Alaska Bound – Chronic Tea

Ruby Princess
Sails from: Seattle
This seven day cruise starts and ends in Seattle with stops at Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, and Victoria. The top deck grill also serves crab cakes from Tracy’s King Crab Shack — one of the best fresh seafood joints in Juneau.

Sat, 06/22/19	Seattle, Washington, United States View general port information	4:00pm
Sun, 06/23/19	At Sea
Mon, 06/24/19	Juneau, Alaska, United States	11:00am – 10:15pm
Tue, 06/25/19	Skagway, Alaska, United States	7:00am – 8:15pm
Wed, 06/26/19	Glacier Bay National Park (scenic cruising)	6:00am – 3:00pm
Thu, 06/27/19	Ketchikan, Alaska, United States	7:00am – 1:15pm
Fri, 06/28/19	Victoria, British Columbia, Canada	7:00pm – 11:59pm
Sat, 06/29/19	Seattle, Washington, United States View general port information	7:00am

Saturday 6/22 Depart Atlanta-6:25AM

Arrive Seattle-8:55AM
Arrive SeaTac-11:30AM
Depart Seattle-4:00PM

Boarding will commence shortly after check-in. Please do not arrive prior to the start of cruise check-in as your cabin will not be ready. Once onboard, enjoy a meal at Horizon Court which remains open throughout the day to serve you. 1:00 PM – Caribe – cabins begin with C.

The Daily on Ruby Princess – photo above is from this very informative blog.

Sunday 6/23 At Sea

Monday 6/24 Arrive Juneau 11am to 10:15pm-weather will be partly cloudy @ 53-69 degrees

When you first arrive in the center of downtown Juneau, stop walking. Let your eyes rise upward from the lush green rainforest just eight blocks ahead. See those creamy-white specks clinging to the cliffs just below the 3,576-foot summit of Mount Juneau? Those are wild mountain goats, nimble-footed 300 pounders with high-res vision so good they can pick out the hair on top of your head. So bring a hat… two hats, even. We get a lot of rain up here.

This is the only city capitol in America that cannot be reached by car.

Juneau is the best spot for whale watching in Alaska and now is a great time to see whales. It’s “whale soup”.

This is the day to do something you may never be able to do again. This is the ultimate outdoor adventure place. Go hiking across the biggest glacier or sea kayak across the fjord with seals and whales. See lots of bald eagles and bears catching salmon. For the rest of us:

Whale watching excursion is the main attraction. $1000/personalized for 6 people(because of our baby) and takes about 5 hours.
Mount Roberts Tramway – don’t do this until later as it’s located right off the cruise ship and will be too crowded.
Walking tour of the town. Art galleries and totem poles.
Tracy’s King Crab Shack – get the Crab Shack Combo(this is what I hear – King Crab Leg (It’s GIANT!), 8 oz of Lobster Bisque (literally the best but can it beat Joe Dale’s?), and 4 mini crab cakes (to die for). Combine all of that with garlic rolls, hot melted butter, and a local craft beer… and O.OMGMMMMMM.G.)
Red Dog Saloon
Wanted to go Glacier Flightseeing but oh hell no.

GET A HAT.
Heritage Coffee
Coppa Ice Cream (try a local flavor)

Alaskan Kush

Tuesday 6/25 Arrive Skagway 7am to 8:15pm-weather will be mostly sunny @ 57-68 degrees

Incorporated (city): June 28, 1900 Population: 968 (2010)

Now what are you going to do?

7AM – arrive – take passport!
9:15AM Meet the Chilkoot tour for the Bennett Scenic Journey. Take a photo in front of the Welcome to Alaska sign! Get a seat on the left side of the train for the best uphill views. Walk out between the cars to take best photos. After 8 hours of fun touring and train riding return back to the town around 5:30PM.

Now we have about two hours to do the town:

Skagway Visitor Center is made from 8,000 pieces of driftwood and the most photographed building in Alaska. Also know there is free wi-fi at the library!

Red Onion Saloon– go upstairs for a $5 for 15 minute tour. This is one of 70 former brothels in Skagway from the days of the gold rush. Some 15,000 men flooded the town in hopes of finding their fortune. No one found gold in Skagway. The madams kept half of the girls’ wages. The working girls charged $5 for 15 minutes of “service”. This was more than a miner’s daily wage.

Remedy Shoppe – need remedies. Cash only.

Go to the Sarah Palin store!

Skagway, Alaska was heavily involved with the Klondike Gold Rush between 1896 and 1899. The White Pass & Yukon Route was created to help get prospectors over the mountains to the Klondike, a region of the Yukon territory in northwest Canada. It was later recognized as a construction landmark, overcoming numerous difficult and hazardous obstacles, same as the Eiffel Tower and Statute of Liberty! The WP&YR now operates purely for tourism. If the description of the city sounds familiar, this is because Jack London used the location as the setting for his book Call of the Wild. Be sure to check out the Golden North Hotel, the oldest hotel in Alaska, and stop into the Red Onion Saloon, one of four bars in Skagway.

A Jaunt With Joy (blog)

Wed 6/26-Cruising Glacier Bay National Park-This will be a balcony day. Expect rain/cold.

Enjoy your time in the Glacier Bay National Park.

The ultimate guide to cruising Glacier Bay National Park.

Rise at 6 am and get your cameras ready. Go-Pro!

Ultimate Balcony Dining

For those who want to start the day with a romantic meal, opt for a breakfast which includes specialty pastries, fresh fruits, quiche, smoked salmon and other special treats served with a half bottle of chilled sparkling wine. This item may be ordered onboard by contacting room service or pre-purchased as a special service item (item #3009).

Thurs 6/27-Ketchican 7am to 1:15pm -Cloudy 54-67 degrees

Top things to do in Ketchican in 2019

Fri 6/28 -Victoria, BC-7pm – 11:15pm – Sunny – 55 to 71 degrees – Tour the city. Check out the excursions.

All day at sea with tours in Victoria, British Columbia

High Tea City Tour
Ship Excursion – 7:30PM to 10PM

Depart from port on a guided motorcoach tour of charming Victoria. The majesty of the Olympic Mountains and the untamed wilderness of Vancouver Island provide striking contrast to the lovely, upscale neighborhoods, architectural landmarks and manicured parks in this lovely city.

Victoria, western Canada’s oldest city, was founded in 1843 as a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post. Victoria’s early history has been carefully preserved and can be seen in the restored residential, commercial and public buildings. This city is the most “British” in all of Canada and boasts prominent reminders of its colonial past.

You’ll drive through the stately downtown area, where the Legislative Buildings dramatically line the harbor. Constructed in 1893 by a young 25-year-old creative architect, it was built in honor of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. A large statue of Queen Victoria stands on the front lawn of the Neo-Baroque buildings as well a statue of a soldier to commemorate the province’s military involvements. Atop the central dome, you can see a gold-covered statue of Captain George Vancouver.

The quaint shops, narrow alleys and colorful signs of the country’s oldest Chinatown are a delight for the senses. You’ll drive through the “Gates of Harmonious Interest” and be transported back in time and to another continent.

As you drive along the Inner Harbour into the heart of the city, arrive for high tea at one of the city’s landmarks, the Pendray Mansion. This Victorian manor captures the essence of old Victoria’s elegance, sophistication and charm. Built in 1890, it stands as one of the oldest, most magnificent buildings in Victoria, and the perfect setting for traditional English tea. Enjoy a generous tier of delicate sandwiches, delicious scones, Devonshire cream and jam, and a selection of delightful desserts, complemented by a choice of teas served in fine china.

At the conclusion of your refreshment, you may return to the ship via motorcoach or you may opt to take a 20-minute stroll back to port. A walk will give you an opportunity to enjoy Victoria’s delightful weather and the street performers along the waterfront.