LIVE: Quantum of the Seas. 8 - 28 - 2023 — 9 - 4 - 2023

[Lionesss]

Since Cleveland Hopkins airport is notorious for extreme morning crowds we always get there early. 
 

Took the 10 min shuttle from the hotel. 
Checked in at United. 
Only 3 people ahead of us at TSA 

(we have TSA pre-check). 
 

Had a fresh egg sausage toast potato breakfast. (Choices on our flight were well unidentifiable by description). 
 

Waiting in boarding area. 
 

Be safe. 

[Lionesss]

9 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

😮😮😮😮😮

Yes. 
We were really able to remove and downsize our clothes. 
Glad we only have 4 suitcases instead of original 6. 
The backpacks helped with that. 
Besides that would have been way too much for the spouse to manage. 
 

Be safe. 

[mo&fran]

We did our only Alaska cruise in 1999, in fact we returned home on Labor day weekend. We were living in Fl at the time, and we packed the warmest clothes we owned.  First day, it was obvious we needed more. And the cruise line (Princess) figured as much, so they had racks of ski jackets for sale that first day.  That was  the first thing that we bought.   

 But, we already knew we were moving to Ct before the end of the year, so we ending up getting plenty of use of those coats.

[Sea Dog]

3 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Since Cleveland Hopkins airport is notorious for extreme morning crowds we always get there early. 
 

Took the 10 min shuttle from the hotel. 
Checked in at United. 
Only 3 people ahead of us at TSA 

(we have TSA pre-check). 
 

Had a fresh egg sausage toast potato breakfast. (Choices on our flight were well unidentifiable by description). 
 

Waiting in boarding area. 
 

Be safe. 

Safe travels wished for you.

[KKB]

23 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Traditional photo op. 
 

LOVE your purple suitcases--my fav color (2 oldest went to TCU!)

My original set is purple; but recently upgraded to Away luggage & no purple, darn it.

 

DH & I did AK cruise last Sept (plus 1 day Seattle prior & 2 days Vancouver after) with carryon & backpack each. I didn't want to pay for checked bags...then it just became a challenge!

Was good practice for me as I then did Europe for a month the same in May.

Merino wool is a game changer.

Plus it helps that AK cruises are more casual than others--just went to dinner in our athleisure wear.

Safe travels!

[KKB]

4 hours ago, mo&fran said:

We did our only Alaska cruise in 1999, in fact we returned home on Labor day weekend. We were living in Fl at the time, and we packed the warmest clothes we owned.  First day, it was obvious we needed more. And the cruise line (Princess) figured as much, so they had racks of ski jackets for sale that first day.  That was  the first thing that we bought.   

 But, we already knew we were moving to Ct before the end of the year, so we ending up getting plenty of use of those coats.

Last Sept (3rd week) jackets were dirt cheap in ports!

[Lionesss]

Greetings from San Francisco. 
 

So. Story time. 
 

Let me tell you about my day so far. 
 

Upon showing my ticket to board the plane. It red flagged.  OMG HOT FLASH. 
 

Um. I gave the wrong ticket. I gave the second one to Seattle. 
 

Problem identified. Problem solved. Correct ticket used

 

 Now first class is nice. Water and juice when you board. Headphones. Large comfy chairs. We nestled in. 
Then we got to meet the five-some ahead of us in 4 seats. 
Yes 3 attendants with 2 German Shepherds. 

 

 

One had a muzzle and the other was playful. Their attendants were excellent. We wondered if they are flying to Lahaina. 
 

Breakfast was served. We received waffles, yogurt  croissant and fruit. But we had already eaten so that food was wasted,  

 

Somewhere over Oklahoma I took a whiff and I said to the spouse. “OMG. THE TOILET IN FIRST CLASS BROKE”. 
 

I was wrong. 
The black German shepherd took a call of nature and started to donate it at seat 1F. 
The owner grabbed her put in the aisle she walked to the galley and completed her business. 
 

Took the owner over 20 min with a hazmat bag, bleach wipes, towels to fix the problem. 
 

I had sprayed my hand sanitizer to kill the smell. airborne. 
 

At least it wasn’t the toilet. 

 

So now. The views should be awesome. We rested and flying into San Francisco the view of the fog and low clouds was underwhelming. 
 

Then we approached the runway and the whole compliment of emergency vehicles with flashing lights are waiting  for a plane. 
Not ours. 

 

Sitting at the gate waiting to board to Seattle. 
 

 

As we exited the flight attendant informed us we earned extra loyalty miles due to the “ event”. 

Cannot make this up. 

 

Be safe. 

 

[Lionesss]

That was quick!!!

 

The “event” was already compensated. 
 

 

 

Be safe. 

[Lionesss]

Story time. 
 

We boarded our flight to Seattle. This time I used the correct ticket. 
Stowed our carryons. Got comfy. 
Everybody on board.

Captain and other officer leaves the plane. 
Flight deck only has one officer instead of three. 

Hmmmmm

Flight attendant announces that the right tire brake leaking hydraulic fluid. 
So

Gather all your belongings and exit the plane. 
 

Currently in gate waiting area. 
 Repair could take an hour. 
They will fix when we’re off. 

 

 

 

Pray for our future safe flight. 
 

Take care. 

Edited August 26, 2023 by Lionesss

[Lionesss]

Good afternoon. 
 

I think there’s a country western song that goes something like. ………,.,,,,

“ On the plane ( road ) again. 
 

Be safe. 

[mo&fran]

Actually commercial aircraft currently being used only require a flight crew of 2 officers to operate the airplane. Only long range flights require additional flight crew to relieve the pilots. 

[techteach]

@Lionesss Oh My! You earned those bonus miles! I am confident you will make it to Seattle. But, there is a lot of smoke and I don’t know if you’ll be able to see the mountain. The smoke has increased as the day as progressed. At 8:45am we left our house to go to the market (Pike to those of you from out of town) and the mountain wasn’t out (that’s Seattle speak for you can’t see Mt. Rainier). Enjoy your time in Seattle.

[Lionesss]

We have arrived at Seattle airport. 
 

😃

[Husky1987]

1 hour ago, techteach said:

the mountain wasn’t out

 

Yep, whenever anyone asks the question, "what's the one way you can tell if someone is from Seattle?", the answer is that they ALWAYS say "the mountain is out" if you can see Mt. Rainier.

Edited August 26, 2023 by Husky1987

[techteach]

@Lionesss Was the mountain out for you? For others reading this, the air quality has improved a little bit. We live just above Pier 91 where you will board the ship on Monday. There is now a wind from the north blowing out the smoke. This is normal at this time of day as the wind comes down the sound through Interbay. On Monday when we leave and start sailing up through the sound we will probably be heading into the wind.

[Lionesss]

10 minutes ago, techteach said:

@Lionesss Was the mountain out for you? For others reading this, the air quality has improved a little bit. We live just above Pier 91 where you will board the ship on Monday. There is now a wind from the north blowing out the smoke. This is normal at this time of day as the wind comes down the sound through Interbay. On Monday when we leave and start sailing up through the sound we will probably be heading into the wind.

Yes. 
Not a great view but we can see it. 
 

Be safe 

[Lionesss]

Having dinner at Queen Ann Beer Hall. 
 

To tired to go far from hotel. 
 

As we were driving in saw this sign. 
 

Gas $$$$ here. 
 

Incase it is hard to read. $5.49.9 a gallon. 
 

Be safe. 

[Husky1987]

14 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

Having dinner at Queen Ann Beer Hall. 
 

To tired to go far from hotel.

 

Love that place....their pretzel is one of my faves.

[Lionesss]

So we booked Home Wood suites by Hilton. 
We did not book transportation ahead of time. 
So 

Decisions — decisions. 
Taxi 

or 

Uber from airport. 
 

We opted for Uber 

2 adults

4 suitcases and 2 backpacks 

We wanted room 

Got a Chevy Suburban 

$46

Plus tunnel fee

Plus tip 

Worth every cent. 
Spoke English 

and

We understood him. 
Told us where not to walk. 
But 

In essence when the sun goes down 

You need not to walk 

Better yet. Stay at your hotel. 
If you must go out then Uber or Taxi. 
 

Stop at corner store 

Picked up some water 

 

Time to relax. 
 

Be safe. 

 

[lenquixote66]

15 hours ago, Lionesss said:

Yes. 
We were really able to remove and downsize our clothes. 
Glad we only have 4 suitcases instead of original 6. 
The backpacks helped with that. 
Besides that would have been way too much for the spouse to manage. 
 

Be safe. 

Enjoy your cruise on one of my favorite ships.

[lenquixote66]

3 hours ago, Husky1987 said:

 

Yep, whenever anyone asks the question, "what's the one way you can tell if someone is from Seattle?", the answer is that they ALWAYS say "the mountain is out" if you can see Mt. Rainier.

Have a great time on your cruise.

[Lionesss]

5 years ago when we cruised on Explorer of the Seas in Alaska. .  I watched Poseidon.
 

Tonight watching Titanic  
 

Hmmm

See a trend.
 

 

[Lionesss]

Good morning. 
 

Back home in Ohio I would have slept in till 9:45. Here up at 6:45. 
 

Slept well in comfy bed. 
 

The local weather is mild temp at this time. 
 

The local weather forecast shows an air quality alert from the fires. Back home we hit the 200s this summer. 
 

 

 

 

Soon off to breakfast. 

 

Be safe. 

[Lionesss]

Our view from our window at the hotel. 
 

 

 

Be safe. 

[Lionesss]

Breakfast at hotel. 
 

Eggs breads/bagels, sausage, waffles, fruits, yogurt.