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| Queen Elizabeth |
After a very smooth cruise last night we arrived at Icy Strait Point. Sunrise today was 3:58 AM and Sunset is 10:10 PM. I’m loving the long nights. When we woke, it’s a gorgeous sunny day! The high will be 21C/70F.
Icy Strait Point is a privately owned tourist destination just outside the small village of Hoonah, Alaska. It’s is located on Chichagof Island and is named after the nearby Icy Strait. Owned by the Huna Totem Corporation, it is the only privately owned cruise destination in Alaska. Huna Totem Corporation is owned by approximately 1,350 Alaskan natives with aboriginal ties to the Hoonah and the Glacier Bay area. Many of them are of the Tlingit people.
This is our third visit to Icy Strait Point and it’s been about seven years when we were here with Carol and Dave Duthie. That day we had heavy rain so today we are fortunate. There is now one cruise ship dock and the Radiance of the Seas is at the dock. We are using the tenders to get to shore. The Queen Elizabeth is only sailing to Alaska five times but the Radiance will sail up here until September.
On our first trip we saw whales right by the shore. It was a beautiful sight. There are bears close by and it’s very rugged. They built one of the world’s longest zip lines that drops 5,000 feet and drops 1,330 feet. We love to go to the end of the zip line and watch everyone finish. If anyone is contemplating a zip line, check to make sure your insurance covers you. Many disqualify zip lines as it’s deemed as a dangerous sport. Our insurance covers us, but we don’t want to do it.
There are so many activities to do on this cruise. We’ve noted a few differences with other cruise lines. No annoying announcements, no bingo, no men’s hairy chest contest, no pushing of alcohol and many things other cruises charge for are free on Cunard. Everyone respects the dress code. It is dressier than the other cruise lines. Afternoon tea is amazing! It’s an event and we attend most days. All the crew is very friendly. When a band has a break, there is someone to fill in. No venues go without entertainment in the evening. There are three different piano players! They all have different styles and are all very talented.
Tomorrow we go to Hubbard Glacier and Thursday we are in Sitka. I hope this gorgeous weather continues!
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| The views are gorgeous! We didn't see whales from the shore on this trip. |
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| Hoonah in the distance |
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| Icy Point Strait. The ship was on the other side of this peninsula |
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| He didn't catch these, they are fabric! |
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| Fishing fleet in Hoonah |
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| Explaining carving a totem pole! |
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| Gorgeous wood canoe and you can do a canoe shore excursion! |
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| Gorgeous totem poles! |
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| Downtown Hoonah! |
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| The scenery in Hoonah is amazing! |
