DDaley

Love this. As a millennial who lost my dad in 2017 and my mom earlier this year, I so wish we’d used more of what I inherited in this way! I would love to trade it for traveling with them!
Please, whatever you do, don’t be swayed by the Green Onion Mexican restaurant literally half a block from your hotel. I made this grievous error before my Nav cruise in June; sure it’s okayyyyyy, but it’s not want you want which is real taqueria Mexican! 
If you’ve any meals left to be sorted I highly recommend a brunch at The Court of Two Sisters and a dinner at Mr. B’s Bistro! I also really liked our walking tour of the Garden District but it can no longer go into the Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 which was part of the allure of the tour. If you’re heading out to any plantations, I always recommend Whitney as it’s the only one presented from the perspective of the enslaved people instead of the owners. 
 
Very excited to read your blog, the canal is on my cruising bucket list!

Day 3, at sea. Went on the northstar for a view above the ship. Worked out at the gym because a large calorie intake was coming next. Lunch at Giovanni’s, got the chocolate ravioli and banana nutella stromboli for desert which was baked in the pizza oven next to us. Took a nap on the balcony. Headed to the pool deck. Went to the buffet for dinner..surprisingly didn’t get kicked out🤣. Now in a food coma and going to bed. 

Day 2. “Best of Positano, Sorrento, Pompeii, small group” RC excursion along the Amalfi coast. This is 10 hours. It was a long and exhausting day. Woke up at 5am and got room service breakfast. Naples to Positano was a 2 hour drive without stopping. Driver and guide both were very good. Overall we enjoyed this excursion. We knew it was a small sampling to see each location. Pompeii was our favorite by far. Mt Vesuvius was looming over the ancient city and is still an active volcano. It erupted in 79 AD, hot ash covered the area, forever preserving the town and inhabitants residing there. Positano is a town built into the cliffside, and had amazing views, walked down the steep stairs to the beach, ate a cannoli. Had a limoncello shot, the entire store featured lemon themed items, as large lemons are grown in this region. It smelled like lemons throughout the town. Lunch at a hotel had average food, but the view was incredible. Amalfi Coast is best seen from a boat the guide said. I would recommend this excursion if you set realistic expectations. One issue was the small bus couldn’t accommodate people above average height. I’m 6’3” and my legs were hurting from the lack of legroom and having my knees smashed against the seat in front of me. In the end I was happy to see these destinations though. 
 
Onboard Odyssey we’ve experienced the best service and friendliest staff of any cruise we’ve been on. This is our favorite ship now. Really don’t have any major complaints. I’m grateful to experience this trip, reflecting back on the last few years and all that’s happened, not everyone makes it to 38 years old.
 
Next is a sea day and after that Athens. This is our first time in Greece and Turkey. Acropolis and Ephesus are the next 2 excursions. Weather has been ideal, neither too cold or too hot. 65-75 fahrenheit. No rain. 

Cruise day 1. We walked 10 minutes with luggage to Largo Della Pace for the free shuttle to the cruise terminal. This is my first time cruising from here and we arrived at 9:30am. Security let us in and mistakenly thought we were crew. They asked us to stand outside until 10am when passengers were allowed in. After that everything went smoothly. It’s a very nice terminal and comfortable. This is our first junior suite and it felt good to be among the first passengers to board. Drove bumper cars and relaxed in the jacuzzis. Dinner and service at Coastal Kitchen was excellent. Ship capacity is apparently 82%. Coastal Kitchen and Solarium were mostly empty when we went there. 

How is no one talking about this???!!!
I am preparing to turn on a VPN and brace myself to learn the difference between a soft swap and a full swap and what they are in the first place. I have to imagine there is a list of Swingers etiquette. I already know I'm about to go down a rabbit hole I'm going to regret .....

I've been in the bed, minus a trip to the WJ in search of fruit. They only had unripe watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew. But it was something to put on my stomach so I could take my supplements.
My brother checked in on the vintages. They were packing their luggage. He informed them that yes you could fit everything in them but they were overweight. MB informed him they didn't weigh them last time, so they won't weigh them this time 🙄. He reminded her that I put her luggage in the scale after I tagged it. She was so brand new.
They have been getting room service breakfast and today none of their hot items was delivered. The crew member promised to return but by then it was noon. So they kept trying to call room service and wasn't getting through. They made my brother get their room steward so they could ask him about room service 🤯🤣😱😅😂. My brother was dead.
Then they asked him about why are there so many upside down pineapples on people's doors. He explained what it meant and they were mad because someone tried to give them one in front of cafe promenade. They told him how dare they try to corrupt two good Christian ladies.......he asked if they were easily corrupted and they did not get it.
The plan is Sonic Odyssey and dinner. I might swing into the casino if i feel better. I feel like my people watching has suffered this cruise.

Yes he is, he brought 3 snow overalls on this trip and has worn one to every excursion. He gets cold easy and was like he wasn't taking chances 🤣🤣🤣

We had no luck with five restaurants/bars. But I had scoped out The Twisted Fish Company. I ran back while the vintages paid and was able to score a table with only a 15min wait. The manager was working as a host and offered to seat me, so I would have a table because my party was here yet. I sat down and was just getting water when everyone walked in.
The menu looked good and everyone was happy. Robin got onion rings and clam chowder. MB got a grilled chicken burger with a side salad. I tried the exotic burger with fries and my brother got halibut tacos and a pasta salad. Don't judge 😂😅🤣. I don't eat seafood so my options was limited.
The exotic burger had elk, bison, wagyu and wild boar. It was very good. The best meal of the entire voyage so far. We all clean our plates and was happy. The manager thanked us for coming in and we went back to the Tshirt Company to get snacks. The to the jewelry store next door so the vintages could get Alaskan charms.
It was almost 4 so we walked back to the ship. My brother and I both believe the vintages may go back to the room and nap.....possibly miss dinner even though they are excited for the short beef ribs.
Our neighbors are missing pineapples again.

💜 Juneau for the win.
Let's get into it. I got off around 10:30 after checking with the vintages. We designated a meeting spot in case service was spotty. Which let me say it has been nonexistent in the highest elevated spots. I got none on the Klondike bus ride, no service until we made it downtown. The same for as soon as I left the dock today.
Juneau port is actually a really good port logistically to me. If is very walkable, even for those with limited mobility. I found the staff to be mostly friendly and plenty of benches and seating available for those who need it. It was us and a Disney ship in the morning,  later I believe a Holland ship joined us.
My brother excursion, which was ziplining, suffered from the same problem as yesterday. 9 people should have come and only 5 showed up. Again this is hundreds of dollars wasted because no refunds could be had. So the excursion turned into an hour and forty-five minutes instead of three and a half. So as soon as I made it to the dock my brother texted me he was on his way back.
We decided to get the tram because there was no line. It was breathtaking but I'm afraid of heights, so I got a little woozy looking down directly 🤣🤢🤯😱. It was full and about a 5min ride. We made it to the sky bridge and did a little souvenir shopping. There were trails to be had but the rain had started pretty heavy and we needed to meet the vintages soon.
Of course they weren't at the meeting spot so we went into Taku wild Alaskan seafood and my brother got some smoked salmon in a can to take back. I peeked into the attached restaurant and decided it was a contender. We walked to some more shops and found the Tshirt company.  Everything was 50% off since it was the end of season and we got some great deals.
The vintages rode the tram while we shopped. My brother and I had time so we walked the port. We checked out a few restaurants but the lines were blocks, two places had an hour wait at 12:30. Tracy's crab shack was what the vintages wanted because Robin has been begging for clam or seafood chowder.
The vintages didn't see us and went directly to the Tshirt Company to shop. We kept calling them but they were too busy shopping. My brother thought this and went to get them.

I am now officially less than one week away from my holiday!
All thar stands between me and this cruise is a 12 hour first aid course, cleaning my house for my rental inspection, 5 school days, and a 12 hour flight. Should be a breeze! 🫠
I haven't been able to find anything official-official, but everything I've read has indicated we will be going through the old locks. 
Guess I'll finally know for sure when we get there!

The Juneau port is great so far. Lots of options,  on my way to meet my brother at the tram.....it's colder here than any port we've been to.

I want to talk about dinner and those shenanigans.
The first night we were sat in the Silk dining room table 734. It took a while to order, first night growing pains, but she served us one at a time, one item at a time. She completely forgot about one of my brother's apps and entrees. There was a table next to us that literally stared at us all throughout their dinner. Robin wasn't having this and would stare at them to force them to either look away or say something. They never said anything, it was awkward. Anyway, although the service was meh, we tipped our service staff. I want to say since we had MTD and a standing 7:45 reservation, we prefer to tip as we go because we might not be sat at the same table. Robin gave her a tip first and she did 3 quick bows, then MB tipped her, and she clutched her chest and did 3 more bows and when my brother handing her ours, she did 4 deep bows. We learned the deep bows are for royalty, so it was special. She was so happy for the tip. I loved that she was happy, but it was also awkward.
The second night we were sat at a different table and the service was on point. Again, the vintages gave their tip and we ours, man were they bending and grinning**. They were trying to give us so much and do so much. My brother got bread wrapped up to take back to the room and we were told to request this table, which we did because we liked the service.
The third night they sat a walk-in at our table because we were there late after Starwater. We were sat at the table next to ours. The server was a fast talker, she wasn't bad, but she had to repeat herself a lot to the vintage because she talked so fast. Anyway, Robin didn't make it to dinner but our wonderful waiters from night two came over and apologized for us not having our table. They brought our bread and drinks, confusing our current service crew. I overheard them telling them things we liked🥰. It was so funny because other tables were looking like why is that table getting 4 people??? So when we tipped our server, she was ecstatic, she screamed WIFI!!! We were confused and she was like "now I can afford Wi-Fi, I am going to buy Wi-Fi" and skipped away. She then brought out my brother's bread to go. We were tickled about the Wi-Fi, so we told Robin. 
Night 4 we got our night 2 waiters, and they went out their way to set us up with drinks, bread and menus despite two other tables that had been sat before us waiting. We laughed and while we were waiting the other two sets of servers came over to say hello and ask if we needed anything. Robin said at the end of dinner she was going to give our server from night 3 her tip because she understands that any little bit helps. So we have good service and tip our waiters who are really bending and grinning. I mean they brought extra stuff, breads already prepared to go for my brother, lemons because they overheard Robin saying she needed to make tea in the room for her throat. Just on it. Then Robin calls over the waitress from night 2 to give her the tip. She literally screamed in appreciation, the screamed WIFI!! then covered her mouth and said sorry this is a secret. She thanked us and said we are too generous; she is happy to meet people like us. Then she bowed. It really made Robins night, she said she enjoys seeing joy on people's face and can't wait to eat tonight.
**the term "bending and grinning" is what vintage black people use to say when someone is doing the most in a manner that almost seems flirtatious. 

Ooh hopefully it clears up a bit for you and the Vintages to take the tram up. With that heavy fog you wouldn’t get to see a sweeping view from the top! 
Juneau was my favorite port. The Red Dog Saloon is worth a glimpse inside, if only to see the sawdust floor and dust-coated gold rush memorabilia on every surface. 😆 

Day 5 Juneau
It waa around 6:30 when I awoke. My brother has ziplining and they meet at 7 something. I told the vintages we will get off around noon to meet him for lunch and maybe 2 tram rides if we can.
I plan to relax and get dressed at a leisurely pace, then head to the CL to get breakfast.
 
 

I'm up. I'm always up. Please don't ask me how this scrolled into my Amazon feed. It just did. Don't press me further. We are not swingers. I swear. I hate being naked, much less in front of strangers. However ... would it be wrong to buy this and randomly stick it on a door on our next cruise? 🤔 Or maybe not randomly. I'm thinking this would've been fair play for our Stage 5 Clingers on our last Symphony Cruise. 

Yes, i purposely included the part that said 100 were bought in the last month .... Either I'm not the only one with this idea or ...... 🤭
 
P.S. Chris Wong 💜💜

I think if I wasn't also doing the digital diary on top of excursions I would have already mentioned the shenanigans 😂🤣. I promise I will. Including the pineapple neighbors.
But some coolness......Chris Wong is onboard for the crossing. Let me say that Anna the casino host is the friendliest host I have ever met on any ship. Then today I came in for a drink before dinner and Chris was sitting there as friendly as ever. He is so nice and they took photos with my brother.
I haven't spent nearly enough time in the casino this cruise. It's tiny, somehow it feels as small as or smaller tham Grandeur, not nearly as big as Freedom or Mariners. I'm still playing off my freeplay to cash money. I lose most then win a decent sum to stay even.
We have gone to the CL every day of this cruise and the most people I have seen in there at one time is 8. We usually go around 5pm and stay close to 6:30 because it's a great place to relax and work. Prime time and sometimes we are the only one's there.
Anyway I played while my brother chatted with Chris and Anna. Then we met the vintages for dinner. They had plans to see the Earth, Wind and Fire tribute at 8:15. So we went at 6:55 to eat early.......we got sat at 7. But it was slow going. Our dinner was over at 9. Don't get me wrong we had our wonderful waiters from night 2. But it was singing and dancing night 🙄🙄🙄🙄.
Dinner was hottest but the taste......we all gave my brother our chicken parm. I was beyond dissatisfied with my lemon curd tart......no lemon curd to be had!!!! It was lemon pudding and gelatin garbage. The best part was the Caesar salad sans dressing. Why is a salad the best part?
We have been on two tours and on both tours then mentioned all the food comes from somewhere else. I decided this is the reason the food quality has been bad. I haven't had one great meal, this is usually covered by specialty and Jamie's didn't deliver. Tomorrow has a taste of USA and my favorite thing baked potato soup......I'm not holding my breath on it delivering.
Wayno gave me a duck💜. Also we have been dining in the Silk dinning room. Tonight's animal is a whale I think.
 

Oh, take note how often the Pinapples have the "Sleeping of the Adventure" sign up 🤣

I got me a sandwich from 270. They were showing Singing in the Rain, yes the vintages wanted to watch it and had the time of their lives 💜.
I sat in the library and ate it, then went back to the room to make some calls.
My brother returned around 3:50. He said only 3 people did the Klondike rock climbing. It was originally 7 for what was a $200 excursion on sale and people paid but didn't show!!!.
He came back with souvenirs.....aka scraps. But he had fun. Then he got some wraps and a salad from 270 since it was the only thing open.

First let me say all my plans were ruined today.
My brother and I planned to eat lunch on port. We got an email lat week that his tour time had been changed. It didn't occur to me until I boarded mine that his got done at 4:15 and all aboard is 4:30. It was originally scheduled for 8:30. Since mine was a little over 2hrs and his was close to 4. I chose 10:30, so we would meet up within 20min of each other.
Okay so I'm an early person but man the people on this tour were early. I got there at 10:19 for a tour that left at 10:45. The bus was already full and the only seat was next to the lavatory......on a coach bus. This was the first indication this was not going to be a good tour.
I knew it was just a scenic bus ride but after yesterday it made me very restless. The scenery was breathtaking but I was also bored out of my mind. Which I could handle.  What I couldn't was the smell.
Everyone and their mom needed to use the bathroom. It was about 52 people on the tour and over half used the bathroom during the first hour. I'm sensitive to smells and I wanted to plug my nose but then I would be opening my mouth to tomfoolery......no. I don't know how but it got worse as we got close to the end. I was close to throwing up.
I was so nauseous 🤢 I didn't bother getting off downtown. I went to my room and had to shower and take medicine to get my appetite back. It took almost an hour, so I walked through the WJ and saw @WAYNO. I got dessert and fruit. I tried to eat a burger but it was a little too burnt. I'm going to head to cafe 270. The vintages said they will meet me there.
I have more to say and I will get it out after I get right with some nutrients.

It is such a blessing. Every time mum suggests booking another trip together I joke about my inheritance, but the time is so special, especially as I don't see her often being overseas.
This is so good to know! I was suspect given its proximity to the hotel! 😅 Will give it a miss and wander until we find something.
Appreciate these! We will definitely be fitting in more meals in New Orleans! I think this might be the only trip where the post cruise eating is a bigger deal than the cruise eating!
School year runs late Jan/ early Feb to mid December. We have 4 terms of 10 weeks, with 2 week school holidays in between and then a 5-6 week longer break over Christmas, which is summer. I still can't decide if I like it better than my giant summer break in the US.
I've lived in the UK and Australia for a bit and then was back in the US for a few years. I got itchy feet and decided to go to grad school abroad and ended up in NZ. Covid came and I got trapped here and suddenly I've been here for years. 
Definitely noted! Hopefully our wanders find us something that hits the spot!

Love this. As a millennial who lost my dad in 2017 and my mom earlier this year, I so wish we’d used more of what I inherited in this way! I would love to trade it for traveling with them!
Please, whatever you do, don’t be swayed by the Green Onion Mexican restaurant literally half a block from your hotel. I made this grievous error before my Nav cruise in June; sure it’s okayyyyyy, but it’s not want you want which is real taqueria Mexican! 
If you’ve any meals left to be sorted I highly recommend a brunch at The Court of Two Sisters and a dinner at Mr. B’s Bistro! I also really liked our walking tour of the Garden District but it can no longer go into the Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 which was part of the allure of the tour. If you’re heading out to any plantations, I always recommend Whitney as it’s the only one presented from the perspective of the enslaved people instead of the owners. 
 
Very excited to read your blog, the canal is on my cruising bucket list!

Love this. As a millennial who lost my dad in 2017 and my mom earlier this year, I so wish we’d used more of what I inherited in this way! I would love to trade it for traveling with them!
Please, whatever you do, don’t be swayed by the Green Onion Mexican restaurant literally half a block from your hotel. I made this grievous error before my Nav cruise in June; sure it’s okayyyyyy, but it’s not want you want which is real taqueria Mexican! 
If you’ve any meals left to be sorted I highly recommend a brunch at The Court of Two Sisters and a dinner at Mr. B’s Bistro! I also really liked our walking tour of the Garden District but it can no longer go into the Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 which was part of the allure of the tour. If you’re heading out to any plantations, I always recommend Whitney as it’s the only one presented from the perspective of the enslaved people instead of the owners. 
 
Very excited to read your blog, the canal is on my cruising bucket list!

BEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i showed my dad and he was so sad because all he wanted to see was bears on their trip too but they didn’t. 
i love the one sprawled out and then the shot with you and it was in the background 😆 I love the bears!!!!!! 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻

Sitka....
We went to Starwater......
It was pure tomfoolery. Like cats and the book were partying together and somehow committed a murder. I didn't dislike it but I definitely didn't love it. My brother said the story was about a powerful goddess who was discovering emotions from her worshippers......it seem to make sense. The goddess was beautiful 😍 and probably had the best voice I have ever heard on any Royal ship.
Robin didn't make the show or dinner. She was wore out from the excursion. So much that her and MB have decided they want to cancel the other excursions they have. They have one goal, to get an Alaskan charm for their Pandora bracelets.
So there are shenanigans and I will get around to mentioning when I am not so tired. Alaskan is less leisurely than expected 🤣.
Anyway tonight was a taste of Asia and I wasn't impressed.

He was my favorite, too !