Cruising Through Our 25th Wedding Anniversary

I can't believe I've been married for 25 years

(actually closer to 26 years now).

Todd and I never went on a honeymoon

because I couldn't get time off from work back in the day.

So we brainstormed on what we wanted to do

for our 25th and cruises won unanimously

(like 2 votes out of 2 votes).

The next thing we had to decide on was the destination.

We had to keep in mind how much time we could

take off from work, and cost, of course.

The two destinations that we narrowed it down to were

Hawaii and Alaska.

Basically, two destinations on the opposite ends of the spectrum.

We put our heads together and laid out

all the pros and cons and well...

Alaska was the winner!

I actually hinted at the Alaskan destination on

our anniversary dinner post last year (here).

 

So why Alaska?

Easy, it's cooler weather and neither one of us

had a burning desire to don a bathing suit for

a majority of our vacation.

 

Our departure date was July 11th,

and we left from San Francisco.

It was a 10 day cruise with stops at

Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Misty Arms Fjord and Victoria, BC.

 

It took about an 1 hour to actually step foot onboard

the Golden Princess.  We had security, and passports,

and booze check, you name it, it was checked.

Once on the boat, it was great.

You were allowed to walk around

the ship and explore before it sailed.

We boarded at 2:30 PM and left the Port of San Francisco at 4 PM.

We missed the memo that there was a party at the

front of the ship, but we did hear a ton of people cheering

as we went underneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

Too busy taking selfies to notice the party going on.

 

We missed the memo that there was a party at the

front of the ship, but we did hear a ton of people cheering

as we went underneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

Todd and I were busy snapping pictures left and right.

 

The first couple days we were at sea.

Todd and I watched a couple of shows,

 

 

did movies under the stars,

 

 

watched sunsets, ate and relaxed.

 

We saw some truly magnificent sunsets and whales!

 

On day 4 we arrived in Ketchikan, AK.

 

 

It was in the 60's and drizzling,

but we didn't let that slow us down.

Plus, who goes to Alaska and doesn't expect rain?

 

We explored the small town for a couple hours, 

but had an excursion planned for the afternoon.

At 11 AM we hopped on

a tour bus and headed to our destination.

 

After arriving, we donned our rain suits.

 

Jumped in a boat that was not enclosed

(yes it was open and it was raining,

thus the rain suits),

and headed off into the wild blue yonder.

We visited some islands that had

baby bald eagles and seals,

and just missed a US submarine.

Apparently the Navy has a testing or training

facility in the vicinity so there is an

occasional siting.

 

We arrived at the Silverking Lodge

where we had a short little expedition through

the forest and then when we arrived back

at the lodge where our "all you can eat"

seafood lunch was waiting.

 

So do you think that's enough food?

It was all gone when we left.

Yes, our table had that big a pigs at it.

Oink, oink!

 

After lunch we headed back,

with big smiles and full tummies.

 

And crazy hair apparently.

 

After our excursion, it was time to board

the ship, so we headed back and

grabbed a warm cup of coffee

to get the blood flowing again.

 

A perfect end to a super fun day.

 

Next up...Juneau.