LOQ2 ~ Westerdam ~ interesting facts

The total mileage of our inside passage cruise (Seattle to Hubbard Glacier and back) was 2,230 nautical miles.


The Westerdam is 935 feet long, 106 feet wide, weighs in at 82,000 tons, and has a crew of 801 who "tend to" 2,086 guests.


Our stateroom slept three ~ two twin beds and a loveseat sized sofa sleeper. Judi and I each got a bed, while Debi got the sofa sleeper -- with a view!

I didn't do a very good job of getting interesting "on board" photos. But ... I did take a few photos of the scenery ... they will be in their own posting.

I had a wonderful time ~ being with my sisters ~ sewing ~ shopping ~ seeing new sights ~ and all thanks to a tiny little motion sickness pill!!!

LOQ2: Shore Leave = Quilt Shops!!!

"Changing Tides” in Juneau Alaska Juneau was our first "shore leave". This shop was located in the heart of historic downtown Juneau. It featured fabrics and needleart. I had my sea legs that day and felt a little motion sickness-on land!

“Abby’s Reflection” in Sitka AlaskaLocated across the street from St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church in picturesque downtown Sitka, Alaska features “Sitka” fabric that was designed exclusively for Abby’s Reflection. I purchased a "Puffin" kit.

“The Silver Thimble-Alaska” in Ketchikan AlaskaThis shop was located on the second floor of a mall located behind the main drag. It was huge comprised of two large sections both offering cutting and sales areas. It is one of three "Silver Thimbles" I am aware of; the other two being in Montana and Nebraska.

“Satin Moon” in Victoria BC CanadaWe were very pleased that this shop was able to stay open. We had an "after hours" arrival - but shop remained open until 10 p.m. The shop is noted for local Vancouver Island and Canadian design patterns, handmade quilts and gifts. You'll pay more for fabrics...and the conversion from "mm to yds" was confusing...but the staff was so helpful and friendly.

“Undercover Quilts” in Seattle Washington Don't let the title mislead you -- the shop was actually on the second floor! It was by far the smallest of all we had visited, but owner made very good use of all the space.

LOQ2 - Juneau Alaska

The "Westerdam" coming into Juneau (photo taken by Rhonda). The ship felt so huge ... but from this perspective it is so-o-o-o small! Isn't the scenery awesome?


The "sisties" have disembarked and are making their way up the ramp. Debi is looking at Rhonda smiling...Judi and I are in background -- I'm in lime jacket, Judi ahead of me with backpack.

The Alaska state capitol is very impressive ... I downloaded photo from internet ... my photo would not have done it justice. I was amazed with how it was built with six levels at front, reduced to five at back ... It really was a beautiful building.

Unfortunately the governor's mansion was being refurbished and was "encased" in a large plastic covering. So this photo at holiday time will do.

LOQ2 -- Cruise Log

I'm only posting cruise schedule at this time, I'll be posting pictures at a later date...

Saturday, May 21 - Seattle; 4:16 p.m. = Vessel undocked.

Sunday, May 21 - at sea = motion sickness. This was our first day of quilting. In our excitement we neglected to plan for an adequate breakfast. I'm used to my mocha, toast and water. Mid morning I was feeling rather queasy...trip to front desk for "the pill" helped for a better day and cruise experience.

Monday, May 23 - Juneau AK = Vessel anchored at noon-8:48 p.m. Debi's friend Rhonda met us at the dock-took our dirty laundry (blue jeans) and met up with us a few hours later. Alaska's capitol city is rather quaint. Capitol building is unique flanked by 4 large columns at entry. The scenery was spectacular ... We even managed to locate the local quilt shop -- the first of several on this cruise.

Tuesday, May 24 - Hubbard Glacier = Noon cruising experience. I've seen glaciers up close thanks to Michael's friend Sam-who is a pilot -thus the "close" (yet another post for another time). Hubbard provided another beautiful backdrop - I can see why people want to live in Alaska ...

Wednesday, May 25 - Sitka AK = Vessel at anchor 9 a.m.-4:53 p.m. This time of year Alaska is known for cool, overcast and sometimes "rainy" days...especially those communities located on water. Sitka proved to be the exception. We bundled up in rain jackets thinking sky's would remain overcast. The day did clear and we were bathed in sunshine the entire time we were on land. Sitka was another beautiful little seaside town welcoming us with open arms...duh, yeah...cruise ships = revenue! All kidding aside - we did manage to drop a couple of $$$ at the quilt shop.

Thursday, May 26 - Ketchikan AK = Vessel at dock 6:41 a.m.-12:56 p.m. Debi had warned us that of all the seaside towns this would be the most commercialized. No wonder, the dock was large enough to accommodate four cruise ships ... inhabitants have figured how to make an easy living! It was ver-r-r-y rainy this day ... had to wear rain jackets ... but a little drizzle didn't stop us from finding the quilt shop ... again some $$$ dropped.

Friday, May 27 - Victoria BC = Vessel docked 6:30 p.m.-midnight. Victoria was quite an interesting city. I'll have to admit my ignorance, as I believe it was a "holiday" for there were booths set up along the harbor shoreline and I don't believe it was in celebration of our arrival (maybe casual Friday?). There was only one other ship docked and we knew we didn't account for all of the human congestion. Hoards of people everywhere, street performers, bike races, etc. We taxied to quilt shop (about 1.5 mile inland) spent time and $$$, walking back to ship through residential neighborhoods -- it was wonderful!!!

Saturday, May 28 - Seattle = return to the mainland...end of the cruise.

I will say that it took me a good day and a half to manage walking about the ship. In rough waters it felt as though I was quite "drunk". It took a good two days once on land to not feel as though I was walking on the ship! The three of us felt as though display shelves were swaying at Macy's...talk about a "bender"!

More later with photos.

LOQ2 Boarding = Cattle Drive

My sisters and I are used to smaller boarding groups -- 300 people at the very most. The masses at a UNL home football game are nothing compared to what I experienced on Pier 91 in Seattle on Saturday, May 21st. Probably, what added to the confusion was the fact that two ships were boarding at the same time...both, we later discovered, with same sailing destinations. Fortunately ours was the smaller ship with only 2,086 guests (ha ha). We were herded like cattle through "receiving" lines similar to what you experience at an airport -- weaving back and forth through roped off areas. At the first checkpoint we had to show boarding pass, photo ID, passport...up a flight, down a flight (back to main area) and up again (again showing ID's) through another "receiving" line to check-in window. There we were given a boarding number and stateroom keycard (after showing boarding pass, photo ID and passport) and told to step over to the green wall for boarding. There we joined the rest of the herd and awaited our number to be called.

In hindsight it was well orchestrated, even with the trip up and down stairs...how else do you move a large mass of people in a contained area and maintain control?

We boarded the ship, found our "state room" and settled in. The Westerdam would be our floating home for the next week.

Home Project -- Interrupted ...

Nothing like foul weather to delay a window installation project!!!


Larry tried to start and finish a major renovation project while I was on the quilt cruise ... unfortunately it didn't quite get completed.Tomorrow begins our "home improvement" weekend!

It will be so nice to have more daylight in our living room ... HGTV ... DIY ... move over here we come!!!

Fons & Porter Love of Quilting 2 (part 1)

I left PD on Wednesday the 18th -- a chilly blustery day -- heading to Rapid City. Judi and I would fly out on Friday to Seattle, meet up with Debi and board the "Westerdam" for our first ever sistie quilt cruise.

My road trip north was uneventful...partly cloudy, windy, misty, but lots of beautiful scenery. As I got closer to RC it became more overcast with a little more moisture...as in wipers on all of the time. It rained all day Thursday -- constant and steady -- a-l-l d-a-y l-o-n-g. Obviously their spring rain was going to bring flowers in June!

Judi and I had a 12:50 p.m. flight to Salt Lake on Friday. We arrived 75 minutes prior to boarding, as instructed. As time approached no plane was in sight. Unfortunately it had mechanical problems, still sitting in Minneapolis and would not be arriving as scheduled. Delay upon delay, we finally departed at 4:40 p.m., made it to SEA/TAC (as everyone refers to the airport)--got the shuttle to hotel, ordered room service and went to bed. Debi had been there since 5ish and had her own adventure -- discovering a bed bug and having to relocate to another room!

The next day would be Saturday, May 21st our boarding day ... our adventure would soon begin!