This was a fun experience. We had booked a cruise for four days and three nights sailing from Seattle and returning to Seattle . It was wonderful seeing some of the people I had worked with. Going up the gangway there was EMARD watching the ramp and making sure there were no trips or falls and that the gangway was in its proper position for safe boarding. PENNY was working stores. The stores are tremendous in the quantity. It is hard to believe 2000 people can eat and drink so much, but they do. Some of the commodities I have never seen or heard of.  The ship’s crew strives to please all passengers. I think they do a good job. The temp outside ranged from 55 to 64 degrees so you do not want to be laying on the deck chairs. If that is your choice the crew will bring a blanket to cover you. You will be warm and comfy. Another choice is the hot tub, which is hot, about 160 degrees and when you get out, the air is invigorating. 

Try it. The first dinner is impressive. All dinners have wonderful staff and they try to treat you like a king or queen. Busboys, waiters, head waiters, wine stewards, and bartenders or barmaids. They are all there to bring to you, your every need. The menu has a list of appetizers, soups, salads, main course and desserts. The waiter takes the orders for all at the table and with the help of the busboy the food starts to arrive. As dinner is completed the waiter takes orders for dessert, when dinner is finished and the last plate from dinner is picked up the desserts arrive. Yes, you can have an after dinner drink, your choice is available and you do not have to pay until disembarkation. Enjoy! In the morning it is possible to have breakfast in bed, on deck, in a casual dining room or the more proper dining room. The only dress requirements were that feet are covered, chest on ladies and men be covered and in the casual dining areas shorts are allowed. 

When in port it is time for the spa.  (Shopping is offered ashore) The spa has sauna, dry or moist heat, Jacuzzi and hot tubs. These will get you relaxed and ready for a massage. You might start to think that you are in heaven.  After the massage you just lay there and slowly come back to reality. “How about a Bloody Mary?”  Jim asks. “Sure why not?  We are on vacation.” The bars are almost always open. Here we are on the 10th deck and a nice cozy bar. “Lets have a breakfast special.”  “OK, two Bloody Mary’s.” We finished that and headed to the cabins. We passed a

coffee station and we had to have a coffee, and pastry. That was good. In the cabin the little lady had ordered fresh fruit tray. Here was pineapple, strawberries, mango, and papaya, Mandarin orange sections, banana, and several pieces of melon. Then I was told that lunch would be at the regular hour, and we would be going to the dinning room. I enjoyed that fruit, tasted good and made me think of Hawaii . Lunch, I was thinking a simple affair as so many of the passengers were in town. Was I wrong!  Ladies carried their shopping bags in to the dinning room so as to not miss lunch. People kept coming. Our table was full so the waiter started giving out the menus. It was almost like dinner. Appetizers, soups, salads, Entrees, kind of vegetables, and dessert order would be taken later. It is time for a nap. 

Ship’s crew was very helpful, and friendly. I am very sure that they knew that it is important that passengers be happy have a good time and enjoy their trip. The skyline of Seattle is awesome from the water. Coming into port standing on deck you can hear the whistle of the tugs and the marine pilot giving orders with the ship’s communication system. All goes well and the ship is secured to the dock and it is just a little before 07:00. Longshore workers start their work, setting gangways, preparing the stores racks, getting trucks unloaded, baggage is starting to come off, it is lined on the dock as determined by color baggage tags. By noon the inbound passengers will have disembarked and outbound guests will be boarded. 1700 hours the ship will sail and the dock will be quiet. I had fun but it is nice to be home.