Alaska Cruise to Benefit Home Hospice 2005

Yesterday was filled with the process of relocating from Anchorage to the Dawn Princess. We woke up at 6am so that we could be ready for breakfast at 7am. Breakfast at the Big Bear Bed and Breakfast was fantastic. We had sourdough waffles topped with various sorts of Alaska fruit, including some of the raspberries we picked yesterday. After breakfast as we were busy bringing the luggage downstairs in preparation for departure, the phone rang and Mrs. Ross told me that my dad was calling for me. He was checking in to make sure that we still intended to meet him and Jean at the Captain Cook and catch the train at 10am. I assured him that we were about to leave and that we would be there shortly.

Seven minutes after leaving the house, we pulled up in front of the hotel where we found Daddy and Jean awaiting our arrival on the sidewalk. We loaded everyone up and drove to the train depot. We were delighted to find out that, unlike the trains in Europe, we were able to check our bags and not drag them into the passenger compartment ourselves. On top of that, the train would give them directly to the ship, so we wouldn't have to handle them in Whittier either.

The train ride, as you can probably imagine, was quite scenic. As you can see from these pictures, each moment was filled with a different beautiful thing to look at.

As we pulled into Whittier, I was amazed at what a small place it is. Pretty much the ship and just a couple of shops and that was it. I've never boarded a ship where that was the biggest thing going on. Many time a port will be a bustling beehive of activity, but this one was calm. I suppose it added to the calmness that there were low clouds and cool temperatures.

As soon as we got on, we headed to the buffet and ate lunch. Phyllis and Mike (my sister and brother-in-law) joined us in pretty quick after we finished eating. We sat and talked and caught up with our journey. We made plans to eat together and went back to our cabins to unpack. Dinner was very good and was quickly followed by the muster drill. If you've never sailed before, let me explain that the muster drill is where they sound the ships alarm, the passenger are to go to the staterooms, get lifejackets, and report to a pre-designated place where further safety instructions are provided. Generally, the muster drill is a low point of the cruise. Ours yesterday, however, was not too bad. Our muster station was inside the ship, rather than outside, and we all had seats.

By the time the muster drill was over, it was about 830pm. We returned to our cabin where our luggage arrived shortly. We were quite relieved to finally receive it. We fell quickly to sleep and slept all night.

This morning, neither Christine nor myself woke up early enough to see College Fjord. We sailed out of College Fjord before 9am. When we did finally get up, I went running. Deck 7 on this ship is a Promenade deck that makes a complete circle around the ship. Three laps around the ship is a mile. I ran four miles. I noticed that running isn't near as hard in 50 degree weather as it is in 90 degree weather. I ran 10 minute miles, as opposed to the 11:30 miles I've been running most of the summer.

I've noticed several differences between this cruise and the one I was on a couple of weeks ago. There are little differences like the fact that the hangers in the staterooms are actual wooden hangers with the actual hook still attached to the hanger like a normal hanger you would use at home. In many hotels and on the Carnival Triumph, they used plastic hangers with no hook that you had to carefully attach to the top which was permanently attached to the rod in the closet. Heaven forbid that they should lose a hanger. Also, there is usually live piano or string ensemble music playing, not a steel drum band in sight. The ship doesn't seem nearly as crowded, although I know that it is sold out completely. There are not the long lines at the buffet at all.

This cruise marks the first time I've sailed in an inside cabin. I've always had at least an outside cabin, and more often than not I've had a balcony. It has been interesting to note the effect on the sailing experience. I really don't mind too much having an inside. It doesn't really detract from the experience...but a balcony cabin adds significantly to the experience. Take right now, for instance. I am in a public lounge near a window typing in my computer. If I had a balcony, I could sit out on my own balcony and do it rather than lug all of the equipment around. Rather than an asset, the cabin becomes more of just a sleeping place and luggage repository. The balcony cabin is a place to enjoy rather than just a place to sleep.

This morning we went to hear a PhD level geologist talk about glaciers. As you will see from the picture provided here, the talk was compelling. After the talk we went to lunch together. We are enjoying the "Anytime Dining" option. I'm going to have to see how I feel by the end of the week. Doing the Anytime Dining means that each night we get to decide when we'll eat. The problem is, we have to decide when we'll eat. Rather than knowing that we will eat every night at an appointed time, we decide when we'll eat and then we have to make sure that everyone is available and in agreement. This also means we don't get the same waitstaff each night. The jury is still out. I'll let you know what we decide.

Midnight Postscript:

After I posted earlier it was time to get ready for the first formal dinner night. Eight of us ate together again and dinner was very good. We all looked quite spiffy, if I do say so myself. After dinner we went to see a magician/comedian who was very good. We laughed hard, which is always a good thing. After that we went to Karaoke night. Daddy actually brought his own Karaoke CD with him onboard, so you know we are a serious bunch. Daddy sang "New York New York" by Frank Sinatra. He was top notch. Christine said, "WOW! Your dad can SING!" She's quite right. Now I am back in the cabin and after a while I will go down to the atrium and transmit this. Good night all!