Just back from Alaska via HAL Amsterdam

[momtodogs]

Wow! What a vacation! I'm hooked on cruising. Being waited on, hand and foot, is hard to beat. We're exhausted! The pace was non-stop. This was our first cruise, so we had to take in as many of the activities as we could humanly tolerate and afford!

 

Our itinerary included Glacier Bay, Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria (Seattle to Seattle.) It was cloudy most of the time, and drizzly rain quite a bit, but who cared! We saw glaciers, whales (orca and humpback), bald eagles, porpoises (or dolphins), and dolls (sp?) dolphins. We shopped, and shopped, and shopped, and spent too much money, but "oh well." Dad had a great time, and my sister and I really enjoyed watching him enjoying himself! We also had a great time. Didn't get to bed before 1 am on any night. The food was incredible! The staff was soooo very nice. Our dining staff (Tama, Yana, Andy and Odessa) became our new best friends. Our steward (just call me "Say") took great care of us.

 

The entertainment in the main show lounge (Queen's Lounge) was outstanding. The ship's cast of 10 singer/dancers were amazing! They did two different shows, Romance on Broadway and Dancin' Fool. I wouldn't have expected a more polished performance on Broadway! The other entertainers were Mike Robinson (comedian/ventriloquist), Drew & Angela in DV8 Reality Magic, and Sean O'Shea (humorous impressions and impersonations). Although, ventriloquism is not my favorite form of intertainment, I will say I don't think I've seen better. Mike Robinson is excellent at what he does! Drew & Angela, husband and wife team, put on an incredible show. You just wanted to believe in the magic and not even try to "figure it out." They were also very warm people to talk with (encountered them several times on the ship.) I can't say enough about the vocal talent, and athleticism, of Sean O'Shea. If you have seen/heard him, you know what I mean. He was, by far, my favorite (and I wasn't alone in this.) He had an incredible repetoire of impressions (Louis Armstrong, Fats Dominoe, Neil Diamond, Elvis, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, and so many more.) His leaps from, and back onto, the stage were Olympian (I don't exaggerate.) He also was very warm to talk with, when encountered later, on the ship.

 

We got back yesterday morning. Took a 2-hour nap, before starting to unpack. Went to bed last night about 9:30, and got up this morning at 11:30. It is now 2:30 in the afternoon, and I'm ready for another nap. How long does it usually take to return to normal sleep patterns?

 

Thanks sooo much for all your input in our preperations for this trip. Your tips helped us get the most out of our first cruise.

 

Oh, and did I mention ....... I won a Caribbean cruise for two, in the shipboard lottery! My sister is already planning her wardrobe (I wouldn't dare take anyone else.) Any advice on which Caribbean cruise (and ship) to take?