A 10-Night Voyage Around the San Juan Islands
By Gerry Barker
DAY ONE: Departing Seattle
After we got the news we were booked on American Cruise Lines' 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise, the first order of business for these two, longtime Floridians was finding clothes for a much different climate.
This would be our first experience with ACL, which for over 50 years has specialized in cruises exclusively on U.S. rivers and coastal waters, from Florida to Alaska, with a domestic fleet of 17 ships and riverboats that host 100-200 guests. Our Grand Puget Sound cruise starts in Seattle, with an itinerary that takes us around the San Juan Islands, including an excursion into Victoria, British Columbia, and ending back in Seattle. READ MORE.
After we got the news we were booked on American Cruise Lines' 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise, the first order of business for these two, longtime Floridians was finding clothes for a much different climate.
This would be our first experience with ACL, which for over 50 years has specialized in cruises exclusively on U.S. rivers and coastal waters, from Florida to Alaska, with a domestic fleet of 17 ships and riverboats that host 100-200 guests. Our Grand Puget Sound cruise starts in Seattle, with an itinerary that takes us around the San Juan Islands, including an excursion into Victoria, British Columbia, and ending back in Seattle. READ MORE.
DAY TWO: Bremerton
It's day two of our 10-night Grand Puget Sound voyage on American Constellation, and Pam and I are still adjusting to the three-hour time change. No need to set an alarm -- we are wide awake by 5 am. Breakfast is buffet-style in the Sky Lounge, an inviting enclave aft on deck four with lots of comfy seating both inside and out.
We are docked in Bremerton, Washington, and this morning we are signed up to do a walking tour of nearby Poulsbo, about 30 minutes away by bus. Joining us is Mikalla, excursion director, and Rick, the hotel manager. READ MORE.
It's day two of our 10-night Grand Puget Sound voyage on American Constellation, and Pam and I are still adjusting to the three-hour time change. No need to set an alarm -- we are wide awake by 5 am. Breakfast is buffet-style in the Sky Lounge, an inviting enclave aft on deck four with lots of comfy seating both inside and out.
We are docked in Bremerton, Washington, and this morning we are signed up to do a walking tour of nearby Poulsbo, about 30 minutes away by bus. Joining us is Mikalla, excursion director, and Rick, the hotel manager. READ MORE.
DAY THREE: Tacoma
It's morning on day three of our 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise on American Cruise Lines, and American Constellation is docked at the Foss Waterway Seaport in Tacoma, Washington, the state's third-largest city.
This is the second cruise we've taken that navigates U.S. waters, and if you've never tried seeing your home country from a ship, you should really give it a lot of consideration. Maybe you've driven to many of the same locations, or visited on a vacation, but on a cruise like this one, you'll get a whole new appreciation for what you can experience in your own backyard. READ MORE.
It's morning on day three of our 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise on American Cruise Lines, and American Constellation is docked at the Foss Waterway Seaport in Tacoma, Washington, the state's third-largest city.
This is the second cruise we've taken that navigates U.S. waters, and if you've never tried seeing your home country from a ship, you should really give it a lot of consideration. Maybe you've driven to many of the same locations, or visited on a vacation, but on a cruise like this one, you'll get a whole new appreciation for what you can experience in your own backyard. READ MORE.
DAY FOUR: Sailing the San Juan Islands
It's Day Four of our 10-night, American Cruise Lines' Grand Puget Sound sailing, and if this were an ocean-going vessel, it would be called a "Sea Day."
American Constellation departed Tacoma early this morning en route to our next port, Anacortes, and we will spend most of the day on the water. That's reflected in the ship's daily planner, the "Ship to Shore Coastal Rundown," which features additional activities throughout the day. Such as, a class on "iPhone Tricks: Learning to take Better Pictures," taught by the onboard marine biologist, Paola, and "Painting with Watercolors," featuring painter and author Teresa Ascone. READ MORE.
It's Day Four of our 10-night, American Cruise Lines' Grand Puget Sound sailing, and if this were an ocean-going vessel, it would be called a "Sea Day."
American Constellation departed Tacoma early this morning en route to our next port, Anacortes, and we will spend most of the day on the water. That's reflected in the ship's daily planner, the "Ship to Shore Coastal Rundown," which features additional activities throughout the day. Such as, a class on "iPhone Tricks: Learning to take Better Pictures," taught by the onboard marine biologist, Paola, and "Painting with Watercolors," featuring painter and author Teresa Ascone. READ MORE.
DAY FIVE: Anacortes
Day Five of our Grand Puget Sound cruise on American Cruise Lines finds our ship, American Constellation, docked in Anacortes, Washington, a city of some 20,000 people on the north shore of Fidalgo Island. We arrived yesterday around 6:30 pm, and will stay here another night before continuing our voyage around the San Juan Islands.
Hard to believe, but we have reached the half-way point in our 10-night journey. We've found time runs at a different pace when you're on a cruise. READ MORE.
Day Five of our Grand Puget Sound cruise on American Cruise Lines finds our ship, American Constellation, docked in Anacortes, Washington, a city of some 20,000 people on the north shore of Fidalgo Island. We arrived yesterday around 6:30 pm, and will stay here another night before continuing our voyage around the San Juan Islands.
Hard to believe, but we have reached the half-way point in our 10-night journey. We've found time runs at a different pace when you're on a cruise. READ MORE.
DAY SIX: Friday Harbor
American Constellation is docked on San Juan Island, at a town of some 2,500 people named Friday Harbor. The name derives not because it's a haven for weekend celebrations, but, according to Wikipedia, from a man named Joseph Poalie Friday, a native Hawaiian, who herded sheep here in the 1860s.
This is Day Six of our 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise on American Cruise Lines, and the sun is out in all its Northwest Pacific glory, bathing the waters and evergreen-lined shoreline around us in a radiant glow. READ MORE.
American Constellation is docked on San Juan Island, at a town of some 2,500 people named Friday Harbor. The name derives not because it's a haven for weekend celebrations, but, according to Wikipedia, from a man named Joseph Poalie Friday, a native Hawaiian, who herded sheep here in the 1860s.
This is Day Six of our 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise on American Cruise Lines, and the sun is out in all its Northwest Pacific glory, bathing the waters and evergreen-lined shoreline around us in a radiant glow. READ MORE.
DAY SEVEN: Port Angeles
Last night, we left Friday Harbor. Sort of. We did leave, but didn't go far, anchoring American Constellation offshore far enough so the ship's lights and engines don't bother the town's residents. We want to be respectful visitors, after all.
Speaking of lights, Cruise Director Jerry made an announcement prior to the evening show that caused a flurry of excitement. Due to a magnetic storm on the sun, there's a chance we can see the Northern Lights tonight between 10 pm and 2 am, a rare occurrence indeed. Since clear skies are in the forecast, we're keeping our fingers crossed. READ MORE.
Last night, we left Friday Harbor. Sort of. We did leave, but didn't go far, anchoring American Constellation offshore far enough so the ship's lights and engines don't bother the town's residents. We want to be respectful visitors, after all.
Speaking of lights, Cruise Director Jerry made an announcement prior to the evening show that caused a flurry of excitement. Due to a magnetic storm on the sun, there's a chance we can see the Northern Lights tonight between 10 pm and 2 am, a rare occurrence indeed. Since clear skies are in the forecast, we're keeping our fingers crossed. READ MORE.
DAY EIGHT: Port Angeles and Victoria
It's Friday, one week since we stepped aboard American Constellation in Seattle for our 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise. Hard to believe it's already almost over, but we're not going to think about that right now. Today, passports in hand, we board the ferry in Port Angeles, Washington, for the 90-minute ride over to Victoria, British Columbia, where we will visit the world famous Butchart Gardens. The weather continues to be amazing, with a forecast high of 75 and lots of sunshine. Counting the time getting over to the gardens and back, we'll be gone virtually all day. READ MORE.
It's Friday, one week since we stepped aboard American Constellation in Seattle for our 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise. Hard to believe it's already almost over, but we're not going to think about that right now. Today, passports in hand, we board the ferry in Port Angeles, Washington, for the 90-minute ride over to Victoria, British Columbia, where we will visit the world famous Butchart Gardens. The weather continues to be amazing, with a forecast high of 75 and lots of sunshine. Counting the time getting over to the gardens and back, we'll be gone virtually all day. READ MORE.
DAY NINE: Port Townsend
Day Nine of our 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise on American Cruise Lines finds American Constellation docked at Port Townsend, our last port of call on our journey through the San Juan Islands.
Once a bustling martiime hub in the late 1800s, it has survived boom-and-bust, and now serves as a charming, seaport community that has preserved its historic past. Its downtown streets are lined with art galleries, specialty shops, restaurants and museums. What you won't find are any of the fast food chains that dominate most American cities. READ MORE.
Day Nine of our 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise on American Cruise Lines finds American Constellation docked at Port Townsend, our last port of call on our journey through the San Juan Islands.
Once a bustling martiime hub in the late 1800s, it has survived boom-and-bust, and now serves as a charming, seaport community that has preserved its historic past. Its downtown streets are lined with art galleries, specialty shops, restaurants and museums. What you won't find are any of the fast food chains that dominate most American cities. READ MORE.
DAY TEN: Seattle
It's the last day of our 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise on American Cruise Lines' ship, American Constellation, and Rick, the hotel general manager, has promised something special.
As we head for the main dining room for breakfast, there's a surprise waiting. Today also happens to be Mother's Day, and the ship is honoring all mothers with flowers and chocolate, as well as a photo op under a canopy of pink balloons. The crew went to a lot of work putting this little celebration together, and we applaud their efforts. Later. there's also a special buffet lunch planned, as well as an elevated dinner menu, so mothers, and the rest of us, will have more to celebrate. READ MORE.
It's the last day of our 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise on American Cruise Lines' ship, American Constellation, and Rick, the hotel general manager, has promised something special.
As we head for the main dining room for breakfast, there's a surprise waiting. Today also happens to be Mother's Day, and the ship is honoring all mothers with flowers and chocolate, as well as a photo op under a canopy of pink balloons. The crew went to a lot of work putting this little celebration together, and we applaud their efforts. Later. there's also a special buffet lunch planned, as well as an elevated dinner menu, so mothers, and the rest of us, will have more to celebrate. READ MORE.
