North to Alaska, Navigator May 1st 2012

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Well, I'm almost packed. Tonight I go out for drinks with friends and family, then tomorrow morning we head for the airport. We're flying Business, thanks to points, and spending three nights in San Francisco prior to boarding on Tuesday.

Packing for Alaska is quite an ordeal--boots, scarves, gloves, sweaters, layer, layer, layer. Mittens and a bathing suit on the same cruise, gheesh!

I don't know how much posting I will do once on board. It depends on how great a time we are having. Last time on Voyager my smartphone was brand-new, so I posted from that quite a lot. This time I also have a tablet with me, but no full keyboard, worse than my phone really. So the posts will likely be short and sweet, à la twitter. But I will try for full sentences!

We're in Prime 7 on the first night, so should be interesting. Our first full day is a sea day, and we have a (small) meet and greet for that afternoon in the Navigator Lounge.

I won't be posting photos, too much bother, and I only have a small point and shoot. I wanted to buy a new camera, have it picked out, but didn't want to spend the money right now, so my little Canon will have to do. did get new binoculars, however, so we both have a pair.

My weather expectations are grim--lots of showers in the long-term forecast, weather ~50. We'll have to take each day at a time. SF weather looks nice.

[RachelG]

I can't believe your cruise is almost here. That is good (and it means mine is coming pretty soon).
Weather in Alaska this time of year does tend to be cool and wet, but we had some really pleasant days there in May. I won't say that any of them were sunny, because they weren't, but it didn't rain on us all the time or even most of the time. It just felt cool and damp, but that is really ok when you are out and moving around. Better than hot.
Layer upon layer is definitely the key.

[gresham]

We aren't flying in until Monday. What time was finalized for the meet & greet? Thanks and see you there.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

5 p.m. on Wednesday the 2nd, in the Navigator Lounge. This will be Captain's reception night, so people will want to dress beforehand, I'm thinking.

[Sheltieluv]

Wendy

Have a wonderful cruise.

IF you happen to see a waiter named Alberto, please tell him that the "Creemee Brooley" people will be back on board in 6 months---Ms. Mary and Mr. Donald. (My husband, after a few glasses of wine with dinner, wanted to try the creme brulee, and he pronounced it creemee brooley) It became a standing joke at dinner every night. Can't wait to see the staff again.

Enjoy your trip!

[tallship]

Wendy,
Have a wonderful trip. Can't wait to hear about it as we are on in 6 weeks.
Tina

[debijaynes]

I'm so jealous! It's been five years since we were in Alaska and can't wait to get back for our third time! We prefer to go in July-- can't stand the cold and would rather be warm.
Have a wonderful time and hopefully there are loads of whales!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Well I know we're especially early this year, being the beginning of May, but I've heard that weather in May can be very good. I have hope, although there are plenty of showers in the forecast.

In any case, we're off to the airport in a couple of hours. My first challenge is to get our seats changed--when I checked in, I discovered that they have seated us separately, despite having seats together when we first booked. Not so surprising, since we had separate bookings (on points.) Anyways, I'm sure we'll be able to sort it out at the airport--most of the Business section looked empty yesterday online.

Staying at the Donatello in SF for three nights, and will be exercising our leg muscles, no doubt, on the hills. Nothing particularly planned, although I'd like to get out to North Beach, and over to Tiburon by ferry, if the weather is nice.

[Colonel(Ret.)Wes]

bon voyage Wendy, good luck in rebooking excursions too.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Originally Posted by Colonel(Ret.)Wes

bon voyage Wendy, good luck in rebooking excursions too.

Thanks for reminding me, Wes.

I'm in tweet-mode already, laptop put away.

[poss]

Oh, wow! I knew that your cruise was in May, but I hadn't realized that the trip was NOW! I hope that every aspect of your vacation goes beautifully (including many wonderful sightings through your new binocs).
San Fran is such a fantastic city. I lived there one summer, and we try to get back as often as possible (though it's been a while since last time). If you love hiking and woods, I hope that you'll get a chance to go over to Muir Woods. The beginning part of the walk can be pretty crowded (but SO stunning!), but once you get out on the back trails, you're often alone (no bears :-) The Mt Tam area is also great for hiking, but I think that Muir Woods is even more handsome.
As it happens, this is the day that dining reservations opened for our July 27 Mariner cruise. Like you, I scheduled Prime 7 for the first evening. (I went on line at 8:00 this morning-- and already the time we wanted was unavailable! So I guess that folks really do hit the computer at a minute past midnight.)
Wishing you everything wonderful!

[RachelG]

Wendy, I too hope you ate a le to get to the Muir woods, as it holds a special memory. We were there when oldest son was 4. Younger was in utero. Somehow hobby thought I had boy, and I thought hubby had boy. When we discovered neither had him, we were quite panicked. Hubby kept searching while I headed to the front gate to get help. When I arrived there, son was already there having found his own way and was angrily explaining to the ranger that his parents had wandered off and gotten lost.

[ededmd]

Best for a fantastic cruise.
Alaska is so special.

Agree on Muir Woods. Was impressive - even if we didn't lose one of our children.

Also wanted to express a fondness for Alberto. Not stuffy and formal. Just eager to please and fun.

[TedC]

Originally Posted by RachelG

Wendy, I too hope you ate a le to get to the Muir woods, as it holds a special memory. We were there when oldest son was 4. Younger was in utero. Somehow hobby thought I had boy, and I thought hubby had boy. When we discovered neither had him, we were quite panicked. Hubby kept searching while I headed to the front gate to get help. When I arrived there, son was already there having found his own way and was angrily explaining to the ranger that his parents had wandered off and gotten lost.

"Parents lost!" - that's funny - has he forgiven you yet?

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Alberto? A restaurant?

Not sure we'll do Muir Woods, seen lots of Redwood, but you never know. Weather is perfect,hotel great. Legs tired already.

[OrpingtonT]

Hope ypu have a wonderful time in Alaska, Wendy. It is early in the season but that has it's advantages.

Good story, Rachel. We had a good laugh,

[RachelG]

Originally Posted by TedC

"Parents lost!" - that's funny - has he forgiven you yet?

Good question. He actually brings it up every once in a while, and he is almost 26 yrs old.

[ededmd]

Originally Posted by Wendy The Wanderer

Alberto? A restaurant?

Not sure we'll do Muir Woods, seen lots of Redwood, but you never know. Weather is perfect,hotel great. Legs tired already.

A server in Compass Rose on the Navigator.
Have a great time!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Great time so far in SF. Got our transit passports and went off out on the bus to see the ocean. Then back to the Haight for a free walking tour (thanks Kathy). Rode back across to the Ferry Bldg--Sunday, very crowded--everything seemed very expensive there.

Tomorrow will try the Chinatown walking tour.

Donatello is a very nice hotel!

Wondering if we can haul luggage up to pier 35 on the streetcar--just kidding!

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Have to put in a pitch for Air Canada here. Granted, we flew Exec, but they really do a good job. Bumped into a couple of shipmates in the hotel bar tonight!