Soup Town JJ: Alaskan Cruise

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Alaskan Cruise - Skagway Part 4

Skagway is a first-class borough on the Alaska Panhandle. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 920. However, the population doubles in the summer tourist season in order to deal with more than 900,000 visitors. Skagway (originally spelled Skaguay) is from the Tingit name for the area, “Skagua” meaning “a windy place with white caps on the water.” For centuries, the Tingits lived in Skagway. Everything changed, however, once gold was found in the region. The Gold rush of 1898 was on, and thousands of prospectors set up camp in Skagway with the hopes of finding gold in the fields 500 miles away.

After breakfast, we get off the ship. $2 each to ride the bus into town; $2 to ride it back; $5 all-day bus pass. We walk around town; decide to catch another bus to the other end of town past the fake gold fields, old cemetery, and the glass blowers and gardens. Back in town, we shop in the outlet store buying this year’s calendars, salt and pepper shakers we think are $4.50 but are actually $14. Back to the ship for lunch. Ed is too tired to go back into town with us so he stays in the room and we do the whole route again, enjoying it even more. We went back in the store to check the price of the salt and pepper shakers. We wanted to buy Melissa some smoked salmon but we called her and she said it was too much. $20.00 for 4 ounces. $80/pound. The box was cute too. Carol called back but my phone was off. She said “yes”. I’m sorry we didn’t get Carol’s message first.

The most photographed building in Skagway.

A river runs through it.

Back together for dinner in Tsar's Palace

The first night we had the beds all in a row. Wall-to-wall beds. The next night they moved Ed's bed to the head and that worked out a lot better. 143 square feet. About the size of a 3-man tent. Is this a concentration camp or a luxury liner? I've never been squished in anything this small before.

Official photo. OK, just picture another bed in there. One comes down from the ceiling too. Essentially, it's a room for four.

OK what clown got a hold of my camera?

Relaxing in the Spinnaker on a day at sea.

Immediately following the show, there was a special tribute by the Officers, Staff and Crew of the Norwegian Jewell. Sixty countries are represented; 50% of them from the Philippines.