San Diego Interior Designer Susan Sutherlin Designs |

Princess Cruise – Glaciers and High Tea – something for everyone.

The morning our cruise ship went into Glacier Bay National Park began before sunrise and continued until about 3:00.  Many of the cruisers order room service and enjoy this morning spectacular from their rooms, and we did the same.

The water was so still and icy blue, and it was S O O O O quiet, seemed like we were in another world.

We had a drizzly morning to enjoy these spectacular views.  I don’t think there was a bad place to sit to enjoy this spectacular ‘show’.  It wasn’t necessarily cold that morning, just a little wet.

Mr. Wonderful and I were fortunate to hear some ‘cracking’ noises and knew that one of the glaciers was about to be calving (breaking off soon).  We prepped our camera and caught this action in the above photo.  A BIG piece of ice breaking off and making a BIG splash.  S P E C T A C U L A R

Mr. Wonderful caught this beautiful picture of this bird.  So many of these birds were enjoying a free ride on the chucks of ice and giving us opportunities to catch some photos.

What was also interesting to us was that no more than two cruise ships were allowed in this area at once.  Also, before entering the park the Park Ranger brought his tiny little boat out to our ship where we threw down a rope ladder and he climbed aboard.  He was with us the entire time we were in the Park to make sure we were obeying all of the established guidelines.

Then we were off to our last port, Victoria, Canada.  Such a charming small island, and a place that Mr. Wonderful and I would be returning to next week, once Mr. and Mrs. Spunky flew home (see them looking over the wall to our stateroom balcony).

We had some bad weather the night before heading into this port so we were late which caused huge interference with all of the excursions.  Once we arrived at the port, and got off the ship (big problem with some passengers Passport and held us all on board), we only had an hour and a half for our excursion.

I must insert here that we had originally booked a High Tea at the Empress Hotel, a High Tea that has been respected for years and something I had always dreamed of doing.  Several weeks before we left Princess sent us an email stating that they had changed venues for the tea, I was disappointed but found reassurance that the staff at Princess knew what they were recommending.  Also, because I had always wanted to try the Tea at the Empress, I made a reservation for the next week when we would be back in Victoria.

I’m sad to say that I would not recommend the Gatsby Mansion for High Tea , although  I was sooooo appreciative that the staff managed to keep their restaurant open and waited for our ship to arrive.  Thank you Gatsby crew.  Overall the location was not well maintained and needed the help of a designer in all of the rooms.  The rooms were dated and the exterior maintenance had not been kept up. I must say though that  the woodwork/mill work in this Mansion was incredible and pieces of art in itself.  Also, the stained glass windows were original and also a nod to the craftsmanship of the early 1900’s.

Above, a few shots of The Gatsby Mansion.  The staff told us as we were enjoying our Tea that the Mansion had a tragic history and is known to be haunted.   Y I K E S

Design Note – See that light fixture in the middle of the above photo, that was in the lobby ceiling as soon as you entered the Mansion.  It would have been a perfect place for a small chandelier, something spectacular and unusual because it was the first thing that caught your eye when you entered the Mansion.    Those energy saving light bulbs . . . although very functional, pretty please never use these type of energy saving bulbs where they are in view.  They should always be hidden by a shade, they are just ugly.

Above – This small statue was out in the front lawn area of the Mansion and a few shots of our Tea munchies.  We were given several choices of tea and it was served in beautiful China.  This friendly staff kept the hot water coming and was very attentive during our rushed visit.

The kicker in all of this is that when I compared this Tea to the Tea I would have later in the week at The Empress, and what was booked originally with Princess, there was a $75.00 difference in price of which Princess did not refund.  Hummmmm, doesn’t seem right.

Here is an exterior shot of the Mansion I captured before we boarded our bus for a short tour of the city before heading back to the ship.  Sure looks pretty all light up and sparkling.

Next stop was Seattle.  Time to pack our bags and get off of the floating city. Next I will review the landmarks we enjoyed in Seattle.  Is it just me, or has anyone noticed that Seattle is still enjoying the hippy era?  I was amazed at the creativity, outspoken population and the sidewalk performers.

 

 

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