The most famous shop in Ketchikan is Tongass. It is located right on the cruise ship berths. A prime spot as at least 2 full complements of cruise ship guests have to walk by there to get into town and back. The store has been there a long long time and once was a real “General Store” where you could buy everything you needed to survive in Alaska. That has now changed and all the down stairs has been taken over for selling souvenirs; except a small side corner where they have some drugstore items for sale. Why do I mention this store? Well it was raining today, real Ketchikan weather, and it looked like it that a full complement of at least one ship had marched straight into this store to stay dry, and they were of course shopping. The owner must be a rich man. It was almost too busy to sell anything. It confirmed my theory that it does not matter that much if it rains during the call at the last port of the cruise. As long as the shops are open.
Tomorrow will be last day of this cruise, with an evening call at Victoria. The weather during the coming night does not look very good but once the ship has gotten past that, it should become sunny and warm. So although the cruise was -weather wise- not that exciting, it should have a favorable ending.
That brings me to the end of my blogging period and I would like to thank all the readers for keeping up with my musings and the humdrum of a travelling captain.
What is going to happen next?
I will have a month vacation first and she who shall be obeyed has booked a number of short holidays. We are taking a luxury train to the Tattoo in Edinburgh. I have been there before B&B style but now we are going the 5 star way. Secondly we will be making two short cruises. Just to be nosy to see how some other companies are doing.
Then, I should be back at sea by September 6. First visiting the Maasdam and then the Veendam. Both are doing 7 day cruises to Quebec and Montreal. The nice part of it is that it will be during Canadian Foliage season, e.g. autumn, so it might be magnificent. Also on these two ships I will be helping out with the implementation of the 3-alarm system. Unless one of the trainers officially assigned for this job, obtains the proper US visa on time, so he can legally circumvent the Jones Act.
Maasdam 06 sep. – 20 sep.
Veendam 22 sep. – 06 oct.
After that I should start to gear up again for what I am supposed to do, support the ships with projects, train new captains and visit all the ships on a regular basis.
The IT Gurus have promised me that all the issues with the Blog will be resolved shortly and if that is the case there will be a stream of posts/upload coming with HAL history material. Hopefully they will also fix the email notification alert that the same time.
Thank you, and best regards
Captain Albert.
July 26, 2014 at 11:40 pm
Noooo it can’t be over already! I just got used to you being back. Have a wonderful vacation, enjoy the Edinburgh Tattoo – an amazing experience! – and your cruises, and I will look forward to your return.
July 26, 2014 at 11:46 pm
Enjoy your time off, Captain, and thanks for remembering those of us still waiting to get the email notifications again. Looking forward to them by September 6th.
July 27, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Thank you for doing this wonderful blog, I really enjoy reading it. Enjoy your time off and I look forward to more blog posts soon!
July 27, 2014 at 12:55 pm
Enjoy your vac and especially this year’s Tattoo with the Bands of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines, Capt.
July 27, 2014 at 7:01 pm
Captain Albert,
Thanks for all the information.
It is always a pleasure to read.
Enjoy your holiday together.
Best regards,
Hans Janssen.
July 28, 2014 at 1:43 pm
Wishing you a safe flight home, and then a great vacation month. Thank you for all the interesting blog-notes, and looking forward to your Canadian Foliage photos. That of course requires to have your personal “official photographer” with you on board.
A.E.
July 28, 2014 at 7:33 pm
Your posts are certainly not “humdrum”. I’ll miss your always humorous and to-the-point comments. Enjoy your vacation. I look forward to your next set of blogs. Time to turn your full attention to “she who shall be obeyed”!
July 31, 2014 at 8:19 am
Enjoy your vacation. Veel plezier
August 4, 2014 at 5:13 pm
Speaking of Ships that Pass …
ON the Maasdam, leaving on the 9th of Aug – flying to YVR to join the SADM … Then Flying to AMS to Join the PRDM … All over the Board!
Take care, and Best to Sr. Management…
Thom
August 9, 2014 at 3:13 am
i have not received any blogs for past 18 months .. please reconnect me ..paul@travel-impressions.com.au