Day 02 - Downunder 2016 - Tue 09/27/16 - Vancouver

After a slow and winding cruise up Puget Sound, we were awakened around 7:30am by the announcement that the ship was cleared for passengers to go ashore. Since we knew we were just going to do things in the immediate area, we dressed and went up for breakfast in the Lido which was not very crowded at all. Was this a new trend?

We then made our way off the ship with no need to clear Canadian immigration since we were considered 'in transit' passengers who would be returning to the ship. We walked around Canada Place and found the Fly Over Canada Disney type film. It is a must do item if one is at Canada Place. Afterwards we found the local Tourist Info office and purchased tickets for the Vancouver Lookout located a few blocks away from the pier (discounted a few dollars from purchasing them at the tower).

The views from the tower really give a nice perspective on the city and the harbor. Since we had to be back on the ship by 2pm and they warned us clearing US Immigration might take some time, we left the tower just after 12 noon and walked back to the terminal with a brief stop to enjoy a humbow from a street vendor.

The Maasdam is barely visible beyond the Norwegian  Jewel

Inside the terminal, the line for US Immigration (actually preclearance for entering Hawaii) was quite long. However the processing went quite smooth using the automated kiosks. Back on the ship, I discovered I had forgotten a camera battery at the security checkpoint, so I went back, and low and behold, it was there! It was a grey battery and we used grey trays which was what caused me to miss it. Fortunately I didn't need to be re-screened!

We enjoyed a nice salad lunch in an uncrowded Lido. We were beginning to like this! There was a nice & uncrowded Mariner 4 and 5 Star cocktail reception (hosted by Mike the Hotel Director we had on the Statendam last year to Singapore and Kiki the new cruise director) from 2-3 during which we heard repeated PA calls for specific guests to go to the US Immigration for inspection. In the end, one couple ended up delaying the ship's departure but we were finally able to sail around 4pm. And the Norwegian Jewel left shortly after us. The only tooting of our ship's horn occurred as we approached crossing under the Lion's Gate Bridge. Soon we left the harbor area and headed down past Victoria and into the Straight of Juan de Fuca. Interestingly all the while, we had great cell service to check those last minute messages.

Dinner was served in a very uncrowded Lido at 5:30pm as we wanted to watch the 6pm movie, Captain Fantastic, which was set in the Pacific NW. We certainly recognized many of the background scenes.

The evening entertainment was the stock HAL show, Listen to the Music, in which the Cruise Director, Kiki, introduced the entertainment cast and the HAL Cats as well as the singers and dancers performed. One singer, Susie, and the guitarist were on previous cruises we were on. Later, we enjoyed the Neptunes who are a trio consisting of a pianist, drummer, and base player playing oldies in the Ocean Bar before heading back to the room for the night.

Today we reached some conclusions about the ship and our preferences. We are really liking the small size of the ship. There is an uncrowded feel to it and we like the live entertainment. The ship is well kept up. The outside Deck 12 upper viewing area is unencumbered by glass walls.