2010 Cruising With Bryanna and Bailey

The Big Cruise

In 2010, we took Bryanna and Bailey on a cruise to Mexico from Los Angeles. We drove down and stayed with my sister, who drove us to the dock in San Pedro. The cruise was so much fun, although Bill was on Interferon so he didn't have as good a time as the rest of us.

The most memorable thing was that, one day, we parked Bill in a chair near a pool in the shade, and when we got back from playing at one of the pools, he was gone. I immediately panicked, and Bryanna calmed me down by saying, "It's okay, Grammi, how could a man with one ear get lost on a cruise ship?"

When we got back, we spent a couple of days with Joline and Bill.

Then we drove to Las Vegas to stay with Rollie and Donna. The girls spent most of their time in the pool.

On the drive home, I got stopped for doing 90 but got out of it because I told the officer that Bill was on chemo and he had to get to a bathroom in the worst way. He said to be careful and drive slower.

2016 Cruise To Alaska With Brian and Monique

2016

Coming up, we have an Alaskan cruise planned, the same on we went on in 2013. Monique and Brian will be coming along this time, and we are so excited already, although it is still 2 1/2 months away. Brian is so funny with his questions and answers about the trip. For example:

March 7

OH, filled out preferences. The cost for all day soda is $8+ per each day!   Thinking of bringing a 5 gallon gas can so I can get my proper share of soda per day.  I think Mo will want the coffee package, but need to talk to her.

March 8

Milk is also available 24 hours a day.So so is free room service!

BKG

Now you know that nothing is free,,,,especially on a big boat. I think of the milk and room service costing $3500 plus tips!

I think I will be mixing my coke drink with free milk.....

BB

March 10

OK, we purchased the travel insurance, like you.

I purchased the soft drink package, so we can have unlimited soda and hot chocolates!   All I have to do is go and refill 4 times per soda run.

I think you stated that the ship supplies a sippy cup? But can we bring our own if we want to?  Looking for a 164 ounce size, so my trips to the fountain area are reduced.

I can feel the island/ocean fever starting. Monique is already asking for her long johns to be brought down from storage for the cold winter weather we will be experiencing. Wait till I tell her that when we are at the pool, that she will not be allowed to wear the LJs.

Brian

She could start a trend with her long johns under her swimsuit. She would be a sensation on Instagram. She'd give Kim Kardashian a run for her money. 

I think when our friends purchased the soda package,  it came with a large plastic cup with a lid and a straw, but it is a good idea for us to take our own so we can fill them up with our contraband and coke when we go to the shows at night.  Hot chocolate, you say? Then maybe some Bailey's or Kahlua would be in order in one of our flasks. We could pack a large bottle of cream or brown "mouthwash."

BKG

March 10

Below are your choices of soda and stuff:

Indulge in this premium Unlimited Soda & More Package that includes the Unlimited Soda Package plus any mocktails, juices, and hot chocolate throughout your cruise.

So plan an what you want and it will be provided. I want hot chocolate while watching the movies outdoors.

OH, what is a mocktails?

BB

A mocktail is a cocktail without the liquor. Usually called a soda or juice.

BKG

mocktails  !!!!

Well how boring can that be......

I am sure we will find a way to spice it up some.

BB

March 14

Did you ask for robes? They're nice, thick terrycloth and perfect for going to the pool or spa. Or going to breakfast in your jammies.

BKG

I received a message that asked if I had ordered robes. I did that last week while I was looking around the cruise site. I thought the robes where not for going to the pool, but for flashing !  Who knew they where multi purpose!

Already started "collecting" things for the trip, and we only have two months to go.

Brian

May 20

Only 11 days to go! We are so ready for this trip. The emails just keep on going between Brian and us. About 58 days before the sailing date, Bill found that Costco travel had a sale and the balcony cabins were going for only $100.00 more than the price we paid for the window cabins. I spent a long time on the phone, between Costco Travel and Princess, but it didn't work. The special was for new bookings, only. It was too late to cancel the voyage and re-book it as a new trip, so we were out of luck. 

April 15 

These tours all sound great. If we have the private whale watching, does that mean we each  have our own boat. ? If so, we can race the boats and the whales and have a great time....should keep the coast guard busy..

The other tours also sound great, and we are in. Can we use our on-board credits to order these tours, once on the ship?  Still have not found anything that defines what the on-board credits can be used for.  I also noticed that 70% of the tours are ordered before the trip starts, so on-board credits do not count. Good marketing strategy with the ship company.

We are very interested in walking around the cities, and are looking forward to doing that. I know we are going to have a great time. Just being in some new places with good friends will be great for us.

Now, I did notice one special tour. It is a zip line from the top of one of the glaciers down to the deck of the ship. The distance is about 2 miles, all over water. You take a helo to the top of the glacier and they drop you off.  Interested?

I'll keep looking for other fun things to do......

BB

April 16 

The private whale watching tour - unfortunately, we don't all have our own boat, but we do all have our own whale. Most are private, but some might be sergeants or captains. The Zip line is a thumbs up for both of us, but only if you will be driving the helo yourself. Bill wants to know, who is Mr. Oliver Water you mentioned?

Don't fret about the jacket. It is a sort of tweed and it's what Jim Anderson from Father Knows Best used to wear to the dinner table except there are no elbow patches. It is Chaps by Ralph Lauren - pure new wool, made in Canada. We found several at Saver's in different sizes and colors so you should have no trouble finding one for you. Bill is going to wear black and dark blue jeans for most of the time, and he also has some cream Dockers, so he is definitely not dressing up in any way. The jacket is for warmth so he doesn't have to wear the same jacket he is bringing for outside and it has the benefit of looking a little bit dressed up. We just took a pic in the backyard so you can see it. Maybe you can find some similar jammies to wear with yours so you will both be, oh so de rigueur.

April 27

Here are the jackets we picked out for Brian. Please let us know which one to buy, because we're sure there will be a lot of demand for them and we don't want to miss out.

Bill and Billie

The first jacket is the one that best describes my unusual personality. Or maybe I have a third option?

























OK, here is the real thing. Of course, the towel would be optional. 

Wow, very nice. And the socks match the towel.

Thank you, that will work very nicely.

Question. Do you plan on using a coat bag for the trip, along with your suitcase?   Just want to know if a coat bag is acceptable on this trip, or should everything go in the suitcase.

Also, does Bill plan on using a tie with his coat, or go sort of casual James Bond with on open collar. I like JB best.

Again, thanks for doing this. It looks like your place has quite a selection, along with prices that cannot be beat.

Brian

We're glad you like the jacket. I think you should both wear short shorts, knee socks and sandals to complete the look. Ties won't be necessary, as the open neck, JB look is much more sexy. As far as a coat bag, go for it. Bill has a suit bag that we could take if we don't think we have room in the suitcases. We will be taking our large and our medium suitcase, and probably our small one, for the cosmetics, pillows, etc. It is advisable to take a carry-on type of bag for important things, such as drugs and your special pillows, and anything you might want in the first three or four hours of being on the ship, because the luggage can take that long to be delivered to your room.

BKG

April 28

Well, sorry to say that me in short shorts is not going to happen. Even I have some reservations about scaring people on a boat at sea. If they all run away from me and end up on one end of the ship, it will tip over, and we do not want that to happen.  That happen, sort of, when everyone on the navy carriers would rush to one side of the ship to see something. 5000 people all in one place caused the ship to lean somewhat.

I will let Monique know about the luggage that you plan on taking. I think she will want her own large bag, just because she packs as if she is going for a 3 week event without any washer or dryers available. But you never know. I had planned to bring a computer bag with just books, paperwork and my meds, but no computer.

A question about bag delivery. Is it expected to give a tip when the bags are delivered. Trying to plan on how much cash I should bring, beyond the big tip at the end of the trip.

Who knows, with your teaching us, we might become reasonable ship people by the end of this trip. I was noticing the ship has movies at night, outdoors. I think Monique and I would enjoy that under the stars, as long as we have a heavy jacket and a blanket (and I can get hot chocolate for all of us as part of my beverage package).

Thanks for the info.

Brian

Perfect socks, so we bought each of you a pair.   

April 30

Cool. I'll let Bill buy them first and model them for us. After we all stop laughing, I will think still need to think about buying them.

But I am glad that you are on the lookout for cool stuff for us guys to wear on the ship. Do they have a brig on the ship. You know the socks are kind of like accordions....use one and go to jail.

Keep looking

Brian

May 10

So, again, we got online to check the prices and found a lower rate, so I called Costco Travel, again. This time, it was a success. The rate was able to be applied to our trip, so for $200.00 per cabin, we upgraded to balconies on the Baja deck, from windows on the Plaza deck, six decks higher. We were thrilled, so I sent an email to Brian.

"We want to call you tonight. Will 8 ish be good?"

8 works fine........I hope everything is ok?

They were beyond thrilled. So, our trip is going to be extra special with our wonderful balconies. We can toss spit wads into each other's doors. Also, we all decided to take the White Pass Scenic Railway.

Done. Attached is the receipt. We are printing everything, so you don't need to. It is also on our cruise personalizors, so you can see it there, too. 

Billie

May 15

Thanks for the Costco item. AS to the railroad, go ahead and book. Let us know how much we owe you, from the change in ticket price on the ship and the train. We can send a check as needed.

It is starting to look like we are actually going to go and the railroad trip looks very nice (I pulled it up on the internet).

I even brought down the luggage, so it must be real.

May 17

OK, we now have round trip bus tickets from Petaluma to Pier 27. We are tagged as "old people fair", so you will have to mumble slightly and act a little off (it should not be a problem for anyone of us). They discount senior people with slight dementia......and if anyone asks, we are all 62 or older, right...What was the subject, I just forgot.

Also, the check is in the mail to you for the suite costs and the train. Let me know if you do not receive by Friday's mail.

So this week, I will be selecting from my vast wardrobe the nautical cloths (or is that naughty cloths) I will be taking with me on the boat...sorry the ship....and packing the big bag. We are 14 days away.....and counting.

How goes the work in the kitchen? Installed that sink yet?  Looking for pictures of Bill with a sledge hammer and cabinets coming down, like they do on TV.  Or you could do what I did once and save the old cabinets for garage storage cabinets.

Brian

Well, Billie is off to Picasso & wine; that's where they drink themselves silly and think they can paint great works of "art".

We have not started demo on the kitchen, only removing all the pots, pans & dishes.  It looks empty!

The cabinets should be in town tomorrow and we will go see them-- sure hope they are right.

Then the demo will begin the week of the 25th and continue until well after we have departed; not for good, only to Alaska -- but that may be one and the same?....

Thanks for setting up the shuttle ( not the Columbia, just the one to SF).  We will try our darnedest to emulate (big word) you with the dementia.

I might just try the hammer, but no promises.

Ship -- boat -- whatever floats your dinghy.

The cabinets are going to #1 son... Don't know if he is picking up or if Rommie is delivering... more to come.

Aloha and Mahalo nui loa!

B&B 

Wow, humor and info. I am impressed,  Usually its me that does the humor, that Billie does not get, but I will keep trying and eventually Billie will catch on to me. Then I do not know what I will do.

So, when you come back from the big boat, your kitchen will be all done, or the lot will still be smoldering. Lets hope for the kitchen done and everything just the way you want it.   How did Number 1 son get the old cabinets....what about the only daughter, doesn't she count?

keep up the good work, only 13 more days......

Brian,

On May 17, I fell and landed on my face, causing swelling and bruises. This is the exchange with Brian.

Brian,

We didn't intend for you to to pay the upgrade on the cabins. We thought you could take us to dinner one night on the ship.

We are getting so excited. Our bags are kind of packed. There are stacks of clothes and piles of stuff that we might want to take but aren't sure, yet. We are taking one good pair of binoculars and one not great pair - really more like opera glasses. We do have another good pair that we can bring for you, but we are pretty sure you have some that are better than what we have. Let us know.

I'm trying to find out if the ship provides an iron, because we can't find our little folding travel iron. Do you have one?

I

I fell while taking a walk with Bill, yesterday morning, landing on my face on the sidewalk, and I have attached pictures of me so you can see how I look. I had a CT scan of my head and I am fine, but I look like crap, as one of my best friends told me. My main concern was having to miss the cruise if my skull was broken. Glad to say that is not the case. You might have to put up with some purple coloration, but I will try to color coordinate my wardrobe if I am still off color.

We will be seeing you two in just over one week!!!!!!!!

Love,

Us 

Well, first of all, you do look bad, but very happy you are OK.  You have to stop doing that, or everyone on the ship will be talking about the poor lady that was attacked by Russian mobsters and is now hiding from them on our ship......sounds a lot better that just falling down.

We plan on taking you to dinner, and we greatly appreciate the upgrade and all the work it took to get the upgrade. We will find a balance somehow.

Now, we have two binoculars, one large one smaller. So I think we are covered. I do have a travel iron, but not sure where it is, so I will have to go looking. Will be packing this weekend, and that will drive Monique nuts.

Please take care of yourself, we want you in one piece.

Brian

May 19

Tonight, I sent a new picture to show how it was progressing. 

Wow! That is one shiner! I'm glad that you had a scan & that we are still on for our cruise. 13 days. YEAH!

Hope you are feeling better and no headache have come from your fall. We need you in good health in 12 days.

Are things stabilizing...

We also need you think of a good cover story. I found a "used" electronic monitoring ankle bracelet on Craigs List. We could us that as part of the story about Relocation and a massive undercover trial in which you are the key witness. Thus you are being hid on a boat for a week or so, before the Feds/Homeland Security lands a helo onto the ship and wicks you away......I mean, it is possible.....

More to come, but first we want you healthy. 

Brian

My answer - 

Shhhh. Remember the boy, who shall remain nameless for his own protection, is now a mucky muck in the DOJ so we have to be careful. I'm sure Witness Protection will give me a story that is plausible. BTW, payment received today, so all is covered.

And, I'm feeling fine. Did a five mile walk today, 4.37 with Bill. He pooped out so I finished alone and I didn't trip. Yay!

Love,

Billie

I just printed out boarding passes and luggage tags. Yay!




 August 1

Wow! Almost two months since the cruise ended and I'm just getting around to writing about it.


Day 1 May 31

We're waiting for the bus to take us to the dock












Our first glimpse of the Grand Princess

Waiting to board

Sail away











Finally taking some time to relax

Day 2 June 1

On Patti and Bob's balcony. We were surprised to run into them on the cruise, on the first day, and they invited us over to see their suite.

 Monique and I hung out on our balconies most mornings.

With the Wilders

Day 3 June 2

 Breakfast at the buffet

Braving the cold

Looking at the itinerary

Day 4 June 3  Juneau

 At Mendenhall Glacier

  Beautiful flowers

On a Juneau street

A waterfall from the ship

Laundry time

Crown Grill for fish and chips

Day 5 June 4   Skagway

Braving the cold, yet, again

 Walking through Skagway

On the White Pass and Yukon Train that took us into Canada. We saw beautiful scenery, but were disappointed that we couldn't get off the train

An old bridge

                                    Going around a bend

 Bill enjoyed the hot tub

We discovered Skipbo on the ship, and we played it often.

Leaving Skagway

 Our wake at 11 pm

Little lighthouse

Day 6 June 5 Glacier Bay

Glacier Bay was serene and beautiful. It rained most of the time, so we didn't get a lot of photos.

A much needed rest before the evening activities

The Sanctuary

Day 7 June 6  Ketchikan

 Arriving in port and waiting to go to town

Here we didn't take any excursions, choosing to walk almost five miles through the town to enjoy the beautiful flowers and other scenery.

A friendly tree

We climbed several hundred steps to get up here and then we walked down by way of a road instead of using the stairs, again.

Lunch at a local cafe.

Sail away

 Playing Skipbo, again.

And again

Finally, a pretty sunset

Day 8 June 7  Day at Sea

Apparently, we did nothing because there aren't any pictures.

Day 9 June 8 Victoria - Our 48th anniversary

We rode a shuttle into town and walked around in the rain for several miles. We went into the Empress Hotel, after being told by the staff that we couldn't go in through the front entrance. After walking around, we walked out through that entrance and gave them a smug look.

Fancy washroom for the ladies

They refused to go inside the Manscape store

This was Monique's first time in Canada since she moved away in 1965

We had a wonderful anniversary with Monique and Brian and some new friends

After dinner we danced and then played Skipbo before the evening entertainment

Day 10 June 9

Monique trying for one last sunset shot

 Enjoying the balcony one last time. Look, no jacket or gloves!

Fun at the crew talent show on the last night

Day 11 June 10  Home again

Arriving with no fog was fantastic. We had set our alarms to get up early, and Bill and I went for a walk to get coffee. We checked to make sure we had plenty of time. When we got back to our cabin, I went out to see how far away we were, and there was the bridge. I quickly knocked on the Bendzick's window and told her to throw on some clothes so she could watch the arrival. Their alarm hadn't gone off so she wasn't ready. They made it with only a few minutes to spare.

San Francisco waking up

Alcatraz in the sunrise

The cruise was wonderful. A great way to introduce Brian and Monique to shipboard life. We are already planning our next one. Panama Canal?