Weather Gods Deliver at Infrequent Alaska Ports; Captain Takes Credit
Days 4-7, 2026 Alaska Explorer
Wednesday to Saturday, Aug. 26-29 2026; Kodiak, Anchorage and Valdez, Alaska.
I first visited Alaska on a business trip. When our employees in Anchorage learned I was from Texas, they delighted in bragging about how much bigger Alaska is than Texas. In fact, I learned that if you overlay a map of Alaska on the United States, the 49th state stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast.
Cruisers only see a small portion of the state, but even then, the weather can vary greatly. I knew the ports on this cruise tend to be rainy in August and September, so I packed accordingly.
Boy have I been pleasantly surprised! Almost cloudless skies have welcomed us to Kodiak, Anchorage and Valdez. I’ve found a light jacket to be sufficient, and it usually comes off during the afternoon under a blazing sun.
I haven’t booked a single excursion or tour, as I hadn’t budgeted for this last-minute cruise, and I’ve been to all but one port. But I’m a little jealous when hearing fellow cruisers rave at dinner about the sea life and wildlife they have seen on their tours – sea otters, seals, Steller sea lions, puffins, eagles and whales.
Eloise booked a tour of Kodiak Island, hoping to see a Kodiak bear. When we arrived in town on Wednesday before the tour, I took her to the Wells Fargo bank, where they have one stuffed in the lobby, just in case. But she achieved her goal on the tour as the group looked down on a stream, where a bear was feeding on the spawning salmon. And refusing to stand still for his photo.
After spending some time perusing Kodiak’s outstanding bookstore, I failed magnificently at painting the harbor scene on site. I have no skill in using waterbrushes (nylon-bristled brushes with water reservoirs in the handles). I did like my sky, though.
I will try again with traditional brushes back on the ship, when I also may sketch the Holy Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral from my photograph. There are reminders everywhere that Alaska was part of the Russian Empire before the United States purchased it in 1867 for $7.2 million ($0.02 per acre).
After the first salmon packing company opened on Kodiak Island in 1882, numerous canneries followed. Most have left; perhaps frozen has replaced canned in customer appeal. The town has cleverly decorated its trash containers with labels of the many canning companies of the past.
We had planned to spend part of the next day in Anchorage with world cruise friends who live here, but they had an eye issue and had to go to the doctor instead. Eloise and I browsed through galleries, fabric shops and junky tourist shops in town instead.
At the head of Cook Inlet, the tidal range in Anchorage’s harbor is the largest in the United States. On Thursday the range was larger than usual, at around 31 feet. (For comparison, the world’s largest is at the Bay of Fundy in Canada, at around 38 feet.) For nearly two hours, the Noordam was too low for access via the gangway, and it was hard to believe the ship was still floating at the dock just feet from the shallow mud bank.
Saturday dawned with a stunning sunrise…
… but as we approached the harbor, we were engulfed by fog, with the ship’s horn sounding its warning every two minutes. But just as forecast, by midmorning the sun burned off the fog for another beautiful day. Two years ago I missed walking the town with my sisters, as I spent the day on a boat exploring Prince William Sound – which I declared the most beautiful place on earth.
This time we enjoyed the coastal town, stopping in an art co-op, a coffee shop and the local Safeway, where a colorful souvenir shopping bag can be had for 99-cents. It will make a nice gift bag for someone one day.
While I sat outside the coffee shop sketching, I realized I forgot to apply sunblock. It was just that nice. Later Capt. Vincent said he always takes credit for the good weather.
During our sea day between Anchorage and Valdez, we enjoyed lunch in the Pinnacle Grill with new friends, organized through our Cruise Critic roll call. The Pinnacle Grill is a specialty restaurant on Holland America ships that costs $52 for dinner plus a service charge. Many people don’t realize that lunch, with almost the same menu, is just $25. It is one of best deals on the ship, with great steaks and seafood.
That map is fascinating. Alaska is huge!
Glad you had great seas.. enjoy.
I love your watercolor paintings, but you also have photography talent! The picture or the sunrise is gorgeous!
Those Alaska tides are so interesting. The first time I went to Juneau I was in a cabin on about deck 5 (not HAL) and when I went ashore I could look out my window at the port…..but….upon returning later my view from the cabin window was of the planking below the pier! That was quite a fun experience!
I’m happy you are back on board so I can read your trip reports again! Thank you!
Started following you about a year ago, wish you would write a book, I don’t know how you started living on the high seas. Love your art work and your writing style. You were eating one night last November with your nephew and two others in one of the upscale restaraunts on the N. Statendam which was doing a transatlantic. We were sitting across from you and I had been following your blog for a while. Wish I was young and adventurous as you. Continue taking us with you thru words and your art work. We live in AL in winter and RI in summer, let me know if you are ever in our area. I can clue you in on special spots for you to draw and special eating spots. Thanks for taking us with you.
Lovely to “hear” from you, Jo. Our best to Eloise. We booked a Lauderdale to Montreal on Volendam next May. (Working our way to sail on every ship). Remember, if you ever are near Port Canaveral again, give us a shout. Will come collect you for an “on land” adventure or two.