North to Alaska

On the MS Oosterdam

August 20-27, 2005

For the Great photos see Alaska Photos

Several months ago the 18^th Company started discussing having a mini reunion. Chuck Stone took the lead and after several questionnaires it was decided to take a cruise to Alaska. Chuck's friend Gladys Block of Worldview Travel of La Jolla set up the cruise on Holland America's SS Oosterdam an 1800 passenger ship launched in 2003. The route would take us from Seattle to Juneau, Hubbard Glacier, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria, B.C.

Seattle residents Denny Vaughan and Bill Anderson along with Dave Durfee arranged for a Friday night dinner and Saturday brunch for the cruisers who got to Seattle early enough. Their hospitality was much appreciated by those lucky enough to be there.

The 18^th Company crew was Chuck and June Stone, Eli and Eileen Dabich, Ron and Maire Machens, Rick and Linda Wakefield, Tom and Fran Reemelin, Tom and Ann O'Brien, Mike and Ella Bracy and Steve and Yvonne Coester. We had some complicated mathematical routine set up by Tom O (one of our resident "Nukes") to rotate couples between our two tables in the main dining room so everyone could talk to everyone else. Also the Bracys hosted a cocktail party one evening as did the Reemelins and O'Briens in their adjoining rooms.

The ship departed at 1700 Saturday after efficiently checking in a full load of eighteen hundred passengers. Our group met on the aft observation deck and waved toward Denny's home on the coast in Shoreline as we passed. We all felt like plebes on our first summer cruise and spent hours exploring the ship and trying to find our staterooms and the numerous bars and activities. The cabins are large and luxurious, not at all like our Navy experiences. And the food, not only plentiful, but also well presented and delicious with full five course meals at our evening setting. You can eat continuously for twenty-four hours a day if that is your thing. The Crow's Nest bar on Deck 10 at the bow is a great place to meet, dance and view the ship's progress.

Our first port call was in Juneau, the State Capital. There were four cruise ships in port meaning 8000 tourists crowding this 30000 inhabitant city, the third largest in Alaska. Many of us chose not to wander the street but took some of the excellent tours such as whale watching or helicopter glacier exploring. The weather was rainy and cool which prevented the float planes from flying that day. Chuck, Yvonne and Steve took the "Pilot's Choice" helicopter tour which flew over and landed on two glaciers (Eagle and Herbert) and gave a great perspective of the 5000 square mile Juneau ice field which feeds many of the 100000 glaciers. It was an exciting tour. The whale watchers saw numerous humpbacks and orcas and sea lions so everyone came back to the ship happy.

There are continuous shipboard activities with the stage shows in the main lounge some of which we loved and some not so entertaining. The shows started at 1015 pm which is late for us but kept us clapping, laughing and tapping our toes. Also there were gambling, spas, lectures and several bars with entertainment. You could stay busy almost twenty-four/seven.

On Tuesday the ship closed on Hubbard glacier to within a very close distance we were permitted on the bow to observe the calving of icebergs and the tremendous noise and splash as the ice broke off of the glacier and plunged into the water. Really a highlight!

Wednesday we pulled into Sitka at 0700 and immediately left the ship for our Sea Otter and Wildlife excursion. What a wonderful morning on the sea in a forty foot boat looking for wildlife. First we were treated to several bald eagles. Next a grizzly bear was spotted on the shore. This was the first bear spotted in two months on this tour. Then we saw two black tailed deer, and two rafts of sea otters on their backs floating along. The highlight of the tour was several humpback whales that we got close to as they broached and swam near our boat. Great photos were obtained.

If it was Thursday it must be Ketchikan. A short stay of only five hours but enough to make a fantastic tour of Misty Fjords by float plane, an eleven passenger Otter. The flight was exciting through beautiful mountains, gorgeous lakes and forests. We landed on one lake for a few minutes and sometimes the plane was only feet away from the cliffs on either side. Saw about twenty mountain goats on one peak. It is all part of an unspoiled wilderness that is the nations largest national forest of millions of square miles. Before the flight we wandered Ketchikan , particularly Creek Street, the old red light district and now a shopping area. The creek itself was crammed with salmon on their return from the ocean for spawning and death.

Thursday night the group was treated to a private cocktail party in the Crow's Nest followed by a dinner in the special Pinnacle Dining Room. This was all arranged by our travel agent Gladys. It was very special evening in gowns and tuxedos. The night's entertainment was a high energy Las Vegas style production by the young men and women of the ship's cast.

After a long day of sailing we pulled into Victoria, BC at about 1800 and had to leave for Seattle at midnight. Six of our group went into the city while the rest of us chose to have a final dinner together onboard. It was another fine meal in the Vista Dining Room and several more sea stories were exchanged. After finishing dining at after 2100 we decided it was too late to go to town so got an early last night in our cabin.

Arrived in Seattle at about 0700 on Saturday. Holland America continued their efficient service by making disembarking pretty painless. Couldn't have been a better trip.