2015 a Great Year of Travel

It is the morning of January First 2016, wow 2016 where has the time go.  Seems like just yesterday we were welcoming in 2015 and so excited with what the new year had planned.

Cruising was in the forefront last year.  We had a few trips planned  -- Caribbean in January and the Mediterranean in the Fall.  But hoped we could squeeze in a few more cruises closer to home.

It all started with a trip back to the Caribbean for our first cruise on the Royal Princess.  You can read all about that voyage here.  That trip was so relaxing, so much fun, and a great time for us to reconnect with old friends we haven't see in a while and a time to make new friendships.  

30 days on the Royal forces you to relax and each time you stay on you really get to connect with the staff, they are always surprised (and hopefully happy to see you again).

Back home and back to work made us dream of what was next.  We started scanning the repositioning cruises and what worked within our work schedule. 

We wanted to get back on the Crown Princess and it was doing a seven day repositioning to Vancouver and would only require a few days of banked overtime.  We jumped on it. 

So in May we flew to Los Angeles and boarded the Crown for seven days up the coast to our home.  

This itinerary allowed us to visit with friends Angelique and Simon in San Francisco for two days as the port stop was an overnight.  Here is a link to the blog at start of the trip.

It also was the first time we had ever stopped in Astoria, Oregon.

This year also marked a milestone birthday for me, and of course Princess too.  We both turned 50 this year.  I knew I wanted to celebrate it on board but what/where could we go that wasn't too expensive and could fall over the long weekend with only a few days to get covered at work.

We decided to head back to the Crown for 7 day Alaskan Cruise out of Seattle.  We have been to Alaska many times but have to say this was the best cruise for seeing so many whales!  Here is a link to that trip's blog report.

Again we were spoiled with great service and seeing so many dear friends.  It was also fun to be on board with Claudio who shares my birthday.  I think I cried tears of joy ten times this trip.

We even were able to meet up with Daniel in Skagway as he was on a different ship and in port at the same time as us.  

This birthday will never be forgotten and I feel totally blessed to have so many amazing friends who made it extra special.

This year our niece moved to California, just outside of San Francisco.  We knew they would not be there for very long and we really wanted to see them as they normally live on the other side of the country.  

The Grand was heading South after it's Alaskan season over a weekend and adding two days in San Francisco allowed us to visit with Erin and the boys.  

It also was an added bonus as Laura and Dolores were going to be on board.  We hadn't seen them in ages and knew the trip was sure to be a fun one with them on board.  Here is a link to that cruise's blog.

so nice to see Chef Joel again

Also Victor and Paul would be there and we happy to get to spend some time with them both. 

It was also the first time we purchased the all inclusive drink package - read my thoughts on the drink package.  

Our 20th Wedding Anniversary was this year too and we had planned a big trip to the Mediterranean.  Our first time to Europe on a cruise.  It was booked over a year and a half ago and tons of research went into this trip.  So many friends helped us with great tips and ideas.  

It sure did not disappoint either.  It was a trip of a lifetime. Read about that trip here.

Spending time in Rome ahead of the cruise was a big highlight.  

Then sailing all over the Mediterranean visiting places I had only read about kept us both in awe every day.  

We were also tickled to be sailing with friends we had not seen in a long time.  

Again so many new friends were made and special memories.  

2015 will be an amazing year for us with regards to travel. In all we did 8 cruises, 4 different ships, 74 days at sea and too many memories to count.

2016 starts out with a big celebratory cruise marking Bernie's 60th Birthday.  We are heading back to the Caribbean to join the Royal Princess. 

But once back we don't have any other cruises planned as of yet.  And we only have one future cruise credit in our bank. Many variables are causing us to hold back on booking. Mainly the exchange rate.  I wrote a blog about the cost of cruising going up, you can read it here.

My facebook page - Cruising Princess Cruise Line with Vickie - has grown considerably this past year.  I am still amazed by it's growth and all the great people who follow it. Everyone is so helpful and thoughtful and love the respect that people show each other when talking about cruise travel.

I don't know what the future entails with the blog and the facebook page but for now I still enjoy doing it so I will keep it up.  

Keep following as we head out next week for our next big adventure.

Alaska Review on Cruise Radio

Was happy to do another interview for Doug on Cruise Radio all about our Alaskan cruise on the Crown Princess at the beginning of August.

Here is a link  - episode 328 - to the site to listen to it.

Ketchikan and Formal Night

We dock very early in Ketchikan - so early I don't even notice that we docked.  Oh by the way we docked around 6 am.  There are four ships in port today - aka busy day.

The weather is overcast with a chance of showers.  Not cold, just cloudy and damp.  
See picture above it says it all.

Sadly we are not in port for that long.  The Crown comes here late in her itinerary and has to leave early so she can make it to Victoria late tomorrow.  Trust me I heard people grumble about the short stop here but it isn't like this ship is a plane that takes off and lands somewhere in a few hours. Victoria is quite a distance and we have to stop in Victoria by law so because of this we leave at noon.

The ship seems quiet.  Many have gone ashore for the morning.  Bernie and I contemplated going ashore but we are quite happy to stay on board and use the ship as our floating resort.  We have been to Ketchikan a few times and we know we will be back.

Today we are docked all the way in Berth 4 which is the furthest away from town.  There are some shops just outside, but to really see anything you need to walk thru the tunnel and toward the town. There is a free shuttle bus that runs from the pier to the town too.

We decide to head down to the dining room for breakfast.  We are sat in the same section we have sat at numerous times.  It is a good section but that constant banging of the waiters station's doors/drawers is a real annoyance.

They have the eggs benedict as the feature item and I decide to give it a try.  But sadly it had been sitting for a bit I guess cause the hollandaise was a little caked on.  I ate one of them and left the other.

I head outside to take a few pictures.  

We take a seat in the International Cafe and do some reading and drink our coffees.

A few things are going on this morning.  

Today they have the Tongass Rangers Information Station all about Skins and Skulls.  They actually have these in most ports where they have a table with displays and posters and someone there to answer you questions.

Bernie went to the Trivia and they won.

Just before noon I take notice of the long queues to get back on board.  This is bound to happen when we sail so early so just be prepared and no worries you will all get on.

When I was back in the cabin sitting on the balcony ready I noticed these things in the water.  At first I thought they were plastic bags, but no they are jelly fish.  I zoomed in to take this shot.  Pretty cool.

They are doing another pub lunch today in Wheelhouse bar.  Which is a great idea cause so many coming back on can easily get a quick bite to eat.  

Tons of things going on this afternoon:  Speedy Sudoku, croquet play, Ballroom class: The Samba, Penny Whistle Class, Service Club Get Together, Art Auction, Napkin Folding, Moose Racing (like the horse racing but these horses have antlers screwed into them), Grapevine Wine tasting Afternoon tea, MUTS has the movie Skyfall, 50th Anniversary Trivia: The Sound of Music.

We get a free invite to the wine tasting as an elite member.  We haven't been in a very long time.  We found that the wines were repeated all the time and we were a little tired of them.  But today we said lets go.  

I am so glad we did.  We were sat at a table of six and the two other couples were from California.  It was quite nice to get to know them.  Also the wines were all new.  I really enjoyed these new wines. They no longer give out the souvenir shot glass (that is okay we have enough of them).  They no longer serve the dessert wine or champagne.  This wine tasting included a rose wine, which I really enjoyed.  

Tonight is a Formal Night and it is also the Captain Circle Party.  There is only one party this voyage. Since there are so many new cruisers they have decided to have everyone who is Gold and up to attend the cocktail party.  Normally the Gold/Ruby have a separate event held near the beginning of the cruise.  

The party is held in Club Fusion and we take a seat near the back.  We catch up with our friends and enjoy two cocktails.  

The most travelled has 832 days - so we aren't too far away.  We are the fourth most travelled couple this trip.  There are only 49 elites!

After the cocktail party we head up to Adagio for drinks with Stefano and Adir.  This is a lovely lounge and it is a great place to come for a cocktail.  The Captain and his wife come in and they join us.  This is a nice treat and it is lovely to catch up with the Captain.  We sailed with him last Fall.  His wife Olga is lovely too with a wonderful laugh and such an easy person to chat with.

We decide to just head to the buffet for a small bite to eat.  It is the Captain's Gala Buffet and it was lovely.  We see Ashwin and Alexia from the shops and they join us for dinner.  

The buffet at night has been quite busy.  I am thinking this has to do with the itinerary and the long days.

After a late dinner we head to Crooners to catch up with Red and to chat with others at the bar.  Isn't it fun sailing and getting to meet new people.  The Balloon drop is happening and the band is playing. Great vibe overall.


Other events going on around the ship:

• LGBT Get Together
• Spotlight Showcase With Vocal Impressionist Karen Graingers (we caught a bit of her performance and she was very good). 7 and 10
• The Movie at Muts is the Rewrite
• Balancing Act of Krill in Atrium
• Production Show Blame it on the Boogie 8:15 and 10
• The Marriage Match Game Show 9 pm
• Karaoke
• The 50th Anniversary Gold Balloon Drop Party 10:30

Tracey Arm

Today is the WOW day - it is the day we sail up Tracey Arm.

You need to get up early cause we enter Tracey Arm early - 6:45.  The sights are stunning.  The channel is only 1.5 miles wide so you have views of the mountains on each side.  

Make sure to check out the view and how the ship maneuvers around Big Bend and the "S" Turn.  

If you check along the shore lines around the sandy muddy flats you could spot a bear, but we didn't.

We spot the Star Princess coming out of the channel - boy they were there very early.  As they pass right beside us there is hooting and hollering and lots of waves.

We are sailing towards South Sawyer Glacier but there sure is a lot of ice in the water.

There are some rules that need to be followed and this will effect the passengers. 

They are not allowed to discharge grey water here so laundries could be closed and if you put laundry in for them to do it may take a little longer.

You will not get paper cups while traveling here to ensure that nothing goes over and into the water and pollute the waters.  Sadly I saw a lot of people leaving their cups/plates and even napkins out on the open decks on areas that were not tables. And even left on the Promenade Deck.  

I am out on the Promenade deck walking around.  I run into Edward who has his cart and selling hot drinks.

One tour Princess had today is Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer.  One tour leaves at 7 am and rejoins the ship at 9:45.  Second one leaves at 10:15 and rejoins at 1:00 pm. The boat pulls up beside our ship and people get on (kind of like a tender).  The cost of the tour is $219.95  for adults and $169.95 for kids.  

Sure enough Michael the Naturalist tells us that the Captain can't get any closer due to the ice - around 9 am.  The rule is if you see more ice than water you don't go in.  We can see the glacier in the distance but this is probably the furthest we have been from the glacier.  Warm temperatures are causing the glacier to calves and more ice in the water. 

We get as close as we can and the ship sits in the water and then we slowly turn right around.  So don't worry you will all get a great view.

I was up at the aft of the ship at this point and had to giggle when a husband came up with his wife and kids and complained - "See we missed the glacier".  I wanted to say that there are glaciers all around us, but I held my tongue.

The kids club is busy and it is cute to see the staff are doing an game with them where they have to spot things - like: mountain, ice, birds etc, lovely 

It is very very hot out and there are many people in the pool and lounging in the lounge chairs.  

They have an Tracy Arm Outpost for items for sale up on the Lido Deck with all kinds of items - jackets, binoculars, sweaters etc.

They also are serving hot bouillon on the Lido deck while we are here.  And later they are serving reindeer Chili and Fish Chowder.

I have been to Tracey Arm five times now and this has to be the warmest day ever and because of the amazing weather we can see all the mountain tops and all the glaciers around us.  You can see all the amazing rock surfaces and plant life.  

But with this beautiful warm weather comes more ice in the water and we can't get right up to the Sawyer Glacier.  

Lots going on today.  I went to the Sudoku Challenge and again it was quite busy but didn't win.  

I popped into the Sophia Fiori Diamonds and Tanzanite presentation and said hi to Michael and Tammi.  The place was busy.  

Other events today:

• Afternoon Gameshow Princess Pyramids
• Charades
• Acupuncture Demonstration
• Go North Special Screening - join your video producers for another spectacular documentary about the Klondike Gold Rush 
• Indoor Goofy Golf
• Arts and Crafts at Sea Gold Nugget Bracelets 
• Bingo
• Movies Under the Stars Ninja Sharks
• Discovery at Sea Trivia Animal Planets Oceans Edition
• Golf Putting challenge
• Champagne Hoopla
• Veterans Get Together
• Friends of Bob and Bill Meeting
• Afternoon Tea

Around 4 pm we are passing Frederick Sound again where we were a few days ago and where we saw all the whales.

Well they are there again and don't disappoint.

Tonight it will be a quiet night for us.  The dining room is featuring the Italian Night Dinner.  

But we head up to the Horizon Court for our meal.