Supposedly Glacier Bay is the “Pièce de Resistance” of these Alaskan cruises and it didn't really disappoint. We had breakfast again in the buffet after another lazy morning. I am quite proud of myself for not going back for seconds; although that doesn't really matter because I'm pretty much filling up my plate/platter on my first pass. Apparently, the ships that are allowed into Glacier Bay (only 2 cruise ships per day) will pick up a couple of NPS Rangers who set up a little mobile ranger station on the boat to answer questions and provide commentary about the park and the glaciers and whatnot in it. They come aboard at the entrance to the bay via a small launch and climb up a rope ladder that's dropped down from the side of the ship. Very “Indiana Jones”-esque way of boarding a ship, if you ask me.
Anyway, after breakfast we donned our walking shoes and did 6 laps (just over 2 miles) around the Promenade Deck and then attended a brief lecture given by one of the park rangers prior to going out on deck to see the Margerie glacier; one of the tidewater glaciers in the park. We were able to get much, much closer today than yesterday, and the view was amazing. This glacier's face is a mile wide and about 200ft high above the water. We saw (and heard) a bunch of calving, but honestly, once you've stared at it for a couple minutes, there's not much else going on.
We had lunch not in the dining room, but on deck from the small pizzeria. Unfortunately, it was slices only and only what they have out. I couldn't see anywhere where you could get a “custom” pizza made to order. After hearing about how good Princess' pizza is, I was disappointed in it. I'm not a big fan of super-thin NY style pizza like the kind that you have to fold over and that's what this was. We should have gotten something from the burger grill instead.
After the ship turned away from Margerie, we went down to the “Patisserie” where we had another nice conversation with an older couple (mid-70's, I'm guessing) who have already been on 45 cruises! This was their 4th this year already! Their longest was a 67 day Indian Ocean round trip. The wife says she never knows where they're going next; she just packs up when her husband says to and they're off. I don't think my 401(k) will be in quite good enough shape by the time we retire to afford that. Can you get long term care insurance to cover cruises in lieu of assisted living facilities and nursing homes? Maybe I'm on to something here... Anyway, Princess does this cookie and milk cart around 3:30 every day on the plaza decks in the main common areas. Let me tell you that the cookies were superb. One thing I've noticed so far on board is that the baked items like breads and pastries are generally very good. 2 thumbs up for the bakery staff and pastry chefs.
We did another mile around the boat after our cookies and milk while we cruised back out of Glacier Bay. At least we're trying to stay active, right?
We had dinner in the dining room and were seated at a table for 10. It's nice when you can meet people from all over during dinner. Most everyone we've met on the boat have been eager to compare notes and talk about their experience thus far. Dinner for me was quite good. I had venison loin with a nice red wine-based glaze. Angela was “meh” about her surf and turf, but enjoyed her cold apple “soup” with Calvados.
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