Alaska 2023

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Alaska 2023 Scene 1 - Intro

After our last cruise to Norway and Iceland in 2019, we booked a cruise to Alaska on the Grand Princess for July of 2020. Four months before we were to set sail, the Grand Princess made news headlines after passengers and crew members tested positive for COVID-19. The pandemic shut down the cruise industry for the rest of 2020 and most of 2021. We decided to wait until July of 2023 before going on another cruise.
This video contains highlights of the cruise we took to Alaska on the Sapphire Princess in July of 2023 which was our first trip since COVID.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Fanfare for the Common Man
Written by Aaron Copland
Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 2 - Vancouver Canada

The day before going on our cruise to Alaska, we flew to Vancouver and stayed at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver Hotel, located right on the harbor. After checking in to our hotel room, we went on the Sea Vancouver Waterfront Sightseeing Excursion, which was a boat ride that took us around to see the city via a high-speed RIB boat.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Canadian Sunset
Written by Eddie Heywood
Performed by Brad Imsdahl
The New Rigged Ship
Traditional Irish Jig
Performed by Mark Stillman and Jim Price

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Alaska 2023 Scene 3 - Sapphire Princess

On July 12, 2023, we left the port of Vancouver on the cruise ship, Sapphire Princess, which has a passenger capacity of 2,670 and a crew of 1,100. This video provides highlights of the ship and the activities onboard that we enjoyed during our 14-day cruise to Alaska.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Sea Cruise
Written by Huey "Piano" Smith
Performed by Ruth Mravinc and Brad Imsdahl
Diamondhead
Written by Danny Hamilton
Performed by Tom Mravinc and Brad Imsdahl
Pipeline
Written by Brain Carman and Bob Spickard
Performed by Tom Mravinc and Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 4 - Ketchikan, Alaska's First City

Our first port of call during our Alaskan cruise was Ketchikan, which is known as Alaska's First City because it is the first stop for ships heading north through the inside passage. This video provides a brief history of Alaska including the famous Klondike Gold Rush when some 100,000 gold prospectors passed through the towns of Dyea and Skagway Alaska, on their way to the gold fields in the Yukon Territory of Canada.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Buckaroo Holiday
Written by Aaron Copland
Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 5 - Misty Fjords National Monument

Misty Fjords is a National Monument located about 40 miles east of Ketchikan. This video provides highlights of the excursion that we took to see the fjords.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Maiden Voyage
Written by Herbie Hancock
Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 6 - Ketchikan to Juneau

Scenery of the cruise from Ketchikan to Juneau in July of 2023 on the Sapphire Princess.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Star of the County Down
Traditional Irish Folk Song
Performed by Mark Stillman and Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 7 - Pilot's Choice Helicopter Excursion

On July 15, 2023, we went on the Pilot's Choice Helicopter Excursion, which was a helicopter ride to some of the glaciers surrounding Juneau. The excursion included two different landings on glaciers where we could get out and walk around. The pilot has the choice of which route to take through the mountains depending on weather conditions. Juneau is in a rain forest and the weather can change dramatically from location to location. On this day, we were treated to perfect weather, so the pilot was able to take us to some locations that they normally do not get to go to.
Our first landing was on the Gilkey Glacier. Our second landing was up on top of the Juneau Icefield at an elevation of over 5,000 feet above sea level.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
To Touch The Sky
Written by Pamela and Randy Copus
Performed by Brad Imsdahl
Morrison's Jig
Traditional Irish Jig
Performed by Mark Stillman and Jim Price
Fly Me To The Moon
Written by Bart Howard
Performed by Ruth Mravinc and Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 8 - Juneau

After the helicopter excursion, we checked out some of the stores in Juneau before heading back to our ship to rest up for our next excursion.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 9 - Evening Whale Watching Excursion

Our second excursion for Juneau was an evening whale watching excursion. This was the first time that we got to see Humpback whales bubble-net-feeding.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 10 - Dog Sledding on a Glacier

On July 16, 2023, we went on a dog sledding excursion, which was a helicopter ride to a dog sled camp some 4,000 feet up on top of the Denver Glacier. The camp is home to nearly 300 Alaskan Huskies and puppies, which are being trained to run competitive dog sled races.
The helicopter dropped us off for about an hour to visit the camp and ride on a dog sled ride. Then it returned with a new group before taking us back to Skagway.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Journey Within
Written by Pamela and Randy Copus
Performed by Brad Imsdahl
Alfie's Hornpipe
Performed by Mark Stillman and Jim Price

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Alaska 2023 Scene 11 - Skagway

After the dog sled excursion, we walked around the town of Skagway to do more shopping.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Gladiolus Rag
Written by Scott Joplin
Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 12 - In the Hall of the Mountain King

This is a music video with scenes cruising south along the Lynn Canal from Skagway to Haines Alaska on July 16, 2023.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
In the Hall of the Mountain King
Written by Edvard Grieg
Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 13 - Glacier Bay National Park

On July 17, 2023, the Sapphire Princess cruised through Glacier Bay National Park to see the many glaciers inside the park. We spent most of the day on the balcony of our cabin to enjoy the scenery.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
The Dark Isle
Traditional Scottish Folk Song
Performed by Mark Stillman
Silence of the Woods
Written by Edvard Grieg
Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 14 - Sapphire Princess Art Deco

The decor on the Sapphire Princess is Art Deco, the style of architecture and product design that flourished during the 1920s and 30s in the United States and Europe.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Emily
Written by Johnny Mandel and Johnny Mercer
Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 15 - College Fjord

On July 18, 2023, the Sapphire Princes cruised through the College Fjord, located in the northern sector of Prince William Sound and east of Whittier. We spent most of the day on the balcony of our cabin to enjoy the scenery.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Sarabande
Written by Claude Debussy
Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 16 - College Fjord Part Two

This is a music video with scenery cruising back out of the College Fjord.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
In The Hall of the Mountain King
Written by Edvard Grieg
Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 17 - Eating At the Savoy

A highlight of any cruise is the food. We enjoyed a wide variety of fine dining during our trip.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Stompin' At The Savoy
Written by Edgar Sampson
Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 18 - Egg Drop Challenge

On July 18, 2023 on board the Sapphire Princess, we happened to walk past the main gathering area in the center of the ship where they were about to have an Egg drop challenge, so we decided to stay and watch. The challenge is to drop a raw egg three stories and hit a target without breaking the egg. They give you a bunch of supplies, like duct tape, string, fabric, and paper cups so that you can try and get your egg to parachute in a cushioned container. The winner hit the target dead center without breaking the egg.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 19 - Whittier and the 26 Glacier Cruise

On July 19, 2023, the Sapphire Princess docked in the port of Whittier to drop off some passengers and pick up new ones. We booked a back to back cruise so our cruise was only half over. While waiting for all the new passengers to arrive, we went on the 26 Glacier Cruise, which was a boat ride to see the many glaciers and wildlife around Prince William Sound.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Our Town
Written by Aaron Copland
Performed by Brad Imsdahl
Train to Koblenz
Written and Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 20 - The Hubbard Glacier

On July 20, 2023, the Sapphire Princess visited the Hubbard Glacier, the longest tide water glacier in North America at 76 miles.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Fanfare for the Common Man
Written by Aaron Copland
Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 21 - Wildlife Sightings from Cruise Ship

During our cruise to Alaska in July of 2023, we saw some wildlife from the balcony of our cabin.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 22 - Skagway to Ketchikan

This is a music video of some of the scenery from cruising from Skagway to Juneau and then to Ketchikan, July 22 through July 24, 2023.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Arran Boat Song
Traditional Scottish Highlands Folk Song
Performed by Mark Stillman and Jim Price
Saturday Night Waltz
Written by Aaron Copland
Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 23 - Harvest Moon

This video contains my final thoughts and commentary about our July 2023 cruise to Alaska.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Harvest Moon
Written by Neil Young
Performed by Ruth Mravinc
Hoe-Down
Written by Aaron Copland
Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 24 - Dale and Linda Excursions

This video highlights the excursions that our friends Dale and Linda went on during the cruise.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 25 - Slide Show

This is a slide show of the pictures from our cruise to Alaska in July of 2023.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 26 - Mountain Majesty

This is a music video with scenery sailing up the Lynn Canal to Skagway Alaska on July 22, 2023.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Mountain Majesty
Written and Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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Alaska 2023 Scene 27 - Clouds Over Gastineau Channel

This is a music video with scenery sailing away from Juneau Alaska on July 23, 2023.
A Film by Brad Imsdahl
Clouds Over Gastineau Channel
Written and Performed by Brad Imsdahl

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