Wow – it’s been a long time since I’ve been here. Looks like there’s been some redecorating!

We are trying to get excited about our Alaska cruise next month, but it is very bittersweet. Unfortunately, over the last year, life has decided to use my family for target practice, and we have come out a bit scarred. On January 8, 2012, my Mom died after a painfully short battle with cancer. Our family Alaska cruise was her idea, and not having her there will be very painful. However, my Dad made it very clear after she died that we would continue with the cruise. Our, now smaller, family needs to come together for something happy for a change. I am dreading walking into Compass Rose each night to ask for a table for 7, and watching them remove the place setting from a table of 8 and knowing that was supposed to be where Mom was sitting.

Sorry for the pity fest, just wanted you guys to understand why I’m not as enthusiastic as usual about this cruise. I do have a couple questions though. We are staying in the Regent hotel in Anchorage the night before we leave from Seward (after 3 days on our own in Denali), so we get their transportation to the ship. Does anyone know about what time that will be leaving? Basically, I wonder what time we’ll get to the ship to start enjoying my first virgin mango daiquiri and the hot tub. And will I get there in time to eat lunch on board?

Also, when we made reservations for Prime 7 they said there are no tables that hold 7. Is that true? We have reservations for tables of 4 and 3 for that night, but would like to all sit at the same table if possible.

Finally, what kind of special meals are available by request in Compass Rose? My dad is retiring at the end of the school year (he has *so* earned this!), and we would like to surprise him with a special celebration meal. Our TA suggested asking the maitre d’ (when we board) to prepare a special menu for him one night. My dad loves ethnic food – the spicy the better. Some of my family doesn’t like spice as much – could they do some spicy and some less so? We don’t want to make it too hard on the chef obviously. What kind of food could we ask for? Don’t even know where to start on that. Also we were thinking of a special dessert. Ideas for that?

And, in closing, here’s a picture of me and my Mom, from our Black Sea cruise on Mariner. They were much happier times.



Liz