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The next day came the highlight of this cruise. Hubbard Glacier. Link 1, 2 and 3. The first picture shows the ship moving into Disenchantment Bay and approacing the glacier with a big field of floating debris in front of it. There are actually 3 glaciers visible. One small one of the left and two in front that come together. The third link shows a good map of what you see on this picture.

If you have Google Earth, here are the coordinates  60 01' 32.05" N 139 32' 39.61" W
A very big part of the economy in these towns are cruise tourist. Often there are 3 to 5 ships in town every day. One of the local tour operators build a tramway in Juneau up the steep slope next to the town. You have magnificent view from the top. There is also a path of about a mile through the area at the top. The overwhelming majority of the people that make the trip to the top, do not walk the look. So it is quite peacefull there and when we walked it we saw a marmot. The Bald Eagle had been seriously hurt and couldn't fly any more. He was kept in a cage for all to see. We saw several wild Bald Eagles during this trip, but you get to see those only from far away.
Stephanie and Diederik went on a cruise to Alaska to celebrate their 20th anniversary. They will be joined by several members of Stephanie's familie. Her Dad and his friend Gloria, her sister Chris and her Husband Randy. Regretfully her uncle Tim and his wife Mary had to cancel. They left from Seatlle on the Oosterdam (Holland America Line).
2008 Cruise to Alaska


Stephanie and Diederik went on a cruise to Alaska to celebrate their 20th anniversary. They will be joined by several members of Stephanie's familie. Her Dad and his friend Gloria, her sister Chris and her Husband Randy. Regretfully her uncle Tim and his wife Mary had to cancel. They left from Seatlle on the Oosterdam (Holland America Line).
Here is a first look at our suite. It was about as nice as it gets on this ship. Lots of space and a large balcony. As you will see later, there was enough room for the whole group to get together for drinks.
Here a few pictures taken on the way out of Seattle. First picture is the Space Needle, 'the' Seattle landmark. Of ourse there was a safety dril where we all had to wear our lifejackets and find our way to the lifeboats.
That first evening we had wine and hors d'ouvres in our room before dinner.
The first (whole) day on the ship was very quite. We were out in the open see and there was little to see. So we just took it easy, rested and explored the ship. That evening was the first of two dress-up nights.
  Dad/Tom  Stephanie  Chris   Randy    Gloria.
This time they gave us table 133 by the rear window. From then on we specifically asked for that table and got it every time. Even though some in the group get seasick easily, the movement of the water by this rear window is away from you and that appears to have much less effect.
When we woke up the next morning we were approaching Juneau. There was land visible at both sides of the ship. Pretty wild land with few traces of mankind until you got very close to Juneau. There was snow on the mountains and it was overcast and not very warm. That is the typical summer wheather here.
In Juneau the first stop was lunch (yes we eat a lot on this trip). This was barely outside of town by a small river where you could see Salmon swim. They had al kinds of food, including baked Salmon and some 'local' entertainment. The lady that made the music was at least living in Alaska. Very many of the people that work in these towns only come here for summer jobs and than go back to the mainland US.
A very big part of the economy in these towns are cruise tourist. Often there are 3 to 5 ships in town every day. One of the local tour operators build a tramway in Juneau up the steep slope next to the town. You have magnificent view from the top. There is also a path of about a mile through the area at the top. The overwhelming majority of the people that make the trip to the top, do not walk the look. So it is quite peacefull there and when we walked it we saw a marmot. The Bald Eagle had been seriously hurt and couldn't fly any more. He was kept in a cage for all to see. We saw several wild Bald Eagles during this trip, but you get to see those only from far away.
The next day came the highlight of this cruise. Hubbard Glacier. Link 1, 2 and 3. The first picture shows the ship moving into Disenchantment Bay and approacing the glacier with a big field of floating debris in front of it. There are actually 3 glaciers visible. One small one of the left and two in front that come together. The third link shows a good map of what you see on this picture.

If you have Google Earth, here are the coordinates  60 01' 32.05" N 139 32' 39.61" W
The pieces floating in the water vary a lot, from sinple chunks of white ice to pieces filled with sand and rocks. The deep blue pieces are very dense, very old ice.
This was the only time during the cruise that you were allowed on the bow of the ship. There and on the small balconies on the higher levels you had the best view of the glaciers. That is where the following pictures were taken. All in all the ship spend several hours cruising in front of the glacier. The glacier front is about 6 miles (10 kilometers wide).
The ship gets very close to the ice, so you get a good look. And you can see and hear pieces break of. The first two pictures just show close ups, but the third one shows a big splash from a piece falling down just to the right of the bow.
But even this had to end.
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