ceilidh1

This is my fourth cruise this year. The first three were masks recommended but not required. Ironically, around 90% of passengers on these sailings wore masks. This one is masks required and I would say 90% are not wearing them. It’s not enforced at all. We wear ours at all times, partly because I’m a rule follower. Lol. I wouldn’t say I feel any less at risk than I am at work everyday, where no one is required to wear a mask. The mask/no mask doesn’t bother me either way. What is frustrating is that if Princess is going to the effort of making this rule, why not enforce it? Or else not bother with it…

After my gym workout this morning, I decided to go check out the situation on the Covid deck. First lesson learned- don’t try to take elevator down to deck 9! It juddered to a halt and started flashing between 16 and 17. My heart gave a little flutter and I had visions of being stuck there for the day but luckily when I pressed the open door button it opened on deck 15. Phew. Since I was all the way aft, I walked down to deck 9. Both sides of Dolphin aft were blocked. I then walked down to 8 and walked the hallway to midship and back up to 9, Both sides of Dolphin mid were blocked off. Back down to 8, walked to forward and up to 9. Both sides of Dolphin forward blocked off. So zero access to Dolphin deck on this sailing. No idea if there is anyone quarantined but they are certainly prepared for a number of cases!

After dinner I sat at the Princess Live bar and caught up with my friends, who are also on this sailing. Fun fact… 12 years ago we met while working shore side for Princess Cruises (back in the day when Princess employed their own shore staff rather than contract it out). We chatted and drank and were well taken care of by the bar staff. Before we knew it, it was well after midnight! Who knew Princess could keep going so late!?! On my return to the room, Princess Prizes informed me I had won $25 onboard credit, so even if I don’t get refunded the $29 for BFFs crown grill reservation, I’m pretty much even…

Crown Grill tonight…BFF refused to come so it was just me and DD (not sure if I will get refunded for BFFs prepaid reservation). Food was great but so much. I can barely move right now

Well, we have good times and bad times. It’s tough with someone else’s kid as things my kids would never dream of doing seem to be the norm for this kid and it horrifies me. I don’t have too many rules but basic stuff like no screens at the dinner table or when watching shows…Anyways, all she really wants to do is sit in the room and be on her phone so I’ve pretty much left her to it.

Relaxing, chill day today so not a whole lot to post about. We stayed on the ship, played lots of games, failed at trivia, and had lunch at Alfredo’s. We checked out the Colours of the World production show, though we have seen it many times. It’s one of the ones we enjoy. We then got some more pictures taken (cashing in on this premiere package) and DS went to kids club. The girls went back to the room to chill before our dinner at Crown Grill later. I parked myself at the Princess Live bar and am being spoiled by the amazing bar staff. I know I mentioned earlier about my conundrum over tipping as I had paid extra grats on the premium drink package but not able to find any premium drinks. Well, these Barstaff deserve every extra tip I give them!

The ordering system on the app is down again. Been waiting on a drink for half hour and not getting past order placed point. It’s next to impossible to find an open bar right now. I think just Good Spirits, which is a trek from where we are sitting

“Secret” deck on 7. Doors outside are hidden behind the shops and not many people find it…

Captain Circle invite

Retreat pool

Sitka is cloudy and overcast. Not sure if we will get off or not - don’t really fancy sitting on a packed shuttle bus for the 15 minute ride into town. We have been here a few times before and done the raptor centre, the small aquarium, and the town so might just stay on.

Sitka info

Dinner this evening was the first “miss” so far. Crab dip was bland/tasteless, banana rum soup was more like a banana smoothie and pork was really salty

Breakfast

We played bingo today - I bought the $29 package and also had 3 tickets for the snowball jackpot that we won at trivia. We didn’t win the jackpot but did win $328 on one of the free tickets! Woot.

The bartender and bar waiter at Princess Live are outstanding! I asked for the “best” margarita he could make and I got this with double Don Julio. We are sitting just across from the bar and each time I take a few sips he comes over and pours in another shot of tequila

Looking down from my balcony, anyone know what this balcony area is?

We didn’t get that close to the glacier and it was pretty early, so I’m sure a lot of people missed it! No matter how many times I see this scenery it never fails to take my breath away. Photos don’t do it justice at all.

Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier

Getting to Juneau a little earlier than expected so hopefully wifi will be better soon and I can catch you all up on the day

Skagway tomorrow just got canceled. We needed to tender due to dock damage from landslide and weather forecast says it is too windy. Calling on Sitka instead. Kids are disappointed about missing puppies but no biggie

Wifi seems to be good enough to post text but not to upload pics so that will have to wait… At the glacier all morning then arrive in Juneau around 2:30pm. Weather right now is decent - a little overcast but no rain or fog and not too cold - I was able to sit out the balcony without needing a jacket early this morning

As to be expected, wifi is not great in the national park. The whole “no paper cup” concept seems to be throwing passengers for a loop at International Cafe this morning.