This is my final pre-Alaskan cruise post. I will not post remotely mostly because I don’t know how, but also because my observations on this trip may or may not be appropriate for public consumption. While cruising through Alaska is an amazing way to see the state, it is not my preferred method of travel. Most days the views all around are astounding and while I can definitely appreciate that, I just don’t feel at home on a cruise ship.
While walking through a forest or taking a train ride through amazing scenery, I will be content, if not in heaven. Seeing moose, bears and eagles is like being on the Discovery Channel. But later, in the buffet dining room, I will be afraid of my own kind. While at a Mother’s Day brunch I may interpret “all you can eat” to be a directive, on a seven day cruise it should only be an option. Some guests will attempt to eat an amount commensurate with their fares, while other will appear to be members of competitive eating teams on vacation.
During the day we will be entertained by otters, dolphins and, if we are lucky, whales. And although each port of call has the same tchotchkes as the last, I do love me some tchotchke shopping. It is the evening entertainment that is risky. The comedians I have found to be reasonably good; not Second City but not bad. The other forms of “entertainment” are, well, not exactly my cup of tea. Sitting through “Fifties Night” in a bar doing a group rendition of the “Mashed Potato”, I may sprain my eyes from all the rolling. And I will most certainly take to my cabin at the first mention of karaoke or any other singing competition. People, I don’t drink. These are not activities for the clear of mind.
This cruise will take me to beautiful places, but it will also take me to snarky places. Bob and his mother, my traveling companions, are not snarky people, so I will be alone with my jaded thoughts at times. I will try my best not bring them down with my sarcastic observations.
So with that we will don our matching track suits (really?) and set off to see Russia from our cruise ship. Wish me luck and a modicum of self control.
1 response so far ↓
1 Nancy // May 25, 2009 at 5:33 am
I was fortunate enough to marry into a family that likes to engage in what they call “O & R” for Observe and Ridicule. At a trip to disney with my sister in law and neice, we enjoyed picking on the very large people in the motorized scooters. “Really. Don’t you think a little walking might do you some good?”
Have fun on the cruise. My parents went a few years ago (and I’m not trying to make you feel like an old fuddy duddy) on an Alaska cruise and absolutely raved about it. They are not, otherewise, “cruise people.” But they want to go again with the kids and grandkids! So it must be fun
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