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

Liz, I'm so sorry to hear about your Mom's passing. I'm glad though that your keeping your Alaska cruise in tact though, good decision. Your photo with your Mom is very special.

As for your concerns about Prime 7 and CR, I'm hoping you can have 7 at a table for 6. We've done this many times and I actually like the coziness created. When ordering special dinners, you can order anything you want and no two need to have the same thing. Your Dad can have something real spicy like Indian food and others may opt for Prime rib, Dover Sole etc. If they have the ingredients, they'll make it for you. Just remember to order the night before.

Don't stay a stranger...we're happy to see you back.

Liz I agree with Marcie about P7 and you can order just about anything well we did in Compass Rose a few nights - very sorry about your Mom

So sorry to hear about your mom, but try to keep in mind that this is something she really wanted you to do.

Advice for prime 7 is as above.

If your dad likes spicy, definitely rec an Indian dinner. The crew loves to do it for you. The Filipino dinner is also really good, but not spicy.

The beef on the Navigator on our trip last week was fantastic. I had beef sooo many times during the course of the cruise. I don't normally indulge in so much red meat but the filet mignons had the best flavor of any I have had before. I suggest surf and turf at Prime 7!
We ordered the crab legs for the table as a starter in Prime 7 and then had lobster with our filets, Also, the crab cakes and french onion soup was very good as well.

As for special orders, we ordered shimp and scallops tempura (Joanna's idea!) that was delicious. If you like escargot, it should be on the menu for the Captain's welcome and it's not to be missed. So good, our table ordered it 3 more nights!
As for spicy, I think we had several pool grill special lunches (mostly on sea days) that had spicy themes. One Mexican and I think one Indian?

The Mexican food on regent is not very good. Do NOT rec it. I think it is because it is made by people who have never tasted authentic Mexican or tex mex for that matter. The exception is the guacamole which is quite nice.

Note to self: I'm not getting email notifications for threads, gotta check that out!

The table for 6 for the 7 of us is a good idea - 2 of them are young (my 10 & 12 year old nephews) so they don't take up much room. I like the idea of adding 1 to a table set for 6 a lot more than taking 1 away from a table of 8. I hope the Maitre d' at CR does that - it'd be a lot easier emotionally. But does Prime 7 on the Navigator have tables for 6? It sounds small.

Thanks for the food ideas - I like the Indian idea.

I guess no one's done the southbound Alaska to know what time we leave Anchorage - it doesn't really matter I guess, just my hyper planning taking over. I'll try to just go with the flow...

This will be the first cruise we have free internet, maybe I'll try to post from the ship - still over a month away but so much to do and so little time....

:)
Liz