Why I Started a Blog In The First Place?
Why I Started a Blog In The First Place?
I started this blog because Apple forced me to reorganize. I had two websites that I had designed myself – http://www.bindicruises.com and http://www.luchaniktravel.com – and the second can be explained really easily as to what happened to it – I forwarded that to point to my new CruiseOne website, but the previous material on it is no longer visible to anyone. Some of that as well as the content on Bindi Cruises needs to be moved – so that is why I am here.
Apple used to host my content and still does with Mobile Me until June 30, 2012, but since they switched to ICloud, they won’t be hosting it any more, and I didn’t want to find a new way to create my web pages.
My Bindi Cruise website will no longer be accessible and I have to find a way to get all my pictures and posts off both my sites (I still have blogs on the luchaniktravel site that I need to put somewhere else), and that is why you may find me blogging away and not making sense – I switched between Alaska to Carnival Splendor and Mexico, and I’m not even done with Alaska yet. So, I figured I would try and cut and paste from I-Web which is what I just did with the Carnival Splendor review – it was on my luchaniktravel site.
Blogging is a lot of work, and uploading pictures takes all day. I don’t know how you all do it. I want to be more efficient with what I am doing, can anyone please let me know if there is a way to copy an entire page, complete with the pictures from I-Web? Right now, it looks as though my pictures can’t be cut and pasted, they have to be uploaded. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them. A little word to Apple – before you reorganize next time – please think about people like me who have to completely reorganize because of your reorganization – what was wrong with Mobile Me anyway?
Thanks,
Davinder
Review of the Carnival Splendor
Luchanik Travel & Cruises had so much fun on the Carnival Splendor on the July 17th seven day cruise to the Mexican Riviera. This cruise definitely was not boring, especially as Hurricane Dora just had to follow us along our journey, and threatened to crash into our path. However, with the skillful handling of Carnival Cruise Lines, and a little bit of an itinerary change – we stayed safe, and still saw all the ports we were supposed to visit. Instead of visiting Cabo San Lucas two days in a row, and Puerto Vallarta on the day after, it was determined that Puerto Vallarta should be sandwiched in between Cabo San Lucas to avoid the hurricane as the Captain had word from Miami and knew where the hurricane was headed.
Hurricane Dora affected our group, as we had the El Morocco Lounge booked on Wednesday afternoon at 4pm for refreshments for our group, as well as a rehearsal for our dance team – UCSD Zor, one of the top Bollywood dance teams in the USA. Due to the itinerary change, the rehearsal was rescheduled to Thursday. Luchanik Travel & Cruises cultural division called Bindi Cruises (http://www.bindicruises.com) provided complimentary cultural entertainment for the entire Bindi Group, as well as some lucky people on the Splendor, who got to see the entertainment that really should have been a private event. Normally, when you book a cruise, you only get the entertainment (public event) provided by the cruise line, and this does not usually include cultural entertainment. We think it is important for people to be exposed to other cultures and wanted people to enjoy the Bollywood and Bhangra performances by UCSD Zor. The performances went ahead as scheduled at 2:30 to 4:30 pm on Friday in the El Morocco Lounge and Saturday in the Red Carpet Disco. Video clips of the performances are available on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/luchaniktravel . More photos will be posted later.
Restaurants
The Splendor is an amazing ship. The food was plentiful, there were so many options to choose from – The Lido for buffet style dining; the Gold Pearl, or Black Pearl for sit-down service; the Tandoor on Deck 9 for Indian buffet style eating; the Pizzeria; a Rotisserie; and a specialty restaurant – which I believe is a Steak Restaurant – did not visit that one though. Sometimes we had breakfast in the Lido Dining Room, which is buffet style and sometimes we ate in the Gold Pearl Dining Room where breakfast was available from 8am to 10am. We had our dinner every evening in the Gold Pearl at 6pm. During a cruise, you have the choice of early dining – usually at 6pm – or late dining at around 8:15 pm. This is reserved dining, and the earlier you book, the better…… as you have a higher chance of getting the seating that you request. If you book too late, and want an earlier seating, you could be subject to being on a wait list. There is also “Any Time” seating between 6pm to 9:45 pm, however, this is not recommended as you might have to wait for a while for a table to become available, it is just nicer having a reserved table and time.
Food
Our group had Indian food every evening in the Gold Pearl, however, we were free to change it to the regular menu in the event that we saw something we liked – some members of our group did that, and enjoyed salmon, lobster, shrimp, sushi and even snails (Escargot) one night! What is really nice about the Gold Pearl Dining Room and the staff there, is that you can ask for as many dishes as you like, extra ice-cream for the kids or even for a second or third dessert, and the waiters will bring it for you with a smile on their face. The same also applied to the meals, if we felt like salmon in addition to Indian food, the staff were very accommodating, and it was no problem.
The desserts were good in the Gold Pearl, especially the Bread and Butter Pudding, the Warm Chocolate Cake (melted chocolate sponge), and the Espresso Cake – this was was my favorite! On cruise ships, drinks such as soda are not included, so at dinner, we were limited to lemonade, milk or water for the kids. The lemonade was quite sweet, a little too sweet actually! We were also able to get Indian tea for our group, which was really nice, and really can make you feel at home.
Cabins
The cabins are quite small, but this is nothing unusual as most cabins on cruises are approximately the same size for Interior cabins, which is what we booked. Interior cabins probably are sufficient for just two occupants, but we had four in our cabin, so that is probably why they appeared to be even smaller! Our cabin had a double bed, and two bunk beds on either side. We regularly bumped our heads into the bunk beds as we forgot they were hanging over on each end of the double bed. However, the cabins were always clean and tidy, and housekeeping did an outstanding job bringing fresh towels whenever they were needed (without us having to even ask!)
Swimming Pools
There were plenty of swimming pools, with the main pool being on the Lido Deck which is Deck 9, same as the Tandoor Deck. There is also a huge outdoor TV screen on the Lido Deck, so you could be in the pool, and watch the TV at the same time. In the evening, the Lido Deck looked spectacular when all the little lights were on. There was also an adults only pool, a kid’s pool, a Splash Area for the kids, a Twister Water Slide and various jacuzzi’s that were scattered around.
Gym and Spa
The gym and Spa are both on Deck 11. There are plenty of treadmills, bikes, and other machines to work of all those calories. Carnival also provides classes such as yoga, and nutrition classes, at a cost of $12 each session. The Spa was a luxury that I did not take advantage of unfortunately, but I did see the Member’s Area, where you could pay something like $268 and soak in a giant hot-tub.
Suggestions for Carnival
Three suggestions – the first suggestion is that Carnival really needs to provide vegetable samosas for Indian people who travel with them. The Tandoor on Deck 9 (Lido Deck) provided only beef samosas and beef is against the religion of many Indian people. Also, needless to say – if you provide an appetizer that is an Indian appetizer – you should not offend the people of that region and insult them by putting something in the food that they love, and that they will not be able to eat! The second suggestion is that Carnival really needs to put changing tables in the public bathrooms and make the cruise more family friendly by doing so. It was a struggle once or twice changing my two year old in the bathrooms. The third suggestion is that they really need to provide more beverages for kids, and the lemonade needs to have less sugar!
Summary
We had a great time on the cruise, and I would definitely recommend the Splendor to anyone wishing to take a cruise. Carnival is very family oriented, and the Splendor is a beautiful cruise ship. I would not hesitate to go on this ship again.
If you would like to book the Carnival Splendor, please contact me and I would be happy to assist you.
Carnival Splendor
Carnival Splendor lobby
Balcony Cabin on Carnival Splendor
Lobby of the Carnival Splendor
The main swimming pool of the Carnival Splendor
More photographs can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.248969871794696.70400.182290738462610&type=3
My ship inspection video of Carnival Splendor made prior to the cruise can be found here: Carnival Splendor Ship Inspection
Hubbard Glacier
There’s a great reason to visit Hubbard Glacier, and that is to see it before it melts away. Yes, sadly when you visit such an incredible place, it really hits home that you are indeed lucky to see it. Who knows how many more will see it before it disappears or diminishes? The evidence of the melting is right there in the ocean, with chunks of ice all around.
This is Day 7 of the Vancouver to Alaska seven day cruise (Thursday, May 17, 2012), and sadly the last day of the cruise. Most people think that a seven day cruise finishes on the 7th day, but in reality it actually finishes on the 8th day in the early hours of the morning. We will be disembarking tomorrow morning at around 8am.
So today is a Day At Sea – this is a day to enjoy the ship, and it is as necessary to have these days as it is to have port visits. You don’t just want to be rushing around visiting ports all the time, because when will you find the time to enjoy the ship? The ship itself is a very important factor in your cruise enjoyment, and believe it or not, some people enjoy this part of the experience so much more – that they don’t want to get out at the ports to walk around.
Today is the very important viewing from the ship of Hubbard Glacier. This was to be my second experience of seeing glaciers – the first one was of course, Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. As I was eating breakfast in the Park Cafe, I couldn’t help but be struck in awe at what I saw through the windows of the Solarium, where the Park Cafe was. I saw lots of ice, pieces of ice all over the ocean floor – it was just as though we were floating on ice. It was an amazing sight, and I wish I had taken more pictures of the ice at it’s thickest – but my camera was charging, so this is the picture that I got through the window, and it was taken with my Iphone at approximately 8am. The other pictures were taken with my camcorder, and not my regular camera, so may not be as nice and clear as they should have been.
Icy Ocean – Hubbard Glacier from the Radiance Of The Seas
Then after breakfast, I went outside at approximately 9am, and took pictures from the side of the ship.
Hubbard Glacier vicinity, Alaska – on Radiance Of The Seas
Hubbard Glacier vicinity – Alaska
Hubbard Glacier from Radiance Of The Seas
Wow, we are surrounded by ice!
Hubbard Glacier from Radiance Of The Seas
Now for a view of Hubbard Glacier itself. It was hard getting a good spot to take pictures, as there were so many people out braving the cold to see the awesome and breathtaking Hubbard Glacier.
Hubbard Glacier from Radiance Of The Seas
Hubbard Glacier from Radiance Of The Seas
We got really close to the Glacier!
Hubbard Glacier from Radiance Of The Seas
Hubbard Glacier from Radiance Of The Seas
More people looking at the Glacier:
Hubbard Glacier from Radiance Of The Seas
Hubbard Glacier from Radiance Of The Seas
Enjoying a nice hot cup of coffee, and trying to stay warm
Hubbard Glacier, Alaska – Radiance Of The Seas
The Radiance Of The Seas against the backdrop of Alaska, near Hubbard Glacier
Radiance Of The Seas near Hubbard Glacier
Bye Hubbard Glacier, I hope you will be around for many more years to come! Don’t melt away.
We left Hubbard Glacier at around 10:30 am, and the rest of the day was spent taking pictures, attending a brief CruiseOne seminar, and enjoying the ship (as well as packing). Next, I’ll tell you about the four day post cruise tour that I took once I disembarked the cruise ship. The cruise tour was hosted by Royal Caribbean, and involved going on a bus around Alaska – deep into the wilds of this very mysterious place. Thank you for reading.
Skagway
It is now Day 6 of the cruise. I will be taking excursion no. 3 today, and it leaves at 8am. Who said cruising was all about relaxing? I have had to wake up early every single day, and one of the days when there wasn’t a port visit, I had a CruiseOne seminar from 9 am to 4:30 pm or so, and still had to wake up early. Today’s excursion is called Skagway City and White Pass Summit. By the way, the three excursions that I booked through my own website (http://www.likecruises.com) with our Shore Excursions provider were only $141 in total for all three – that’s a very good deal, and as you can see from yesterday’s excursion to Mendenhall Glacier, it’s worth getting on a bus and exploring.
The instructions on the ticket said to be just outside the cruise pier, and to check in by 7:40 am. It was a good job that I brought my passport with me, as we were supposed to go into Canada, just past the border. I managed to make it to the bus in time, and we set off promptly at 8am. Here are some pictures that were taken at some of the stops, and this time I am going to use bigger pictures instead of thumbnails, please feel free to let me know if this is a better choice or not.
We must have been near Brackett Wagon Road according to this sign
Skagway
I wonder what’s nicer – being on the train, or being at a distance and seeing the train?
Skagway, near White Pass Summit in Alaska
The landscape is now changing as we are climbing higher up the hills in the bus, this picture was taken from the bus, and shows the trees are now dotted with white.
and it is getting whiter and whiter……..snow! And lots of it!
It’s beginning to look very white out here, and the sun is trying to break through the sky, but it is very cold!
Snow and Sun, Skagway, Alaska
Welcome to Alaska, a must-have photograph – everyone wants their picture taken here.
White Pass Summit, near the border of Canada
There was too much snow, that we couldn’t go past the border, what a shame! I would so much have liked to go into Canada again, even if for just a few moments. We were told the roads were not clear enough, and not passable. Now we headed back down to Skagway from the White Pass Summit.
We stopped here because it was another scenic spot to take pictures.
Scenic Skagway, Alaska
The Norwegian Pearl, side by side with the Radiance Of The Seas.
The Norwegian Pearl, and Radiance Of The Seas in Skagway
- We went on a short hike, and saw the Gold Rush Cemetery
Gold Rush Cemetery, Skagway, Alaska
Gold Rush Historical Information, Skagway
Be prepared for a short hike up, about a 5 minute walk to this waterfall, past the Cemetery.
Waterfall, Skagway
Scenic, magical, mysterious Skagway
We are done with the excursion, and I’m off the bus and decided to walk around Skagway, instead of heading back to the cruise ship. The excursion lasted about two and a half hours, and it is only 11 am or so. However, we have until 4pm today in Skagway….so might as well see it.
Downtown Skagway, five minutes or so from the cruise ship
Downtown Skagway, Alaska
Tlingits are an Alaskan Native people who have lived in Southeast Alaska for generations. You can read more about the Tlingits by looking at the picture.
Tlingits, read about Alaskan Native history
Skagway City Museum
Interesting choice of names for these chocolate-covered concoctions. I chose the fudge instead.
Alaskan Fudge Shop Treats
Alaska is famous for its fudge in addition to its natural beauty and wild life, gold panning, Native American history, etc.
I did try their chocolate almond fudge – it was so good!
Alaskan Fudge Shop, Skagway
Nice house in downtown Skagway
Found an Indian restaurant – didn’t eat there though, perhaps next time.
Indian Restaurant in Skagway, Alaska
Downtown Skagway, Alaska
Looks like there’s inscriptions on the rocks, or are they signs?
Skagway
Want to buy gold? There is still a lot of signs of the Gold Rush era.
Gold Shop, Skagway
A golden hotel…..the Golden North Hotel
Golden North Hotel, Skagway
Really wished I had taken this train to the White Pass Summit
White Pass Summit Train, Skagway
Interesting name for a place
Red Onion Saloon, Alaska
That’s the Norwegian Pearl in the background
Norwegian Pearl in Skagway
Looking back at Skagway for the last few minutes before I head back to the cruise ship.
Downtown Skagway street scene
The trains of Skagway. I think I like trains…..
The walk back to the Radiance Of The Seas rock….I passed interesting rock art, trains, and the Norwegian Pearl…..
The Norwegian Pearl in Skagway
Now I see the Radiance Of The Seas
The Radiance Of The Seas in Skagway
Now, I am back on the ship, and tomorrow is the last full day of the cruise. Will let you know how Day 7 goes. Thank you for reading.
Juneau
It is now Day 5 of the cruise – Tuesday, May 15th, 2012, and I had to wake up early because my shore excursion meeting time – for the tour titled Juneau City and Mendenhall Glacier Tour – is scheduled for 9:30 am. This will be shore excursion no. 2 for me, even though it is the third port (I didn’t do an excursion when in Icy Strait Point).
I walked past the train which was right outside where the cruise ship docked, and was half hoping that my excursion would involve a train up to Mendenhall Glacier, but I knew from the tour instructions on my ticket that I would be going on a bus again. It was only a two or three minute walk, but I was almost late, so I ran the last half minute to the bus. I was supposed to have been there 15 minutes before the bus set off. Here are some pictures taken during one of the stops prior to getting to Mendenhall Glacier. We stopped so that we could take some pictures of the Radiance Of The Seas, and of course, I just loved to take pictures of that beautiful ship. Here are some of the ship with Juneau in the background:
Radiance Of The Seas in Juneau, Alaska
Radiance Of The Seas in Juneau, Alaska
Here are some pictures taken from the bus, please excuse the reflection of the windows, I just couldn’t stop taking pictures:
I think these pictures were taken on one of the stops when we got out of the bus:
I could keep going on, and inserting more pictures, but I think I should stop at that. I’m sure you can see how beautiful Juneau is, and why Alaska is worth the visit? Then we went to a place called Chapel By The Lake (it was like a Log Church), and took a quick look inside, but I was mainly keen to get outside to take pictures:
We then drove to another stop to take some pictures of Mendenhall Glacier from a distance:
And now we have arrived at the final destination – first some preliminary pictures of the arrival area:
Then, beautiful Mendenhall Glacier, awesome, breathtaking, what can I say?
Here are some more pictures of the area surrounding Mendenhall Glacier, isn’t the blue color that’s in the glacier incredible?
Well, after all those breathtaking pictures (even though I do say so myself), it seems like a let-down to add pictures of a different kind, but I must finish up, here are some pictures of downtown Juneau, near the cruise ship where our bus took us after the amazing visit to Mendenhall Glacier.
A little background on Juneau: It was discovered in 1880 due to the discovery of gold, Juneau began its history as a prosperous and unique mining town, you can see some of the recommended sightseeing spots by viewing the picture of the sign post below:
You are probably wondering about the food in Juneau, here’s a picture of a menu:
Here’s some pictures I took near to where the cruise ship was docked
PS: If you are going to be in Juneau on June 7-9, 2012, you should not miss Celebration 2012. This is a major dance and cultural festival held every two years. Read more about the festival right here: http://www.sealaskaheritage.org/celebration/celebration_2012.htm and to view beautiful Alaskan Native art showing fabulous Tsimshian culture, please take a look here: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/terrance-h-booth-jr.html?page=2
I really hope that you like my pictures of Juneau, and the Mendenhall Glacier. You just have to visit this amazing place, it was well worth the visit. Gold was discovered here, but there is so much more to discover too.
Icy Strait Point
It is now Day 4 of the cruise – Monday, May 14th, 2012. I don’t have any excursions booked for today, but one of the main excursions for this port is the zip line – which is for all those who wish to experience adventure, excitement and who aren’t afraid of heights. I’m not daring enough to take the zip line – I like adventure, and excitement – but I think I either don’t like to be too high up or I’m just afraid of rides.
Icy Strait Point is very picturesque, and I’m glad I came off the ship to take a look. There were several people onboard the ship who didn’t want to get off today because it was raining, and there had been a steady drizzle for most of the day. We had to get on a tender boat to get to where the boat docked, and when I got off, I couldn’t help but be in awe of how beautiful the Radiance Of The Seas looked against the snow-clad mountains.
That’s me – Davinder – posing in front of the Radiance Of The Seas.
After taking pictures of the ship, I walked along the beach, to where I could see the zip line. The rain kept on falling on the lens of both my camera and camcorder, so I kept on putting them away, and then getting tempted to take them back out again a few moments later, and then away again after a few minutes because of the rain. It was a busy time mostly due to the rain. Here are some more pictures that I took along the way.
As you may have noticed in one of the pictures, somebody had started a little fire on the beach to keep everyone warm. It was quite icy cold in Icy Strait Point, it surely lives up to it’s name! The drizzle did put a little damper on my outing, as I would definitely have liked to take more pictures, but I didn’t want to damage my camera, and already had got it wet various times.
I walked into the big brown building which was kind of like a museum towards the end of the pier, and this building also had quite a few shops. Apparently, I had missed a native dance, and found out about this later.
I then started on the track of one of the nature trails on the other side of the building shown above (museum) to the left of it, and discovered a most incredible sight – a lake with trees and snow-clad mountains in the distance (shown below). By this point, it was drizzling quite a bit. I then recorded the zip line on my camcorder, and will have to put it into a video later and add the link.
Altogether, I spent about two and a half hours in Icy Strait Point, and would definitely recommend that you get off the ship to visit this port. Don’t listen to those who tell you there’s nothing to see here, if you like natural beauty, you will see a lot of that around you. I then proceeded to take the tender boat shown below at the dock back to the Radiance Of The Seas.
Recommendations: take your umbrella to Alaska, and a thick jacket, plus gloves, and you can’t go wrong. Will soon write about Day 5 of the cruise.
Vancouver
Today is Day 1 of my trip, and it is Thursday, May 10th, 2012. I left San Diego on an early flight and got into Vancouver at around 1:30 pm. I was daring, and took the train which is right outside of the airport to one stop before Burrard Street, I think it was called City Centre. I say daring because I had two suitcases with me, a large one, and then another bag with my laptop, other electronics and paperwork in it. If my third bag, a small carry-on that had to be checked in – hadn’t got misplaced – I would have had to take a taxi or a shuttle bus, but since the airport promised to deliver the delayed bag to me that evening, and since I had only two bags or cases, it was manageable on the train. It was a 35 minute train ride from the airport to the stop which was most convenient to the Hyatt Regency in Vancouver, where I would spend my night. The train ride was only $8.75 Canadian dollars for a one way trip and I purchased my ticket from the machine outside on the platform.
When I got off the train, I asked someone where the hotel was, and it was easy to walk to, just about a block and a half away, probably less than a five minute walk. I checked into the Hyatt Regency, and was very pleased with their check-in and with their level of service. Since one of my bags had been delayed, I informed the front desk about this – so that if I was out in the evening, they could look out for my bag for me. They asked if I needed toiletries, and I told them I was okay, that I had those with me. However, after I had arrived in my room – 2003 – on the 20th floor with the awesome view shown above (fourth picture) – there was a knock on the door, and I was handed a toiletry bag complete with toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving stick and shaving cream, and other items. I was really impressed. I loved the room, it had a really nice modern feel to it, and I also loved this hotel – what’s not to love when it has a shopping mall attached right next to it, that you access from the lobby of the hotel, and there is a Starbucks right in the lobby too!
Vancouver is so pretty. Make sure that you allow yourself more than just a day for this beautiful city. I had only one day here, and it was not enough. This was my second visit to Vancouver, I spent about two weeks here previously many years ago. If you have only a short time in Vancouver, I recommend taking the Red Hop On Hop Off Bus which I took, and it allowed me to see much more than if I would have ventured out on my own. There is commentary, and part of the bus is uncovered, which is excellent for those of you who want to take pictures and videos. I will be posting a video soon. Look out for it on my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/luchaniktravel
If you would like to see more pictures that I took in Vancouver, please take a look on my Facebook page, and please consider pressing “like” on my page. Thank you. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.433759606649054.105771.182290738462610&type=3 By the way, I love Stanley Park – beautiful place to go and take pictures.
Update: I have another post on Vancouver and a video, you can view it here: Vancouver
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