Alaska Cruise Day Two - At Sea
The first night at sea I could not sleep. Not because of the ship’s motion or floating. That never bothered me the whole trip as the ship is quite large and stable. My right contac had watered the whole day. My relatives wondered why it appeared so red. I thought it came from a lack of sleep so I ignored it. Honestly, I expected to go to sleep and wake up and with it recovering over night.
At three in the morning I realized that the irritation was not due to a lack of rest. I went to look for my contacs case and discovered that I did not pack one. What to do? I took one of the drinking glasses and filled the bottom with contac cleaning solution. Felt immediate relief when I removed the contac. After that I slept well.
I went two days without that contac. It might seem strange to do so, but my contacs are set up like a bifocal. My left eye is for looking and my right eye is for reading. Thus I really did not experience as much trouble as I thought I might wearing a single contac. My brain is so accustomed to looking with the left eye that I did not notice the missing lens.
I went to the buffet with the missus for breakfast at around 8. We saw her parents and sat with them. I would plant myself there for a couple of hours sipping on coffee and listening to Cantonese conversations with no clue what is being said besides chosun, which means good morning. I did not mind for outside the world looked beautiful. We were at College Fjord with its beautiful glaciers. Small icebergs dotted the water and it provided an incredible view. I regretted leaving my camera in my room. But my knee hurt to move around, so I did not retrieve it.
For the morning I decided to go and hear a lecture given by the ship’s naturalist. She spoke on whales and other Alaskan creatures that live in and around the waters we sailed upon. Found it interesting that when the whales slap the water with their tail fin they are informing other whales that food is found. Also learned that whales circle their food. And I would be more accurate to say a circle of whales, perhaps as many as a dozen might circle a large school of fish. The paniced fish swim in a tight ball. Then one whale submerges down to the bottom and swims up through the fish ball, taking in a mouth full. After the bite the whales velocity may carry them flying above the water for a moment. This made me really want to join one of the whale watching excursions later in the week.
My elder niece and #2 and #5 joined me for this lecture. After that we walked a bit and I found the missus. We went to the area where the cruise photographs were on display. Everytime you turn around on the ship one of the photographer’s would snap a shot of you. In this area you could find prints of those shots. My family had a photo taken as we embarked. It looked pretty nice and they even framed it around a map of the cruise’s course. We purchased that shot as a memory of the cruise.
Then it was back to the buffet for lunch. Let me tell you the buffet is incredible. There is always something there 24 hours a day. And the variety changed every hour. There was a long line of bain maries serviced by chefs who carved meats and provided sauces for the various dishes. There was two long islands that held bread and pastries. Another long island contained salads and yet another held desserts. It was hell for a dieter. haha
After lunch I took a nap. Then I went out and found the missus and #1 and his wife playing bingo. Took the opportunity to drink a Guinness. Kicked myself as I realized I did not pick up the camera after my nap. All I could think is the bloggers are gonna kill me for this lapse.
We went to arrange excursions after lunch. My wife and kids would go kayaking at Skagway, while I had to opt for a train ride up to White Pass. My daughter also signed up for bicycling at Katchican (sp?). The whale watching excursions had filled up unfortunately.
Ran into my kids who were having a blast in the Teen Zone making new friends. My son was becoming addicted to ping pong and trying to get me to play. The knee prevented that unfortunately. Also took this time to shop for some deodorant and a wrap for the knee.
#4 is a physical therapist. She looked at my knee and suggested it is nothing more than sprained ligaments. Then she showed me how to wrap it correctly.
Then we prepared for dinner. We had a reservation every night of the cruise in the International Dining Room at eight. You could not dress down for dinner, so no blue jeans or t-shirts for yours truly. Our family was dispersed across three tables. Heck it is difficult to seat 22 folks at one table. #1 assigned the seating arrangements each night. This insured that everyone had the chance to dine with each other a couple of times. The first night I sat with #3’s bro-in-law and #1’s FIL and SIL.
Our seating placed us adjacent to a window, which afforded a view of the mainland and the icebergs floating in the sea. Even at 8 the sun still shown brightly and it would be evident until well after 10:00 pm. The wait staff in the International Dining Room proved to be excellent. The two waiters that worked our three tables were from the Phillipines and these gentlemen were impeccable. I’m picky about service because of my hospitality training, but these guys quickly put me at ease.
Every night we were preseneted with a different menu. The selections always included at least three different appetizers, soups, salads, entres’, and desserts. Usually there were more. For the first dinner I ordered salmon. I know you guys are gonna hate me, but once again I forgot the camera. 
But I will never forget the taste of that fish. It was beautiful. An orgasm for my tastebuds. I fear I shall never taste salmon so delicious as long as I live. I ditched my diet also. Who could refuse New York cheese cake? And it tasted exceptionally smooth and creamy.
After dinner we went to the theater for a show. The cruise director, Peter (cannot recall his last name), MCed all of these shows. He is a young Englishman and quite the humorous chap. The show was a little musical thing. Nothing that memorable, but I have sat through worst shows.
After that we went to the room. Had a bit of a row with the kids, who think they can run amuk 24 hours a day, but we nipped that real quick.
Note. Sorry about no photes. But I assure you that I learned my lesson and the camera remained close to me for the rest of the cruise.
August 8th, 2006 at 3:56 pm
chuppie:)
August 8th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
chousan!! hehee..
wow the variety of the buffet change every hour?
too bad no pic!
hey..we pronouce salmon as ’sell-mon’ here..what bout u?
i was told that it’s pronouced as ’sa-mon’ with a silent’L'…
August 8th, 2006 at 4:26 pm
Winnie the liu is serious about getting her Blue Ribbons. keke
I’m bummed about no pics too! Need to gather some photos for the next post though. The pictures are all on the missus computer too. Need to stuff some on my Jump Drive and Photo Shop ‘em.
Oh! And not every single buffet item changes on the hour. But there will be a few different things added just to keep it interesting.
I pronounce salmon with silent L. Interesting. Hmmm…
August 8th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
sleepwalking chup! will be back… after more zzzz’s…
August 8th, 2006 at 5:31 pm
Your sleep walking makes me smile May. Life is back to normal for me.
Red Ribbon for you.
August 8th, 2006 at 6:14 pm
left for looking, right for reading… o.O ?
oh, no wonder there weren’t any food photos again… lol! and I pronounce it as “sa-mon” as well.
August 8th, 2006 at 7:04 pm
Ha! Ha! finally some cruise stories! *happy*. I guess it’s the same with all cruises. They snap pictures of the guests at every corner and every opportunity and I always end up buying every one of them that has even a shadow of me in it! Reading your post takes me back to such wonderful memories….
August 8th, 2006 at 7:56 pm
so in ur next post there will be filled to the brim with photos!
August 8th, 2006 at 8:11 pm
Buffets, holy cow! Yum!! Better have pictures of things soon!
August 8th, 2006 at 8:27 pm
can’t wait to look at the food photos! heh!
August 8th, 2006 at 8:29 pm
Yep May. I’m such a photographer. Camera! What camera? Though at least I remembered it. I have forgotten them totally before on vacation.
So you are a cruiser too Bkworm? Fortunately, I started using my camera and I got a lot of shots. Really. Which kept me from spending $20 for each of their photos. White Ribbon for you too. Yay!
August 8th, 2006 at 8:31 pm
I hope so Wuching. My wife keeps watching movies on her lappie though. And that’s where all the photos reside.
I hear ya Christine. Am working on it.
Wish I could eat those dishes again domesticgoddess. *slurps*
August 8th, 2006 at 9:08 pm
OMG! No pic??? How could you???
*LOL*
Awww… gotcha!
What to do… have to imagine lohhh…
Pssst psst… winnliuliu would be a good imagine-r… can ask her to “draw” out all the yummylicious food, sa-mon, cheese cake… *drooling*
Time to go to work!
August 8th, 2006 at 9:46 pm
oh my! The buffet alone would make the trip worth it! I could plant myself there for 2 hours at a time!!!! (Hopefully there’s a gym and running track on board… I’d need to use it)
Sounds like a blast. Can’t wait to see day 3 pics!
August 8th, 2006 at 10:39 pm
Your stories can tell everything and I can see pictures in my head when reading them..don’t worry..
You’re a great storyteller!
August 8th, 2006 at 10:40 pm
Oh, Winnliu can draw? And you want her to sketch you drooling? Very interesting Angeliu. Okay Winnliu. You have a comission lah.
We did plant ourselves in the buffet at times Alisa. Especially at 3 to 4 when they served ice cream. I loved that. And toppings too. There was a lot of exercise programs, a track, and dancing. Of course with the knee I could not join any of those. So I gained 8 pounds after losing 22 before the cruise.
August 8th, 2006 at 11:11 pm
oh yah no pics, you’re dead meat, we are going to feed you to the whales, although they’d probably spit you back out for having a bum knee….LOL
August 9th, 2006 at 1:29 am
sure i have commission??
>>
August 9th, 2006 at 1:34 am
>>
August 9th, 2006 at 1:35 am
opps! sorry abt the above blanko. i was trying to draw a fish..but did not appear..
nemo’s gone to look for its dad
August 9th, 2006 at 2:15 am
C H E E S E C A K E !
August 9th, 2006 at 4:20 am
hahahaa nemo’s gone back for dad! that was hilarious, winnliuliu!
SA, i didn’t dare ask you when you were on board. any slight signs of sea-sick? i knew of many who cannot tahan cruises.
August 9th, 2006 at 4:26 am
PARTAY at JANE’S!!!!
August 9th, 2006 at 7:08 am
The cruelty is coming in now. Though I was expecting worse then getting fed to the fishes FF. hehe
No Winnliu. We needs picture of drooling Angeliu. K?
Oh yeah Plinksan. Cheesecake was heavenly.
This ship was very steady misti. No one got ill that I am aware.
Must go visit Jane.
August 9th, 2006 at 7:13 am
Yummy, the salmon and the buffet seemed to be good.
I think I would like the lecture by the naturalist too. The lecture sounded as if it was full of interesting insights.
August 9th, 2006 at 8:17 am
Sounds like you are having a ball of a time there.. too bad you couldn’t make it for the whale watching, it would have been nice to get to see some of the photos taken there.
Almost buffet for every meal huh? Wow.. take note you don’t over indulged! But it’s tough.
August 9th, 2006 at 8:57 am
I really enjoyed the naturalist PY. She had lectures most days. When we were in certain ports or areas she would give a discussion that you could hear in certain public areas or watch on TV in your stateroom.
Actually buffet was only most breakfast and lunchs ZM. Every dinner was in the formal dining room. I loved the dining room. The service. The food was the best I have ever eaten in my life for western dishes. I will go back just so I can watch those darn whales.
August 9th, 2006 at 10:18 am
I agree with Jane. Your story-telling skill can really paint the pictures in my head. But I have yet to ‘hear’ much about the settings of the cruise ship. Never been to one before.
Cheesecakes!! They always melt me at their mercy… hahaha!!
August 9th, 2006 at 10:19 am
trying hard to imagine the food u had there
401 = prince?
August 9th, 2006 at 11:14 am
Oh gosh. I missed Jane’s comment at first. Sorry Janey. I appreciate the compliment.
I will talk more about the ship as I continue laymank. Thanks for the kind words.
What is 401, Chen? I ate the food and it is like I tasted Nirvana. The restaurants in Houston are just posers now. Haiz…
August 9th, 2006 at 11:55 am
crabs are not gonna look the same to me now, thanks to you. i think we should not explain what crabs we’re talking about. we should spare our kind folks here. what do you think?
August 9th, 2006 at 12:24 pm
King crabs misti. I said it. King craps. muahahahaha
August 9th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
OMG, chen is right! 401 on the note above does say ‘prince’!
OMG! I thought you said ‘lectures by a naturist‘!
I need a new pair of glasses….
August 9th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
envious. great family outing.
August 9th, 2006 at 6:22 pm
Oh. That 401. That would be my FIL, Plinksan and Chen.
She is a naturist. Not a naturalist. That was her big joke.
And now I can add glasses to my mental picture of you.
Oh don’t be envious JY. Go on some with your family.
August 9th, 2006 at 7:56 pm
cruise food is so good. Destination is just half of the decision when choosing a cruise. I remember picking one cruise (Costa Cruise Line) just because I wanted to see how their food differed than Royal Caribbean. They were both going to the same places but we had gone on a RC cruise before. Sounds like you had a great time with the family. wonderful.
August 9th, 2006 at 8:26 pm
The cruise really made the cruise. I refused to eat in any of the towns we visited Daphnewood. Except for a couple of sa’mon samples.
Next cruise will be Royal Caribbean most likely in the Caribbean.
August 9th, 2006 at 9:00 pm
u deserved to be shot…for forgetting the camera for more than one occasion
August 9th, 2006 at 9:11 pm
Glad you don’t have a gun Cat.
August 9th, 2006 at 9:44 pm
chousan!!!
im chinese but i cant really speak cantonese too!..had quite a hard time in kl where most ppl speak cantonese :\
boohooohoooo no pics
and WOW!u can see with only ONE contacts?!?!teach me teach me!!!LOL
August 9th, 2006 at 9:59 pm
chosan!!! Yeah, foods on cruise are heaven. 5 meals a day and you will feel like a whale.
August 9th, 2006 at 11:01 pm
hmm better start rearing crocs LOL
August 9th, 2006 at 11:03 pm
Oh, I love reading your blog about the FOOD! I FNNN love SALMON!!!!!!!!!!!!! That would be my first choice too! Give us more!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sounds awesome.. I would love to take my kids on a cruise!
August 10th, 2006 at 4:14 am
Where are the pictures?! *sob*
August 10th, 2006 at 4:23 am
Almost crying… I thought you don’t love me anymore!!!!
hehehehehe…
August 10th, 2006 at 7:10 am
Hey I got monovision too! Love it and cannot do without it. Looking forward to the pics!
August 10th, 2006 at 9:07 am
Hey Pink Cotton. Do you speak another Chinese dialect? My missus sez she will burn a disk for me today. *crosses fingers*
The one-eyed contacs is an acquired skill. Did not even know I had achieved it. haha
By the end of the cruise I did not even want to eat your Queenship.
Darn FF. I only got aligators down here.
I hope you get the chance Candi. Your boys are old enough that they have fun programs for them. And the food is so good.
August 10th, 2006 at 9:14 am
I’m crying too Titoki. *snif*
Aw Jane. Hugs Hugs
Will feed the monovision ASAP Lilian.
August 10th, 2006 at 11:15 am
talking about mental pics..
King Crabs!! aaaaaahhhhhh
August 10th, 2006 at 11:56 am
muahahahaha @ misti.
August 10th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
Gosh..for a moment, I thought you went for one of those icebreaker cruise!!
No photos whatsoever?? Not even of the ocean and icebergs??
August 10th, 2006 at 2:06 pm
four legs or six?
August 10th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
Next post Kat. I took lots of photos in Glacier Bay. I tell ya there was a lot of ice in that water.
How many legs do you want misti?
August 10th, 2006 at 6:27 pm
i have no gun, but i have knives, would that do?
:P
August 10th, 2006 at 7:15 pm
Drat! Cat!
(poet didn’t know it)
August 10th, 2006 at 8:19 pm
I have always like to go on a cruise.. to anywhere..
It is never the destination but the journey that is most enjoyable.. much like life.. ahaha
and company along the journey, the people we meet are the most essential things to make the journey pleasurable..
Seem like u are in good company… and enjoying the food. yum yum
August 10th, 2006 at 8:50 pm
I agree with you 100% Robin. Did not really get to know other passengers. But I was enriched by the staff. They were lovely people.
August 11th, 2006 at 12:00 pm
how many legs i need?
August 11th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
holy tibuli batman, you certainly do know how to have a holiday……interesting read my dear….but you KNOW how I like pics….so next time, humour me, please!
August 11th, 2006 at 6:14 pm
How many legs you wanna eat misti?
I pormise Mitzzzzzzzzzzzz that pics are in the future. If I can only get the missus to quit watching the stupid soap opera on her computer. Apparently the disc won’t work in the DVD player. Hate Hong King films sometimes.
August 11th, 2006 at 8:47 pm
I read from the scribble in the first photo
for 401 - the name next to it in chinese writing = prince
August 11th, 2006 at 9:58 pm
That is my father in law Chen. His son wrote that for us. Then we know where all our rooms are.
August 12th, 2006 at 4:53 am
if your sister in law call you fil low yeh (room 303) then your wife’s family is very traditional and most probably cantonese. i call my fil daddy hahaha…
i have never been on a cruise. look like there is a lot of interesting stuff to do on a cruise.
August 12th, 2006 at 10:58 am
we’re getting to 69 here soon.
and the legs were for eating? oh!
August 12th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
You have us pegged Seefei. Traditional Contonese of Hong Kong origins. Make a cruise sometime in your life. You will be glad you did.
What else do you do with crab legs misti? The magic number looms. Cannot remember the last time one of my posts went that high.
August 12th, 2006 at 2:50 pm
Hope your knee is getting better.
If not, I hear skunks are good for knees….
August 12th, 2006 at 11:22 pm
I’m gonna cross breed crocs with skunks
muarrrhhaahahaahaa
August 12th, 2006 at 11:59 pm
Skunks huh. They have to smell better than those Chinese herbs Plinksan. Talk about reeking.
Dang FF. I think you just want crocs to look like a race car. Black with a white racing stripe.
August 13th, 2006 at 1:51 am
69!!!!!!!!
whooppiiieeee! SA, let’s jump together!! opps
August 13th, 2006 at 11:12 am
Ouch. Bumped me head jumping. *high 5 @ misti*
August 13th, 2006 at 12:20 pm
*high 10!!*
can we?
August 13th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
Chinese herbal medicines can smell/taste a bit yuck sometimes, SA-sama. Especially the medicated plaster!
FF: How? *confuciusmaximus* o.O
August 13th, 2006 at 2:50 pm
Let’s be flexible and go for 20 misti.
Yep yep, Plinksan. And hurtful when not used properly.
August 13th, 2006 at 9:50 pm
You are sooo lucky ypou guys got the plane before the new restrictions went into effect.. remember when you come back… No liquids! What a pain that will be!
August 13th, 2006 at 10:36 pm
I know Candi. I made sure we were all carrying at least one bottle of water and I actually had two. So glad I made it home before this new round of restrictions.
August 13th, 2006 at 11:06 pm
ya, new restrictions sux. we have ‘mankind’ to blame for our present situation. animals are better behaved. and i shall not get into that here.
*high 20s* sounds better. how we’re gonna do that, Oh Great Contortionist?
August 14th, 2006 at 6:37 am
Oh just be flexible my friend. We’ll figure out a way misti.
August 14th, 2006 at 11:18 am
heeloooo i’m back!!
August 14th, 2006 at 11:19 am
ok very very weird.. how come my msg doesn’t show!
August 14th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
There seems to be a lag sometimes JJ. You have been missed dear. Glad you’re back.
August 14th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
figured how, O Great One?
3 towels help? heehee.
August 14th, 2006 at 5:11 pm
Well if we put our left foot in misti…
August 14th, 2006 at 9:18 pm
wah…. glad that you have such a wonderful trip.. but then.. you forgot your contac case…
that is bad… that is bad!
btw, the picture on top is the room numbers? where everyone is staying in?
August 14th, 2006 at 9:35 pm
i get it! you put your left foot in and put your right foot out, you put your left foot in and turn it all about. we do the hookie pookie, lalalalala, that’s what it’s all about!
(sori forgot part of the song, lol)
August 14th, 2006 at 9:56 pm
Yes Velverse. I just wanted to provide a graphic since I had not pics then. Usually I do not need a contac case. I put mine in and wear them for 30 days. Then I toss em out.
Me too misti. But you got much further than I did.
August 14th, 2006 at 10:49 pm
U know ah, I just realised your comment boxes got 4 numbers and I can go buy 4D lucky draw numbers….
August 14th, 2006 at 11:12 pm
Wish you the best of luck. Maybe it can speed you on the way to Florida. And thus Texas.
August 15th, 2006 at 9:30 pm
The first Chinese name sound so familiar..
Lao Ye.. or father in law?
August 15th, 2006 at 10:08 pm
That would make sense. That is #1’s father-in-law’s room.
August 23rd, 2006 at 10:08 pm
you mean you wear them for 30 days? Isn’t that dangerous? Hehe.. I like your graphical representation! Seriously! very neat and cool!
August 24th, 2006 at 10:19 am
Thanks for the compliment V.
My contacs are designed to be worn for 30 days. They allow in a lot of oxyegen for the eye. Check with your optometrist. They should know if you are curious to know more.
June 14th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
hi all.