Von & John

Hahaha -- my Mom grew up in Wisconsin... She loved her Braunschweiger... Never ate that nor liver 🙂 There were only (2) meals we were exempt from growing up.... Liver (any kind) Mom loved & Dad hated. The 2nd one Dad loved & Mom hated - I don't even remember what that was... But I sure remember the smell of the liver. We had to taste each once & then that was it... Everything else we were force fed... With you @graphicguy - all that taught me was to be more stubborn than Mom & Dad... And I certainly don't eat those items since I left for college @ 17...

Like 2 Ships (Cruise of course) passing in the night…

Enjoy your time in Anchorage! The Train ride is generally pretty spectacular... If there are any specific food options your looking for - let us know...

Maybe... If the monkey is out...

Which day are you flying in? I may pass you in the airport - headed to the Lower 48 for the week...

As an Alaska Local... I will 2nd F Street!!! Best Calimari in Anchorage & love the Halibut (both meal & sandwich) plus many other menu items... Very relaxed atmoshphere & if you like cheddar cheese - there's a huge block on the bar to enjoy. Cheers -- Von & John OK - I see now this is really a 3rd for F Street...

@Coastalbreezes & @romalley99 Is this the bag you received? Appears nicer than the first ones I found...

@Davechipp74 Not sure what specific bag @Coastalbreezes received for attaining ambassador. As a general rule the Away luggage is considered good quality. Here are the 3 Tote Bags on their website @ this time:

@rmercedes Puerto Plata was our final port March 2022. I was recovering from surgery - so pretty much missed every port... However, w/ the motorized cart providing transportation to the Port Area - I was able to walk far enough to enjoy the pool/beach/bar area... It was a relaxing & highly enjoyable day for our group at the pool/beach/bar area & we ate lunch in the restaurant... Very pleasant day for us and if you have time at the end of your adventures and want to relax at the Pool/Beach/Bar area - I highly recommend.

Thanks - totally missed that short-lived change along the way... We were on the Century w/ Mom in 2000 - so that was my point of reference... 🙂

So Many Memories!!! Thanks for sharing - I have a HUGE Smile on my face after reading them... Welcome Aboard Champagne / Bubbly Midnight Buffets Chocolate Buffet Ice Carvings Garde Manger Displays Sail Ins & Sail Aways A-Maze-Ing Food!!!! Tableside Prep in the Dining Room Quality Cheese Selections Fantabulous Breads & Pastries Ocean Liners, Normandie, The Olympia, The United States & Similar Restaurants... Bistro on Five - Crepes YES!!! Both Savory & Sweet 🙂 And Much Much More... The Memories of Mom on her first & only cruise & my nephew @ 10 months playing on the floor w/ the Captain in the Atrium, my sisters & I and all the individualized attention we experienced from the Crew!! It was Fantabulous... (we sailed inside connecting cabins - no suites). Johnny & I have truly enjoyed our time w/ Celebrity and are sad many of these memories are no longer active or part of the offerings... However, we continue to make new memories w/ Celebrity and others... Celebrity is our favorite of the 3 lines we sail - but another generally has the unique itineraries we are seeking... Apples to Apples comparison - Celebrity will always win 🙂

OK - I'm confused - I don't ever remember a non-smoking ship... In my experience w/ Celebrity - starting in 2000 - there have always been smoking areas... I vividly remember - as my sisters & I took Mom on a cruise & there was always a place for her to smoke...

Thanks for another Fantastic Review!!! Happy to hear your luggage finally made it home to you... Cheers -- Von & John

We sailed Vancouver to Yokohoma SEPT/OCT 2018... We had some gorgeous days... I wore short sleeves, capris & sandals in Seward... Our cold weather, warm weather & rain clothes all came in handy!!! Many on the cruise had winter coats, gloves, scarves & hats... We layer w/ longies as needed - no winter coats for us - rain proof shell w/ fleece & layering Just looked through pictures - and it appears on land I mostly wore capris & sandals, maybe w/ a fleece or jacket - but my toes must be free... Also of note - we headed to Russia from here - of course that's off the table now - so I believe we took a more northern route than you will. We also hit a typhoon along the way 🙂 Have an amazing time! We're thinking of booking Japan to Seward in the Spring...

Hahaha... Quite a time ago (wow the last one was @ least 15 years ago)... I used to conduct an Etiquette Dinner for Graduating Seniors @ the University Level... It was to train them how to dine in the professional world - it was always a huge event & GREAT FUN... We had fun w/ it & would include things like plastic insects in one salad @ every table - to assist them w/ how to react to situations. We started w/ a Mixer Hour - Mocktails & Hors D'oeuvres & then a seven course meal... And... My Momma trained us from a very young age to use proper dining etiquette... To this day - every time I put an elbow on the table, I think of Mom... We also weren't allowed to use slang - not even of the local variety 🙂

We’ve taken the train before - great option! On our last cruise out of Rome/Civitavecchia we flew in a few days early, rented a car, stayed not far from the airport & did day trips to outlying areas every day. We then drove to Civitavecchia - I dropped Johnny off w/ the luggage @ the port shuttle point & returned the vehicle to Thrifty. It was a gorgeous morning - decided not to wait for the shuttle & walked back to the port shuttle point. We hopped on the next shuttle & were on our way. Flying from AK we always arrive 1 night+ early. Depending on if we’ve visited the area b/4 - we may stay a week or 2 pre-cruise or post-cruise.

It was interesting... If we went to the MDR for breakfast early - it was almost OK... But if went later it was horrendous - like it had burned in the Coffee maker for hours... I don't think I ever had anything near almost OK in the Buffet 🙂

You are absolutely correct about the "coffee" on the sun... I used more cream/milk than normal & even added sugar... Tea does not give me the same caffeine boost. I definitely upped my coke consumption for caffeine... So happy they switched back to Coca Cola 🙂

@Crown Vic - saw one of your postings on humor thread & thought of you & Ruth!! Happy to hear you've had the opportunity to be on the water again!!! It's summer in AK (OK Almost) & we attempt to not leave the state during the summer 🙂 Hope to see you on another cruise soon... Cheers -- Von & John

The good news is - Every person who is Gold is eligible for the 50% discounted bag of laundry (add'l on long cruises)... Also - they usually do stuff the bag for a flat rate 1/2 way through the cruise (add'l on long cruises). Have a Great Time!!!

Hahaha -- saved this meme to quote when I was done w/ the review... I once had an intern who aggravated me beyond belief. We were eating breakfast together one morning when he said something to annoy me again... I thought I had such a good poker face - until he said: "You have a very expressive face." Oops... I of course apologized & have attempted to internalize those expressions over the years 🙂 I wonder what ever happened to W******...

Success... I have finished all 59 pages & ready to tackle The Tribe... OK maybe tomorrow for The Tribe 🙂 Sid - Fantabulous Review as always & it looks like my first comment made it in just under the wire to make it on the Official Thank You List... I must have timed that just right. Your Pictures, Verbiage & Insights are spot on - as are the comments of everyone else who has joined the review... Cheers All & Good Night - Von & John

Wow - caught page one & then disappeared form Cruise Critic for a while... Still catching up from our cruise 🙂 Since you've cruised the cruise & are back home in Ay-Tee-El already, I'm way behind... 59 pages behind Hope it was Magical & can't wait to dive in again... Cheers -- Von & John

The majority of the coffee on the Sun recently needed lot's of Cream, half-n-half or milk to "help" the coffee.... I used to drink black coffee - but due to challenges w/ acid I now use heavy cream @ home & any of the above elsewhere 🙂

On our recent cruise, embarked in MIA, both our photos were retaken... However, I noticed on the ship my photo was the one I submitted & John's was the retake... Go Figure 🙂