We were finishing up our 15th cruise to Alaska a couple months ago when hubby received an email from Princess Cruises.
$199 per person for a week-long cruise to Alaska? We really thought long and hard about taking advantage of the offer. There were many sailings to choose from - we could have stayed on the same ship for about six weeks. Living on a ship in Alaska in the summer? Heck yes, count us in. We decided to head home from that 15th Alaskan cruise, get some things done around the house, then head back up.
But it didn't work out as planned. My husband's father got sick right after we got back home and passed away a few days later. Alaska would be a no-go and we decided it would be best to stay close to home.
Then once the funeral passed hubby got another email from Princess Cruises.
$149 week-long cruises to the Caribbean? It was hubby's call. He decided he was ready to leave reality behind and head back out. The Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten are calling our names. This coming week, that is. We have other ports calling our names the next week.
I guess an evening flight from Boise to Seattle and a red-eye flight from Seattle to Ft. Lauderdale (technically Boise to Seattle to Dallas to Ft. Lauderdale) is calling our names, too. Thank you, Alaska Airlines for having 12,500 frequent flier mile flights to get us to Florida, even if it takes us some time to get there.
It's Wanderlust Wednesday! Today we're talking about what to do in Seattle, Washington.
While you can certainly drive a car while you're in Seattle, we always prefer to use the Link Light Rail, along with a little bit of walking. My 5 Things to do in Seattle uses the Light Rail (and Monorail) to get to each location.
1. Take the Link Light Rail from the airport to downtown. Get off at the Westlake stop. Walk to Pike Place Market. Fruit, vegetables, flowers, flying fish. Get there early - it gets crowded on summer days.
While you're there, head into Lowell's restaurant for the most delicious smoked salmon-potato croquettes with fresh herb sauce.
2. Head across the street to Ellenos for very tasty Greek yogurt. I've never had any yogurt like this before. Marionberry Pie Greek Yogurt? Yes, please. Lemon cheesecake Greek Yogurt? Yes, please. (Sorry, I can't find the pic of the mixture. It sure is pretty and tasty.) We love this place so much it is a must-do on every visit.
Get a half and half (half marionberry/half lemon) and head down to eat at the park just north of the market. Victor Steinbrueck Park is a good place to people watch. Tourists, drug dealers, prostitutes, police, homeless people, and cross dressers all intermingle to make for an interesting - and eye opening - experience.
3. From the park you can also see the Seattle Great Wheel, one of the biggest Ferris wheels in the United States. Hangs out over the water, even. You can either take the steps outside the Market or use the parking garage elevator get down there.
You get high up there.
4. Head back towards Westlake to take a ride on the Seattle Center Monorail. It'll take you to the Space Needle. Purchase a ticket to ride to the top and take a look at Seattle from the observation deck. The area around the Space Needle has lots of other activities to partake in. You can even buy combo tickets.
5. Take the monorail back to Westlake. From there take the Link Light Rail southbound, getting off at the Stadium stop. Walk over to Safeco Field and take in a Seattle Mariners professional baseball game. The roof is retractable so you'll be able to watch baseball rain or shine.
Don't forget to try some ballpark food. How about a cheesesteak and some garlic fries?
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Why would I even write anything about cruise ship elevators? Because something about being on a cruise ship drives people nuts when it comes to elevators and a breakdown in civil communication and manners occurs. There are more impatient people, more rude people, and more frustrated people on an elevator than almost anywhere else on a cruise ship. Knowing that ahead of time will save you headaches in the long run.
Face it.
Elevators are slow and one or more may be out of order.
On the first day several of the elevators might be used only for those passengers getting onto the ship. Want to use one of these elevators to go to the buffet? Sorry, probably not happening. On this particular day the availability of elevators is limited. Be ready for it. If you can’t take the stairs be prepared to wait.
There are 2,000 people wanting to use them, sometimes all at the same time. If the 800 people leaving the theater head to the same four elevators there will be a long wait. Just hang back in the theater and chat with family and friends and wait for the crowds to die down.
People have cabins on different decks on different parts of the ship. Some elevators go to Deck 4. Some do not. Some go to Deck 16. Some do not. Some go to your dining room. Some do not. Make sure you are at the right elevator before stepping onto it.
If an elevator shows up and it looks full, it is. It never fails that the party of four will squeeze into the already-full elevator like sardines. People will also rush into an elevator the moment the doors open without letting the other folks off first. And there will also be people crammed in the back of the elevator who need to get off at the first stop. Sometimes I think elevators need traffic controllers.
Because of limitations some people cannot climb the stairs when they want to go from Deck 6 to Deck 7 and will have to take the elevator. Your elevator experience may last an extra 45 seconds and an able-bodied person will wind up complaining about it. Someone will also be frustrated because the person in the wheelchair is taking up enough room for two or three people. Some people are kind. And some aren't.
Elevators go up and elevators go down. Sometimes a full elevator will pass you by. You’re on Deck 10 and want to go down to Deck 5. All the elevators have been going up. Five minutes later you’re still waiting. Remember, what goes up must come down. Try going up in that elevator. Once the elevator reaches the highest floor, guess what? It’ll go down. And you might wind up passing by the rest of the folks who are on Deck 10 still waiting for it.
Just like with anything, knowing what to expect ahead of time can help alleviate some of the frustration.
