The chocolate tea was the beginning of our ending for this wonderful cruise. Actually the seas were getting a bit rocky, and some of that chocolate was getting a bit queasy so we returned to the suite for pre-dinner packing. I had forgotten the part about cruising where your bags need to be outside for pickup the night before, so there was some madcap discussion as to what to wear to dinner, what to put out to wear the next day, toiletries to pack, toilietries to save for morning, etc. We were taking the train from our last port Seward to the airport in Anchorage, so we would not see our bags until the airport; they were going by truck.
.
We had a last dinner in the Compass Rose, mine sans wine thanks to rocky waves and that chocolate still mixing it up, and returned to our suite; I was down to the complimentary bathrobe or my last day's wardrobe so chose the latter for a last read on the balcony - remember it is now almost 10 o'clock at night.
The next morning In Seward the train people had the early disembarkation call; not hard to get it together when all you have is a set of clothing and a small carryon bag. We had a last breakfast and left the Mariner for our train ride to Anchorage.
This is pretty much all we saw of Seward:
The train ride, as promised, gave us spectacular views of snow covered mountains (it had snowed the night before we were told), glaciers, rivers and even a lake; we saw our last eagles soaring, and looked for bears and mountain sheep, but saw none, or at least I saw none.
By noon we were approaching the airport, where we reunited with our bags and stuffed a few last things into them before sending them off through Alaska Airlines baggage. Given our several hours wait for our plane home to Los Angeles, we bought day passes to the airline lounge and enjoyed some free wifi, and a snack or two. It was 5 hours back to LA, a wait for luggage and shuttle, and finally we opened our front door at 1 am. This trip had been spectacular, but it was now over.
Just a shot from the airport, which amused me only for the signature, yep, we were really in Alaska. Have I mentioned that we saw the Bridge to Nowhere back in Ketchikan?
Sometime later I hope to post an album of David's wonderful nature shots, taken with a much better camera and lens, but for now, it's back to wedding packing. Alaska was spectacular, and cruising was a wonderful travel experience; we are not going to become people who only take cruises, but I think we will be going on another one sometime down our travel road.
Comments (9)
Thanks for the lovely narration and pictures. You whet our appetite for our upcoming trip!
Posted by GBT | July 2, 2009 9:57 AM
Posted on July 2, 2009 09:57
Marcia,
I am so glad that you enjoyed your cruise. Everything sounds wonderful.
I had to laugh at the signature too, LOL. Yep, you sure were in Alaska.
BTW, did the guide call the bridge the one to no where, or did you just figure it out? I wonder.
Posted by candi | July 2, 2009 11:46 AM
Posted on July 2, 2009 11:46
A great trip and a great report.
Thanks for taking us along with you - it was almost as good as being there (except for just looking at the chocolate instead of eating it).
Posted by nancyhol | July 3, 2009 7:48 AM
Posted on July 3, 2009 07:48
Thanks for sharing your trip with us. I enjoyed reading each of the posts.
Posted by Cindy Ruth | July 4, 2009 10:37 AM
Posted on July 4, 2009 10:37
Marcia, I enjoyed following your cruise. We had some of the same impressions as you and David after our cruise and we enjoyed it much more than anticipated but, like you, we will take another one but we will not become cruisers only. You just don't get to experience the real culture of a destination in a day.
Posted by Carole | July 4, 2009 3:49 PM
Posted on July 4, 2009 15:49
I've really enjoyed your posts. Love the one of you reading on the balcony at night! And the scenery is so beautiful.
Have a wonderful time at the wedding!
Posted by Annie | July 7, 2009 7:28 AM
Posted on July 7, 2009 07:28
It sounds like a great time! we shall have to compare cruise notes when we get together in San Diego.
To think that you're already off on your next advanture. Life is good n'est pas?
Posted by Jerry | July 11, 2009 4:39 AM
Posted on July 11, 2009 04:39
Sigh. I just now finally read through all of your cruise postings ... made me want to go again on this wonderful cruise. Let me know when you are ready for another Regent cruise anywhere; I'll tag along!
Posted by Rhonda Lawrence | July 30, 2009 4:36 PM
Posted on July 30, 2009 16:36
Fun trip! Thanks for all the trip reports :)
Posted by girasoli | August 16, 2009 9:15 PM
Posted on August 16, 2009 21:15