The Cruise - Brief Recap and Video Links

I kinda wonder what Zac was thinking in this pic, looking out the window of a pizza place in downtown Seattle a bit after his cousins had left the first night we arrived. He knew about the cruise (we caved about two weeks before we left) but probably had no idea what to expect. I hope that he had fun, and we did ask him about every day if he was enjoying it.  I know the kids were a little bored at times as the cruise really didn't have much for teens, but I also know Zac in particular is a big fan of the beauty in nature and in architecture. Several times he noted this as we were looking at something from the ship or walking through a picturesque Alaskan city. I'm so glad he had a chance to experience something like this.  I carry with me the memory of many family vacations as a child, vacations of different types of trips, different times of year, different types of transportation (no planes, but trains and automobiles!). They mean a lot to me the older I get, and I am so thankful to Katy's parents for taking us on this trip. It was so special.

My favorite on-ship activity during the cruise were the nightly shows in the theater. I shared this one previously, but this is from the final night, when they presented a Broadway-inspired musical to us, singing songs from multiple shows. It was AMAZING. Zac is a huge fan of Broadway, just like Katy and I are, so he really enjoyed it as well.  He asked after if we could watch 'Chicago' at some point.  Well...maybe give it a year or two, son. It's a little, um, more adult than perhaps I'd rather you see just yet.  :)  When I first saw the entertainment options I honestly didn't think much of it. I thought well, maybe we will go to one or two...that comedian looks like he might be funny...but I had no expectations of it being a highlight. Every evening was something new and fun. We saw two excellent comedians and saw an Adele tribute show from a vocalist who, my gosh, is so much more than just an Adele cover artist. During a variety night show on night 6, she sang "Alone" from 'Heart', a 40s version of "All About that Bass" from 'Meghan Trainor', then an aria from her favorite opera. Her classical training blew us all away. It was incredible.  The cruise director himself did a Neil Diamond tribute show, with mostly songs I had never heard, but he made it so personal that it was very touching. Diamond was his mom's favorite singer and you could sense how meaningful this show was to him. He lost his mom, I think within the last year, and it was emotional for him.  

One of the other things I mentioned briefly before was my surprise that art auctions are a big deal on cruises.  I would NEVER have thought of this...ever. This photo is of a painting by Alexandre Renoir labeled "Evening Calm". I have no idea what this would sell for, but surely FAR more than I would be able to afford at this point in my life. Maybe someday. This one spoke to me, and the picture does it zero justice. In person it was just stunning. I saw the name of the painter and obviously knew the last name, but couldn't figure out the first name. Alexandre is the great-grandson of the Renoir we are familiar with, Pierre-August Renoir. Now I KNOW I could never afford one of HIS paintings, but maybe someday I'll get this one by his great-grandson.  :)  Jewelry is also a common purchase on a cruise, either on the ship, where everything was duty and tax-free, or in the ports, which are just lined with jewelry store after jewelry store. I expected local shops dotting the downtown areas, focused on local gifts and items. I didn't expect to see so many jewelry stores. They make a big deal out of which ones are locally owned, but to be honest, even the local shops carried plenty of items that were not made in Alaska, so it wasn't that much of a pull.  We sure did enjoy the three rings we bought Katy, though. I'm so pleased with those purchases and love that we were able to do it.

I'll leave with this pic and a link to the videos I have uploaded on YouTube.  I grabbed this picture because, to me, this is the serenity of a cruise. Perhaps it's not always this way...I wouldn't know as this was my first cruise.  But having a balcony room...if you cruise you HAVE to do this. We all seek ways to detach from our busy lives and for 11 days, 7 on this ship, I was able to do that completely. Didn't think about work, didn't think about life at home or what I had to do next inside or outside the house...I just...breathed. I think it's important to take as many moments as you can to just soak in whatever respite you can, recognize the beauty around you and just breathe it in.  I hope you enjoyed the posts I made of our trip. They weren't complete, by any stretch, and I'm happy to engage in conversation with anyone who wants to hear more, here or on FB.   And now, the link to the videos I have uploaded:  

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0gy3hpNW5VqhezwyNy4bHJxzqf2qB-KG