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September 2019 Alaska on Ruby Princess-Pre-Game and Day 0 Tampa to Seattle

So my husband’s favorite place to go is Alaska and mine is the Mediterranean. We were in the Mediterranean in 2018, but Carnival announced a refurbished ship sailing in May 2020. My husband has always been ready to go and just asks what clothes he should pack. I told him we would go to the Mediterranean in 2020, but go to Alaska in September 2019. This was all before COVID, so unbeknownst to us it would be the last cruise for a little while.

Room

We have sailed in all types of rooms from Inside to Suite. Certain itineraries seem better suited for a balcony and Alaska is one of them, especially with a day viewing glaciers. We had sailed Princess in a club class mini-suite and enjoyed the experience. I looked at the club class room around Labor Day, however, I found a full suite was cheaper a few weeks later. We took the suite later in September.

Princess Medallion

We missed the roll out of the Medallion by a few weeks on the Regal and missed on the Ruby by a little while as well. One day we will get to try it.

Fly2Fun

I didn’t want to spend the money to get a hotel in Seattle at the beginning of the cruise and a room in Vancouver at the end. I booked fly2fun to arrive the morning of the cruise and leave the day we departed, even though I don’t think it is a good idea to fly cross country on the day the cruise begins. Well they kept changing the arrival time making it later and later so I changed the flight to come in the day before, unfortunately the only flight back left near midnight so we had a lot of time at Vancouver airport at the end of the trip.

Day 0 Tampa to Seattle

So we’re off.

Lunch at the Hard Rock at Tampa Airport

Flight to Charlotte unfortunately we had storms and were delayed in Charlotte for a few hours, we landed around 10 and had some difficulty getting to the nearby hotel. We made it and settled in for dinner around 1:30 am our time.

And a few pictures of the Marriott near the Seattle airport.

Las Vegas Day 6, Spa and Football

After staying up late the night before and being the last day in Las Vegas, it was going to be a low key day.

Breakfast at the Paris Le Village buffet:

Next up, the spa. It was cheaper than spas on the cruise ship no selling of products and you could use the whirlpool and the facilities all day long.

Room service for lunch:

Casino time then at Hexx’s sister lounge, Alexa-

Sangria flight and an appetizer.

After hanging out for a while and more casino time it was time for dinner and football.

End of the day.

The next morning, a final mimosa breakfast at Hexx, then flying across the country to be home, see my husband and Barry, who was our only dog at the time but would not be by himself much longer.

Las Vegas, Day 4 Pool and Bouchon

My husband left to catch his flight a little after 6 and I went back to sleep. After a while I got up and had breakfast at a restaurant at Paris. Mimosa and a crepe.

I spent some time at the huge pool.

Lunch at Hexx, another Philly cheese steak.

A/C time, checking in with my husband arriving safe and our dog at the time Barry was ok. Had a dinner reservation at Bouchon at the Venetian and rather than walk, I took the Deuce. Such a good idea. I had foil gras, escargot and a cheese plate. They brought me some deviled eggs for waiting for a server.

On the way back to the hotel , I stopped to watch the volcano at the Mirage. I had planned to go to the piano bar at the hotel, but when I got there it was closed for a private party.

Las Vegas, Day 3 Eiffel Tower, Toby Keith and Tom Green

It was my husband’s last day before he had to go back. We started with brunch at Hexx at the Paris. Mimosas for me, we split their cinnamon roll and we each had chicken and Waffles.

Next we went up the Eiffel Tower for some views.

We ventured out of Paris and walked to the Linq and their high roller Ferris wheel and more views.

We made our way back to the hotel, but stopped at the Flamingo. They had a Carlos and Charlies and we were ready for a drink, so…

Because my husband likes stand up I got tickets for Tom Green, I paid extra for VIP tickets, but the show was moved to s smaller room. It was my fault for not looking into Tom Green, but neither of us cared for the show, but we did like dinner at Toby Keiths. Including fried macaroni and cheese, philly cheese steak sandwich and fried twinkies.

Las Vegas, Day 5 The Secret Garden and Piano Bar

Had breakfast at Hash House a go go. Much bigger than the picture.

Next I went to the Secret Garden, the dolphins were my favorite.

Lunch at LobsterMe, grilled cheese and lobster and cheese fries.

Hanging out at Paris, drinking and gambling and people watching. Then dinner at Paris restaurant 3 course special for $40, great for Las Vegas. French onion soup, steak and cheesecake.

Had a great time at the piano bar, then late night pizza.

Las Vegas Day 2 Brunch, Football and New York, NY

We live in Florida. As east-coasters one thing I love about traveling on the West coast is football starts at 10.

For some reason we both woke up early. I had planned for us to have brunch at the Wicked Spoon in the Cosmopolitan hotel.

For someone reason my husband doesn’t drink at brunch, meanwhile I had their unlimited mimosa option. A lot of the food at the buffet is served in individual portions.

Now that it was after 10, my husband was eager to watch some football. We went to check out the pool first to see if they were having any football outside.

We decided to head back to the A/C and watched football, gambled and enjoyed some adult beverages.

I made reservations at Nine Fine Irishmen at the NY NY hotel. In Vegas it looks like everything is so close, but you end up walk-in and walking and walking…

We shared several appetizers for dinner. Baked Brie, sausages, fried Mac & cheese and fondue. It was all yummy and low in cholesterol. Plus they were showing the Packers on the big screen. My view was mostly blocked but I was enjoying the food so I was unconcerned.

Day 1-Las Vegas, Jerry Seinfeld and Gordon Ramsay

We are cruise people and the trip to Vegas really proved it. My husband started a new job and could only take a few days off, so we were flying out together, he would stay for a few days and I would stay for a few extra days. We were staying at the Paris hotel

My plan after arrival was lunch at Beer Park, we got there and they said they were closing for a private party. We decided to go to Burger Brassiere at Ballys. Good, but like most of Vegas not cheap.

It was hot we went back to the A/C until it was time to leave for Ceasers and see Jerry Seinfeld.

He was at the Coliseum, we had good seats but were a little underwhelmed

We had reservations at Gordon Ramsay’s pub and it was right across from the Coliseum. I had their blueberry special drink, lobster rolls and my husband had sliders a and we shared some poutine. Continue reading Day 1-Las Vegas, Jerry Seinfeld and Gordon Ramsay