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Published: August 23rd 2013
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Best burgers in Ketchikan according to the locals! Each time we heard the ding dong over the past few days we braced ourselves for the news. The ding dong was followed by the captain of the millineum updating the crew and guests about our fate.
Organising some 2000 people off this ship was an enormous job. 30 staff were flown in from Miami to assist with the task. Trust me it got ugly several times. Guests were angry and frustrated. The refund was not enough we all wanted to get off and go to our final destinations. We were given promises and then they were taken away as quick as they were given.
Having said this I must once again say that the crew and staff are so friendly and helpful. The ship is great and if the problems with the motor haven't have happened I just know it would have been a fantastic cruise. Food selection was great, fresh and well presented. The staterooms were kept immaculate too.
On Wednesday afternoon were finally given assurance that we would be flown to Anchorage the next day. Fingers crossed that it will go smoothly.
We took the opportunity to take a flight over the Misty Fiords
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on Taquan Air floatplane with Taquan air. These float planes are amazing. We boarded the float plane and flew around the surrounding wilderness for an hour. The pilot landed in the water but as it was raining we didnt get out. The views were amazing. I'm glad we took this opportunity to visit the fiords. Used our toursaver coupon and 2 for the price of 1 at $269 that was a bargain.
Also caught a bus to the local Walmart. That was very different. The van was driven by a Mexican (who never spoke) and the van was literally falling to pieces. Cardboard lined the seats - don't think any springs were left! There was a protocol for cramming into the bus...on the way back we followed by barging our way in like the locals do! Locals say the Walmart is the 3rd smallest in the USA.
Ordered a burger meal from the "burger queen" and they delivered our meal to us in a paper bag to the local pub next door. Now that's service! They deliver their burger meals by foot all over the main streets.
On our final night we were exhausted from the stress of the whole cruise
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Misty Fiord experience we just packed our gear and went to bed early.
We met our departure group in the celebrity theatre and were then herded off to a bus, then caught a ferry to the Ketchikan airport. From there we were taken to an airplane hanger where we waited for our flight to Anchorage. Chairs were brought over to the hanger and we were supplied with water and granola bars. Mmm what a way to spend a day in Alaska. Pizzas were ordered around 1pm then we were checked into our private charter flight. We left Ketichikan around 5.30pm. The flight to Anchorage was 1 hour 50 minutes.
Currently we are staying the night at the Holiday Inn Express in Anchorage and will be catching a train out to Seward early in the morning. The cruise line will reimburse us the cost of the accomodation for the next two nights plus $75 each per day for food, taxis, etc.
We are glad to have the cruise experience behind us and look forward to brighter days ahead.
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judith chaffer
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You did a great description of the bus trip the image was was so in my head!!!!