mk-ultra

Also: totally random aside.  First time I've tried a wrinkle-release spray.  What kind of magic is that?!  It works.  I'll have a couple of blazers pressed first thing if they look funky after I board, but wow.  Put me on team #wrinklespray.
 

All packed-up and ready to go.  This is the first time I've ever shuffled stuff between bags to make sure I don't bust UA's 50 lb. bag limit.  I can already feel the anticipation (wheee!) of what promises to be a great trip.  😀  I doubt I'll sleep much tonight.  That's a good feeling.

Also: totally random aside.  First time I've tried a wrinkle-release spray.  What kind of magic is that?!  It works.  I'll have a couple of blazers pressed first thing if they look funky after I board, but wow.  Put me on team #wrinklespray.
 

All packed-up and ready to go.  This is the first time I've ever shuffled stuff between bags to make sure I don't bust UA's 50 lb. bag limit.  I can already feel the anticipation (wheee!) of what promises to be a great trip.  😀  I doubt I'll sleep much tonight.  That's a good feeling.

All packed-up and ready to go.  This is the first time I've ever shuffled stuff between bags to make sure I don't bust UA's 50 lb. bag limit.  I can already feel the anticipation (wheee!) of what promises to be a great trip.  😀  I doubt I'll sleep much tonight.  That's a good feeling.

Quick tip for arriving in Canada:
You can use the "ArriveCAN" app on your phone to fill out all of your details and customs declaration within 72 hours of arrival.  It was mandatory during the height of COVID but is optional now.  If you use ArriveCAN, you don't join the frowny-faced hoard in line -- you go to a kiosk and scan your passport, kinda like a Global Entry kiosk in the US.  This will be my first time using it.  Will report back.
Oh, and as soon as you submit it a 72 hour expiry timer starts.  I'd recommend not submitting it until you're within 24-48 hours of arrival -- just in case your flight is delayed.  I didn't know that.  I still have about a 2.5 hour cushion if my flight gets delayed.

Reminds me of my honeymoon 25 years ago in Jamaica. Went to a cigar shop when a cruise ship was in. Conversation was along the lines of
salesman: I have these great Cuban cigars. $250 a box, you can’t get these in your country
me: yes I can
salesman: oh, your Canadian
me: yes and I have a direct flight home
salesman: $50 a box

A helo can get in to all kinds of icky stuff like vortex ring state sucking up it's own rotor wash.  WX like that sucks, and as an airline pilot one of the suckiest things I've ever experienced around thunderstorms is a micro down-burst.  You can be at 100% power trying to climb out of it and still be shoved downward.  Not fun.  Only experienced it once going into to Sacramento, and glad that was the only time.
I don't know enough about flying rotary wing, but heck ya the pilot did the right thing about noping out of that.  Not safe for the patient or the aircraft.

T-4 days.  My Genie, Yen, has booked all of the specialty dining preemptively:

I've asked to swap in Chef's Table on day 3, replacing Izumi.  No clue what I want to do for the last 3 meals (Jamie's, Chops, Chops).  I suspect I'm going to be in a food-coma by that point, so I may just do CK for those nights.  May also take one for the team and do MDR one of those nights to see how it goes with the new menu.
I cancelled my DBP and dining reservations once I was sure I'd actually won my RoyalUP.  Your Genie will take care of that if you forget though.  Seems like they go through your folio regularly and cancel out any spurious charges.

I'll give her your hellos 🙂 

Oh, you have Yen Lee.  You are lucky, indeed.  We did B2B SC on Anthem with her as our Genie.
At first, she is all business...almost impersonal.  But after you get to know her (and she gets to know you) she will loosen up.  Watch for her little bow/curtsey.  It is so cute.  She is a great Genie....and can muscle her way through a crowd like a 250 pound linebacker....though she probably doesn't weigh 80 pounds.
Although she is unlikely to remember us, tell her Dan and Raye say "hi".

Yay!  Off to beautiful Alaska on Quantum of the Seas in a few days.  This will be my first time on a Q-class ship, so looking forward to something new.  This will also nicely round-out my RCL “bingo card”.  I will have been on every ship class save one: Quantum Ultra.
The basics:
Deck 10 Grand Loft Suite (RoyalUP from a Grand Suite -- Star Class on the cheap).
2 additional days pre-cruise in Vancouver to play around, staying at the JW Marriott Parq.   https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yvrjw-jw-marriott-parq-vancouver/overview/
Interesting curve-ball: once you board on the 8th, no getting off the ship.  Canadian Customs closes shop at 5 PM on the 8th.
1 additional post-cruise day in Seattle, staying at the Lotte Hotel.  https://www.lottehotelseattle.com/ Easy walking distance to Pike Place.
Cruise itinerary:
Day 1 Vancouver (in lockdown once you board)
Day 2 Vancouver (0330 sail-away -- that's gonna be brutal because I'm not going to miss going under Lionsgate Bridge)
Day 3 Ketchikan
Day 4 Sitka
Day 5 Juneau
Day 6 At sea
Day 7 Victoria
Day 8 Seattle
I kinda splurged (hey, vacation) and booked private car service from YVR to the hotel.  AK weather (looking at you, Juneau) can’t decide whether it wants to rain, snow, or rain and snow… so I packed all the things.  I never travel this heavy, so having an extra pair of hands is worth it to me.  Shoulder season roulette on the weather.  Juneau still dipping below 32F.
Last time I did an AK cruise it was a straight SOBO from Seward to Vancouver in 2016 on Radiance.  Also in May.  Lucked out on the WX, just some occasional rain.  Seriously, if you can snag a cruise on Radiance, do it.  It's a very cool sorta flashback.  I loved it.  Not what you want with kiddos who need constant stimulation (O-class for you, then), but damn it's a neat ship.

Quick tip for arriving in Canada:
You can use the "ArriveCAN" app on your phone to fill out all of your details and customs declaration within 72 hours of arrival.  It was mandatory during the height of COVID but is optional now.  If you use ArriveCAN, you don't join the frowny-faced hoard in line -- you go to a kiosk and scan your passport, kinda like a Global Entry kiosk in the US.  This will be my first time using it.  Will report back.
Oh, and as soon as you submit it a 72 hour expiry timer starts.  I'd recommend not submitting it until you're within 24-48 hours of arrival -- just in case your flight is delayed.  I didn't know that.  I still have about a 2.5 hour cushion if my flight gets delayed.

You can definitely bring them onboard.  It's only booze they care about -- which will be returned to you the night before you disembark.

Yay!  Off to beautiful Alaska on Quantum of the Seas in a few days.  This will be my first time on a Q-class ship, so looking forward to something new.  This will also nicely round-out my RCL “bingo card”.  I will have been on every ship class save one: Quantum Ultra.
The basics:
Deck 10 Grand Loft Suite (RoyalUP from a Grand Suite -- Star Class on the cheap).
2 additional days pre-cruise in Vancouver to play around, staying at the JW Marriott Parq.   https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yvrjw-jw-marriott-parq-vancouver/overview/
Interesting curve-ball: once you board on the 8th, no getting off the ship.  Canadian Customs closes shop at 5 PM on the 8th.
1 additional post-cruise day in Seattle, staying at the Lotte Hotel.  https://www.lottehotelseattle.com/ Easy walking distance to Pike Place.
Cruise itinerary:
Day 1 Vancouver (in lockdown once you board)
Day 2 Vancouver (0330 sail-away -- that's gonna be brutal because I'm not going to miss going under Lionsgate Bridge)
Day 3 Ketchikan
Day 4 Sitka
Day 5 Juneau
Day 6 At sea
Day 7 Victoria
Day 8 Seattle
I kinda splurged (hey, vacation) and booked private car service from YVR to the hotel.  AK weather (looking at you, Juneau) can’t decide whether it wants to rain, snow, or rain and snow… so I packed all the things.  I never travel this heavy, so having an extra pair of hands is worth it to me.  Shoulder season roulette on the weather.  Juneau still dipping below 32F.
Last time I did an AK cruise it was a straight SOBO from Seward to Vancouver in 2016 on Radiance.  Also in May.  Lucked out on the WX, just some occasional rain.  Seriously, if you can snag a cruise on Radiance, do it.  It's a very cool sorta flashback.  I loved it.  Not what you want with kiddos who need constant stimulation (O-class for you, then), but damn it's a neat ship.

Kinda blown-away by it.  I'm used to getting the sad trombone within 24 hours of departure.  Got this one 34 days out.  Happy dance.

Yay!  Off to beautiful Alaska on Quantum of the Seas in a few days.  This will be my first time on a Q-class ship, so looking forward to something new.  This will also nicely round-out my RCL “bingo card”.  I will have been on every ship class save one: Quantum Ultra.
The basics:
Deck 10 Grand Loft Suite (RoyalUP from a Grand Suite -- Star Class on the cheap).
2 additional days pre-cruise in Vancouver to play around, staying at the JW Marriott Parq.   https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yvrjw-jw-marriott-parq-vancouver/overview/
Interesting curve-ball: once you board on the 8th, no getting off the ship.  Canadian Customs closes shop at 5 PM on the 8th.
1 additional post-cruise day in Seattle, staying at the Lotte Hotel.  https://www.lottehotelseattle.com/ Easy walking distance to Pike Place.
Cruise itinerary:
Day 1 Vancouver (in lockdown once you board)
Day 2 Vancouver (0330 sail-away -- that's gonna be brutal because I'm not going to miss going under Lionsgate Bridge)
Day 3 Ketchikan
Day 4 Sitka
Day 5 Juneau
Day 6 At sea
Day 7 Victoria
Day 8 Seattle
I kinda splurged (hey, vacation) and booked private car service from YVR to the hotel.  AK weather (looking at you, Juneau) can’t decide whether it wants to rain, snow, or rain and snow… so I packed all the things.  I never travel this heavy, so having an extra pair of hands is worth it to me.  Shoulder season roulette on the weather.  Juneau still dipping below 32F.
Last time I did an AK cruise it was a straight SOBO from Seward to Vancouver in 2016 on Radiance.  Also in May.  Lucked out on the WX, just some occasional rain.  Seriously, if you can snag a cruise on Radiance, do it.  It's a very cool sorta flashback.  I loved it.  Not what you want with kiddos who need constant stimulation (O-class for you, then), but damn it's a neat ship.

A helo can get in to all kinds of icky stuff like vortex ring state sucking up it's own rotor wash.  WX like that sucks, and as an airline pilot one of the suckiest things I've ever experienced around thunderstorms is a micro down-burst.  You can be at 100% power trying to climb out of it and still be shoved downward.  Not fun.  Only experienced it once going into to Sacramento, and glad that was the only time.
I don't know enough about flying rotary wing, but heck ya the pilot did the right thing about noping out of that.  Not safe for the patient or the aircraft.

Yay!  Off to beautiful Alaska on Quantum of the Seas in a few days.  This will be my first time on a Q-class ship, so looking forward to something new.  This will also nicely round-out my RCL “bingo card”.  I will have been on every ship class save one: Quantum Ultra.
The basics:
Deck 10 Grand Loft Suite (RoyalUP from a Grand Suite -- Star Class on the cheap).
2 additional days pre-cruise in Vancouver to play around, staying at the JW Marriott Parq.   https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yvrjw-jw-marriott-parq-vancouver/overview/
Interesting curve-ball: once you board on the 8th, no getting off the ship.  Canadian Customs closes shop at 5 PM on the 8th.
1 additional post-cruise day in Seattle, staying at the Lotte Hotel.  https://www.lottehotelseattle.com/ Easy walking distance to Pike Place.
Cruise itinerary:
Day 1 Vancouver (in lockdown once you board)
Day 2 Vancouver (0330 sail-away -- that's gonna be brutal because I'm not going to miss going under Lionsgate Bridge)
Day 3 Ketchikan
Day 4 Sitka
Day 5 Juneau
Day 6 At sea
Day 7 Victoria
Day 8 Seattle
I kinda splurged (hey, vacation) and booked private car service from YVR to the hotel.  AK weather (looking at you, Juneau) can’t decide whether it wants to rain, snow, or rain and snow… so I packed all the things.  I never travel this heavy, so having an extra pair of hands is worth it to me.  Shoulder season roulette on the weather.  Juneau still dipping below 32F.
Last time I did an AK cruise it was a straight SOBO from Seward to Vancouver in 2016 on Radiance.  Also in May.  Lucked out on the WX, just some occasional rain.  Seriously, if you can snag a cruise on Radiance, do it.  It's a very cool sorta flashback.  I loved it.  Not what you want with kiddos who need constant stimulation (O-class for you, then), but damn it's a neat ship.

UPS is the most unique cabin I've ever had.  Didn't miss not having a balcony one bit.  It's a teensy walk out to the pool deck... and holy smokes they load up anything you may want to drink.  First time I've ever said, "LESS FOOD, please."  You'll absolutely be buried in booze and plates of snacky bits.

A helo can get in to all kinds of icky stuff like vortex ring state sucking up it's own rotor wash.  WX like that sucks, and as an airline pilot one of the suckiest things I've ever experienced around thunderstorms is a micro down-burst.  You can be at 100% power trying to climb out of it and still be shoved downward.  Not fun.  Only experienced it once going into to Sacramento, and glad that was the only time.
I don't know enough about flying rotary wing, but heck ya the pilot did the right thing about noping out of that.  Not safe for the patient or the aircraft.

A helo can get in to all kinds of icky stuff like vortex ring state sucking up it's own rotor wash.  WX like that sucks, and as an airline pilot one of the suckiest things I've ever experienced around thunderstorms is a micro down-burst.  You can be at 100% power trying to climb out of it and still be shoved downward.  Not fun.  Only experienced it once going into to Sacramento, and glad that was the only time.
I don't know enough about flying rotary wing, but heck ya the pilot did the right thing about noping out of that.  Not safe for the patient or the aircraft.

A helo can get in to all kinds of icky stuff like vortex ring state sucking up it's own rotor wash.  WX like that sucks, and as an airline pilot one of the suckiest things I've ever experienced around thunderstorms is a micro down-burst.  You can be at 100% power trying to climb out of it and still be shoved downward.  Not fun.  Only experienced it once going into to Sacramento, and glad that was the only time.
I don't know enough about flying rotary wing, but heck ya the pilot did the right thing about noping out of that.  Not safe for the patient or the aircraft.

Congrats on the excellent RoyalUp !

Kinda blown-away by it.  I'm used to getting the sad trombone within 24 hours of departure.  Got this one 34 days out.  Happy dance.