Sunday morning we ate breakfast at Victorias and checked out of our hotel. Mary Watson, our scientific guide for the cruise, gathered people from our hotel and we walked to the Alaskan Dream hospitality room a few blocks away in the Sitka convention and visitors' bureau. We then toured as a group to the Russian Bishop's House and St. Michael's Cathedral. We also visited the Sheldon Jackson Museum. The Russian Bishop's House was very impressive. We arrived at the Cathedral after services there. The lady who told us about the Cathedral said they had just had a special three hour service and the people stand for the services. There was so much to see in the museum that I could only take a quick glimpse. It would take half a day to really see everything in it. About noon, we boarded a boat for a Sea Otter and Wildlife Cruise. We were served sandwiches after we boarded. Aspen, Cody and I went to the top deck so we could see good. There were binoculars on the seats for everyone. We saw three brown bears, two seals and several sea otter and many bald eagles. There were so many spectacular mountains and islands. One island which was shrouded in fog looked like Skull Island in the movie, "King Kong". We were on the boat fours hours and eventually rendezvoused with the Baranof Dream in Fish Bay. What a fabulous day we already had experienced and now, we were to begin our adventure aboard ship. As we boarded, Suzanne, was showing people to their cabins. There were only 44 passengers and 20 crew members. We were unexpectedly upgraded to cabins with windows. Cody was in cabin 201 and Aspen and I in 202. We were happy with this serendipity and put our luggage on the twin bed. We were going to sleep on the double bed by the window. We soon found this bed to be so comfortable and the sleeping so good with the window open as we glided over the water. We were served hors d'oeuvres at 5:30 and then dinner at 7:30.This was the first of many wonderful meals on the ship. I feasted on salmon, roasted tomato salad and wild berry sorbet. We could have our choice of anything on the menu or all of it. Tomorrow, we are going to Glacier Bay. That night, Aspen and I opened our window and I don't think I have ever slept so good. The clean, fresh air coming off the water was refreshing. The ship gently rocked us to sleep, but only after we watched a heaven sent sunset. We knew we were in for an exciting and wonderful adventure. One night, we laid across the bed and basked in the bright orange full moon over the water.
Adventure Life has been an extraordinary travel resource for us over the years and today was no exception. Our River Cruise booking was handled by Jess (who has been our personal trip planner for several years) the same day as our inquiry. Suggestions were given for cabin choice and pre-trip options (that were not shown on the cruise line's website) like airport transfers and prepaid gratuities. Trip insurance recommendations followed and we were assigned a travel co-ordinator till the end of the tour. All we have to do is show up! Great service from friendly folks.
APtravelwell
1 day ago
My representative Kevin was very responsive generally and in crafting our itinerary to our specific priorities.
Rocco Labella
1 day ago
Although there was a lot of paper work, I received help and guidance when I needed it.
Donna Kirby
2 days ago
Our travel was flawless! The rider pickup (airport, hotel, ship) was seamless. Jane's recommendation for Emerald Cruise Sakara was everything I wanted but the experience was soooo much more. Adventure Life took care of each and every detail and this was the easiest of all my travels.
Anne Petty
3 days ago
Follow up was effective any questions were answered in a timely manner