OK, Are You Ready ? Let's Go To Alaska !

Even with all the freeway construction in Seattle we managed to get to Bob's brother's place in West Seattle well before noon. We were actually on board and eating lunch by 1pm.  They asked people boarding about that time to go directly to the upper decks to relax or to the Windjammer Cafe for their buffet lunch as some of the cabins weren't quite ready yet.  I was so happy the weatherman cooperated and gave us a beautiful sunny day.  The Seattle skyline is so spectacular, especially against a blue sky and white fluffy clouds.  After some lunch we ventured down to our cabin on deck 3 and there was all our luggage waiting for us.  I immediately opened my suitcase and put everything away in the drawers provided, hung up my clothes in the closet and put my toothbrush, etc in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom.  I was all settled in to my floating home for the next 7 days.

A little after 4pm the captain came on the intercom and welcomed us aboard and told us about the mandatory life boat drill which was held about 4:45pm.  Each cabin is equipped with life vests and each life vest has your cabin number and the number of the Muster Station you are to report to.   Unfortunately, our muster station was on the water side of the ship and as we were "mustering" we were also sailing out of Seattle.  So I didn't get any "sail away" shots...but was happy I'd taken some Seattle pictures soon after we got on board. 

Shortly after we sailed away, I was down in the cabin and the phone rang.  it was my friends Dennis & Darlene.  They were on this same cruise last year as Dennis and I graduated from the same high school ( of course the same year.)  They came over for a short visit and then we all went up on deck to enjoy the beautiful scenery passing by. 

At 8:30 Friday night we entered the beautiful Aquarius Dining Room for our first dinner.  The table number is on your Sea Pass (your ID & credit card..and always on your person) so Bob and I had already sneaked into the dining room and found our table.  I was so excited because we were once again on the upper level of the dining room and right next to a big window overlooking the sea.  The table was for 8 people but the other 4 people assigned to that table never showed up, so it was a table for 8 with just us four sitting there the whole week.  

We were anxious to meet our servers and soon they came along, with our menus and introductions. Our waitress was Suzette from the Philippines and her assistant was Carol from Trinidad.  The head waiter was a great gal,  I've misplaced my piece of paper with her name, but she was from South Africa.  Her husband was also on board and was also a head waiter.  They have two young children, at home in South Africa with their grandparents.  She was really missing the kids and looking forward to being at home with them for three months over the Christmas holiday's. 

After dinner, which was usually over shortly before 10pm, we made our way to the Masquerade Theater for the entertainment for the evening.  

Well our first day was over...we were all tired, so we headed for our cabin with the ship gently rocking us to sleep.     Until next time........Linda

P.S. Thanks to Lanny for updating me on the name of the head waiter...her name is Marliza.  She was wonderful...always smiling, always cheerful.