Thursday - Ketchikan
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TODAY'S FORECAST |
ARRIVAL: 10.00 am |
TONIGHT'S DRESS CODE |
WELCOME TO KETCHIKAN, ALASKA
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Ketchikan is considered one of the most liveable cities in the United States. It has a surprisingly gentle climate and lush natural beauty. However it is located in a rainforest, which explains why Ketchikan is called the Rain Capital of North America. The townsite looks even more beautiful in the frequent mists - but don't forget your raincoat if you're going ashore!
Originally, Ketchikan was a Tlingit Indian fishing camp, but in the late 1800s American pioneers arrived and began to exploit the salmon fisheries. In the early 1900s, Ketchikan profited as a result of the Gold Rush. And when the gold and copper mines closed down during World War I, salmon fishing and lumber again took over as the town's major industries.
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Ketchikan is known as Alaska's First City, because it's the first US town travellers reach when sailing north from Canada. You'll enjoy visiting parks and cultural centres featuring three indigenous cultures - Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshan - as well as the Creek Street Historic District - Alaska's most notorious red-light neighbourhood from 1902 until 1934. The zig-zag boardwalk built on pilings above Ketchikan Creek supported at least 30 "sporting houses" in its heyday. Today the old houses have been renovated and converted into small shops and businesses.
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For more information about Ketchikan, please visit the following very informative websites:
Visit Ketchikan
City of Ketchikan
Ketchikan
(Wikipedia)
 Photo credit: Travel Yukon and McPhee Publications. No copyright infringement intended. |
TODAY AND TONIGHT
This morning we entered Sumner Strait and passed through Snow Passage and Clarence Strait on our way to Ketchikan. We'll approach our berth at Ketchikan via Tongass Narrows. After our departure from Ketchikan at 6.00pm, we'll sail towards Twin Island, where we'll disembark our Alaska pilots. We'll then enter Dixon Entrance for our cruise south towards Vancouver.
Click on the map to enlarge it Photo credit: PD-USGov-NPS |
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TODAY'S SCENIC CRUISING
5.00am
- 6.00am - Snow Passage (watch for
whales and seabirds)
7.30am
- arrival - Clarence Strait
and Tongass Narrows (watch for Bald
Eagles at Ketchikan)
6.00pm
- dusk - Revillagigedo
Channel
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SAPPHIRE'S GOT TALENT! AND CREW SHOW-OFFS
7.30pm Showcase Lounge,
Deck 5
(Baja)
Come
and watch.your fellow passegers as they sing, dance, juggle, perform
magic tricks and do stand-up comedy... ably assisted by our all-star
cast of Cruise Staff... featuring TopDeck Entertainer Jason Davey,
Cruise Associate Serena Thomas, Assistant Purser Quentin MacPherson,
Registered Nurse Fiona Black, Assistant Purser Suresh Kapoor, Cruise
Director Jemima Vickers and Assistant Cruise Director Dwayne Kingston. .
COUNTRY LINE DANCE PARTY
11.00pm Disco Deck 7
(Promenade)
Yeehaw! Get yer boots on for a two-steppin' good time with DJ Pedro as
we teach you how to get down with the cowpokes!
