July 8th thru July 15th we sailed to Alaska on Holland America "Amsterdam". My wife took some excellent photos and her interests may be different than mine- so I added her photos to the 1959 Hit song by Johnny Horton called "Springtime In Alaska" It was a fun cruise, and a last minute decision to go.
Skagway
First Day on Ship- leaving Seattle after boarding around noon. We sailed 653 miles to Ketchikan that included a sea day, where we shared shore with 3 other ships. We then sailed 389 miles to Juneau and again 3 other ships. Friday we were in Skagway after traveling 104 miles and 2 other ships were there. We had another sea day as we traveled 904 miles to Victoria for a Sunday night arrival. Then 86 miles to Seattle and we left ship around 8am. The advertised price was 543 per person- with fees, taxes and tips it came to around 1800 for both of us. We sailed with 591 crew members of 31 Nationalities, and about 1500 other guests. Because of summer, there were more kids on board and people seemed younger unless maybe I am just getting older? Our average speed was 16.7 knots, traveled 2136 miles, used 113,186 gallons of fuel, and consumed 23,570 eggs. We were very pleased with the ship, crew, entertainment, food, and beautiful scenery- and great weather.
Monday, July 8th we left from Seattle to Alaska on the Holland America Amsterdam. Twelve years and 2 months ago we went to Alaska on Norwegian Star with friends from church. This was a last minute booking- just one week before sailing. We booked an inside cabin but were upgraded to a window cabin on deck 1. We visited Ketchican, Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria. I used Johnny Horton's original "Go North" song that later became "North To Alaska" #1 hit in 1960.
We were upgraded to an outside cabin. Our cabin was 1916 and these cabins go from 1964 to 1826 on other end. We tried to walk and not take elevator to help burn off excellent foods. My garmen says I averaged 13,609 steps last week and did a total of 101,418 steps last week. Last Sunday I did 18,169 steps. I barely kept up with Jan- will post hers when I do a video of her photos later this week.
Johnny Horton was killed on Nov. 5th, 1960 in Plano Texas because of a drunk driver, at the age of 35. He actually worked in Alaska and wrote North to Alaska for the movie with John Wayne in 1960. In 1959 his first big hit was "When it is Springtime in Alaska". There are actually two versions of North To Alaska- this version is slightly different, and not the famous one, so I am using it rather than have a duplicate of our trip to Alaska- 12 years and 2 months; since we went in May of 2007.
Our first cruise was for our 25th anniversary. We sailed from Tampa April 11th, 1999 to Cozemal, Grand Cayman, and New Orleans on Carnival Sensation. That 7 day cruise came to $1564 and spent $2500 for 9 days.
Our second cruise was February 28th, 2004 from Tampa and visited Grand Cayman, Belize City, and Cozumel. That 7 day cruise came to $1078 and was on Royal Carribean Nordic Express. It was perhaps the smallest ship, with later the ship being renamed after it was cut an extended in length.
Our 3rd cruise was May 13th 2007, to Alaska on Norwegian Star. We booked a window room but they upgraded us to a balcony. We sailed with friends from church- Bob and Marge Adams, Dick and Rosemary Rice, and Richard and Donna Novak. Bob and Char Johnson had to cancel out at last minute. We visited Ketchican, Juneau, Skagway, and Prince Rupert. It was the first cruise we added photos to for a video- "North to Alaska" by Johnny Horton.
Our fourth cruise, Oct 3 to Oct. 10th 2009 was our first to Mexico at $329 each for inside cabin. After arriving in LA, we visited Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta. That video is to the song, "Come sail away".
Our Fifth cruise, was Feb 24th to March 3rd, 2013 when We flew to New Orleans and boarded the Norwegian Star. It was our 3rd time to cruise on Norwegian Star Ship. We visited Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize, and Roatan as well as spending some extra time in New Orleans. The video used music "Sail Away".
Our sixth cruise, was April 4th to 19th, 2016 to Hawaii from Vancouver, BC. This was our first Princess Cruise, 15 days, 5 days to, 5 different island stops and 5 days back home. We sailed with Dave and Jeanette Owens, and Mark and Maureen Johnson. "Happy Hawaii" was the song for that video.
Our seventh cruise, was April 20th, 2017 when we left on a 17 day cruise through Panama Canal. We had an inside cabin and had limited internet minutes thrown in. It started out in Miami and ended in Seattle as a repositioning cruise. "Cruise Ship Crazy" was the song for that video. This Alaska cruise was advertised at 539 per person. we ended up paying about 1700 total with tips, getting to ship, and taxes and port fees. we parked our car in Kirkland and took a Lyft car to pier, about 21.00 each way. Go North - YouTube
