Our 4-hour train ride from Seattle to Vancouver was largely uneventful. We met two nice Kiwi couples whom we continue to run into on the ship. And we took lots of pictures of the pretty scenery as the train made its way north.

Once we hit Vancouver, a quick taxi ride got us to the cruise ship terminal. A (somewhat frustrating) on boarding process later, we were being handed a glass of champagne as we boarded the ship. To our dismay, there is a large group on this cruise – estimates range from 400-800. It’s only a problem when they are congregating in public areas, doing weird dances and chanting. Which is all. the. time.  Andy and I are doing our level best to keep our thoughts inside our heads. It’s not always working. We’re not the only ones who are irritated by this. Lesson learned – when going on a cruise it’s a good idea to ask if there’s a large group scheduled on the ship. If so, RUN to another date, another cruise line, another destination. They are everywhere. Even half the buffet food is specifically for them (vegetarian). I didn’t even know that was possible.

The show the first night on the ship was an Elton John impersonator. The guy was pretty good, but the best part was everyone sang along at top volume. We got up and danced, and loved it!

We have discovered our favorite area to sit. It’s a combination coffee/wine/dessert shop. Bonus! That’s where I’m typing this right now, enjoying a glass of champagne and the violin/cello duo that’s playing nearby. We spent much of our first day here. It rained most of yesterday, an “at sea” day, so it was a great day to curl up and read a book. Which I did lots of. We also ate and drank waaaay too much. So much for keeping to the diet.

We’re in Ketchikan, Alaska, today. We started off the day with a shore excursion to see a lumberjack competition. Andy was so excited. He wore a lumberjack shirt and was just SURE they were going to ask him to join the competition. (they didn’t). It was a fun show, though. Then we did a tour of a nature preserve and got a demonstration of totem pole carving and storytelling. Interesting stuff. The city here is extraordinarily clean and really well suited for and welcoming of cruise ships. After all those stops in Mexico and the Caribbean, it’s refreshing to not be accosted the instant you step off the ship. Oh, and there are TONS of bald eagles here. They’re everywhere. The locals act blasé about it, but we thought it was very cool.

Is it weird that the violin/cello duo are partial to the song the band plays in Titanic as the ship is sinking? 🙂