August 27, 2027 - Seattle WA - Cloudy - 60F

Our Virgin Adventure is over.

Slept until 4:45 AM...6.5 hours - real sleep and best night on this cruise. Maybe got a little more rest until I went to The Galley at 6:30 AM. As I made my way there, I passed a hundred or more guests doing early walk off.

The Galley, to my surprise, was not crowded.  I got my usual table location near the door. I got cereal and fruit and a blueberry pancake and French Toast and two eggs OE were ordered at the food location. They all came hot and delicious. The sunrise view of Seattle was spectacular.

While I was eating, Ellen came up. We got a bigger table and she ordered her French Toast and eggs OM.  Pretty smooth for disembarkation day - no rush and no chaos.

We went back to the cabin to pack toiletries and anything we might have missed. We went down to the Turnabout at our assigned time to exit and were met basically by the rest of the passengers trying to get off. It took about 20 minutes until there was a break in the flow and we cut the line. Going through scan out was fast and even immigration was fast (the agent took my passport and just handed it right back to me).

And then we got in the dreaded taxi queue. 

We passed on the ship shuttle ($2 more) and Uber (picked up at a remote lot). We spent 45 minutes in line - like in Boston a few cruises ago, people who hired porters had priority. Eventually we got a cab but he had  to wait for people so we got out and found a "small car" (two passengers).

The ride took about 45 minutes and cost the fixed rate of $68. His meter was at $72. But $68 was the fare and the total was $80 with tip. Tons of traffic at SEA departures. He dropped us at American Airlines. We used the kiosks to tag our bags and get paper boarding passes.  TSA wasn't far, the lines were short, and we were on our way to D11.

As we were walking there, I noticed an automated wheelchair for folks with mobility issues – that was a first. We found the gate but every seat was taken. We found seats at D7. Yesterday after breakfast, I grabbed three lox sandwiches and put them in one of the take out plastic containers.  We had those for lunch along with Chex mix $7.99 and a Diet Coke and Coke Zero $2.99 but $2.49 if you buy two. The sandwiches travelled well.

Our flight, AA2966, was scheduled to depart at $1:35 PM. 

Our gate was changed twice but we boarded the flight at 12:55 PM at D10. We are aisle across in 12C and 12D.  There at least five deadhead pilots on board (one next to me).

Flight Aware shows a smooth flight if the pilot goes around that little bit of noise a third of the way there.

Takeoff was right on time. The flight is smooth so far. I had a blueberry muffin (thanks to the Lady) and slept while we crossed the state of Washington. That doesn’t happen very often if at all.

The rest of the flight was pretty smooth with only a brief period of light chop that flipped on the seat belt sign.  

The chop was so light that I was able to take a bathroom break during.

According to the flight plan on Flight Aware, we were supposed to be flying at 520 mph – instead the actual speed was 582 mph due to a solid tailwind.  Also, as we were within 30 minutes of landing our course was changed (on Flight Aware) from heading over the Lake and circling back over the city for landing, our A321 was given a straight vector to ORD. Saved quite a few minutes.  Because of these factors, the flight arrived in Chicago at 7:35 PM,  35 minutes early.  We waited about 10 minutes for a gate.  Our bags came out at Carousel 32 just a few minutes after they came from the plane.  As soon we had the bags, I texted American Taxi for a cab number.  It came back as Taxi 2158 – a Black Camry driven by Dottie. 

FUBAR Alert.  I tracked #2158 on the American Taxi App and the information indicated that the cab would be here in 10 minutes.  The tracking map showed the cab in a holding position.  It started to move and soon it was 6 minutes away.  Then for some reason it was 11 minutes away.  It was now about 30 minutes since I called for the cab.  I tried to call the cab but the message was that the number was not in service.  I tried to call American Taxi and no live person was manning the phone.  I got a text saying that our cab was at the pickup location but there were plenty of super SUVs but no Camry.  As I always do, I watch every approaching car to check out their number.  For some reason, American Taxi called and told us that the cab was at the location.  There was no car and the app showed a car with just a red outline instead of a cab icon.  I don’t know what that means.  Then, all of a sudden, the black Camry appeared just 10 feet away – I still don’t know from where as I was watching the approach on the one way street.  Dottie said she was here for 35 minutes – not possible since we were standing right there and monitoring all of the cabs going by.  During that 35 minutes a dozen large SUVs parked where she said she was.  We have done this pickup scores of times so we know how this works.

We hesitatingly got into the cab – she did argue a bit with me.  Well, we got home (the long route on Willow) and I was debating the tip – I went from 10 to 15% because I felt bad that she might need the money.  We got a blessed evening from her as she pulled away.

Well, we are home from an unusual but fun trip to Alaska on a very different ship.

August 26, 2026 - Sea Day - Cloudy, Drizzly - 60F

A very up and down night for sleep.  No reason for that.  Here's where we are.

I was up in the Galley at 7:00 AM - dreary out there - 

for my standard breakfast (bowl of cold cereal plus scrambled eggs and cheese today along with the yummy blueberry pancakes).  A few days ago, I found little cups of fruit at the egg place and I started adding these berries to my cereal.

My timing was off today and things got cold but OK. I didn't eat all of it.

Went to my cubby on Deck 7 for a while before going to the room to get Ellen for breakfast.

When we got to the Galley at 10 AM, the place was slammed. Not a table to be had.  We wound up in Gunbae, the Korean restaurant. It's a big place with large tables (shared dishes maybe). We ordered through a waiter and I walked a mile for coffee and tea. I had scrambled eggs and cheese and a bagel. Breakfast #2 was good but the clattering of dishes and music drove us to the Turnabout. I waited to get a cubby and claimed one when people left.  I made progress on my new book (moot point, as I explained earlier).

Lunch was in the Galley. Today, I had my standard salad with thousand Island dressing.  I tried the pasta w olive oil and garlic but it very little taste. I wanted a tuna sandwich but it was not on the menu today. Ellen and I wound up sharing a sandwich with mozzarella, tomato, and balsamic vinegar (caprese). It was actually ok. A very good chocolate donut was dessert.

We went to "The Dock" for some quiet. I wound up knocking over my ice water and soaking my pants and the couch. I checked in for our flight tomorrow online and I made disembarkation plans for tomorrow through the Virgin App.  We have a 9:00 AM time to leave the ship.  A later time was available but it seemed like there was a charge for that slot.

We stayed until 3 PM when a singing group we saw the other day in the Turnabout came on. I was already woozy from my sinus thing and my lack of sleep so I headed to the cabin to let my pants dry a little and get some quiet.

In the room at 3:20 PM and drying my pants with the supplied hair dryer - a first for me.

We didn't really unpack since there's no dress code and no chic nights. I just threw anything I didn't need for tomorrow into the suitcase. I kept out my sweater for tonight and T-shirt for tomorrow.

At 6:00 PM, we went to the Pizza Place for a quiet and tasty dinner.  I had the classic with extra sauce and Ellen had the "Pretty Fly for a White Pie" (no sauce but roasted garlic) and we had Diet Cokes.. Everything was very good. I have been looking for a good pizza since we moved away from Rosati territory. And I found it on a cruise ship in Alaska. Perhaps it's the freshness or the ingredients but it's the best I've had in a long time.

We are in good seats in the Turnabout, listening to Peach and Bourbon. They're loud but we are on Deck 7 and they are on Deck 6 so, due to the inverse square law, that works.

We kept our seats until tonight's entertainment "VV Cabaret with the Hostess". At 7 PM Jack Shepherd started his set. I have no idea what kind of music he was singing. The Hostess came on at 8 PM 

and sang - with an excellent voice - ballads including a favorite of mine. "Always Remember us this Way" (Lady Gaga from “A Star is Born”). We almost made it through her set but headed to the cabin at 9:15 PM. 

We packed some additional stuff.  We are planning to walk off with our bags between 8:30 and 9 AM.  I checked again and found out there was an opening for disembarkation at 9:30 AM but it still carried a charge.

Lights out at 10:15 PM.

August 25, 2026 - Prince Rupert, BC - Partly Cloudy - 60F

The ship was actually moving around (first time on this cruise) and for the first time in a very long time (19 years to be exact) I could feel it. Tough sleep. Maybe the two iced teas and the time change had something to do with it. Who knows.

I'm up in The Galley at 6:45 AM and got a window seat in the comfy table section. The view was a million bucks this morning - even though the sunrise was obscured by clouds.

I started off with my usual small bowl of corn flakes and raisin bran (so good – I would have it at home but you can’t find small bottles of milk). At 7 AM, when the stations opened, I got one blueberry pancake and scrambled eggs with cheese. The eggs were over so I ordered one EOM. Two eggs arrived and they were over. The breakfast gods were angry so I just had the pancake which was good.

Spent a few minutes in the Turnabout cubby and went to the cabin at 8:10 AM to get Ellen for breakfast.

Enroute to Prince Rupert, I got another nice shot.

Started a new round of Augmentin (symptoms still there. Maybe I didn't quite knock out the sinus thing from a few weeks ago).  We'll see. Sinuses still "burning" and overall “uck” still there. Sweating a lot and nose is running and throat is scratchy. I am also feeling the motion of the ship which I never do.

Ellen and I went to the packed Galley and literally got the last seats before the outside deck (also full). Breakfast redux - two blueberry pancakes and two eggs OE – second time’s the charm. 

Ellen subbed French Toast.  Good food.

Port Information. Prince Rupert is located on the Northwest Coast of British Columbia and has a current population of about 12,000. The town is named for the first governor of the Hudson Bay Company.  The town was mainly a fishing port and was, in the early 20th Century, "The Halibut Capital of the World".  The fishing industry has been involved in several disputes with Alaska and has declined somewhat.  In 2004, the cruise port was opened and that has resulted in the creation of the tourist industry.  The bay on which the town is located is home to humpback whales.  Between 1960 and the 1980s, Prince Rupert completed a series of projects including a civic center, a swimming pool, a public library, a golf course and a center for the performing arts.  Prince Rupert is now a city and not just a fishing and paper pulp town,

Arrived at Prince Rupert – a Jone’s Port - at 10:00 AM. You can get some great pictures of the town from the outside Galley Deck.  You can see up the coast and the entire town center.

We scanned out and, based on a suggestion by local shore person, we walked North on the Millennial Walkway. I got a lot of pictures of the Brilliant Lady docked including this one embellished by Ellen's presence.

We stopped at the Wheelhouse Brewing Company 

and found some benches. The benches were wet from an earlier rain - Ellen got some paper towels from the brewery and we wiped off some of the water so we could sit and enjoy the scenery. The panoramic shot below showcases the wonderful view.

We ended up at the Rotary Waterfront Park, whose construction was begun in 1998 (supported in part by several local Rotary Clubs).

 Within the Park was a statue, "Mother Grey Whale and Calf". 

It was created by the late artist Hans Siniarrski and donated to the city in 1985 for its 75th-anniversary celebration.

After a brief rest, we walked back to the ship. I scanned in and Ellen walked a bit more. I'm on the back of Deck 15 admiring the scenery. 

Ellen was able to get a shot of the forward end of the ship and it was a beauty.

Getting a little bit chilly so, when Ellen showed up, we got a window table in The Galley.

In looking for something different at lunch, I opted for Fish Tacos (cod). They turned out to be really over and spicy. The salsa again was good – I asked for three dishes (small) of salsa and got a look that said “Security's on their way”. I had my usual salad (romaine lettuce, carrots, chickpeas, feta with ranch dressing). Ellen had pasta pesto, which I don’t think she liked.

I had some tasty watermelon for dessert.

We are now both at the Turnabout. The place is decorated for tonight's big ToDo "Scarlet Night". I think those are octopus arms.

I'm in a nook and Ellen is in a stretch out window bench. I started the newest Daniel Silva Gabriel Allon novel "Ransom".  Gabriel is now 75 years old and the star of his 26th novel. He certainly does things in the book that no real life 75 year old can do. (NOTE: The novel got overly wordy and boring once home and I never finished it - first time for an Allon Novel).

Today, I got a postcard grade "Magic Moment" shot.

"Scarlet Night", is scheduled to start at 9 PM on Deck 7 mainly. Sea creature decorations are all over the ship (even our bed in our cabin is bedazzled),

our hallway is lit up,

and everyone, including us, is decked out in some shade of red. The participation is amazing (like “White Nights” on Azamara).  Some people are not only red but in costume. 

We went to the Pizza Place for dinner. 

I ordered a Classic with extra sauce. Delicious. Again, the best bite on the ship – reminded me of our old pizza haunt from the Cretaceous Period in LA – “Piece of Pizza”.  Probably because the chef put some olive oil on the pizza before serving.  

We found good seats in the Roundabout 

and took in sets from "The Hostess", who has a wonderful voice and performed some standards including “Over the Rainbow” and guitar Vocalist, Jack Shepherd – not sure what genre Jack Shepherd is singing but it was listenable.

At 9 PM, the Happenings Cast (led by their "captain", I guess) 

and The Diva appeared and positioned themselves on the stairways of the Roundabout. Entertaining dances and loud music followed and the whole place was hopping. There was a contest for best dressed, won by a woman in a shiny red spangled dress. The Twin red devils did not win even though they put a lot of effort into their getups.  Lots of wild red tonight.  Here are the pictures from the big event.

We stayed until the dancers left and went to the cabin to settle down.  We took this picture in the elevator.

Logged 11153 steps today in Prince Rupert.

August 24, 2026 - Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier - Scenic Cruising

I actually got some sleep.  I was still up early, or course, and found a good seat in The Galley.  The Galley will be a popular location today as we sail through the Endicott Arm, a 30 mile long fjord approximately 60 miles south of Juneau, leading to the spectacular and active Dawes Glacier.  The glacier is 200 to 300 feet high and calves blue glacial ice. This is the first time we have been to this glacier in all our trips to Alaska.

I enjoyed my standard breakfast – delicious every time – as Brilliant Lady slowly made her way through the fjord.  

There were several waterfalls streaming down from the ice at the top of the mountains. It was hard to see the water actually moving in the fall.

As we went along, more and more ice appeared until it became a river of ice floes.  The ice mini-bergs below were pretty substantial.

The ship was being careful as we have been told in the past that even small chunks of ice can damage the screws.  As we went along a small boat pulled along side – it was going to pick up some of our passengers for a special excursion ($400 pp) that would take them right next to the glacier. 

The Dawes Glacier came into view around a bend – 

spectacular even from the distance, where the ship stopped.  It looked small but it wasn’t – the cloudy day brought out all the blue color of both the glacier and the floating ice.  You can get a feeling for the size of the face by looking at the small boats near the glacier.  As we were stationary, other small boats made their way to the glacier.

NOTE:  I watched the shore very carefully and did not see any wildlife.

A panorama brought out the spectacuar view.

Brilliant Lady stayed near the glacier for about 90 minutes and then headed back out of the fjord.  We were lucky because as we were leaving, the fog rolled in - we got the view before it disappeared.

We stayed in The Galley for lunch – it was very crowded so we ordered from our table.

The lunch lineup included: A Tuna Melt "Special" (good tuna salad, with some kind of pepper on top on a dark bread; I had it with salsa and chips from the Taco place – I liked it), falafel (falafel ball on a flat pita (not the greatest), portobello mushroom sandwich (don’t think Ellen liked it – it was a lot of mushroom). The line was too long for the salad bar because of the number of people viewing the glacier.

Hung out in the Turnabout area most of the afternoon.  

The ship scheduled a group “paint the painting” event in the Turnabout...you pick a big sharpie and put some color down.

Ellen had made a second dinner reservation at Extra Virgin. We got the same table for two (away from people) and had the same waitress and assistant waitress. The starter, focaccia with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and parmesan cheese was good although a little bitter tonight.  The faux Cesar Salad was good again but it is so big we couldn't finish it, I had the Special Tuscan Bean Soup tonight and it was delicious (I could have had a second bowl – creamy and super tasty).  Ellen had the Ricotta Gnocchi (not a winner), I shared the Mushroom Fettuccine with Ellen and it was still delicious  – I finished it all. We didn’t stay for dessert because they charge for coffee – it was the principle of the thing.

The entertainment tonight is a "ticket event". The fabulous Up With a Twist is doing a dinner show in the Manor. Tickets are $35.00 and both the floor and balcony are sold out - you can stand in the back for $35.00).  Again, even though dinner is included (probably something we can’t eat) it was again the principle of the thing. A shame because they are great.  SIDE NOTE: Sean, the comedian we saw the first night and who said he would be back for another show, never showed up on the event calendar.  Hmmm.

Instead, we spent quiet time in The Galley having dessert and free decaf coffee and tea (probably the same thing they serve in Extra Virgin) and watching the sun go down.

Not feeling so crisp so we went to the cabin.

Clocks one hour forward (PDT).