Friday, August 9, 2013

2013 Norwegian Jewel Pacific Coast



6 nights departing September 21. 2013
Norwegian Jewel
REDUCED PRICE CRUISE -- $249
because last minute and repositioning cruise
Deck 10 Room 615 (free upgrade)
I thought this cruise better than I expected. Norwegian nows shares 5th place rating (in my ranking of cruise lines) with Carnival






NO PHOTOS WERE PERMITTED AT SHOW TIME
(Previously just flash and video were prohibited)

Airfare on Delta Airlines  non stop both ways, aisle seats
Reservation park & fly Comfort Inn on 78th Street 1-952-854-3400 

Fri  Sep 20 Comfort Inn overnight

Sat  Sep 21  Vancouver, BC, Canada                                       


Checking in with Norwegian at the airport

On the way to the pier: Vancouver City Hall

Approaching Downtown Vancouver

First views of the Norwegian Jewel


Welcome aboard entertainment poolside










Sailing 4 p.m.



Show Time at 8:30 pm featured "A Taste of Things to Come."
No photography was permitted.

Sun Sep 22 Victoria, BC, Canada  8:00am     5:00pm


Victoria is the gateway to the Puget Sound, Gulf Islands, and San Juan Islands, and is home to three resident pods of Orca Whales. This tour is designed to take us as up close and personal as permitted with the whales and sea life as they explore their natural feeding grounds along the shores British Columbia’s rugged coastline. We boarded a motorcoach for a short transfer over to the whale watching vessel departure point. The vessel was equipped with restrooms, and offer covered as well as open viewing locations. This area is a playground for many of the world’s wealthiest yacht owners, and multi-million dollar yachts can often be seen cruising through the waters. Note: Orcas are regularly seen, but not guaranteed. We seen some, but duration was such that photos are limited.

Morning Greeting at Garden Cafe Restaurant

Breakfast

Victoria BC pier


Art work for sale


Bus shuttle to viewing ship

Waterfront reflection

Water bus tour (Hippo bus)


Passing the Jewel as we headed out to sea


Leaving the harbor

Many boats for whale watching



Orca Whale Watching & Wildlife Tour

Size of Killer Whale compared to man


These Orcas are more shark-like than the "friendly whales," from the San Juan Islands that eat only salmon. These killer whales are called "transient" whales, meaning officials don't know where they come from. They live off of seals and baby Gray whales.


Bald Eagle



Male Sea Lions (waiting for females)





Noon lunch buffet in Garden Cafe 
(Pork, veggies and melon)

Leaving Victoria

Rib eye steak at Azura Dinning Room

Rough water 

Show Time: Band on the Run
No photography was permitted

After Show Time I watched Newly Wed Game


Mon  Sep 23  Astoria, OR           8:00am      5:00pm


Astoria Bridge

Lumber stacked for export to China



Sales booths lined the pier

Seaside & Cannon Beach

Our local guide traveled with us through Astoria, passing stunning examples of Victorian architecture before crossing Young’s Bay Bridge.  As our bus wined its way along one of the most picturesque drives in the country, we traveled through the Oregon Coast Range and a natural wonderland of sitka spruce, western red cedar, Douglas fir and hemlock trees.  The Highway 101 was the same road I took college students on for a tour along the coast. 

Our first destination was Cannon Beach.  Named for a cannon that was discovered on the beach in 1846, Cannon Beach is considered an artist's colony and home to photographers, artists and writers. Upon arrival, we explored the colorful courtyards and streets or shop for souvenirs and mementos. In addition to its pristine beaches and fresh sea air, Cannon Beach is also famous for the natural phenomenon known as Haystack Rock, which lies just south of the town. Composed of basalt, this 235 foot tall rock formation rises up out of the ocean as the third largest coastal monolith in the world. Protected as part of the Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Haystack Rock is home to puffins, sea gulls and cormorants. 







City of Cannon Beach


 Lookout in City of Cannon Beach


After re-boarding our bus, continue to Seaside a charming coastal village. At the end of the Lewis & Clark Trail, Seaside is a national landmark. Popular for over a century, this charming resort offers boutiques, art galleries, miles of beach and not a single parking meter in sight! A guide from the Chamber of Commerce will introduce us to the town and its many wonderful charms. Then, we're on our own to stroll the boardwalk and buy some of Seaside's famous salt water taffy. We received free samples as we left the bus for our walk.


View from city of Cannon Beach




Hot chocolate stop


At Seaside I ordered wild salmon in a local restaurant


On board entertainment was provided by the Astoria Opera Company. They brought to life colorful characters from the 1800s
in a melodrama format.














The local opera peopled left the ship. 
Another group bade us farewell from dockside.


Buffert Dinner at the Garden Cafe

Turkey, cranberry chicken, cream covered salmon 
and grilled pork

Johnny Cash Music at the Atrium

When we left Astoria, the captain warned us 
the waves leaving the Columbia River 
were 12-15 feet high, not dangerous, but bumpy.

Show Time presented 
Comedy and Juggling of Barry John
No photography was permitted

Tue  Sep  24  At Sea

Today we could sleep in. 
Early in the afternoon I had a margarita (I think). 
It was the worse drink I ever had and couldn't drink it.

On the large screen was "The Great Gatsby"


Lunch in Azura: Lemon sauce on tilapia


Show Time featured Aerial and Acrobatics. 
No photography, but after show I took a photo of stars.

Rinat and Elena

Benjamin Trout




Karaoke

Towel Animal

Wed  Sep  25  San Francisco, CA  8:00am       6:00pm 


Hefty Breakfast

Views from the Jewel






Hop-On, Hop-Off San Francisco City Tour

Tour Guide on upper deck of bus

This narrated tour allowed us to hop-on or hop-off throughout the day at 20 of the city’s most popular sites. Half of the buses feature live commentary by an English speaking guide, the other half offer an audio tour in 10 different languages. Frequency of the buses is every 10 minutes in the summer and every 20 minutes in the winter.


Painting on a building

When plans for the new Transamerica Corporation's headquarters in downtown San Francisco were unveiled in 1968, there was public outcry. Many critics claimed an obelisk-shaped skyscraper didn't belong in their city. But today, it's impossible to imagine the San Francisco skyline without the grace and symmetry of The Transamerica Pyramid at Transamerica Pyramid Center. A source of great pride to San Franciscans, The Transamerica Pyramid (below) has become an icon of San Francisco recognized worldwide, along with the city's famous cable cars and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Transamerica Pyramid






City Hall where the mayor was murdered by Twinky nut


Buildings originally occupied by Japanese Americans 
who were relocated during WW II

Victorian Row Houses







Haight-Ashbury District
once the epicenter of the 1960’s hippy culture








Early Stadium (Kezar) for San Francisco 49ers 
(now used by a high school)
N.F.L. Hall of Famers called it home. It was where the alley-oop was invented. The 49ers’ founding owner died in his seat at the 50-yard line while watching a game. And it was there, atop a midfield hash mark, where Dirty Harry shot a serial killer called Scorpio.


Golden Gate Bridge Entrance


Other side of bridge




Coast Guard Monument

Union Square



China Town





Back to Business District



Oakland Bridge


Crowd heading for American Cup Race

Preparations for the American Cup Race


American entry (later won by defeating New Zealand)

Leaving the Bay: Alcatraz





Show Time: No photography allowed

Introduction of Jewel workers





The Captain

Dixieland Music in the Atrium



Thu  Sep  26  At Sea


Lunch in the Garden Cafe

Questions & Answers


Talent Show by Crew










Show Time Comedian

Children's Circus








Dinner in the Garden Cafe



Fri  Sep 27  Los Angeles, CA          8:00  am



San Pedro



Arrive MSP 8:44 pm