengers Pier 91 typically handles two ships.  

Each ship has a designated luggage drop off area.

The terminal itself is not very big.  There are marked entrances for each ship. 

Ovation entrance to the left, Solstice entrance to the right.

Debarking was easy.  I made my way down and found the self-assist line already leaving.  I joined the end of the line around 6:40am with 20 in front of me.  No stopping, off the ship, down the escalator and out the terminal.  Super easy.  

Today I would be using a ride share service to reach the airport.  The ride share pick up and drop off area is on the other side of that gray building in the distance.  You can do the 10 minute walk or use the free shuttle close to the ship.  

Time 6:47am

I chose to walk since I would be sitting on a plane later.  On the walk I noticed the sign for the Quick Shuttle to Vancouver.  I looked at this as a means to fly in Seattle and shuttle to Vancouver.  They also pick up at the airport.  For any Canadians or Vancouverites this is a super easy way to get across the border.

One last look at Ovation of the Seas.

The ride share area is covered and has numbered stalls where you can meet your driver.

Lyft was $33 to the airport. 

I arrived at the airport at 7:30am.

I had a noon flight but I like to get off the ship and beat the crowds.  Given it's a Friday an early ride to the airport meant beating Seattle rush hour traffic.  Ride share is often cheaper too before masses disembark and surge pricing goes into effect.  

I later learned of 1 1/2 wait times for cabs for guests leaving during later times.  There was no wait for a cab when I debarked.  

[twangster 22,917]

The Port of Seattle offers a free luggage valet program.  

This program collects your luggage the last night of the cruise and delivers it to the airport and your airline free of charge (airline bag fees may apply).

For details check out this thread:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/12993-port-of-seattle-free-port-valet-luggage-program/

 

[twangster 22,917]

Some thoughts about Voom ship internet on this cruise.

I had pre-purchased a Voom Surf and Stream package at a sale price of $11.99 per day for a total price of $132.

Of my four cruises to Alaska on RCCL ships this was my worst ship internet experience.  

It started off great in Vancouver with the faster O3b service.  Shortly after going to sea it switched to the conventional geostationary satellite service which was expected this far North.  As we progressed it became very slow.  Like slower than the old dial-up service of the 90's at times.  It didn't really improve until we got closer to Seattle on the final sea days.

Texting usually worked but email was challenging and streaming impossible.

Returning into O3b coverage areas they kept the ship on the old satellite system.  I suspect they don't want guests experiencing O3b for a day in Seattle and then facing the stark contrast of Alaska satellite internet. 

The Voom specialist offered a 20% discount.    

Satellite internet in Alaska has challenges that are well known but this was by far the worst ship internet I've ever experienced in Alaska.  

Most ports on Alaskan cruises have cellular service for major US cell providers so you need to carefully consider if you should purchase Voom when sailing to Alaska.