July 5,2024 Skagway Alaska onboard Crystal Serenity
We awoke as we were sailing into port.
So grateful that we were graced with good weather, as the Weather Channel had been predicting rain and I was especially looking forward to our planned shore excursion. Last night Tim and I took bets on whether or not the excursion would be canceled.
I had so little confidence that before we went to sleep, I researched alternative plans for Skagway. The saloon seemed like an okay alternative.
Anyway I was thrilled to see blue sky…
…and beautiful green glacial waters as we docked.
After coffee in the room, we popped down to the Bistro for some pastries and finally met a long time hero of mine, Bruce! Bruce is a frequent poster on Cruise Critic – a social media site for all conversations relating to cruising – and Bruce is an expert historian on all things relating to Crystal, a font of knowledge and so very generous with good advice. Here’s Timmy with Aaron and Bruce.
Before we left for our excursion I snapped this pic from our room. (Port side cabins rock)
A short walk and we were watching a safety video
Timmy putting on his moon boots
That’s our ride ♥️
One of the staff snapped this pic
A fellow passenger offered to take this Pic a few minutes later …we never say no to kind offers to snap our photo, because you can never have too many photos on your phone.
Okay Timmy, let’s go
Six folks plus the pilot…I’m in front, Tim in back
Our flight lasted a thrilling 30 minutes…we soared along the Katzehin river and then through the mountains on our way to Meade Glacier.
That’s bits of glacier in the river
My first view of the glacier had my heart pounding.
After touch down I was beside myself with excitement…standing on the glacier is beyond surreal.
The yellow pouch contains a flotation device…nothing contained my excitement
First (of hundreds) glacier selfie
This person had no desire to be cold. Who needs layers when you have a fur hat and chinchilla scarf? Facts.
”Hey Timmy, can I see how deep that water hazard is?”
These photos require no captions
My new screensaver
Me: “Dearest, please watch where you step”
Glacial slush …climate change is real
We walked along…me very cautiously…Timmy (the person with 5 screws in his ankle) basically flew across the ice…I kept expecting him to disappear. Really.
Okay, so I’m going to try to describe what’s happening here. Our guides had set up these stones so that we could rest our hands on them, get into a plank and lower ourselves over the ice and drink the glacial water from a small stream. If you look closely…you can perhaps discern the stream from the slushy ice next to it. Anyway, I was able to get into plank position, but lost my nerve…afraid that if my push-up collapsed, I’d be laying in the slush. So I popped up and scooped the icy water with my hand. Just another reminder of a small feat that only a few years ago I could execute with ease. Whatever. Don’t get old.
Our flight back was a bit “sporty” but also exhilarating…we crossed through the mountains again and it was a bit windier…and “sporty”
That’s our beautiful Serenity in the foreground on our approach. After we landed, I was so full of adrenaline that I told Timmy I needed to walk around for a bit to burn some of it off… very rapid heartbeat…still exhilarated…so grateful. All the feelings.
Back on the ship…lunch in Tastes…Chicken salad for me
Looks like soup of the day for Tim…
…And a Ruben sandwich as he chats with Sebastian
Our favorite after lunch activity…postcards to the Lovebugs
Our wonderful day continued to evolve…dinner in Osteria.
Mauricio greeted us warmly
Jose served us a cheese plate to start…we could have also had the amuse bouche…but declined
We did not however decline the bread♥️
Minestrone soup
Spaghetti
Tortello
More wine
Prosecco, two whites, two reds…♥️♥️♥️
Lots of discussion about the lovely wines
Main course…I asked for a half portion of the filet
Both Morne and Jiri stopped by to say hello
That’s our superstar waiter Jose.
Timmy toasting our Sommeliers
This was our sixth dinner at Osteria, since Crystal’s restart – (2 on Symphony, 4 here on Serenity)…we absolutely love the authentic Italian cuisine and the wonderful folks who take such good care of us.
As if this day couldn’t get any better…upon returning to our room, we discovered these pins awaiting us. They recognize our twentieth Crystal cruise 🩵 What a happy surprise.
So a terrific ending to a spectacular day. Every day on this ship is special…but this was extra. Thanks for following along 🩵
