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)
(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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
Lunch in the Garden Cafe
Questions & Answers
Talent Show by Crew
Show Time Comedian
Children's Circus
Dinner in the Garden Cafe
