Alaska Cruise Begins!

Friday, July 17th, began the third part of our trip to Alaska and Victoria. The first part was spending five days with our dear friends in Juneau, Alaska. Part two was Sooke Island and Victoria for four days. Now comes the seven-days cruise with Holland America Lines.

Before we left Jackson for this long-awaited trip, I mentioned to Dianne, I don't know what may be more exciting, the Tracy Arm Fjord excursion outside of Juneau, whale watching in Juneau, the photographic excursion in Sitka or seeing our friends enjoying and absorbing the beauty of Alaska for their first time (this was our fourth cruise to Alaska). The answer really became all of the above.

The eight of us that had completed the three day visit of Sooke Island and Victoria finished our late morning breakfast, casually packed our bags and left the motel to arrive at our ship's location.

The remainder of this Friday was to orientate ourselves with the ship's different levels, where our room were located and visually find the main dining room and the cafe area.

Holland America Lines caters to an older group of guests. This isn't to say that only gray haired, wheel-chair bound guests were allowed. We saw several teens and children on the ship. Holland America Lines has been in business for over one hundred years. You better have your act together or you wouldn't last this long in this highly competitive cruise business!

Holland America Lines, or HAL, is noted for having mid-sized ships. This reduces the crew-to-passenger ratio, which translates into better and quicker service. Our particular ship's name was the ms Zaandam. Each of HAL's ships names end with "dam", due to their Dutch ownership. Yes, jokes abound about "those" ships.

Watching the ship leave port was something to witness. Not only do these large water-bound motels have engines at the rear, or aft, they have jets on the port (left side) and starboard (right side) of the ship. All of these engines were placed into motion to slowly maneuver us away from the dock area.

As we made our departure in a northwesterly direction, you realized downtown Seattle was behind you and Mt. Ranier off the port side of the ship. Great photo opportunities to begin our Alaskan cruise.

Since we had secured early dining on the ship, we began the food feast approximately five-thirty in the evening. The food options and service were tremendous. But, looking out the port windows in the formal dining area, fog was settling along the coast line area.

Following dinner, there was one show in the theatre for all guests. The four singers and dancers performed a show with a general theme. One female singer, from the UK, became obvious to all of us that she was the strongest singer of the group. One black female dancer was the strongest dancer of the group.

Following the show, it was time to finish up any unpacking duties in the room, relaxing in a chair on one of the outside decks, and finally calling it a night. Saturday, we all anticipated to be a day of becoming more familiar with locations on the ship, experiencing being at sea, more food choices, entertainment and our first opportunity to shop on board the ms Zaandam!