Off to Alaska

9/9/18

Just a short note to let you know why the dates are not current. On our cruise, even in port, I had trouble connecting so couldn't post to my blog. Hope to catch up in the next day or two.

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September 2, 2018

Four months ago when I left to trek in Nepal, Ikuko was patient while I did my thing. Now it's her turn to enjoy a vacation she likes while I patiently tag along. Well, I might enjoy it too 

At 0945 this morning our bus picked up four other vacationers and the two of us in Lynnwood and headed north.

Just in time, we made a rest stop and picked up six more people in Mt Vernon. That brought the total number of passengers to 43 on this bus, and 99 total in this tour group.

Ikuko and I, along with 97 others, are traveling on a Holland America cruise tour with Travel With Alan. It's the first time with the company for us although some of the others have been on other tours with the company. 

After we left Mt Vernon, our tour director, Nansea, gave us an orientation. A little later she asked about previous trips, etc. Turned out about half the group had traveled with Alan before. I was surprised to learn that about half the people had flown in from around the country to join this group. 

Going through customs on a bus into Canada is a little different. We filled out a customs form similar to that of an arrival by air. When we arrived at the border the bus stopped and we all filed in to hand the agent our form and be questioned. After scanning our passports we were all cleared to go and filed back onto the bus to complete our trip to the Vancouver cruise terminal. 

I was impressed with the embarkation process. We arrived about 1330 and after going through the Holland America intake process, we cleared US Customs and were aboard ship by 1400. A few years back it took substantially longer. I like the new way better.

Aboard ship (the MS Westerdam) we got settled into our cabin and participated in the mandatory lifeboat drill. Here we found another change from previous cruises. No life jackets were worn to the assembly point BUT if you missed this drill, when they found you, you would be escorted off the ship.

Ever since the Costa stinking a few years ago, the cruise lines have strictly enforced the boat drills. We didn't see anyone leave but Nansea said a couple were disembarked two trips ago. 

The Westerdam got under way at 1700 and we were off into the sunset beginning our latest adventure.