Alaska Day 3

So we are finally underway.  The first day is a sea day.  After a fulfilling breakfast in the Windjammer Cafe we explored the ship.  Marianne and I have taken over a dozen cruises with half of them being on Royal Caribbean and each ship is different and unique.   As we moved about the ship among 2,500 of our newest friends we found many small bars and shops catering to our every need,  The ship was having a sale on winter coats as well as gloves and hats.  A friend of mine had taken this trip two weeks ago and he had warned me that once we left Vancouver there would be a drastic change in the temperature,  He was right.  Interestingly enough Royal Caribbean held the clothing sale basically outside near the pool and of course this reinforced the change in the thermostat.  I bought my wife a reversible jacket that was water proof and lined.
We had brought sweatshirts but we quickly realized that it wasn't enough. We continued exploring the ship.

After lunch several of our group went to various classes and programs offered by the ship.  At dinner we joined with the rest of our contingent and shared days activities.  What is nice about this cruise is the fact that it is a majority older crowd.  I'd guess 95% was over fifty.  Which means we had to slow down for the slower crowd and try not to giggle at the wheel chair racer that nearly took out a group of Japanese travelers waiting for the elevator.  I later learned it was a father and son and the father was 98.

Dinner was a sumptuous affair but I swear we were served the happy meal sized version but the wife says that the smaller portions are healthier for me.  Good thing the Windjammer stays open later.  We shared our days activities with the others at our table and I was even able to prank a friend of mine with a surprise birthday celebration at dinner.  Boy was he surprised since his birthday isn't until December, he figured out it was me so I'm watching out for his retribution.

After dinner we took in a musical production.  I can say that Marianne and I have attended musicals on Broadway and the Kennedy Center as well as dinner theater production and I'm sorry but while the actors, singers and dancers had a lot of enthusiasm their director would have been better off with something else because none of us could figure out what the show was about.

Later some of our group found, Derreck Wayne a young ship's entertainer outside the Schooner Bar.  He is an extremely talented pianist and singer.  He has an amazing knowledge of songs from the 50's to the present and pleasing voice to go along with nimble finger that glide across the keyboard with style and grace.

Lastly several of us found a karaoke lounge a short distance away.  I have to admit its fun to get up and sing with an actual band behind me and they made me sound just like Elvis even though Ii missed a word here and there.  Unfortunately they couldn't help some members of our fellow travelers.  Now we know what they did with the money their parents gave them for singing lessons.  They bought candy instead.

Alaska 2016 Day2

It's now our day of departure.  We awoke early, and set out to explore a little of downtown Vancouver.  The streets are already busy at 6:00 am.  Cars are moving and the locals are filling the nearby cafe we found.  The Brekka Cafe makes wonderfully decadent sweet treats from donuts and scones to cakes and pie.  Their teas and coffees were good as well.

After whetting our appetites we strolled back towards our hotel.  It was interesting to see the similarities of Vancouver and Washington, D.C.  The homeless were up and about and quick to ask for money.  They were not aggressive about it and took our "No Thank You" with a shrugged and quickly moved to the next likely mark.

Back at the hotel we touched base with many of our customers and made sure all of their needs were being taken care of and we reminded them to meet us in the lobby at 10:45 in order to meet the buses to the port.

By 10:40, everyone was in the lobby and I felt bad for any incoming guest as we pretty much filled the lobby.  We moved out in groups of ten Marianne made sure everyone had their boarding passed and passport easily available.

Check in at the Royal Caribbean was slow and they could have used a bit more air conditioning as the 2,500 passengers lined up to get checked in.  Next we went through U.S. Customs and Immigration.  This a little different as we would normally do this at the end of a trip not the beginning.  If you were a U.S. citizen it went quickly as they had six kiosk open but if you were not then you had one kiosk and you waited and waited.  Finally as the non U.S. citizen line began backing up due to manpower and computer issues they finally added another two kiosk.

Things went smoothly after that and we were on board and with beer in hand we moved about the ship exploring its hidden secrets.  It had been awhile since I've been on a Royal Caribbean Ship and I had forgotten the little treats, i.e. shuffle board, pool tables, ping pond and good food.

As promised we had access to our cabin at 1:00 pm and we managed a short nap before the muster drill.
Dinner was a grand experience but I personally think the portions could be a little larger.  After dinner the ladies of our group found a fantastic young piano player in the schooner lounge and spent the rest of the evening singing and making merry.

Alaska 2016 Day 1

We all safely arrived in Vancouver yesterday after an adventurous day.

Several of us were flying Delta , which after their computer outrage on Monday did mean a long layover. Auto correct is definitely not my friend. Since my group was going to be running late I had to get one of the other agents traveling with us to meet up with my clients from Japan. They had a hard time because instead of typing "Look for a blond girl with 3 Japanese people", I typed "Very Blind Girl." .  This led to a mad scramble throughout the airport looking for the "Very Blind" girl.  Needless to say three jumbo jets arrived at 

the same time and it appeared as if it was an Asian invasion. She was found eventually sans the white cane.

Of course this is on top of the fact that all the Delta flights were delayed. We finally arrived at our hotel (Century Plaza Spa) it was a welcome relief.  Several of our group arrived before us and asked the local hotel staff their recommendations for a good restaurant.  They ended up in a restaurant with great food and outstanding service, it also happened to be a restaurant that was heavily favored by the LGBT community.  It was a great time had by all.

Then one of our travelers decided to go to the local grocery store three blocks away and grab a case of water, unfortunately he exited the store via a different door and ended up going in the wrong direction from the hotel and became hopelessly lost.  His daughter was able to finally get in touch with him on his cell phone and grabbed a cab and picked him up. (Whew!)

I've been traveling internationally for over thirty years and assisting my wife with her travel business for ten.  I've learned that when you escort a group of travelers (31 on this trip) you are always going to have some excitement, bur for Pete's sake can't we get on the ship before it starts.