Day Four - Embarkation!

We were too tired to brave the three-hour round trip it would take to spend time in charming Talkeetna when we arrived yesterday and had to be at the lodge for our ride back to our train by 11:30 this morning, takealongs packed and ready in the hallway by 7am for the last time until next week. Bummer.

Talkeetna station is too small (i.e. almost non-existent) to cope with the Princess Tour ship traffic, so they actually set up a separate area especially for the Princess coaches. It is literally in the middle of nowhere, with two port-a-potties and a gravel parking area next to a random part of the main train tracks. Too funny.

Our train to Whittier is one owned by Alaska Rail and leased to Princess Cruises, and it’s different from yesterday’s train. These cars have only one level, windows up the sides and curved almost all the way to the top of the roof, with tables and seats more like diner booths and open space under the banquettes for our carry-ons. We were at the end, again, but this time there was only good news. It was a four-seat grouping and no one was in the booth across from us, so the couple we were initially sitting with, Susan and Jim, moved over and we each had an entire booth to spread out in. No smoking is allowed even on the platforms between the cars this time, so there won’t be any residuals wafting through each time the doors open. We were told by Nicole that this trip passes a lot of wildlife, such as moose, caribou, bald eagles, bears and tundra swans. As I type this (1:52pm Alaska time), we are zooming through the forest at a great clip, so they must all be on vacation, too. It looks like we may be outrunning the overcast. Or maybe it’s just my bleary eyes. I never would have thought that so much sitting could be so exhausting. This was the best of the transports, though, because it was roomier and we kept popping up to take pictures. Everywhere we turn is a sight to remember. It’s crazy.

We arrived at the ship, the Island Princess, around 7pm and wandered around, trying to find our cabin. Then we enjoyed a quick buffet dinner and the fantastically entertaining (not!) muster session was upon us. A necessary evil, I know, but I wish someone would tell these people that those lame jokes sound as embarrassing to us as they do to those telling them. And somehow those lifejackets never get any more attractive or less cumbersome. Ran into Paulette who lost Judy in the muster session, and the couple I sat with at the Aurora Symphony, whoever they may be. Had some giggles.

It’s 10pm and we’re just hanging out in the adorable cabin on Aloha Deck 12, practically next to the bridge (and, happily for Karen, right below the buffet). We have a little balcony with a sliding glass door and I keep running out there to take the most amazing pictures. I may never do anything else the whole time! The weather is still overcast and it’s looked to be about 5pm EDT for most of the day. It still does. It seems there may not be ship-wide wifi except in port, either. I will have to make do with that, as the access provided in the meantime is sporadic and satellite-driven at $.40 per minute, but only if you purchase 250 minutes at a time! We are staying on the ship for the next two days and getting off in Skaguay on Thursday for tours and such. It feels so good to finally unpack and not be living out of my tote. And no getting up just to pack my pjs and park my bag outside at 7am - yea!