. . . . . .which is how one gets to Alaska from Southern California. We are packing, and more packing, this evening since Super Shuttle will be here at 5:30 am for our trip to LAX - our flight to Vancouver on Alaska Airlines leaves around 8:30, so I guess we will be having lunch in Canada tomorrow.
The ship sails on Wednesday afternoon around 5. According to my friend Rhonda, who took this trip in September, you can board the ship around noon, they will hand you a glass of champagne (sounds good to me), and then you can have lunch while waiting for your bags to arrive in your suite. Our bags are supposedly going to be taken from our room at the Pan Pacific hotel earlier that morning - a good thing, since I appear to be taking more items of clothing than I thought possible. Before we are done tonight we will probably add an extra suitcase for shoes, jackets and space to do some shopping. Seriously.
I might have taken a picture of the packing process, if I were not so embarassed by what ended up lying on the bed (perhaps after posting this, I will take out a fleece vest and a sweater, or two). Honestly, having never taken a trip like this, one that will involve layers of clothing for outdoor sailings and other excursions, plus evening clothes for dinner in the dining room (and we are not even talking formal, since this ship only has an informal night on the Alaska week cruise), plus those electronics that will allow me to a) take pictures, b) charge my cell phone and c) hopefully stay in touch with this blog, well, I have a lot of stuff. It's the unpredictable weather, I think, more than anything else.
Do I need 3 books (hello, Kindle in my future)? I don't know - traveling without reading material is almost a security blanket issue for me. And oh my, I think I may have a few pairs of shoes too many. I am much better at packing for two weeks in Italy, after several trips there. I have stuff for seasickness, both dramamine and ginger tablets, I have sunscreen, new binoculars, a rain jacket, hat, gloves, scarves, pashminas for evening. I have gym clothes since I need to work out those wonderful meals, and I even tossed in a swimsuit since there is a pool and hot tub on the ship, tho I hardly see myself braving the cold outdoors that way.
So. we're more than good to go. This is the first longish trip we have taken since the dog left us, and it really felt odd today to call my neighbor, the one with the key, and remind her to take in the papers and mail, and maybe check the plants on the weekend. No long list for the dogsitter, no meals to prepares, meds to get ready. Not sad, not bad, just odd.
My passport is in my bag, so this is it. With any luck I will be posting from Vancouver, then Alaska. Please, no suitcase jokes.
Comments (10)
Buon viaggio! Take WHATEVER you want!
Have a great time!
Posted by Palma | June 15, 2009 8:12 PM
Posted on June 15, 2009 20:12
Have a great, scenic, relaxing fun trip. Can't wait to hear all the details. Have fun. I want to Cruise too!
Posted by Barb Cabot | June 15, 2009 10:22 PM
Posted on June 15, 2009 22:22
Happy Trails to you! I hope you have a wonderful time and I can't wait to read all about it.
I know exactly what you mean about books=security blankets.
Have fun!
Posted by Annie | June 16, 2009 5:56 AM
Posted on June 16, 2009 05:56
Have a great cruise! We will be getting on the Mariner as you are getting off. I too loved Italy while there last year. We went to a vineyard in Lucca and had an absolute wonderful time. Although Nice was my favorite. I did have a question as to packing. You don't seem to worried about luggage restrictions. I hate the thought of paying to fly my bags. So trying to limit clothes to a minimum. Or is there something I am doing wrong with packing?
Posted by Cheryl | June 16, 2009 7:53 AM
Posted on June 16, 2009 07:53
Have a wonderful trip. I will look forward to hearing how well you did packing and about the cruise. We have never done a cruise before and I'm really interested in knowing if you like it or not.
Posted by Marta | June 16, 2009 10:37 AM
Posted on June 16, 2009 10:37
Have a safe flight! Looking forward to your posts.
And Marcia, you can never have too many shoes:)
Posted by candi | June 16, 2009 11:50 AM
Posted on June 16, 2009 11:50
Well, tomorrow it's anchors aweigh. I'll be thinking about you guys, and hope the cruise is everything you've hoped for and more. Buon Viaggio!
Posted by Brad'll Do It | June 16, 2009 12:32 PM
Posted on June 16, 2009 12:32
Agree with Palma - take whatever you want. How could you possibly know what you will need. Next time you Cruise to Alaska you will know what not to take. At least you do not have to schlep those bags too far! Have a great trip.
Posted by sheri | June 16, 2009 5:54 PM
Posted on June 16, 2009 17:54
I'm a little late getting here, but I hope you two have a wonderful trip!
We want to hear all about it!
Posted by nancyhol | June 18, 2009 10:29 PM
Posted on June 18, 2009 22:29
This is a late buon viaggio wish for you and David. It must be quite different packing for a cruise. Right now I have stuff everywhere and suitcases half full. Have a fabulous time!!
Posted by girasoli | June 19, 2009 2:12 AM
Posted on June 19, 2009 02:12