Sunday, April 22, 2012
at home

Yesterday we had a light  breakfast and headed to the Hollywood Theatre where we were grouped by time of our plane.  We were pink 4 so we had to be there at 8:45 of course anyone who knows me knows I like to be early so we went down around 8:30.  Betty and Kris came in and we were chatting and then came Becky.  She was pink 3.  We all chatted for a few minutes and then Becky's group was called.  Of course more hugs and tears and then we were called.  There were about 15 of us in each group. The head conciergie (Melani is how I think it is spelled) and way she walked out with us  As we got out of the ship Josef was there and hugged us and wished us a safe flight!   They had all the luggage sorted in different rooms and we went to room 4 make sense.  There was all our luggage together they had a porter and he loaded up all the bags.  We were then escorted to a limo and our luggage was loaded into a van behind us.  We got to LAX in record time well not quite as fast as that Nov. trip back in 2010.  We were greeted  by a Crystal Rep our luggage was loaded onto a flat bed and we were checked in paid for the extra luggage, through security and in the  airport club in less than 20 minutes.  We had almost 3 hours.  It went so smoothly it was amazing.  From when we left the ship till we got to the US Air club it was less than 1 1/2 hours!  Bill decided to go get a car magazine and I stayed put.  He came back excited he had just run into Rick he was waiting to board his plane for home!

Plane was on time, luggage all 8 of them were out fairly quickly and where is the limo driver.  Seems he walked away.  Okay we find him there was suppose to  be a limo and a van for luggage  but they sent the van like they did on the outgoing that is fine.  We are in our house by 3:30pm
One of the less stress travel days.

As I sit here looking at all this luggage that has to be unpacked I realize what a great gift I was given to be able to travel these past 3 months on a luxury Crystal ship.  We are truly blessed.  We have seen places that were on my bucket list, we have made friends that will last a lifetime and so many memories.

Just wanted to end with we sailed for the whole trip a total of 24,360 Nautical miles and 28,043 land miles.  Damn I wish I was getting miles for this!!!!!!!!
So until the next great adventure, thank you for your comments and stay well.  As the captain said  "Don't cry because it's over-- Smile because it was!!!!!!!!!

Elise Ivy World Cruise Hostess

Rick and Elise during the viewing of the WC video

All the crew came out and sang "We are Family"

Capt. Glen thanking everyone for a fantastic WC

Getting Ready for the balloon drop

Bill and I watching the video thanks Becky for the photo!

Friday April 20, 2012
@ sea en route to LA

"Oh my bags are packed"  Wow it seems like yesterday I started this blog with those very words!  We were all excited and eager to start our 94 day journey onboard Crystal Serenity World Cruise 2012.  Well here it is 94 days later and it seems like just yesterday we started out.  It flew by.
 What an emotional day!  Today was the last day on ship, my last memoir writing class and my last day "in the office" with Becky, Pat and Betty.  Everyone was busy trying to get all the photos and stuff done.  Some were still packing.  I had that all done last night except for the carry on!  Hey, I wanted to enjoy today. We watched the morning show and Rick and Elise called Capt Glen to thank him, he turned the tables on them and thanked them first.  Then after the show came Capt. Glen's talk and his thought for the day was "Don't cry because it's over smile because it happened.  Well it just hit me and the tears started down my face.  I composed myself and went to the Bistro.  I had breakfast with Pat and Ray and Bill joined us a little while later.  We all headed into the showing of the WC video.  Rick had the banner from the WC event in Shanghai that they wrote for us that says Bon Voyage Crystal Serenity in Chinese and they decided to auction it off with the proceeds going to the crew welfare fund.  Nice touch.  It went for $2000.00.
Rick and Elise each spoke and before we knew it Elise was crying and the tears started again.  I composed myself one more time.  We watched the video which was so great!  After the video Rick came on stage and introduced the Crystal Sextet who sang "What a wonderful world"  Next thing you know Capt. Glen came up and thanked everyone for a fabulous WC and Rick said we want you to welcome your crew.  Most of the crew came marching into the Galaxy theater while they were all singing "We Are Family"  well this was too much plus the fact that Becky had been crying since yesterday.  The flood gates started.  I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.  It was very emotional!  When you spend 94 days with the same people you do become "like family".  Of course you don't bond with everyone.  There are some who you wish would leave after the first time you meet them but like family you are stuck with them! But most of the people were so great it is sad to think you might not see them again.  Of course I am crying because now I will have to make my own tea! Pick up my own towels, and make my own bed.  Oh please let me stay!!!!

We had to find our Lido guys to thank them for the fabulous service and of course Harry the Ice Cream man who would find me and tell me he had Cherry Vanilla ice cream hidden for me even if I was just walking through! So what could I do I mean the man went out of his way to find me and bring me the ice cream I had to eat it!

We went to the 5pm show which was great.  Stopped in to say goodbye to Karen and Hubert, and Jeremy and made our way down to the cove where they were going to have a dancing music, singing and balloon drop.  Didn't we just do this like 2 weeks ago.
We sat with Nelda and Sheldon and pretty soon Betty and Kris and Becky joined us.  We had champagne well I had it and the entertainment started.  We had a countdown and the balloons dropped we sang Auld Lang Syne and it felt like New Year's!!!!  Everyone hugging and crying.  I am exhausted but it isn't over yet. We head to dinner.  Augusto made us a Cesar Salad tableside he makes the best!!!! And he made us his special eggplant parmagiana.  I made a comment about how I will miss the salt sticks before I knew it I had a package of them wrapped to go!!!!
I will try to post in the next few days my final thoughts on this incredible journey.  Right now I am sad to be leaving the ship, happy to be able to skype with the kids and grandkids, and thinking that reality bites!!!!!
We must be in the Hollywood Theater tomorrow at 8:45am for our limo to the airport.  Our plane is due to land in Phoenix at 2:10pm. Hopefully it will be on time.
I am sitting here thinking how blessed I am that I had this extraordinary opportunity to be able to cruise this World Cruise.  We have seen so many places on my bucket list.  We have met some wonderful new friends, we have sailed with some old friends.  It has truly been a treasured time.

Cable Cars that we didn't ride as we have been here many times before

Alcatraz just love the fog what a setting for a scary movie

Boudin's bakery famous sourdough bread

Where Bill and I had a great lunch

Bill's lunch after he ate half of it!

As we sailed away from San Francisco this evening

Joe and Esther

Our last formal night at the Captains' Farewell Party

Serenity Pops Choir

Just as we went under the bridge

San Francisco, CA

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Today we were in San Francisco.  After we went through customs which compared to Dutch Harbor was a breeze!  I only had $4.00 to claim that I spent in Canada on a magnet.  Everything else was cleared and shipped from Ketchikan, Alaska!

We walked to Pier 39 which was very close to the ship there were all kinds of shops, restaurants.  We kept going and walked to Fisherman's Wharf.  Bill stopped in a cigar shop where they hand rolled them and got a couple for the last two nights.

We headed to Scoma's for lunch.  It was too early so we walked up to the cannery.  Got back to Scoma's right as it was opening and that was a smart thing.  We were seated and before you knew it it was packed.  Lots of people from the ship came in for lunch also.
There really was not much choice if you didn't want seafood so I had pasta pomodoro.  Bill had a cup of their clam chowder which he said was the best he has every had and then he had broiled scallops which where served over rice with vegetables and pasta!
He really enjoyed the scallops  and vegatables but did not touch the pasta.  After lunch we were on a mission to go to Ghiardelli's to see if they had peppermint bark for Melissa.  It was up a huge hill and then two more blocks over.  Got all the way there and no peppermint bark only at Christmas!  Sorry Melissa you will have to wait!  We walked back down the hill through the park onto the wharf and decided that my heel spurs where hurting too much so I took a cab back to the ship and Bill wanted to check out another store so he walked.

Bill went for a haircut and I went to have it done.  Now I won't have to worry till I get to NY.

Last night we had a great dinner in the dining room with friends, Betty and Kris, Pat and Ray, Elaine and Jack, Margaret and Ken.  Elaine and Jack got off today as well as our friends Joe and Esther.  It has been great getting to know these people and enjoying their company.  There was the final Captain's farewell party, dinner and then the Serenity Pops which I was not sure what to expect.  They brought on many musicians there were about 35 or more on stage and it was absolutely fabulous.  The grand finale was John Phillip Sousa's march and the entertainers all marched in carrying American Flags.  It was heartwarming.

I am almost all packed!!!!  Tomorrow is our last sea day so I want to enjoy and not have to deal with all the packing.

We are off to the show and dinner so until tomorrow.

Good night and God Bless

This needed to be big to see how beautiful these tulips were.

Bill was freezing

 Tuesday April 17, 2012

Victoria, BC Canada

First of all Happy Birthday Luke!  Today we are in Victoria and this is a lovely victorian town.  We were greeted by people dressed in Victorian clothes and automobiles.  We had a tour so we headed to the bus.  We went to the Buchart Gardens and tea.  

The channel on the tv said that it was 57 degrees out so I donned a blouse and pants and my light jacket I did put my gloves in my purse.  Unfortunately,  it was quite cold, damp and raw out and only 45.  

The bus driver pointed out all the interesting places on our way to the gardens.  Because of the unseasonably cold winter that they had the flowers were 2-3 weeks behind schedule.  No roses were blooming but the Tulips and hyacinths were so fragrant and beautiful it was gorgeous.  We walked all around and then we had tea in their restaurant.  There were 22 of us on our bus and we had a private room overlooking the Italian garden.  We had beautiful window seats so it was truly beautiful.  The tea was great also.  

On the way back to the ship the bus driver took us through Chinatown and old town.  We even dropped a couple off to walk around the Empress Hotel.  We were too cold and I was starting to hurt so home we went.  We rested awhile and changed for dinner.  We went to the 7pm show to see Lynn Trefzger.  She is a comedian and ventriloquest.  We have seen her on Symphony and she is very funny.  Well she picked on Bill and Chuck in the front row.  Then she called Chuck up again and he pointed to a man to his left so Bill was thrilled she then took out another puppet who wanted Bill up there too.  She had three people up there and said when I tap your shoulder move your mouth but don’t talk.  It was hysterical and unfortunately I didn’t have the camera.  She had a grouchy voice coming out of Bill and a high pitched voice coming out of the other guy and the woman just kept saying over and over again how she loved orange.  Bill was so good at it.  It was really funny.

We headed to dinner and everyone was stopping and telling him how great he was.  Well it is late and I am going to sleep in tomorrow and finish more packing..... 

4 down 4 to go!

Good night and God bless

The internet is spotty so I will post more pictures tomorrow!

Gastown, Vancouver

Sea Planes that took off and landed by our window all day long

Vancouver, BC

Monday April 16, 2012

Today we docked in Vancouver BC, Canada at 8am.  We didn't rush off as we did not have a tour.  I watched the sea planes take off and land right next to where we were docked.  Everyone kept telling me that Vancouver would be warm.  I kept saying it is Canada it won't be warm.  This am it was 45 degrees and misty.  

We had a bite to eat in the Bistro and headed out.  It was a long walk from the ship through the terminal to Canada Place.  We then headed to Gastown.  We have been here before but we walked all around again.  After a couple of hours of going in and out of shops we headed back to the ship.  I was going to rest and Bill was going to head out at 4ish to watch the NY Rangers hockey playoffs.  We had lunch in tastes and were speaking with Sheri, she told me that Memphisto had a great concept store here and it wasn't too far.  Well I think it might have been the dampness as it was very overcast but I was really hurting today!  So Bill asked if I wanted to go, we could take a cab.  Finished lunch in record time and headed out again. The sun had come out by this time and it was really nice out.  Wished I could have walked but we got a cab it really was only about 5 city blocks but I could not walk.  We should have stayed on the ship!!!!!!

I bought three pairs of shoes and Bill bought 1......We hailed a cab back and by now I could hardly walk.  When we entered the terminal one of the Crystal land Reps saw I was having a lot of trouble walking and came with a wheelchair.  Bill said he would push me and she said "No that's my job".  So I sent Bill to the sports bar to watch his Rangers.  I reboarded the ship with our two shopping bags of shoes and called Becky.  She and I had tea in the Bistro.  I was so tired when I got back to the room I decided that I was not going down for dinner but I would order in. I took 4 advil and rested until dinner came.

I picked the Wiener Schnitzel with a baked potato tonight and I was almost finished eating when Bill came home.  He had his fish and chips and was really happy that the Rangers won.

Tomorrow we will be in Victoria, BC and we have a tour to Buchart Gardens with tea.  Looking forward to that and hoping that it is sunny.

I now have 4 suitcases packed and 4 to go!  Let's go Rangers you only need to win 2 more games!!!!!!

Cruising the Inside Passage

pictures from World Cruise event  Gold Rush Saloon

some of the singers and dancers

Cruising the Inside Passage
April 15, 2012
Today we are cruising the inside passage.  The view was amazing. Not as spectacular as Glacier Bay but still very nice.  There are so many islands in here.  Other than my memoir writing class, we sat by the windows and watched.  I was too cold to sit on my balcony so the girls sat by the window in the Bistro and watched this scenery go by as we chatted.  There was an Ocean View discussion today for the last time this WC.  Mary Matlin and James Carville, General Hugh Shelton and a Professor were the panelists.  Audience members are each given an interactive device.  A question is asked and the panel all give their opinions and then the audience votes for who they agree with.

The event for the World Cruisers the other night was a lot of fun and I have posted some pictures, thanks to Becky.  They did an incredible job making the Neptune Pool area look like a saloon and dance hall.  They made a dance floor on top of the pool and the entertainment staff did a wonderful job of  entertaining us.They left up the decorations as today was the American Buffet so it went well.  Bill, Becky and I decided to go up there and have lunch  yum they had turkey!!!  They had a lot of other things but I opted for my turkey and gravy surprise surprise!
After lunch I had my class and Bill went for his final massage of the cruise.  He has been going twice every segment!


Yesterday they had two shows.  They had one of the productions shows at 5pm and then at 7pm for late seating and 8:30 for early seating guests Jimmy Travis performed.  He also performed last night in theWC event.  We have seen him on the Symphony numerous times and he just gets better and better.  He sings, plays guitar and tells jokes.  He is so talented.  He makes up songs and he had the audience rolling in the seats.  On the way out we got to meet his wife this trip.

Well I now have three suitcases packed!  Only 5 more to go!  I just can't believe how fast this cruise has gone.  Alaska has been every thing that I have imagined and more.

Well today we are in Vancouver and since I had trouble with the internet last night this is being posted late.   We are here till midnight and Bill is in his glory he wants to find a sports bar so he can watch the NY Ranger hockey game tonight.  So off we go to scout out the area.  Let's Go Rangers!

We have been to Vancouver before and it is a great city so we are excited about being back.  We spent a week here with the kids when they were young!

Next stop on this fantastic adventure is Victoria, BC!

Mountain Goats in Glacier Bay

Moose Glacier Bay

Seals in Glacier Bay

Ketchikan

Becky Bill and I at World Cruise Cocktail party

Ketchikan Alaska

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Sorry I didn't get this up last night but was exhausted.  Busy busy day.

I started with a few photos of Glacier Bay I just couldn't resist adding more.  We were in Ketchikan yesterday and unlike the beautiful sunshine in Glacier Bay it was overcast and cold.  But I must say we were very lucky with the sun the day before so it was a trade off. 

Ketchikan was a cute little town.  Across from the pier are all jewelry shops which if it was sunny and warm you would have thought you were in the Caribean.  They were not open as we were the first cruise ship into town and they will not open for 3 or more weeks when the cruise ships start to come into town.  We did go into quite a few stores that were opened.

We went through customs before the ship was even cleared and got off early with our two boxes that we were shipping one to the AZ house and one to the NY house.  The port agent called us a cab and off we went to post these packages!  The cab driver pointed out all the interesting sights and after we sent the packages we walked all around the town for a few hours.  

We were going to have lunch off ship but the chowder place didn't have anything for me to eat so we headed to the ship and just made lunch.

The sun came out just as we were getting ready to sail.

Last night there was a World Cruise Event called Gold Rush Saloon,  there was a cocktail party in the Palm Court first with your choice of drink and popcorn.  The Neptune pool was decorated to look like a saloon.  There were even the swinging doors.  The entertainment staff did an outstanding job as usual.  The food was delicious as was the company at our table!

When we returned to our room there were two blue Tiffany boxes one for Bill and one for me.  Mine was a lovely silver pendant with the World Cruise Logo engraved on it.  Bill's was a lovely leather card case.

What a great end to a great day.

We did have to put our clocks ahead one hour and it was after 1am when I finally went to sleep.  No time to post this last night.

I will post later about our cruising the Inside Passage today!

More pictures later!!!!!