Day 7, through the Inside Passage to Vancouver, BC: Time to wrap up the cruise. This is the last full day of cruising and no ports. The Inside Passage is wonderfully scenic through the small islands and later hugging closely to the shoreline. Last time, we saw orcas and dolphins aplenty so it’s sad to compare but this day proved only one lone spout late in the day. Typically, we tried to fit in activities that we had yet to do. We never did go to the Pizza/Deli spot on the attractive 10th floor balcony overlooking the lido pool. Glad we hit Dive In once for their yummy burger and fries. Never did discover any of the rubber duckies that passengers decorate and hide for others to find. There was also a humongous cream filled chocolate choux which I’d have liked to try from Grand Dutch cafe. Too little time, too little appetite. I certainly missed donating my pennies to the casino but I could never figure out the huge new machines and they looked far too serious. I like the silly ones with funny noises when you win $1 to add to the excitement lol. Besides, the smoke in there was overwhelming.
Still with an on board credit (obc) balance to use that we’d lose otherwise, we booked lunch at the Pinnacle. On past HAL cruises, we’ve eaten dinner there and though incredibly delicious, the three courses had been so rich and large, ending with velvety chocolate truffles, that we were uncomfortably full for hours pre bedtime and relieved when we’d survive the night! The new menu proved much lighter… slightly elevated from Canaletto’s version of beef carpaccio with pistachios, a cod and slaw sandwich…. except for the Pavlova. I yearned for the light meringues with clotted cream and fresh passion fruit from a wee shop in Australia so I was excited! I can’t believe I have no pics. The Pavlova was picture perfect on the plate but my fork didn’t pierce it. Neither did my knife. Bob had a try hammering it and the table next to us chuckled, and joined our laughter when hers arrived in the same condition, more like an impenetrable bowling ball. It was almost impossibly hard to eat and too sweet as the sugar was the cement. The restaurant was wrapping up for the afternoon or I’d have asked for their gelato trio, far superior to the offerings at the ice cream in the buffet and more exotic than the additional charge scoop bar.
Of course, it was necessary to pack our wee bags which we’d take off at our leisure the next day after breakfast in the main dining room and then returned the travel book I’d borrowed from the library but never settled to read. What a lovely bright spot with so many brand new books… readers’ delight.
We spent the afternoon in the Exploration Lounge with front row seats and a cocktail, watching the ship wend through the bends. I hoped I would have captured a whale sighting after spotting a spout but rather there was loud excitement from the other side of the bow which I totally missed in my video.
Tough to tear ourselves away from the views wondering what might be round the next bend but we didn’t want to miss the dining room hours as we’d never felt satisfied with the buffet alternative as food seemed cold and it was so chaotic avoiding people. We chose to share a table and met a lovely couple from Germany and a pair whose claim of love was meeting over shots of JagerMeister in Vegas where they live. Using the last of the never ending OBC, Bob and I ordered bonus lobster tails to our entrees… probably the tenderest I’ve ever had.
It was a good cruise, good food, lovely ship... maybe doing the same itinerary was too predictable and failed to live up to comparison to the excitement of the first time as we didn’t have the feeling of remorse leaving as we usually do… or perhaps it was the anticipation of seeing our son again for a couple more days in Vancouver before returning home. We had a lovely overnight stay in Harrison Springs which I’d recommend and got to watch our son pitch on one of the several teams he plays for, this time for the fun of it.
Still with an on board credit (obc) balance to use that we’d lose otherwise, we booked lunch at the Pinnacle. On past HAL cruises, we’ve eaten dinner there and though incredibly delicious, the three courses had been so rich and large, ending with velvety chocolate truffles, that we were uncomfortably full for hours pre bedtime and relieved when we’d survive the night! The new menu proved much lighter… slightly elevated from Canaletto’s version of beef carpaccio with pistachios, a cod and slaw sandwich…. except for the Pavlova. I yearned for the light meringues with clotted cream and fresh passion fruit from a wee shop in Australia so I was excited! I can’t believe I have no pics. The Pavlova was picture perfect on the plate but my fork didn’t pierce it. Neither did my knife. Bob had a try hammering it and the table next to us chuckled, and joined our laughter when hers arrived in the same condition, more like an impenetrable bowling ball. It was almost impossibly hard to eat and too sweet as the sugar was the cement. The restaurant was wrapping up for the afternoon or I’d have asked for their gelato trio, far superior to the offerings at the ice cream in the buffet and more exotic than the additional charge scoop bar.
Of course, it was necessary to pack our wee bags which we’d take off at our leisure the next day after breakfast in the main dining room and then returned the travel book I’d borrowed from the library but never settled to read. What a lovely bright spot with so many brand new books… readers’ delight.
We spent the afternoon in the Exploration Lounge with front row seats and a cocktail, watching the ship wend through the bends. I hoped I would have captured a whale sighting after spotting a spout but rather there was loud excitement from the other side of the bow which I totally missed in my video.
Tough to tear ourselves away from the views wondering what might be round the next bend but we didn’t want to miss the dining room hours as we’d never felt satisfied with the buffet alternative as food seemed cold and it was so chaotic avoiding people. We chose to share a table and met a lovely couple from Germany and a pair whose claim of love was meeting over shots of JagerMeister in Vegas where they live. Using the last of the never ending OBC, Bob and I ordered bonus lobster tails to our entrees… probably the tenderest I’ve ever had.
It was a good cruise, good food, lovely ship... maybe doing the same itinerary was too predictable and failed to live up to comparison to the excitement of the first time as we didn’t have the feeling of remorse leaving as we usually do… or perhaps it was the anticipation of seeing our son again for a couple more days in Vancouver before returning home. We had a lovely overnight stay in Harrison Springs which I’d recommend and got to watch our son pitch on one of the several teams he plays for, this time for the fun of it.
