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

[Ampurp85]

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. 

[WAAAYTOOO]

Those are mostly good shenanigans....except for the creepers who were staring....

[Ampurp85]

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.

[Lovetocruise2002]

Maybe I missed it but what have the temps been like? Everyone looks rather bundled up in all your pics.

[Ampurp85]

@Lovetocruise2002 50s and below. People from Oregon, Seattle and Canada are the least bundled up . Juneau has been the coldest, temp wise, but the wind wasn't like Sitka and Skagway, which made them feel colder.

[Ampurp85]

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.

[Mrs. Regular]

A great day in Juneau! We really enjoyed our time there as well. Jealous of the end of season sale at the t-shirt company, we found a lot there we liked!

[Ampurp85]

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.

[asquared17]

I AM SCREAMING

i was stuck with a hellfire work day and SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED. 

21 hours ago, SweetPea said:

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

NOT A COICINDENCE I THINK. MANY…… ADVENTURES.  

18 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

was beyond dissatisfied with my lemon curd tart......no lemon curd to be had!!!

this is the saddest thing i have ever heard.

18 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

Tonight's animal is a whale I think.

or a….. seal??????? unsure. 

18 hours ago, SweetPea said:

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 ......

i am cackling with laughter 

9 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

We saw them day 2 and chatted, they saw me yesterday day 4 and ask where my brother was. They requested that he join them for cocktails. I relayed the message .

omg

9 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

Speaking of swinger's I stopped in the Harp and Horn, possibly to get lunch yesterday and I'm chatting with a lady about my bus ride from hell and she goes "if you needed a shower after that, you would need two dealing with us." I laughed but she gave me her cabin number.

O M G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOODBYE FOREVER!!!!!!!!

9 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

I was discombobulated and disgusted but I was on deck 6 trying to access the library and there was soiled mens underwear outside a cabin. I will just leave that.

oh MY GOD????!?!?!?!???!!!!!!!

9 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

Robin and MB keep attracting strays. These random vintages will appear all over and hold us hostage with their words

this is….. horrifying. 

9 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

We had to listen to one tell us about how their bowel movements haven't been regular

THIS IS A LITTLE TOO FAMILIAR, THANKS 

9 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

There have been tussles at the sales. I saw a lady push another over $10 t-shirts. Then someone get into it because they got in front to get a jacket off the rack and the other person was looking for that size. Them sales bring out the animal in people.

are you sure some of the bears didn’t come back aboard with you????

oh man now i need to catch up on page 6. 

i love that @WAYNO gave you such a cool duck!!!!

[asquared17]

6 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

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.

this is like a cowboy western movie MY LORD

6 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

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

this makes me so happy!!!!!

6 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

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.

this is so sweet !!!!!

6 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

**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. 

i am very pleased to add this to my vernacular/understanding. thank you for explaining

6 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

my brother got halibut tacos and a pasta salad. Don't judge

YESSSSSSSS

6 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

The best meal of the entire voyage so far

i mean you guys have really been through it!!!!

the tacos looked good, so did the onion rings. 

that might be the biggest bowl of soup i’ve ever seen in my entire life?????

7 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Our neighbors are missing pineapples again.

….i've yet to discern if this is a good or bad thing, honestly. 

 

i love the happy pics of you and the overhead shot of the ship was so cool. 

[Ampurp85]

The bowl of chowder was massive. Robin couldn't finish the soup but she said it was some of the best chowder she has ever had. My brother said those tacos were bomb.

Missing pineapples mean visitors.

It is 5:20 and we just departed. So a bit of a late start. I am charging my phone while my brother answers some work emails.

[Ampurp85]

So it was the Zaandam from Holland cruies and Princess in port with us. Disney was yesterday I think.

Also it probably is a seal and not a whale.

It doesn't feel like Friday but it is.

[Lovetocruise2002]

50s? That is thin Lulu weather for us and is your brother wearing snow pants in that one pic? Lol 

[Ampurp85]

35 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

50s? That is thin Lulu weather for us and is your brother wearing snow pants in that one pic? Lol 

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

[Ampurp85]

Currently in the casino. I definitely feel like this casino is small. I can see the end and beginning no matter where I stand. There have been 4 jackpots on dragon link in the past 10min. One for $1700, then $2800, $1200 ,and finally $1900.

I played my money for today and dinner is in 15min so I'm good.

[Cactus527]

Mens. Soiled. Underwear. 

Was there a pineapple sign nearby?!?!?

And what is it with these blogs and underwear? I can't remember who it was on here that opened a drawer and found undies in there. Ugh! And GAMBLING WITH THE RIGHT COLOR UNDERWEAR!!!!! The color is apparently NOT brown...

[Ampurp85]

Day 5

Well it was 2 more jackpots before I went to dinner. I wish it was me.

The vintages have decided that one of the strays is annoying and have been avoiding her. She passed by the table and both pretended to be on the phone and wouldn't make eye contact. I couldn't keep the giggles in .

Robin said the saleswoman in the jewelry store was pushy. She was going to buy a pendant but the lady tried to snatch her money. Robin had found a pendant. It was $40. She asked about an Alaskan charm, it was $95. She got her money out to pay for the pendant and the lady tried to take all her cash money!!! This turned her off and she left.

Of course they were bending and grinning tonight too. It was nice. I have to say the MDR has been full evey night. So getting our entrees at a decent time isn't happening . But 2hrs has been the longest we were there. But my brother eats......so we could be out much earlier.

It was taste of USA and I  got 3 "bowls" of the baked potato soup. One for my app and 2 as my entree. The best meal I have had so far. All three were hot and delicious like Little Ceasars claims to be.

We were done at 9:05 and I popped into the theater for the headliner. I was too tired for his lackluster style of magic. So I left after 5min. Now I'm in my jammies letting the TV watch me.

[Lovetocruise2002]

9 hours ago, Cactus527 said:

And what is it with these blogs and underwear? I can't remember who it was on here that opened a drawer and found undies in there. Ugh!

That was me! On Liberty. 

[Cactus527]

45 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

That was me! On Liberty. 

LOL I thought so, but I wasn't positive. Undies galore!

[Lovetocruise2002]

13 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

LOL I thought so, but I wasn't positive. Undies galore!

FWIW, we always pack more than enough undies (unlike others here lol), and we don't gamble so we don't have lucky coloured undies 

[asquared17]

15 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

Missing pineapples mean visitors.

omg.

goodbye. 

12 hours ago, Cactus527 said:

And what is it with these blogs and underwear?

I TOO HAVE QUESTIONS. 

12 hours ago, Cactus527 said:

can't remember who it was on here that opened a drawer and found undies in there. Ugh! And GAMBLING WITH THE RIGHT COLOR UNDERWEAR!!!!!

3 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

That was me! On Liberty. 

and we’re all scarred by it

tbh i think only @Sweety has the undie collection that brings her much dividends in the casino and yet…. thanks to @SweetPea and batman — in a turn of events none of us could have predicted, this time last year — undies are now a widely discussed topic

[Lovetocruise2002]

2 minutes ago, asquared17 said:

and yet…. thanks to @SweetPea and batman

Yes!!! It's all @SweetPea's doing! lol

[Ampurp85]

Day 6 sea day

The wind is currently 55 knots, and I fell off the toilet.

I am doing everything to keep from throwing up.  Sadly, I am looking forward to this cruise being over. Thankfully I have some sparkling water in my room to calm my stomach.

I should also point out we are going 19 knots for speed as well as the high winds. 

If I am feeling up to it, I will head to captain corner around 10am....but I doubt it as its almost 9 and I haven't gotten a start on anything. My first digital diary is uploading, and they tend to work better in the room. 

As I was typing this I loss the battle. 

I will be back after I get my life in order.

[Cactus527]

35 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Day 6 sea day

The wind is currently 55 knots, and I fell off the toilet.

I am doing everything to keep from throwing up.  Sadly, I am looking forward to this cruise being over. Thankfully I have some sparkling water in my room to calm my stomach.

I should also point out we are going 19 knots for speed as well as the high winds. 

If I am feeling up to it, I will head to captain corner around 10am....but I doubt it as its almost 9 and I haven't gotten a start on anything. My first digital diary is uploading, and they tend to work better in the room. 

As I was typing this I loss the battle. 

I will be back after I get my life in order.

This is what I remember most about my Alaska cruise in 2010 - the wind and waves. So. Sick. Back then, I did not travel with any sort of motion sickness medication. I'm not sure it would have made a difference. Here's hoping it gets better for you!

[asquared17]

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

Sadly, I am looking forward to this cruise being over.

demon. ship. 

[Lovetocruise2002]

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

Day 6 sea day

The wind is currently 55 knots, and I fell off the toilet.

I am doing everything to keep from throwing up.  Sadly, I am looking forward to this cruise being over. Thankfully I have some sparkling water in my room to calm my stomach.

I should also point out we are going 19 knots for speed as well as the high winds. 

If I am feeling up to it, I will head to captain corner around 10am....but I doubt it as its almost 9 and I haven't gotten a start on anything. My first digital diary is uploading, and they tend to work better in the room. 

As I was typing this I loss the battle. 

I will be back after I get my life in order.

Oh no...motion sickness is the worst. Are you taking meds for the motion and they are not working? I hope you feel better soon.

[ScottD]

Ugh, sorry about the motion sickness... it sucks and you just feel helpless against it once it starts.  I do love the random, daily pics of the neighbors door, lol. 

[Ampurp85]

I had motion sickness meds. I usually bring just a couple of pills. This has been the worst and I used them up before today .

A nap and some pellergrinos have helped.

[Ampurp85]

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.

[Ampurp85]

I am feeling much better. I found one last pill and took it. I still feel all this wind and speed but I'm no longer nauseous.

Since I was feeling better we went to cafe 270 for salads. My brother said as a pre-vintage he is feeling the rock climbing and ziplining. So after working a bit he laid down for a nap. I walked around, trying to keep my balance. I stopped in the CL to see the offerings before going to get a seat at the show. I am solo. We all have been napping today.

[Ampurp85]

So funny story. We went to cancel our Canadian Ale trail on day 4. While at shore excursions this lady just started talking to us. She was telling us all her business. It was about 5min and thank God, we were called up soon. So yesterday while coming back on the ship we ended up in the elevator together. At first we didn't recognize her but then she literally started looking through my bags. We were in there with a couple who was like we all have these bags. The bright red ones from the Tshirt Company. This lady was like "what they sell, what you buy?" My brother was like good thing we hadn'tbrought underwear Robin almost cursed her out but our stop came. She made her feelings known before we departed to our rooms and again at dinner.

I just saw her at the show and she touched me! She was like when I was young like you I wish I was so bountiful. I was too shocked to do anything but go upstairs to find a seat. I don't understand how people can be so bold.

[asquared17]

bout to throw hands with this woman….

[asquared17]

but i’m glad you’re feeling better!!

[SweetPea]

Ok first of all, and I'm sorry for my inadvertent part in this, but .... is it really a cruise blog on RCB if someone doesn't mention underwear at some point? (I cannot believe our Oasis cruise was a year ago. Seriously. The days are long; the years are short.) 

Second, what pills are you taking for motion sickness? Curious.

Once upon a time, we were on the Breakaway Bomb Cyclone cruise (you can still Google that; it was 7 years ago. Despite that cruise, Mariner of the Seas was still worse ). Consistent use of Bonine (whether i need it or not) is usually my tried and true, but when it was THAT bad, wasn’t quite enough, though it did help a lot. Funnily enough though, i learned that the rest of the world didn't exactly know what Bonine was. When i offered it to non-US citizens on that cruise, fellow Haven guests looked at me like i was a drug dealer. Batman told me to stop, that my intentions were pure but not appreciated.

 

 

[Ampurp85]

I buy the dramamine orange chewable tablets. I tried the bonine but it made me feel off. I normally bring 3 of the 2 pack kinds with me as I normally only need one. I let the vintages have one, so I didn't realize I had one left. I was so glad.

[Ampurp85]

So I left Sonic Odyssey after 5min. I have this pet peeve when it comes to songs. If you change the tempo or key of a song, it must be done in a manner that doesn't lose the vein of the song. Sonic Odyssey started with Tonight by my top 3 favorite band and ruined it. Some songs should always be sung on the same key they were recorded in. I stayed until the man started beating the wall drums and left.

The giant Harp was very cool and the lead singers voices didn't mesh well. So I headed to dinner. It was one of those nights. My brother slept through dinner! I got him 4 of the entrees and took them to him while I was waiting on desserts. He was so tired and couldn't be bothered to get dressed. I also got him 6 tuna sammies from cafe promenade and a whole veggie pizza.

This was my first bon voyage dinner. I normally get the UDP on 7n cruises. But omg that baked Alaska was good. I also tried the cheese tortellini and chicken marsala. I actually really enjoyed the chicken marsala, the basil oil in the pasta was too much. The vintages enjoyed their lobster tails and Robin got the cod and MB got the Indian dish.

I'm exhausted from being sick, so I went back to the room. We are still going fast in high winds.

I saw our pineapple neighbors and they invited me and my brother to the music hall. I politely declined.

 

[Lovetocruise2002]

11 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

I just saw her at the show and she touched me! She was like when I was young like you I wish I was so bountiful. I was too shocked to do anything but go upstairs to find a seat. I don't understand how people can be so bold.

You’re like a magnet for these people

[Ampurp85]

Day 7 BC Canada

Good morning,  we are still moving towards our destination. It is super cloudy and misty. I just woke up feeling pretty refreshed.

I did get a message asking me to attend the backstage entertainment tour for D+ members. However I am not a "how the sausage gets made" type of person. So I won't be attending. I think the plan is to get breakfast and then pack up.

The casino is open all day so I may make an appearance.

[SMOKEY0202]

Well am on Freedom this week and shenanigans already at terminal.  Couple cut in front of everyone.  Says they had so many flats drinks to bring on can't get in back of line.

Ranger Cookies were abundant in WJ today on day 1. Lady took 12 and literally put in Ziploc bags and asked server when more would be coming out

Pinnacles are glowing pins everywhere

[Yesiamthere6]

Oh my,  thought the old white woman, when she visited her Carnival Celebration page.  Carnival is trying to swoon me over from royal by offering me a free room and $1,000 free play. I’m skeptical already about Carnival, but this new group on our sailing has about done me in!  It’s a pineapple group and we can choose to go all in, or play it a bit soft!