Quantum of Solace…. but make it Alaska!: Quantum 09/16/24-09/23/24

[Ampurp85]

This is probably as usual, a TLDR.

First, I want to thank everyone who reads and puts up with my live blog. I love you all. 

I continue to be a shenanigans magnet and the whole planning of this cruise plays heavy on the concept of the first part of this title. The second part is an homage to Tyra Bank’s constant “look……but make it fashion!” I have no idea why it cracks me up. She would be like “look hungry…. but make it fashion,” “look angry…. but make it fashion.” Those poor girls .

At the start of the last group cruise, I informed everyone I would no longer be planning them. We could coordinate but I was left holding the bag too many times. Of the first three group cruises I put up all the money, I am still owed money from some people, and it’s been years. My original plan was to sail Symphony out of Cape Liberty. But the new loud vintage Robin was telling everyone we should sail Alaska, since she had done Eastern and Western Caribbean so much on Carnival . Everyone was excited for Alaska, and I was like it is a bucket list cruise of mine, okay. They wanted to do NCL……...until they saw the price for NCL . Considering I have loyalty with RCG and the casino, I said if it is available as an instant reward I would play for it. It was on the 2000pt list, and I played under my name and my brother’s. The deal was I would book Robin and my mother’s bff (hereby known as MB) into the room with my brother and then he would stay with me. They had given me money to cover their deposit, so I agreed to book their room only. There were others involved but they were on their own. They said they would pay any upgrade fees plus what it cost me to earn the room or the actual cost, whichever was lesser. I think it cost me less than or a little more $1k to earn the room. They went back and forth and decided since all the interiors on Quantum have virtual balconies, they would just be okay with the room as is. This put them at under $900pp with taxes fees and gratuities. 

This was discussed as we waited for that super long and uncomfortable train ride to Galveston. Never again.

By the time we made it to the hotel everyone was onboard for Alaska. There were 7 of us on that cruise, bff mom was sick, but 5 people originally committed. Halfway through the cruise and right after I had earned my brother's instant reward, two people from dry land joined and my mother dropped out. She said she wasn’t going to pay to be cold because she could be cold at home........ Two things were wrong with that statement because......one, we mostly pay for her cruises. She has never paid for the entirety of any of her vacations with us, we pay half or all. Second, "Chicago cold" is not "Alaska in September cold," so get it together lady . I explained this to her, and she said no. I figured she would have FOMO and would continue to ask if she wanted to come. I later found out the main reason was because she didn’t want to share a room with her former bff and Robin, but more on that later.

Bff told his mom, and she was excited because she had missed the Allure cruise and always wanted to visit Alaska. Robin told her niece, and the niece and her mom wanted to go. So, they asked for dates and booked the cruise.

By Halloween it was 8 of us booked and going on the cruise. I made sure bff secured a Next Cruise booking the morning of disembarkation so they could take advantage of the OBC and reduced deposit. Bff’s mom called the morning after we got home and booked a large OV balcony at almost $4k. Bff’s mom says that interiors make her claustrophobic, despite the fact that she hardly uses the balcony. If you recall from our Odyssey group cruise, they just kept the balcony door open and kept creating vacuums by opening their cabin door. Me being me, I was like y’all cannot afford no $4k balcony, just get a regular balcony. She said she usually just goes with what the rep suggests, and I reminded her they work off of commission, so of course they want to sell you a more expensive room. I called in with them and got an OV balcony GTY that was $2300, with gratuity and insurance. They had lost money on her not being able to go on the Allure cruise, so insurance was a must for them. It seemed like everyone was doing what they were supposed to do.

[Ampurp85]

Although I wasn’t planning for everyone, I was willing to be a team player and coordinate. I sent out the link that allows you to view excursions and cruise planner without being booked. I did this so we could get the best deal when the black Friday sale rolled around. I knew Alaska was going to be expensive. Side bar, maybe because this is the first cruise with 4 ports, but the port taxes for Alaska cruises are some of the highest I ever paid. Considering my room was comped, the taxes and port fees were almost $300. On a regular 7N casino comp I don’t pay that even with gratuities included. Which is why I suggested not spending much on the rooms. I mean 4 port days, when you plan to get off at every port means the room will be occupied a lot less. Also, none of us have been on Quantum and we will spend a nice amount of time exploring the ship. I am looking forward to seeing what differences Odyssey had as the last build of this class.

My brother picked out his excursions and I picked out mine. I sent out what we were doing, plus suggested options, and said people could choose whatever they liked. Robin and MB liked what I had chosen and opted to do most of the same excursions as me. They said since it was so close to Christmas, could they send me what they could afford, as two retired vintages, now, and they would pay me the rest in Jan. I said sure and booked for them. I did kick myself a little bit because I did exactly what I said I wasn’t going to do. Around this time my mother was wavering, she sorts of wanted to go but then she said an angel told her in her sleep that bff and his mom wasn’t coming so she changed her mind again. The angel told her MB and Robin would keep up tomfoolery and embarrass her, so she shouldn’t be without a guard . My brother and I were shocked by this.

Then I got a cuckoo bananas email. Robin’s niece and mom thought we were going to a hot place. They assumed the cruise was to the Caribbean despite the title of the email saying Alaska and them putting a deposit down on an Alaskan cruise………yes I was dead  in the ground buried. After I helped them cancel, they did book refundable and told them I would keep them in the loop when we did a Caribbean eastern or western. So, we were now six. However, I told my brother after the black Friday sale ended that I was convinced bff and his mom wouldn’t go. I was convinced because they didn’t book any excursions. Bff said the website kept glitching on him and that the call wait time was too long for him to book through the phone. I called straight tomfoolery because he also made a comment about how planning the previous cruises were much easier…....dead  again. Then he said his mom reminded him that I had booked and paid for everything. He dry begged me into paying for some excursions but with the strength of sweet baby Jesus, I held my ground. Then my mother mentioned her dream and I was convinced.

Fast forward to right after Christmas.......

In the most dramatic of fashions my bff quit his job on Jan 2 because another supervisor, not his direct one, said he wanted this year to be productive. That nobody should be having personal conversations at work and that there are known lazy individuals who need to get it together. He was talking about bff who is known for posting thirst traps on Twitter instead of working. I told bff he was too grown to be like that and proved his point by quitting. So I knew, without a shadow of a doubt that bff wasn’t going but I thought his mom would go without him. So I continued to keep her in the loop. She had been sick and then had two surgeries in Jan. When I checked on her, she told me she was looking forward to the cruise and bff was handling everything. It was almost paid off .

[Ampurp85]

Now bff was living a transient lifestyle, so I was shocked by this. I mean he had a place, but he was out there selling things he shouldn't be and turning down job because he was worth more than $20hr .  I was petty and checked since the cruise was linked with mine and nothing had been paid. I discussed with my brother should I tell bff’s mom and he said it wasn’t our place……. but I could drop hints in the emails. So, I did. MB was true to her word and paid me her excursion money in Jan and consistently every time I booked something for her. Robin was moving and promised me all my funds by FP, which she was good for, so I wasn’t worried. A week before final payment I sent out one last email. I want to point out I hadn’t spoken to my bff since Feb, when according to him I “read him for filth” about not working and mooching off his sick mom. Anyway, he calls me and gives me all the “tea” and eventually was like we won’t be making it on this cruise. My mother hasn’t spoken to me for almost a week because she thought I was making payments, and I didn’t . So, she called and asked for an extension, they gave her 5 days, but I don’t have good enough credit or a job to get any loans. I was shocked but not shocked.

My mother was also keeping up tomfoolery. She said yes in October and in Nov she didn’t want to go. Around Christmas there was the wavering and then the dream. When we cruised in Jan I asked again if she wanted to go and that I could earn her an instant cert. She said no. So then she finds out we are cruising Freedom in May and she wants to go on that cruise and to Alaska. If you read the Freedom blog you know she wasted my time and money. You also know she doesn’t listen, so every time prior she was under the impression she would have to stay in the room with MB and Robin. On the Allure cruise they told her about herself, and she stopped liking them. She refuses to share a room with them, in fact she doesn’t want to go on any vacation when they are coming unless bff’s mom is there as a buffer.

So, every time I asked her, she said no because despite me saying she would be solo in a room, she thought she would be sleeping with her enemies. When she actually listened, it was too late and the cruise was sold out. But of course, there is more. My mother found out from bff’s mom that he hadn’t made payments and she suggested that maybe they drop him from the booking and add her. But neither of them have any money, so guess who was supposed to cover this????

So that is people shenanigans and what started out as 8 has turned into 4. It is two vintages and my brother and me. I have never cruised with a vintage who wasn’t my mom, this will probably be a time.

[Ampurp85]

Now on to cruise/CP/vacation shenanigans.

Let’s begin with the CP. A lot of you experienced the BF fiasco. If you didn’t, lucky you. I booked originally during the C&A member’s early access. But when the actual black Friday sale went live my lunch and excursion dropped dramatically. I had booked Jamie’ s as an embarkation day lunch during the “national pasta/Italian day” sale. It went $2 cheaper doing BF and so that first day of the sale I refunded a lot of things. I booked mostly everything under my brother because I had a lot of moving parts and may have needed to use my C&A benefits onboard. So I only cancelled one thing under my name resulting in an $18 refund. Under my brother’s reservation it was almost $400. All the refunds went through but then it said I owed those balances. I paid and it was refunded. I did it once more because I thought it was a glitch. It didn’t show up under owing a balance. Fast forward to me checking if in fact bff was making payments and I see those two balances again. Hearing that people had their bookings cancelled for balances I call Club Royale. They say it shows I owe nothing and send me a new invoice with a zero balance. But if I click on the “make a payment” for another cruise it still shows up when I click on that reservation.  So close to FP I pay them again…...and again……and again times four…….and once more after FP. I did this because I hadn’t known bff was awarded the extension and assumed since it was still showing they were going to cancel all the cruises.

The unpaid cruise fell off after the 5 days of nonpayment and both cruises still show that I owe a balance. I talked to several reps and they assured me that the cruise is active and paid off. I won’t have to worry about anything. So for about 40 days I am feeling in the clear. I am always checking CP for deals and such and low and behold for the first time it shows that a balance is owed on my cruise list. I pay it and a few days later I get refunds again. Then a few days later the cruise list doesn’t show that I owe a balance but behind the scenes it still does. In all honesty I will not feel secure until I actually board the ship.

[Ampurp85]

I know I will get judged for this, but we are flying in day of. It wasn’t always the case; we had a pre-cruise hotel stay at the Paramount in Seattle until Jan of this year booked. My brother is not a fan of pre-cruise hotel stays, he says it makes his vacation less relaxing and more costly…...as in food for him. He is correct. Every instance of a pre-cruise stays with the vintages and bff has been draining. In Galveston it took them almost 2hrs to decide on food and they wasted our time and money. I always insure my vacations and cruises and never do anything but first flight out.

We were always flying Alaska Air but the vintages wanted SWA because they planned on bringing four bags and didn’t want to pay. I told them I had no issue booking them on SWA but they would have to coordinate travel and such on their own. They change their tune quick. So, we are all flying on a 6am flight to Seattle that lands at 8am, there are two more flights after that will get us there before 1pm should anything happen. I already signed up for port valet because Alaska airlines participates. We had always planned to do a little sightseeing in Seattle so we opted for night flights, after 10pm. I read if you book HOHO on the cruise through port valet they give you a deal. That is the plan.

Now something the vintages don’t know but you get to, is that instead of flying home we are flying to New Orleans. Ever since we ate at Mason jar on Wonder in Jan my brother has been talking about the food we ate in NOLA. He was like I really wish I could go back just to eat. Everything has been booked up for the summer, so I gave up trying to book for June-Aug. I decided to surprise him and book a little 3night getaway in Oct. Then I got an email offering discounts for September. I did some checking and for exactly what I paid to go home from Seattle I could book Alaska Air SEA to MSY and then Spirit MSY to ORD. I haven’t flown Spirit since we did Disney/Allure restart in 2021 but it was the only nonstop flight available. So we will spend one day post cruise in Seattle and 3 days, 2 nights post cruise eating at our favorite spots……...so lots of food porn.

Extras:

Quantum doesn’t have enough specialty restaurants to warrant the UDP. I will only do Chop’s as a lunch and find Wonderland to be meh. So I opted out of any dining packages. I figured we would have the Jamie’s lunch and use our BOGO if warranted. Plus, I am looking forward to whatever night has baked Alaska

I had booked the 4-device package and was planning to book another 3 devices to cover everyone else, glad I didn’t as now it’s only 3 of us going.

This cruise was originally going to be a B2B, with us using my brother’s prime cert on the second leg but that was before they excluded Icon from the list. Originally, we had got the 24pk of Evian. Thankfully MB had gotten a 12pk, so I was able to cancel her’s and give her half of mine. Just for refence the 24pk was less than the current sales for the 12pk for BF.

We were booked on deck 7 in interior VB. On July 4^th I got the email notice that my room(s) qualified for RUBs. Considering that the rooms, minus JS, were all sold out since May I was like there is no reason to bid. I did check for research purposes and noticed the balconies were 70% off and the minimum bid was only $40pp. I couldn’t pass that up, so I put in a bid. On July 12^th I was awarded a balcony on the 7^th floor midship for $80 total. I am now 3/3 on RUBs. I didn’t bother bidding on the vintages room because they are on a fixed income and happy with their lot in life right now.

 

I did purchase quite a few items for this cruise. Binoculars and a Columbia waterproof jacket were a must. Other than my cruise ship slippers, all shoes are waterproof and close-toed. Quick drying pants and shirts that I normally wear in the fall/winter Chicago weather will be making an appearance. I got a reusable hot/cold container to bring hot chocolate or tea off in the mornings before excursions. I have a foldable, packable backpack that I use for mostly land-based vacations that will be making an appearance on this cruise.

I don’t normally buy souvenirs when I cruise because I have been to the same ports a lot, but I have never been to Alaska, so I plan to pick up t-shirts and stuff like that. My budget for this cruise is different. Normally my budget is tips and casino because that is my entertainment. But for this cruise I have halved my casino budget to account for shopping and lunches in port.

It was time to renew my passport, and I sent it off right after I returned from the Freedom Cruise in May. This was before the online portal opened but it took less than 3wks to receive the new and old passport. If you have not renewed recently be warned that it looks different. It is now a hard plastic page in the front with all your info and the regular pages are paper.

[Ampurp85]

Day 45

I checked in for the cruise. Since it was currently sailing, check-in opened a 3am my time. I was up because of personal shenanigans. My mother eloped and is moving to Florida at the end of the month.

But I was able to get a 10:30am check in and I put in all the info except for a photo.

Itinerary

Alaska Airline Flight departure 6am, arrival 8:34am

Pier 91, Quantum of the Seas

Day 1: Embarkation lunch at Jamie’s, all going. MTD dinner at 7:45 but might try to D+ BOGO because I hate welcome aboard menu.

Day 2:  Sea Day, mostly a casino day since port heavy cruise. MTD

Day 3:  Sitka. The excursion is the Best of Sitka at 10:30, all going. Lunch at port.  MTD

Day 4: Skagway. Excursion for my brother is Klondike Rock climbing adventure at 8:45, Excursion for me is Klondike Summit and Historic city tour at 10:45. Vintages are getting off at port to shop. We will have lunch in port and then MTD

Day 5: Juneau: We all booked the Goldbelt tram. My brother has Alpine Zipline Adventure. I read they have maps of hiking trails when you get downtown, and I plan to do that while the vintages shop. We will have lunch in port and the MTD

Day 6: Sea Day. Another casino day for me. MTD

Day 7: Victoria BC: Excursion is Canadian Ale trail and City highlights, all going. We will eat snacks and possibly dinner. MTD scheduled but unsure

Day 8: Seattle sightseeing and flights. Our flights are overnight, so we get to our destinations around 6am. 

Day 9: The Adler Hotel, Nola

Day 10: Nola

Day 11: Nola and flights home. Originally a 6pm flight but has been changed to 2pm, we plan to do brunch

So, we are now 45 days from cruising, and I am ready for it. 

[GatorCruiser]

Can’t wait to follow 

[MaryS]

OMG the drama!  You are a saint for planning/coordinating all this.  I wouldn't have the patience.    My sisters and I went on Princess to Alaska the last week of June. Loved Seattle and Alaska.  Not a fan of Princess but they go to Glacier Bay and they have mini suites (that were comfortable for 3 adults) and was within my sisters budget .  You and your brother will have a wonderful time!  Just watch out for  in Juneau.

[SMOKEY0202]

So much pre shenanigans, can't even imagine what is to come once onboard.

Eloped and moving to Florida....has the packing even started yet?

[JohnK6404]

Definitely will be following!  My wife and I went back and forth between Alaska (RT Seattle) and Western Med for next year. Western Med won out for now because family/friends were more interested. Alaska is still a must for us! Have a great time!!!

[WAAAYTOOO]

16 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

My mother eloped and is moving to Florida at the end of the month. 

WAIT !   ...WHAT ?

Is this cyber-boyfriend ?

[WAAAYTOOO]

Alicia, how are you even still sane ?  I don't know HOW you deal with this kind of nonsense.  You MUST be an angel.

[Ampurp85]

Yes. This was the cyber boyfriend. I have been out of sorts .

Her retirement party was yesterday, 42 years at her job. I had to field so many questions about a man I met once.

After the 24th of Aug she will officially be a Floridan. My grandmother is shattered and I have been dealing with that and my own feelings. I am happy she is happy but still......

I will be spending a lot of time helping her pack up and sell her stuff. So this cruise will be a godsend, despite all the shenanigans.

[WAAAYTOOO]

WOW.  That's a lot of $hit to have to deal with all at once.  Blessings to you, my dear.

[Ampurp85]

@WAAAYTOOO she has moved to that 55+ community in Arcadia. So she isn't far from the Tampa port.

[WAAAYTOOO]

2 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

@WAAAYTOOO she has moved to that 55+ community in Arcadia. So she isn't far from the Tampa port.

I'm not at all familiar with the west coast of FL.  Maybe @Neesa knows ?

At any rate, perhaps this is a hidden blessing (which may take a while to realize) ?  I really enjoy cruising out of Tampa...even though the ships are smaller and older.  It's a great port, IMO.

[WAAAYTOOO]

Arcadia Village ?  I googled and this seems to be the one that comes up most frequently.

[Ampurp85]

17 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Arcadia Village ?  I googled and this seems to be the one that comes up most frequently.

Yes.

[SMOKEY0202]

Didn't realize cyber dude was even in the picture anymore 

She seems so dependent on you for things, wonder how this is going to be being far away

[Ampurp85]

2 hours ago, SMOKEY0202 said:

Didn't realize cyber dude was even in the picture anymore 

She seems so dependent on you for things, wonder how this is going to be being far away

Yes she is, she went down for two weeks and I was still doing stuff and guess who booked her one way ticket......me.

[Lovetocruise2002]

21 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

So that is people shenanigans and what started out as 8 has turned into 4.

Goodness! I already lost track. Who are the two vintages going with you? 

21 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

In all honesty I will not feel secure until I actually board the ship

I know the feeling all too well! 

[GatorCruiser]

You gotta keep your eyes peeled for pineapple folks 

[asquared17]

25 minutes ago, GatorCruiser said:

You gotta keep your eyes peeled for pineapple folks 

or will they just…. find her

[Ampurp85]

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Goodness! I already lost track. Who are the two vintages going with you? 

 

Robin the loud vintage from the Allure sailing and my mother's former best friend. My brother is a little anxious. We have never even been to dinner alone with them.

[Kelseylovestocruise]

This will certainly be an adventure! 

[asquared17]

On 8/2/2024 at 5:15 PM, Ampurp85 said:

The second part is an homage to Tyra Bank’s constant “look……but make it fashion!” I have no idea why it cracks me up. She would be like “look hungry…. but make it fashion,” “look angry…. but make it fashion.” Those poor girls .

needed this laugh 

On 8/2/2024 at 5:19 PM, Ampurp85 said:

They assumed the cruise was to the Caribbean despite the title of the email saying Alaska and them putting a deposit down on an Alaskan cruise………yes I was dead  in the ground buried.

i have…. to GO. GOODBYE. 

On 8/2/2024 at 5:19 PM, Ampurp85 said:

but with the strength of sweet baby Jesus, I held my ground

On 8/2/2024 at 5:24 PM, Ampurp85 said:

So, every time I asked her, she said no because despite me saying she would be solo in a room, she thought she would be sleeping with her enemies

HER ENEMIES ….. ALICIA, I AM HOWLING 

On 8/2/2024 at 6:52 PM, MaryS said:

Just watch out for  in Juneau.

my parents are doing an alaska cruise again this month and my dad is SO CHAPPED they did not see any bears last time. 

for everyone’s sake, i hope he sees them this time

[Lovetocruise2002]

3 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

Robin the loud vintage from the Allure sailing and my mother's former best friend. My brother is a little anxious. We have never even been to dinner alone with them.

I am certain he will still be all smiles! 

[Ampurp85]

Day 42

My mother has begun packing for her move and I am helping. Which means she is sitting there saying "yes" and "no" to taking something but also telling me the origins of items.......as if I didn't buy these items 

So while she makes a phone call.......we haven't even gotten through one container, and we started 3hrs ago. I will mention some of the things we have purchased for Alaska in the spirit of @asquared17.

Amazon.com: Columbia Women's Switchback Lined Long Jacket : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry

I purchased this Columbia Jacket because it was lined and waterproof. I run hotter, and originally brought a waterproof coat from Kohl's that I wore during the winter in the snow. It was burning me up at 20 degrees, so I decided against it. Imho the type of this jacket seems run smaller than expected and I had to size up, but I can put a sweater on underneath if needed.

Crush Boot - Crocs

So weirdly enough I love Crocs, I know they are ugly, but I care about comfort more than anything. I brought these crush boots because of rain, Alaska and also a wilderness retreat we were doing. They are super comfy and protected me from rain, water, and nature shenanigans. I wore them on a 4hr hike and no discomfort, so they will be my go-to shoes for Alaskan excursions. 

Amazon.com : 300x25 Binoculars for Adults and Kids, High Powered Mini Pocket Binoculars with Phone Adapter, Waterproof Compact Binoculars for Bird Watching, Hunting, Concert, Theater, Opera, Traveling, Sightseeing : Electronics

I mean you can't go to Alaksa without binoculars. My brother opted for a fancier pair. 

Amazon.com | Hydrapeak Nomad 32 oz Tumbler with Handle and Straw Lid, Leakproof Tumbler, Tumbler Lid Straw, Double Insulated Tumblers, 32oz Double Insulated Cup Straw, Stainless Steel (Peony): Tumblers & Water Glasses

I brought the 24oz version so that I can bring cocoa or hot tea off during the mornings of excursions. 

Amazon.com: ZOMAKE Lightweight Packable Backpack 35L - Light Foldable Backpacks Water Resistant Collapsible Hiking Backpack - Compact Folding Day Pack for Travel Camping(Purple) : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry

I have actually had this packable backpack for like 7 or 8 years and it still looks new. I take it on all my none cruise vacations because they often require another bag. Be advise it has no support, like no padding whatsoever. But it is great for those unexpected times when you buy more than intended. Considering I will be doing excursions/shopping in port, I am bringing it along. 

As previously stated, I didn't have to buy any clothing for this cruise because I have my Chicagoan fall/spring/winter clothing. 

We are doing one large, checked bag, split between my brother and I, and carry-on backpack. Not much needs to be packed for 10 days. The vintages have yet to give me their bag total .

I believe Quantum only has one show that requires reservations, and I am waiting for that to open up. That will be the last sort of pre-cruise thing I will have to worry about.

Now I will go back to my mother vacillating. 

[GatorCruiser]

Do it !!

[SMOKEY0202]

Seems like so much going on and where is her new hubby to do some of the work of packing up for Florida 

Is she expecting you to go to Florida and unpack as well?  Downsizing?

Guess you at least didn't have to deal with wedding shenanigans since they eloped 

You definitely are gonna need some relaxation after all of this and who knows what shenanigans will occur with vintages

 

[Ampurp85]

@SMOKEY0202 the husband is in Florida, getting their house ready. He told her not to bring anything but mementos. However, he has never been to her place, and she is a bit of a hoarder, so we have gotten exactly one of her cabinets and one storage bin done in 6hrs. I can only afford to help her once a week because of work and the short notice. I have no idea how she is going to get it done in less than 3wks. I mean she isn't working anymore but she gets distracted so easily.

[GatorCruiser]

You’re a much better child than I would be. But they say  that’s the benefit of having daughter vs sons. I’d be like, how’s the packing going ? Help ? Nah , you got it. 

[asquared17]

7 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

I will mention some of the things we have purchased for Alaska in the spirit of @asquared17.

7 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

The vintages have yet to give me their bag total .

oh lord. 

 

[Ampurp85]

Day 41

Entertainment opened up. As previously stated, there is only one show that requires a reservation and that is Starwater. There are shows on day 1, 3, and 5. I chose a 7pm reservation for day 3 which is when we are in Sitka. I try to avoid shows on embarkation day. 

There is also a sale going on in CP, however I don't see anything cheaper than what I have already paid. 

So normally I have a pre-cruise ritual of not eating anything I didn't cook at least a month before I cruise. This gets me ready to enjoy/accept the blandness of non-specialty and specialty dinning for the duration of the cruise. My mother's situation has thrown a wrench in that because I have just planned and coordinated all her going away adventures with friends and family, of which three involve restaurants. So I may be that weird one who orders a dressing-less salad and soup.

[WAAAYTOOO]

17 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

There is also a sale going on in CP, however I don't see anything cheaper than what I have already paid. 

Same

[Cactus527]

Reality has kept me away from blogs this summer, but you have drawn me back in, @Ampurp85. You're going to love Alaska, especially the "nature shenanigans!" I love your post Cruise trip to New Orleans - I get to go through New Orleans for the very first time as a connector after my September cruise. Very much looking forward to all that MSY has to offer, lol. I was wondering about the Columbia raincoats as well when I've been looking at them on Amazon - We are doing Alaska next summer on Princess, so that kind of coat definitely is on my radar.

[Ampurp85]

Day 32

To be so close to vacation is the best. I find that the last month goes by fast while the final week seems to drag.

I am happy to report that my cruise ritual will remain the same. Today is the last official outing with my mother and friends that has restaurants involved. So, I can do my normal palette cleansing.

I am also happy to say that she has pretty much cleaned and cleared her place. The salvation Army will pick up the last of her boxes and furniture on next Thursday and she will stay with my grandmother until Sun when she leaves for Florida. 

Both vintages have requested that I get them wheelchair service for all travel. So, I put in the wheelchair request through Alaska Air, and I know I have to do the request at 30 days through Royal. I had to inform them that neither I nor my brother will be pushing them, I can understand needing it for the port because both have had hip surgery. But I don't understand needing it for the airport. 

My brother has also requested to NOT eat dinner with them. He brought up an interesting point I didn't notice because last time we were a larger group. They eat only a little, pretty fast and then spend the rest of the dinner judging people. So, I may change their MTD to around 7 and keep ours at 7:45. 

[Yesiamthere6]

Exactly how old before one becomes a vintage?  Asking for a friend.

[Ampurp85]

16 hours ago, Yesiamthere6 said:

Exactly how old before one becomes a vintage?  Asking for a friend.

It is more so a mindset than an actual age, but I start around 58ish, while my good friend @asquared17 thinks it starts in the 70s. For reference the vintages I am referring to are 65 and 69.

[Ampurp85]

Day 30

Small update, I didn't realize Quantum had a Society of Royal Puzzles and I would have booked it for my brother and I, but it didn't show up in the app or CP. Or I thought. It showed up under activities as sold out. So, despite me checking CP every day, it wasn't there. 

The documents became available today and I will wait to print luggage tags because, once again the vintages haven't told me how much luggage they are bringing.