Haines felt a lot quieter than the other cruise stops, more like a small Alaskan town than a tourist port. The streets were calm with just a few shops and cafés, mountains rising straight up in the background, and we learned that only one large cruise ship usually comes in at a time, though the Ruby Princess was docked alongside the smaller National Geographic Sea Lion during our visit. It all had a laid-back, lived-in feel, with friendly locals and none of the flashy tourist traps, which made Haines seem especially down-to-earth and welcoming. We heard a rumor that Haines will be expanding to support three supersized cruise ships at the same time.

Waking up in Alaska. Approaching our next stop: Haines. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

The scenery never ends. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

The scenery never ends. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

The scenery never ends. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

The scenery never ends. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Tammy's breakfast. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

My Eggs Benedict. Meh. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Scenery approaching Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Scenery approaching Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Scenery approaching Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Another lighthouse seen while approaching Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Another lighthouse seen while approaching Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Eldred Rock Lighthouse seen while approaching Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

A glacier? Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

We arrive in Haines, Alaska. The National Geographic's Sea Bird is at the smaller dock. One day we will ride you, too. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Our next home in Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Upon seeing Haines, Alaska for the first time, I thus quote, "Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Bettlejuice!" Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Yup. That's our ride. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

We have arrived at a food cart to get some fry bread. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

The fry bread. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

We saw many bears. None of them real, though. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Fort Wm H Seward. (Apparently letters were at a premium.) Hey! This is the Totem of Shame guy!! Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

We walked by but did not stop. This may be the biggest regret of my existence. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

We stopped for a rest here on our hike from the ship into town. I thought it was quite scenic. Thus, the photograph. Many Dodge Ram trucks with large numbers drove by. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

There were two ways to go into town. We chose this one and were rewarded with a nice totem pole. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

A sign for the totem pole. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

It's pretty in Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Upon arrival in Haines, Alaska, I was immediately condemned to hang out in this hallway at the Court System. I kid you not. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

A fire pit at Alpenglow Pizza, Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

A sign at the outdoor dining area at Alpenglow Pizza, Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

The Ruby Princess, as seen from downtown Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Snow removal sign in downtown Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

The Ruby Princess as seen from downtown Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Pretty blue flowers downtown in Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

We put a pin on the map for Coquille, Oregon at the Rusty Compass coffee shop. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Fried pickles at the Bamboo Room restaurant. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

My hamburger at the Bamboo Room restaurant. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

The Bamboo Room restaurant. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

A totem pole at Uniquely Alaska Art where a local Alaskan artist creates carvings and more. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Yes, I spent some time here. We will not speak of it. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

We caught a free shuttle downtown and arrive back at the ship. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Scenery by the beach by the boat dock. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

On the beach in Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Selfie in front of the Haines, Alaska. You wouldn't believe the number of people that had conniptions while we took this shot. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

My phone let me know I hit a step goal while hiking around Haines, Alaska. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Back on the ship, the view of Haines, Alaska from our balcony. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

Princess Cruise 'Premium Desserts' are included with the Premier and Plus packages. This is the promise. Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.

I finally completed the achievement of the Princess "premier" and "premium" dessert. It is obtained from the Cones place on the Lido deck. To quote the movie Falling Down:

Bill Foster: [disappointed with the dessert he's been served] See, this is what I'm talking about. Turn around, look at that.
[he points at the picture of a much nicer dessert on the picture board on the counter]
Bill Foster: You see what I mean? It's plump, it's juicy, it's three inches thick. Now, look at this sorry, miserable, squashed thing. Can anybody tell me what's wrong with this picture? Copyright © 2025 Timothy B. Burleson under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.