LIVE* From the Serenade of the Seas

[bdoster]

Happy Birthday Folgy, sorry I'm am late, we were down yesterday. DH had to buy a NIC this am. Glad we tried internet connection before boarding or we would not have been able to get online!

Vancouver is great! The flights yesterday were good, have read ovre half of my vacation book...DaVinci Code...marvelous.

Have a great day!

[Folgy]

[quote name='suzym']Happy belated birthday Folgy. Just curious about the train ride in Skagway. We are sailing on the 5th and we have been debating back and forth on this one. Is it worth the price and would you take it again? Thanks Sue

(Can't wait to read all about it when you are back!!!)[/QUOTE]

It is so easy to get on the train ..right beside the ship. The naration about the history of the Klondike and the train is really interesting . I say it is 4 stars for an excursion.


We just got back from Mush Camp *mile 0 for the Idideron Alaska Dogsledding race. I stood on the runners and mushed the dogs. Everyone liked me there because I can Brake the team really easy (I'm a Heavy brake)

The helicopter ride over the Glaciers is breath taking lifetime experience . I give it 5 stars.I have it all on motion cam corder.
Fred our pilot really went out of his way to show us many exciting glacial sites.

I am starving . It's off to the windjammer for another yummy lunch.


oh .. and on the bus three young brothers ages 9 10 and 12 got into a fight and the bus driver booted them and their irresponsible parents ..hee hee

[morebeaches]

the kids getting kicked off the bus....and that was the best b-day present of all LOL

Hey Folgy- I have really enjoyed the play-by-play and Im very jealous! My 50th b-day will be in December and I know it wont be nearly as great as yours. Have a great rest of the trip and keep those post coming

[hstrybuf]

I'm loving this! Keep those reports coming! :) (too funny about the kids/parents getting the boot) :D

[kripsy]

I hope they were the kid who ate all those dounuts, got to keep your weight up!:)

[onapea]

lay off the fat jokes krispy

[suzyluvs2cruise]

[quote name='karalun']Hi Again Folgy,
Happy Birthday.......50's not so bad after all......glad to hear you're having a good time.

Earlier I posted that we would be on the Serenade for the Oct 7 Hawaii cruise. Wondered if you might sneek a peek at cabin 8590 on the "hump"?
Would really like to hear about the balcony for that cabin as it appears smaller in the deck plans. Of course it's nothing like your GS.......still hoping for a upgrade.

Thanks and keep the informative posts coming.[/QUOTE]

Folgy,
Thanks for taking a peek at our room/balcony. That location will be a new one for us. Really appreciate your commentary.

Can't wait for Hawaii!!!

[natesfirewife]

Sue, I was the orginal Group Leader for your Hawaii cruise. I hope you all have a great time, I'm sure we miss an awesome cruise. Did you opt for the Luau in Maui??

Misty

[baseballmom]

Hi Folgy,
So glad the dog sledding/helicopter excursion was everything you hoped it would be and more! I can see that my 51st on Serenade will be grand. I would like to know if you booked your excursions through RCCL or through local companies, and why you prefer one over the other. I've just started to look at the excursions on the RCCL website. I couldn't believe some of the prices, but if it means budgeting even more to grab this once in a lifetime trip, so be it. Thanks for any words of wisdom you wish to share!

Laurie

[bdoster]

Ketchekan today for you...we are headed to Chinatown, Grandville Island, Lionsdale Quay...Today we are hitting the metro transit system to see what we can find...

Well as Danny sleeps, my body clock wakes me...at 5am sharp...so I am up naming pictures & plotting my path today. Weather continues to be perfect here..like a cool fall day, yet the TV talk of their heatwave...haha

Last night we did a sunset dinner cruise...(photo of us at the front of the boat)probably the best non grilled salmon I have ever had...was a wonderful evening

We have walked a bunch, Danny swears his exercise is caught up and then some! Ha The Orca's are everywhere...a way to raise money for Children's charities...beautiful!

Have a great one!

[Folgy]

[quote name='baseballmom']Hi Folgy,
So glad the dog sledding/helicopter excursion was everything you hoped it would be and more! I can see that my 51st on Serenade will be grand. I would like to know if you booked your excursions through RCCL or through local companies, and why you prefer one over the other. I've just started to look at the excursions on the RCCL website. I couldn't believe some of the prices, but if it means budgeting even more to grab this once in a lifetime trip, so be it. Thanks for any words of wisdom you wish to share!

Laurie[/QUOTE]

I am going to the Spa this morning with my friend Steve (In the GS suite beside us). WE are kinda sore from our excursions yesterday so we made a date to let our wives sleep while we go to the Spa at 8am .

Baseballmom, I know they are very pricy, but I always, always book through RCCL for hastle free excursions . They just look after you so well.

[Folgy]

We are just pulling into port right now. We saw many ,many killer whales and hump Back whales from the Concierge happy hours last night (Incredible)

It is going to be another scorcher today

They gave us RCCL bullet line scan radios from Crown and Anchor Society ??? not sure why or what.

Today is Lumberjack competition in Ketchikan for us. The Salmon are everywhere here.

I could get a good cell phone signal here so I phoned my friend at home today to wish him a Happy 50 birthday today.

Well, it's off to the Spa ...ta ta for now :p

[Folgy]

We just got back from it . Canada vs USA . It was a tie.

Lots of fun to watch.

If you are thinking of bringing your baby to this venue I would think twice. When they start up those competition chainsaws the loud! loud! noise had every mother and their dribble running for cover as the babies were screaming in terror. All the mom's left the area. It is not a place for babies.

Salmon are jumping out of the water all over and are swimming in the town creek.

Very warm here today. Glad to back in our air conditioned suite.

well, off to windjammer :D

[fajitapita]

Hi Folgy!
Well, let's see, it's almost 6:00 here, and you're an hour behind, so you must be getting very close to entering Misty Fjords. Make sure you get a chance to look towards the back of the ship (especially Viking Crown Lounge) as the captain turns the ship around on your way back out! AMAZING! It's incredible how that ship maneuvers so well in that area, and there's just something special about looking at the Viking Crown Lounge as the ship is turning and the beautiful scenery passes behind it- hard to explain, and I don't know why, but it kind of took my breath away. Glad you're having such a WONDERFUL time on your cruise!!! (So, what are you doing for your 51st? :) )

[bdoster]

Hey Folgy...sounds like you continue to have a ball....save me alittle good weather OK....

[Merion_Mom]

Hey, Folgy, happy belated birthday! I missed the day because we just got back from a cruise. While on the cruise we booked the Alaska cruise on the Serenade for this coming week next summer. How are you celebrating your 51st????? Same time, next year? ;)

Carol

Oh, and while you are running around being a Peeping Tom, could you run across the ship to Cabin 1056 and report on the balcony? ;) Oh, wait, according to the deck plans, 1056 is identical to 1558 just on the other side of the Royal Suite from you......it may be easier to spy on that neighbor.

[Folgy]

[quote name='Merion_Mom']Hey, Folgy, happy belated birthday! I missed the day because we just got back from a cruise. While on the cruise we booked the Alaska cruise on the Serenade for this coming week next summer. How are you celebrating your 51st????? Same time, next year? ;)

Carol

Oh, and while you are running around being a Peeping Tom, could you run across the ship to Cabin 1056 and report on the balcony? ;) Oh, wait, according to the deck plans, 1056 is identical to 1558 just on the other side of the Royal Suite from you......it may be easier to spy on that neighbor.[/QUOTE]

Carol,
Friends we have made are in 1056 . We had drinks with them in their suite . You are going to be a happy camper :D

[Folgy]

It is foggy and 9:42 am . The ships fog horn continues to sound and make my poor spinning head pound. We were in the Casino till 4:00 am this morning. I ended up 70.00$ TO THE GOOD. :D LOL

Dinner last night ..I had Lobster and shrimp and also the prime rib (two entres). Everyone at our table did the same thing. Each of us bought a bottle of champagne.

Misty Fiords was very sunny and many Eagles were grabbing Salmon out of the water.

I have had enough of NPN entertainment on the ship. I am not going to see the same inspirational speaker entertainer for the 4rth time in the theater again. :mad:

I am going to order room service now and watch the Fog go by :p

[hstrybuf]

Hey Folgy! I think you're on my dream cruise except for the speakers! :D Enjoy the view!

[wecruz]

Happy belated birthday Folgy. Been following along on your Alaskan adventure, sounds wonderful. We will be on the Serenade Sept 26 to Hawaii and wanted to know about embarkation at Ballantyne Pier. How early did you get to the pier, and do you think your embarkation was sped up because of your superior accommodations? Thanks for any info you can pass along. Enjoy your last day onboard. :)

[postalgrrl]

First of all happy belated birthday Folgy!!!! Glad you had a great trip.

We are on the Serenade next month. I am kind of new to the boards so what is NPN entertainment? Sorry if I sound stupid, but I just don't get the abbreviation.

Thanks:)

[Folgy]

First of all happy belated birthday Folgy!!!! Glad you had a great trip.

We are on the Serenade next month. I am kind of new to the boards so what is NPN entertainment? Sorry if I sound stupid, but I just don't get the abbreviation.

Thanks:)

 

Thankyou :D

 

I have NO clue what this NPN groupis. (It is a large contingent of people on this ship.) They seem to have control over the theater production (barfs me out). Motivational mumbo jumbo mixed in with their comedy and singing. :rolleyes:

 

The Serenade service/food/rooms are outstanding though.

[Folgy]

Happy belated birthday Folgy. Been following along on your Alaskan adventure, sounds wonderful. We will be on the Serenade Sept 26 to Hawaii and wanted to know about embarkation at Ballantyne Pier. How early did you get to the pier, and do you think your embarkation was sped up because of your superior accommodations? Thanks for any info you can pass along. Enjoy your last day onboard. :)

.

 

This was my first time at Balyntine Pier I got there at 11:00 am and was in my suite by 12:15.

 

I got no ........I mean NO ..special embarking priviliges .Only Diamond and Platinum did. It is first come first serve as far as boarding the ship is concerned.

[Sea Island Lady]

Could you elaborate a little more. Are these passengers on the ship or is it an entertainment group?

 

Have a great last day!

[Folgy]

Could you elaborate a little more. Are these passengers on the ship or is it an entertainment group?

 

Have a great last day!

 

Seems to a little of both. I wish I knew more about this ,so I could accurately say for sure. The people I have met with this NPN group are without question some of the most pleasant and kind people I have ever met. I just don't get the association with the ship and the normal entertainment that I am used to on a cruise.

 

The Cruise Director on this ship is like non-existant.