Sailing the San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands
By GERRY BARKER
North Palm Beach Life
Published May, 2023
Photos/Video by Gerry Barker
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.
North Palm Beach Life
Published May, 2023
Photos/Video by Gerry Barker
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.
One of the mid-ship lounges
After starting our day with a sit-down breakfast in the main dining room, we are in our stateroom when the captain announces the sighting of a Humpback whale off our starboard side. Since we are on the port side, we grab our cameras and head for a viewing spot, along with a number of our fellow passengers.
Update: It's now in the front of the ship. So a small group of us, cameras in hand, climb up to the top deck, braving brisk winds, in hopes of snapping a National Geographic-worthy photo. Alas, the only sealife we spot is a small orca off the bow. "Patience, young grasshopper," as they used to say on TV's "Kung Fu" -- we have a tour devoted to whale watching coming later in the cruise.
While we are grateful the rains have stayed away, the temps in the 50s have hampered using our wonderful balcony, where you could literally sit for hours enjoying the passing Pacific Northwest scenery, which is spectacular. Fortunately, our floor-to-ceiling window serves close to the same purpose.
With the whales off on their merry way, we pop into Teresa's watercolor class, where she is instructing guests on how to paint, appropriately enough, an orca. A native of Alaska, Ms. Ascone has taught art for more than 40 years and authored two books on the subject. She makes it look easy, but since I'm still trying to master stick figures, I'll be an interested observer.
Update: It's now in the front of the ship. So a small group of us, cameras in hand, climb up to the top deck, braving brisk winds, in hopes of snapping a National Geographic-worthy photo. Alas, the only sealife we spot is a small orca off the bow. "Patience, young grasshopper," as they used to say on TV's "Kung Fu" -- we have a tour devoted to whale watching coming later in the cruise.
While we are grateful the rains have stayed away, the temps in the 50s have hampered using our wonderful balcony, where you could literally sit for hours enjoying the passing Pacific Northwest scenery, which is spectacular. Fortunately, our floor-to-ceiling window serves close to the same purpose.
With the whales off on their merry way, we pop into Teresa's watercolor class, where she is instructing guests on how to paint, appropriately enough, an orca. A native of Alaska, Ms. Ascone has taught art for more than 40 years and authored two books on the subject. She makes it look easy, but since I'm still trying to master stick figures, I'll be an interested observer.
Watercolor artist Teresa Ascone.
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Painting an orca
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Rick leads a rousing game of Bingo
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The Guest Laundry
Since this is a longer cruise, we thought it a good idea to locate the Guest Laundry. The ship has one on deck five, and here's a pleasant surprise: There's no charge to use it. They even conveniently furnish Tide Pods for the washer. We will definitely be paying it a visit before we dock back in Seattle.
At a relaxing, sit-down lunch in the main dining room, we meet Tom and Joan, who reside in Washington State and are among the repeat American Cruise Line customers onboard. While we always make new friends on our journeys, the people on this ship seem particularly friendly and welcoming. It's almost an extension of the family vibe coming from the crew.
Tip If You Book on ACL: Be sure and reserve the shore excursions as early as possible. Tom and Joan waited, and were disappointed they couldn't get on the whale-watching tour.
But we can't dally too long at lunch -- General Hotel Manager Rick is warming up for a spirited game of "Boozy Bingo" in the Cascade Lounge. We file in to an already crowded room, grab two bingo cards and get ready to test our luck. The staff has assembled a phethora of prizes, mostly from local merchants, plus Amazon gift cards.
Rick keeps the action going with fast-paced draws and witty asides, and the rounds go fast. No one is more surprised than me when I shout "Bingo!" during play. My reward is one of the Amazon gift cards and a coffee mug for Pam. During the games, the captain again alerts us to a group of orcas nearby, causing a rush to the windows.
At a relaxing, sit-down lunch in the main dining room, we meet Tom and Joan, who reside in Washington State and are among the repeat American Cruise Line customers onboard. While we always make new friends on our journeys, the people on this ship seem particularly friendly and welcoming. It's almost an extension of the family vibe coming from the crew.
Tip If You Book on ACL: Be sure and reserve the shore excursions as early as possible. Tom and Joan waited, and were disappointed they couldn't get on the whale-watching tour.
But we can't dally too long at lunch -- General Hotel Manager Rick is warming up for a spirited game of "Boozy Bingo" in the Cascade Lounge. We file in to an already crowded room, grab two bingo cards and get ready to test our luck. The staff has assembled a phethora of prizes, mostly from local merchants, plus Amazon gift cards.
Rick keeps the action going with fast-paced draws and witty asides, and the rounds go fast. No one is more surprised than me when I shout "Bingo!" during play. My reward is one of the Amazon gift cards and a coffee mug for Pam. During the games, the captain again alerts us to a group of orcas nearby, causing a rush to the windows.
Jailaa and her assistant show how to make coconut macaroons
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The finished product
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The action shifts to the Sky Lounge next, where the pastry chef will be demonstrating how to make Chocolate-Dipped Coconut Macaroons. We each get to try the finished product, and have the recipe to take home. Now if only the ship's pastry chef, Jailaa Brown, could come home with us as well -- she has been giving us extraordinary desserts, including hundreds of cookies baked fresh daily.
This is the first time since we left that we felt the ship rock slightly, so it wasn't surprising when the captain announced he had deployed the stabilizers. But trhe motion was short-lived.
As we approach Anacortes, the sun is now shining brightly in all its glory, which the crew says hasn't been the case on the last two sailings.
Is an omen of things to come, or just a brief respite from the clouds? Only time will tell. Stay tuned.
NEXT: Anacortes, Washington
This is the first time since we left that we felt the ship rock slightly, so it wasn't surprising when the captain announced he had deployed the stabilizers. But trhe motion was short-lived.
As we approach Anacortes, the sun is now shining brightly in all its glory, which the crew says hasn't been the case on the last two sailings.
Is an omen of things to come, or just a brief respite from the clouds? Only time will tell. Stay tuned.
NEXT: Anacortes, Washington
