Von & John

Sue Henry & Dana Stabenow - We have both sets for our visitors to read when they are here 🙂 
Plus many other AK themed books - Gold Rush, Good Time Girls, Two Old Women, Call of the Wild, Elek the Elk, Gold Rush Women & many more...

Always Fun to read Alaskan stories, while in Alaska....

15 hours ago, luvteaching said:

@YVRteacher Have you read the Sue Henry Alaska mystery series? It's a set I really enjoyed. I love how you are showing bookstores! Where were the ones in Juneau? I know there's one by Hanger on the Wharf but hadn't found any others. 

Thank you!
 

Karen

11 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

I haven’t read those and will add them to my TBR. Have you read Under One Roof which takes place in Whittier? It is not a well-written book but I enjoyed the plot, the Alaskan setting and the moose.

 

Isn’t the bookstore on the wharf wonderful? I loved talking to the owner about the building’s history. That one is Hearthside books. The children’s section was delightful. The other bookstore in Juneau is up one of the side streets and it is Rainy Retreat books. I’m having some internet challenges and I’m hoping someone can search and post the address of Rainy Retreat books in Juneau.

 

The photos I posted today were from the bookstore in Skagway, Skaguay News Depot and Books. This is a highly curated Alaskan bookstore. Address is 308 Broadway.

Woo Hoo  --  The Pre-Party is over & the Party has started!!!

Wishing both you & Pookie a Fantabulous Cruise filled w/ Happiness, Adventure & FUN.
Happy Retirement & Von Boyage...

Cheers  --  Von

On 4/27/2024 at 8:05 AM, Ipeeinthepools said:

Doesn't look good for any PUP in April

You never know...

2 more days to go - they could pull it out in the final 2 days 🙂 

Thanks for a Fantastic Review!!

Love the SeaLife Center & the Recovery efforts they do.

We take most of our visitors to Seward & to the SeaLife Center specifically.

Traveling along w/ you on this cruise has been most enjoyable & helped to fill the void of not getting to go in real life 🙂 

Snow City & Glacier are both great choices - there a number of other downtown local restaurants in all price points I'd be happy to recommend in the future.

Cheers & Welcome Back - Von

Woo Hoo...

A Day Late & a Dollar Short to wish you an Amazing Cruise & Von Boyage, yet I'm doing it anyway 🙂 

@Saint Greg Have a Fabulous Time...

I'll be reading in arrears - story of my life lately!

Cheers  --  Von

On 4/23/2024 at 9:43 PM, mistertomatoe said:

For the Latitudes people that get the 1 free bag, have you tried more than 1? I was on a 14 nighter and to my surprise they let me get away with 2 bags. The second bag didn't even have the voucher and was later in the cruise. Maybe I'll try 3 next time. Was it because it was a long cruise? Is this unofficial? Is more than 2 free possible?

On longer cruises the Cruise Next Team has informed the Meet & Greet Group on the additional bags...
For those w/ Latitudes Laundry Perks who have question on # of bags - ask the Cruise Next Director - they are usually very generous 🙂 

Looking forward to your first Alaskan Cruise of the Summer. 
Enjoy your time w/ your Dad & your birthdays. 
Ambassador - what a wonderful birthday gift. 
Cheers - Von

Enjoy your final days in HI...

43 minutes ago, Travelicious said:

I'm not finding that package.  I'm only seeing $10 per day, but will only be charged for 10 days per month, for a max of $100.  Of course, I think that is per billing cycle, and we'll be splitting cycles on this trip.

I've used the AT&T International Travel a # of times - I was charged only for the days I was in port & used the phone.

@Rick&Jeannie - Thanks for inviting us along on your adventures!!!

Are you staying in Honolulu or headed home?
Travel Safe

Colin & Ruth - Hola from Talkeetna....
Hope you are enjoying life & all your adventures!

Although it was HOT - we still enjoyed the unplanned extended stay in Cartagena.

Even though we had No Power, No A/C & No Cooking Power for part of the time - the crew were cheerful & went out of their way to make the days better for All!
To be honest - it was way too hot outside to eat hot food anyway - The Popsicle's & Italian Ice were very much welcome...

Most all made the Best of the situation & our extra days in port!

Cheers - Von

14 hours ago, Crown Vic said:

“On April 24, 2023, while at Port Cartagena (Colombia), the Norwegian Sun experienced electrical difficulties with the main electrical panel that resulted in a total power loss including failure of the air-conditioning system. The technicians' attempts to resolve the problems were unsuccessful and the ship remained docked overnight (from the morning of Apr 24 to late Apr 25). As a result, the Miami to Seattle Panama Canal transit was postponed (from Apr 25th to Apr 27th) and the scheduled stops in Costa Rica and Nicaragua were cancelled”.

 

Have posted this to say that, regarding the above report, Norwegian Sun senior management did not do a good job of communicating the problem/resolution with the passengers; however, the staff were excellent in taking care of the guests on board. With no power, there were no elevators. With no power, there was no hot food. Sandwiches were made and carried up stairs from the galleys on lower decks to Deck 11. It was hot. News was scarce but the staff were terrific and passengers enjoyed the party atmosphere. Thankfully the ship was docked at the time. As they say at sea “Ship happens”. Folks made the most of a poor situation.

3 hours ago, Von & John said:

 

HMMMM...
SInce I'm always in bed asleep by 5:00 - I wonder how I've witnessed this?

 

OK - Maybe I should claim 5:00 AM...

Thanks for the review!

We were on the Spirit in 2015 and Loved every minute of the cruise & our time on the ship.

We'd love to take another trip on the Spirit - the photos you've provided entice us even more 🙂 

We really enjoyed the uniqueness of the original decor & will miss it - but are looking forward to an opportunity to sail on the Spirit again & experience the revitalized ship.

We have experienced the on-board Customs several times.
I don't recall ever in US waters - generally where the first stop in a country does not have the facilities to process a ship full of peeps through Customs.

Thanks Again!

43 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

I've seen bartenders add cash tips to a tip bucket behind the bar.  And, I've seen them divide it up as they were closing for the night with the bar backs.

 

I'm somewhat embarrassed to say I've witnessed this given I was in a bar at closing time.

 

 

 

NOT REALLY!!!!!

HMMMM...
SInce I'm always in bed asleep by 5:00 - I wonder how I've witnessed this?

17 hours ago, Von & John said:

Itinerary is our # one reason to book a specific cruise.

All things equal, when we sail NCL we enjoy the Jewel Class the most.

Fewer Crowds & easier to get around.

However - with the right itinerary we are happy to sail on any size ship!!!

As noted above - All things equal - if you are asking specific NCL Class...

When we sail NCL we enjoy the Jewel Class the most.

Someone mentioned the Spirit - we have not been on the Spirit since 2015 - but Loved our Cruise & the Ship...

Would love to sail w/ her new look to see if she is still as great!

We've enjoyed all our cruises - just some more than others 🙂 

Again - with the right itinerary we are happy to sail on any size ship!!

Itinerary is our # one reason to book a specific cruise.

All things equal, when we sail NCL we enjoy the Jewel Class the most.

Fewer Crowds & easier to get around.

However - with the right itinerary we are happy to sail on any size ship!!!

Thanks for the Fabulous Review & Memories!

Sept/Oct 2018 we did a TransPacific on the Jewel from Vancouver to Alaska (Ketchikan, Juneau & Seward), onward to the Kamchatka Peninsula/Petropavlovsk, Russia, ending in Japan - with stops @ Sapporo (Otaru), Hakodate, Aomori and ending @ Yokohama w/ the train to Tokyo...

We loved it so much - we had hoped to jump on your cruise this year.

Unfortunately Family Special Events didn't allow us to book the trip.

Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy...

Woo Hoo!

Can't wait...
Wishing You an Amazing Voyage(s) & days filled with Happiness, Excitement, Adventure & FUN!!

Cheers  --  Von

We really appreciate the Live & Photos!!!

If the photos become to time consuming we’d love to see them after you disembark. 

Although Bears are not necessarily included...

• Kenai Fjords Tours
• Major Marine Tours

They both provide Glacier & Wildlife Tours out of Resurrection Bay / Kenai Fjords National Park

If you let them know which ship you are on & scheduled all-aboard time, they will help you select a fabulous tour.

• Exit Glacier - just outside of Seward - local tours & via taxi or car rental
• Alaska Sea Life Center
• Fishing - Halibut / Deep Sea
• Wander around Seward - enjoy fresh seafood & local food/beverages (try Fireweed Ice-cream)...
• There are 3 Breweries in Seward - if this is an interest
• If you are interested in renting a car - you could hit Exit Glacier & Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) up by Portage

A local tour operator may offer a Bear Tour

You didn't say which Cruiseline...
At some point the Cruiseline will most likely have a couple of B2B excursions available

Anything specific you'd like to see - other than Bears?
 

Thanks for the memories...

This morning I've googled the new Easy Bake Ovens

& Boom Boom to see what he's up to...
And to think it all started w/ a thread regarding Girl Scout Cookies 🙃

For all those with new cars - CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Just starting to think about a new addition to our family...
My Jeep Grand Cherokee is 20 Years old & has over 200K Miles - My Baby / My Beast replaced my all-time favorite vehicle: my 1995 5-Speed Ford Mustang Convertible GT V8 5.0 - Red w/ Saddle Top & Interior.

The Mustang was 10 years old & had over 187K Miles - One of the Loves of My Life ❤️

It traveled the majority of the Lower 48 US States, Canada & of course Alaska - all the way up the Haul Road & everything in between...

Only sold it as we were putting everything into storage in our original move to Alaska & purchase of the Jeep - miss the Mustang to this day!

Anyhoo - thinking about a new addition - but will continue to use the Jeep as long as she's willing!!!
Did I mention she's a Beast?
She may be old - but w/ the V8 - she's always the last one standing in the neighborhood to jump the other vehicles @ -40F...

Plus - she is sooooo comfortable - may not have the bells & whistles of today - but was top of the line 20 years ago 🙂  

Oh & Happy Tuesday All  --  I can't believe I am officially caught up 🙂 
The current Teams Meeting allowed me a little time to complete....

Happy Birthday to @TxTeach79, @HelloItsMeB, @dmet0225 & all February Birthdays!!!

@pirate4me2 - Happy to hear you are finally starting to feel better & are looking forward to your upcoming cruise!!!

@MeganGC1983 - Wishing a Fantastic Birthday Cruise to a fellow Leo...
You would definitely fit in our family - we have 15+ Birthdays in AUG w/ more in JUL & SEPT...
Including one Friend - I am a Birthday Quintuplet...
Me, Grand, Cousin, Cousin & Friend (different years)...

@MeganGC1983 Also - poked you via Messenger last night - not sure if you saw it or if there is a better way to connect 🙂 

@dmet0225 - My heart goes out to you & your family on the loss of Tommy...
What a special person!
He will continue to live on in your hearts & memories ❤️ 
What a fantastic send-off your Uncle has created w/ the new Cubs Jersey!