Uncategorized – Page 3 – Cruising Dog Mama

Post-COVID First vacation and cruise since 2019

So like everyone else our plans were put on hold. My husband was laid off due to COVID but has a new job but other than that we escaped the virus relatively unscathed.

Our 2020 trip to Europe was canceled as well as our September 2020, Europe 2021 and June 2021 vacations. RCL and Celebrity both announced they would cruise out of the Caribbean in June 2021. I spoke to my husband and he was ready to jump at the chance. So we are almost to St. Maarten and our first cruise since September 2019 is getting ready to begin.

There were some hoops including the vaccines and multiple tests and stressing over the timing of the tests and required authorizations but we are almost there.

September 2019 Alaska cruise Day 2 Dinner at Salty Dog

We had dinner at the Salty Dog pub, which is inside the wheelhouse bar. It may have been one of my favorite restaurants. Casual and low-key.

Breadsticks with cheese fondue, calamari, crab cake, poutine and Ernesto burger.

As good as dinner was my husband liked the donuts the most.

After dinner we went to Crooners for a nightcap before going to the room and getting ready for a long day in Juneau.

End of Day 2.

September 2019 Alaska cruise Day 2

I return to the room and was greeted by chocolate covered strawberries and canapés.

After a short nap, it was time to walk around, go to Vines and meet my husband in the casino for our pre-dinner meeting.

It was the formal night dinner, but we were going to Salty Dog pub instead but I got to see them prepare for the champagne fountain of glasses.

Then to Vines, wine and sushi.

Meeting with my husband in the casino.

September 2019 Alaska cruise Day 2 Wine Tasting

I went to the wine tasting which lasted a couple of hours. The maitre’d and sommelier discussed the process of making wine and champagne and the wine was paired with certain foods to bring out the elements of each of the wines.

Time for a short nap before dinner.

September 2019 Alaska cruise-Day 2 Seaday Breakfast, concert and lunch

A sea day, sleeping in, then off to Breakfast. Another advantage of the suite is breakfast in the crown grill and it includes a mimosa.

After breakfast we went to a presentation about Alaska but no one showed up, so after about 20 minutes we left. I looked at my emails and I had one from work so worked from the room for a little while and then I was off to see Sheryl Crow in concert, on the outdoor movie screen.

Then to lunch. Fried calamari, chicken and trifle.

Next, a wine tasting.

September 2019 Alaska Cruise Day 1 Crown Grill

My husband is a smoker and I am not. Smoking venues are limited on most ships. I am a gambler but he is not. Our meet up spot is the casino. We usually meet there and have a pre-dinner drink.

The Crown Grill had an insert on their menu for Alaska and seafood specials.

I had Clams casino and French onion soup and my husband had the shrimp. Also I had another 24K Margarita.

Prawn appetizer, Red Bull and Vodka and 24K Margarita

I had surf and turf, my husband had chops and we had baked potatoes and spinach.

Finally I had chocolate peanut butter dessert and baileys and coffee.

As the reservation was kind of late and it had been a long day, we called it a day and went to our room.

End of Day 1.

September 2019 Alaska cruise Day 1-Piazza, Vines and Trivia

Next to explore the piazza, live music Vines, international cafe and people watching.

Vines was another favorite place. Wine, sushi, tapas and taking in the activities of the piazza.

Next off to the Explorers lounge for trivia and a cosmo.

September 2019 Alaska Cruise Day 1 Crooners

We received our luggage and unpacked prior to the muster drill. After the muster drill I went to Crooners, the martini bar which also had live music at night.

September 2019 Alaska cruise Day 1-Suite Life

Off to see our home for the next 7 days. I loved it, plenty of space.

Shortly afterwards the room steward came by to introduce himself and brought champagne. Hey, I could get used to this.

September 2019 Alaska Cruise-Day 1 Welcome to the drink package and lunch

As a martini drinker, I find the drink package a good deal, I have rarely hit the maximum drinks, but like one cost that is prepaid. On Princess for some reason one of my favorite drinks is the 24 karat gold margarita.

Next was Lunch at the Salty Dog Grill, it was a change from prior lido grill. I thought it was good.

Afterwards we explored the ship, we went to the Crown Grill to make a reservation for dinner. The suites have a complimentary dinner on embarkation night at one of the specialty restaurants. Next we see our room.