Alaskan Cruise: At Sea Day & Ketchikan [Part 2]

On our last Alaskan cruise recap, I left off with our first evening on the ship and sailing away from Vancouver. Thankfully, our first full day on board was an "at sea day", so we ordered room service for breakfast. On Royal Caribbean, a continental breakfast is complimentary in the mornings (if you choose to do so), but any other type of room service throughout the day comes with a fee. We ordered coffee, fruit, and bagels and it was all nice and fresh (and yummy, too)!

After reading through the day's schedule, Jason and I decided we wanted to hear the Canadian Mountie speak. Coming from a law enforcement family (and as someone who loves history), the idea behind their troop fascinated me.

We also dropped Brayden off at the kids club for about an hour while we listened to the Mountie and he really enjoyed "circle time"...whatever that was! Hah!

After lunch, we took naps then went for a swim in the indoor solarium pool. This is normally an adult only area, but they were kind enough to open up hours in the morning and afternoon for the kids to swim.

Brayden LOVED the pool!

To get back to our room, we had to walk outside (which was rather chilly). Royal Caribbean does this silly thing with their pool towels, so you can't really use them for very long because you're paranoid about forgetting to return them. Basically, you check the pool towel out with your room key, and if you don't return it by checking it back in, your room is charged $25 per towel. Anyway, we used my sweatshirt to cover Brayden up with, so he turned into a little penguin while walking back to the room. It was SO funny and we heard so many giggles from people as they passed us by in the hallways!

That evening was formal night, so we got dressed and headed to dinner! I know I mentioned this in my previous post, but I truly loved our wait staff! They were so kind and generous and helpful. All 12 of us were also seated at one giant table which was nice!

We had a lovely towel creature waiting for us when we returned to our room! :)

We also enjoyed another gorgeous sunset as we sailed to our first port of all, Ketchikan!

By the time we woke up the following morning, we were docked in Ketchikan. We didn't plan any formal excursions here, so we took our time eating breakfast, getting off the ship, and shopping around town.

I just love the landscape of the port in Ketchikan. It's so colorful and welcoming!

We also had a chance to finally SEE our ship from the outside for the first time! With the way it was docked in Vancouver, we couldn't even see it before boarding!

My main goal in Ketchikan was to purchase an Alaska Pandora charm which I did! Some of our crew also walked to Starbucks which was about a mile away. If you're interested in Starbucks at all at any of these Alaskan ports of call, Ketchikan is your place. Unless you plan on taking an Uber, no other port has them within walking distance.

I loved being able to walk around slowly, take our time, and simply enjoy the clean and fresh air! It was a great day for sure!

While Brayden and Jason napped, I had the chance to do something I never get to do on a cruise - I spent about 2 hours on the balcony, drinking coffee and reading a book! It. Was. Heavenly!!!

Once Brayden woke up from his nap, he snuggled with me for a little while, then we got him dressed to go swimming in the pool!

Once leaving Ketchikan, I stood out on our balcony to snap a few pictures of the gorgeous landscape. Alaska truly is a magnificent place.

Back to the Solarium pool we went!

He truly loves the water!

For dinner that evening, we had a rip roaring good time while chanting our waiter's name during the parade and waving our napkins in the air. This truly was a wonderful time with Jason's family!!

Up next: Juneau and Skagway!

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For recaps from our 7 night Alaskan cruise on board the Radiance of the Seas, check out these links below:
Alaskan Cruise: Travel Day & Boarding the Ship [Part 1] & VLOG
Alaskan Cruise: At Sea Day & Ketchikan [Part 2] & VLOG
Alaskan Cruise: Icy Straight Point [Part 3] & VLOG (Icy Straight Point & Juneau)
Alaskan Cruise: Juneau & Whale Watching [Part 4]
Alaskan Cruise: Skagway & A Musher's Camp [Part 5] & VLOG
Alaskan Cruise: Hubbard Glacier [Part 6] & VLOG
Alaskan Cruise: Seward and Anchorage [Part 7] & VLOG

Vacation Recap Day #6 – Ketchikan, Alaska

Day before the cruise – Seattle, WA
Day #1 onboard the Norwegian Pearl
Day #2 “At Sea” day
Day #3 – Juneau, Alaska
Day #4 – Skagyway, Alaska
Day #5 – Glacier Bay
Day #6 – Ketchikan, Alaska
Day #7 – Victoria, BC
Day #8 - Back in Seattle 

I forgot to mention something in my Glacier Bay post.  This was the conversation between my husband and my mother.

While looking at chunks of ice floating in the water….

Mom: “I’m looking for hidden Mickey’s in the ice!”
Jason: “If this were a Disney ship, they would have divers hiding in the water, shaping the ice into Mickey ears!”
Mom: “REALLY?!?!?”

Yes….she really did believe him.  Oh my mother…..gotta love her!



Our morning in Ketchikan came early!  I didn’t even bother to run that morning because it was still cold and rainy!  I did attempt to go to the gym once….it was PACKED!  Besides, when I have weather that I can actually breathe in, why would I want to be cooped up in a hot smelly gym to run?




Our view when we stepped off the boat was amazing. What a cute, quaint little fishing town!




We docked in port and hurried through the shops to get as many “free” items as possible. Yes, we were one of those who followed the “free jewelry” gimmick….even though we actually did receive quite a few stone necklaces that I really like!



In one of the stores, we found a “Northern Lights” Topaz set that we really liked.  My mom and I each got a set. The set included a necklace, earrings, and a ring.  I love mine!  Since I let Jason buy a watch on board the ship, he said I could get a piece of jewelry in port! After our purchases, we hurried back to the port so we could board a bus for our excursion.



Our Ketchikan excursion took us down the main streets of Ketchikan and into a Hatchery!

 

We first got to see two live bald eagles. They were in captivity because they were both found with bad wings – they were only babies when they were found, so this cultural center is all they’ve ever known.




We also got to see a salmon hatchery which was pretty neat!



This bird died while trying to snatch fish out of one of the tanks!  He got his neck stuck and it snapped on the ropes. Sad times for the bird!

 


After watching the fish, we got back on the bus and drove to Totem Heritage Center.



This center is full of Totem poles that are under preservation to protect their history!



It was a pretty neat little place!

After walking through the Heritage center, we got back on the bus and drove to Totem Bight State Park!



This State Park is full of totem poles which is pretty cool!



This tree and it’s roots were kinda funky!



In Totem Bight, we learned the history of various totem poles and we were even allowed inside of one of the ceremonial houses.  It was neat hearing how the natives lived years and years ago!  The symbolism and the meaning behind everything was really neat to hear as well.  However, it was rainy and very cold outside so I don’t think I enjoyed myself as best as I could.

  

An old preserved ceremonial house.  The doors were small to protect from invaders!



Beautiful shoreline.

 

My husband is so silly!  This is the gift shop at Totem Bight!  Apparently the bear is an LSU fan, too! Hah!



After Totem Bight, we were able to shop around in the stores a little more. This was our last stop in Alaska and I think out of all our stops, this was the shortest. We were back on the boat by 1:30 p.m. 
Honestly, I really did not enjoy this excursion at all. I thought it was going to be so much more than it was – according to the description on the NCL website.  Out of all of our excursions, this was definitely my least favorite.



A lot of these homes don’t have streets leading to them, so people have to park on the street and carry everything by hand up their “wooden streets”.

I think I took a nap during the afternoon but I really don’t remember!

We ate dinner in Summer Palace….



…and my parents sneakily told the waiter that it was my birthday the following day!



I was serenaded and we each received a piece of cake!  It was fun!!! :0)

We watched the nighttime show after dinner and I’m sorry to say, but this one singer totally botched “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. It is my favorite song from Wicked and she totally ruined it.  Ugh.



The staff of the Pearl!  WASHY WASHY!!!!!!

After the show, guess what we did?!  We hit the 10 p.m. CHOCOLATE BUFFET!!!!



YUMMY!



All kinds of awesome goodies!



With a full tummy, we hit the sack and went to sleep!



Not before I made friends with the little mouse who was hiding in my bed! :0)

Up next: Day #6 – At Sea and Victoria, BC!