For me, cruising is the BEST vacation. Cruising seems to charge up my batteries and improve my outlook.
Checking in to www.quackercruise.com, you will be aware that a Quacker Factory cruise is scheduled for Oct. of 2011.
Bill and I cruised to Alaska on the second to last cruise of the year. The water sparkled, the mountains gleamed and the days were sunny and mild.
The Alaska cruise departed from Seattle. As we boarded, a buffet lunch was provided. After lunch, we were off to find our cabin. Your cabin steward will relieve you of many daily tasks. Stewards will: tidy up your room, make the bed(s), turn your bed down in the evening, pick up a room service order, check with you to see if every reasonable wish has been fulfilled and help in many more ways to free your time for shipboard choices.
I have learned some pointers that simplify our cruise vacation:
The cabin decks have long corridors and all cabin doors look the same. I bring seasonal decorations to help distinguish our cabin door from the rest of the rooms. Some passengers go all out, for door decoration with blinking lights for Christmas, spooky ghosts on Halloween, fluffy ducks for Quackers. It is kind of like decorating a bulletin board in school. I’m a little directionally disorientated, so it is helpful to have a door theme to quickly locate our room. Not everyone will decorate their door. If you decide to decorate, you will be noticed and the door decs generate a lot of happy conversation.
Every day, an activity newsletter is printed and delivered to your room. Read through the pages and pick from dance lessons, craft instruction, exercise options, recipe demonstrations, casino events, shore excursions, evening entertainment, games and contests that are available throughout the day. I wear a colorful lanyard or carry a small purse that has space to put my ship's ID card, a map of the ship and the activity schedule for the day. Wherever I roam, I have this information with me, for spontaneous decisions.
Seven day cruises usually have two formal nights. Pack your sparkly-ist, shimmering fashions to wear to the formal dinners. There are premium restaurants aboard, if you would like to sample fare beyond the dining room. Celebrating a special event? The opportunity to sample first class cuisine is available in specialty restaurants. It is wise to book early (the first or second day aboard), for a special lunch or dinner. Reservations are limited.
The ship's staff are pleasant, helpful and unfailing polite. The staff can be counted on to help make your time aboard comfortable and laid-back.
Cruise time seems to pass 3 times faster than land time. Before you can click your heels , spin around and wish for home, seven days will have passed. Disembarkation takes you to a vast holding area filled with black, gray or red luggage. Savvy travelers have placed bright neon bows, ribbons, or rubber duck s enhanced with yarn on their suitcase handles for easy detection.
In just about one year, The Quacker Factory is offering a "Girlfriend Cruise". Plan to bring your best friend, husband, boyfriend, sister, mother, dad, brother, etc. ALL are welcome. The more the happier! The Quackers will be sailing with the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL) on the premier "Oasis of the Seas". If you have previously cruised with RCCL, you will be eligible for a membership in RCCL's loyalty program, Crown and Anchor . For all the lovely details, check in with www.quackercruise.com.
Bill and I will be sailing on the Oasis of the Seas in December of this year. When we return, I will be able to give you a report on our experience. It is reassuring to have a little knowledge of what to expect before you step on the gangplank to begin a vacation from the routine. Relaxation and Fun are the orders of the day! Take a deep breath, close your eyes and picture yourself sitting in a deckchair with the blue sea rolling by. Ahhhhhh, I can hear Rod Stewart gently singing, "We Are Sailing", in my mind.
Come sail away with us!
Big hugs and visions of swaying palm trees.
Eve
(Please let me hear from you: email me at eve@quackerfactory.com.) I love hearing from others Quackers!
