I'm Back ... Did you miss me?

Hi Everyone, I just got back from a great vacation. Took a roundtrip cruise to Alaska from Seattle. Went a few days early and stayed a couple days after to visit with my wonderful family and friends. A dear friend of 34 years and her hubby went on the cruise too. Hal and I met on a cruise to Alaska 20 years ago this week (married 3 months later) so this cruise was our 20th anniversary. Cruising is so romantic. What fantastic sights we saw, what an awesome time. Words can not express the beauty of the land in Alaska and the sights that you see. We spent one day cruising thru Tracy Arm with mini icebergs floating by on either side. The trip was filled with firsts for me: 1. my very first stretch limo ride ever. 2. my first time up in the Space Needle in Seattle as an adult 3. my first time in Juneau and Skagway 4. my first time taking a tram way up the mountain in Juneau (oh my gosh, my fear of heights almost convinced me to cancel). 5. my first time to see the Grand Canyon (we flew over it today unexpectedly on the way back home from Seattle). I had never stayed in downtown Seattle before. It was fantastic. We walked to Pike Place Market, we walked to the Seattle Center. We walked and walked and walked. The day at the center when we returned to the hotel, I wanted to cry with joy. I realized that over 2 years ago I couldn't even walk 1/4 of a block without my hips locking up and I had just walked for HOURS with no problems!!!!!! No words can express the joy I felt. On the ship, we walked every day ... took the stairs 95% of the time going up and 100% going down. Back in January when we cruised we were only able to do the stairs the first 4 days. So all of my swimming and walking have paid off with endurance. Both Hal and I have improved greatly this last year and it showed on the cruise. I did well with eating. The food was wonderful but I didn't over indulge. I did order dessert but never ate more than a bite or two. Being on the cruise was not an issue for being able to get enough protein in -- it was always available. I had a little bit more difficulty with water, but did my best. Hope all of you are doing great. Post and let me know how you are doing. We just got home a few hours ago. I really need to head to bed. Hugs, Mary

Hey Mary, I am glad to hear that you are back. I did miss your posts. Twenty years, happy anniversary, you are blessed. I have been married for 11 years this past August was our anniversary and I would love to have gone on a cruise, we are going to wait till our kids are older and take some time for ourselves. Now as for me I have been maintaining which is better than gaining. I have been in training at work so I haven't been able to post as much but am looking into wireless internet service for my home use then you all will get tired of my posts. LOL! Mary per your experience, what cruise line do you like better? If you'd rather not post please email me. Thanks Annette

Annette, Plan a cruise now, don't wait. Most cruise lines have fantastic kids programs too. We traveled with my sister, her husband, and their 3 year old in January. He pleaded to go to Camp Carnival each day. Some days he stayed all day, other days just a few hours (totally up to the parents on how long the child stays). For late night events, they even have babysitting done in the camp area in most ships. Great way for the family to vacation together but mom & dad to get alone time too. We have cruised on Norwegian, Royal Carribean, Princess and Carnival (total of 10 cruises in 20 years - our favorite way to vacation). Carnival is our favorite, then Princess. All lines have their pluses and minuses. We choose a destination first OR the port we want to leave from (then pick a destination). I always look at what all ships and cruise lines have to offer before deciding. This time leaving from Seattle was very important so we could spend time with family and friends before and after the cruise. Hal and I meet on the Pacific Princess 20 years ago this week on a cruise to Alaska so it was important to go on Princess and cruise to Alaska. We are members of the auto club so use the travel agent there. I go in and get LOTS of brochures from her and start my research. Also participate on a board on cruisecritic.com. They have great message forums on cruise lines, destinations, questions about cruising etc. Very active site. All ships have gyms, most have walking decks or tracks. So getting in exercise is fairly easy. We take the stairs as much as possible. So many choices in food too so getting in that much needed protein is easy to do too. Mary

welcome back, Mary. I've always wanted to go to Alaska. Maybe someday. How nice to celebrate such a huge accomplishment in your marriage. I hope to someday reach a milestone such as yours. Missed you. Denise

Denise, Thank you. It seems impossible that 20 years has gone by. Hal and I met the first morning at breakfast on our first cruise. Got engaged 3 weeks later over the phone and then married 3 months after that. We joked that we never dated!!!! But he is truly my soul mate and we knew getting married was right for us. I hope you get to see Alaska soon. The scenery is AWESOME. You will never see anything like it elsewhere. Mary

Wish I still was there . . . I would've loved to meet you in person. I moved from Juneau back to Southern Cali here about a year ago. I missed you & your posts! I'm happy that you had such a good time . . . did you happen to make it out to the Mendenhall Glacier? -Amanda ;)

Amanda, Tours/Excursions were expensive so did the tram in Juneau and the railroad in Skagway. The glacier will be next time ... yes, we are already wanting to go back. Mary