Back home in Texas from the most amazing week. Special thanks go out to Rich and Bonnie as they gave us the in-person CC connection. Wedding reception conflicted with the CC event . I voted for Bonnie in the Princess Pop Star competition. Saw them several times…super nice couple. Thanks to Hugh and VWLady for acknowledging T and I in their review. We had a beautiful wedding and the best time.
Princess service and staff made the week memorable for us. Received special attention from Isabel and Fiametta on the Purser staff helping us with the wedding. Captain Nico married us and was very personable and very Italian . Everyone was great. Special nod to Javi the talented florist and Jonathan our great photographer. They made the wedding extra memorable.
The first pour of the Champaign glass pyramid was an unexpected surprise. Super cool.
On to the cruise... Nothing was very negative but the food needed the most improvement. Royal Caribbean has Princess trumped in this area. We also found the ship to feel a bit dated especially after reading about the recent renovation. Deck design also fractured with three individual dining rooms and very little indoor open space. Guess we’re spoiled by the 100yard interior promenade of the other line. The people were the best part for Princess and saved the line as a possibility for next cruise. (Please return to Galveston)
Alaska was incredible. Texans can appreciate going from 18 out of 25 days over 100 to never seeing 65. What a season switch in the middle of August. Bring your layers…you’ll need all of them.
We planned no excursions in advance, so open to anything at the stops.
Juneau was constant light rain. The expected Jewelry and T-shirt shops dominated. Only a few souvies on the first stop and got most family/friend/coworker requests knocked out early. Walked through the Red Dog Saloon but nothing for us. Got a tip from the Princess Golf Simulator guy, Tim, to try Tracy’s Crab Shack. (Inside tip, ask the cruise staff what to see and eat when in port). Tracy’s Shack was more of a trailer by the Celebrity pier. Ordered trailer-side, and sat on picnic tables. The food blue ribbon for the week goes to the giant king crab leg which was claimed to be purchased from the Deadliest Catch boats. Diameter as large as a soda can, and enough for two. I could’ve had it as my meal every night. Afternoon tried a tour booth purchase of a city and Mendenhall glacier bus tour. Surprisingly okay for $27 each. Saw several bald eagles, awesome bay view of Juneau from the Douglas side, and an hour at the Mendenhall viewing area (wild porcupine from 6 feet, and a medium size bear fishing for salmon on the river). Wildlife!
Skagway. Weather was 10 degrees warmer so only 2 layers this day. Shower lightly up on the mountain. Early to town to gather info on another last minute excursion. Train to White Summit Pass overwhelming favorite despite the $115 price pp. Glad we splurged. Relaxing, low effort, activity for group and scenery was great. Afternoon walk around town for more souvenirs. The Russian store had some intrigue for imported items.
Ketchikan was my sleep in day as we hit port at 7am through Noon. Sounds like I didn’t miss much.
Victoria was very nice. The largest modern city we would stop (other than Seattle). Could have spent the full day exploring. Odd that we only had an evening, and competed with packing time. Cab to downtown and short walk to Chinatown with only a few Asian stores and restaurants. Back to downtown for Guiness Pizza and 1510 Brew at the Irish pub. Cab back to boat. Was this really Canada? Customs barely looked at our passports.
Disembarkation was much better than expected. We made it off before our luggage and porters were plentiful.
Special mention Southwest Airlines. We chose them for the free bag thing which saved our group of 6 at least $400. Worth it even with the no-plane-change stop in New Mexico. Very uneventful and easy travels compared to the other silver plane that dominates Dallas skies. On the outbound trip they had T walk down the isle with a handmade peanut bag, stirrer stick, toilet paper crown. Said practice for the wedding. Capped it off with a gift bottle of Champaign when we arrived. Very cool.
Will try to post some pictures and video clips (or at least a link) if I can figure out how to upload.
Cheers to all. A great time and glad I joined the Roll Call.
T and G
