Checked, double and triple checked our bags to make sure everything was in order to embark on the next leg of our trip — a seven day cruise to Alaska.
Let’s rewind to September 2023 when I sent this email to Casey’s mom:
Casey and I were doing some cursory travel thinking for 2024 and I mentioned the Alaska cruise my good friend Heather is going on with her family and friends.
He said Alaska was on the list of places you wanted to go, and it’s the last state in the US I’ve yet to visit.
I’m not a cruise person, but I hear it’s a great way to see Alaska.
We’ve not committed, but if you were interested, that would sway us. So if you’d like to explore the possibility, let’s chat!
We had a conversation that night, slept on it, and all agreed to go shortly thereafter.
It’s been a while since I’ve had a trip on the calendar so many months in advance. I forgot how nice it is to have something in the books so far ahead.
I was still skeptical of the whole thing however, and wouldn’t calm down until I was aboard and settled. I worried about feeling like cattle through the check-in process… I worried about the narrowness of hallways… the height of ceilings (I’m 6’5″)… heck, I was anxious about feeling overwhelmed just looking at the ship from the dock. (That’s called megalophobia I’ve learned.)
Oh, and then there was health concerns… Seasickness paired with pandemic angst and a delayed check-in said hold my beer… “Our crew will be spending extra time disinfecting the ship in Seattle that day following a small number of cases of gastrointestinal illness that were reported among guests on the current voyage.” the email read in fine print.
(This would inspire a side quest to get wipes with bleach and cans of Lysol even though you need industrial grade disinfectant to combat norovirus.)
Boarding did have some sluggish queues, but things were almost always in motion.
Rooms weren’t ready with the cleaning delays, but we got on board and enjoyed some of the warmth and sunshine of Seattle while in port.
I had plenty of headroom and never felt claustrophobic at any point.
Here we go!
I’m not a cruise person either but, same as you, I’ve heard that it’s a terrific way to see Alaska. I’m so pleased you have a private balcony, too. Bon voyage!
The balcony was my favorite place on the ship!