Finally we have reached 2025 (and yes, finally I’m adding something here. 😉 ) which means our trip is just that much closer to reality. My 70th birthday coincided with the start of our gardening season – the planting of the seeds. There was an initial concern that we should have everything picked and perhaps dug up before we leave (so…mid-September-ish). The idea being that we didn’t want to return to plants on their deathbed surrounded by well-past-ripe-stage produce laying about. That now seems to be less of a worry as our kids graciously volunteered to come over and do a little maintenance for us. I may have to give them a raise…
More concerted efforts are also now being put into planning a variety of things. Transportation (i.e. flights) being one of them. The first plan was a fabulously priced flight to Montreal, train to Quebec City, with return from Boston through Calgary back to Edmonton. Browsing through CruiseCritic.com (which is a great place for all kinds of eye-catching info for cruisers) helped with our final mental nudge to upgrade to business class for the train portion. Not a huge cost differential but certainly better seats and amenities. The trip itself is about 3.5 hours so we figured we might as well be comfortable and enjoy whatever sights may be seen out the window.
The next change has just been decided. Upgrading our flight to a different carrier with better times (both departure and return) for only about $200 more (for both of us, not each) seems like a reasonable idea. The end result remains a great deal flight-cost wise. And again, we’re not the spring chickens we once were so personal comfort (within financially prudent limitations) is starting to have a higher priority.
In a previous post I had noted that Vines (one of our Favorite spots aboard Princess Ships) was in its usual spot on Deck 5. Sadly, this is no longer the case. During a recent dry-dock, several changes were made to different facilities on the Majestic Princess (our ship). The most notable, to us, was the complete removal of Vines to allow for a smaller rendition of O’Malley’s Pub (no food at this one as there is no kitchen in the immediate area). Its loss is a shame, I think, as it was (and still is on a number of other Princess Ships) a very relaxing zone replete with a wide variety of adult grape juice. 😉 Many a moment has been spent there, especially after a long day investigating the local port of call. A parched throat needs relief!
Another change is the removal of the Harmony Restaurant. Its space will now be occupied by The Catch by Rudi (inspired by Chef Rudi Sodamin). Needless to say, its focus is seafood but also includes steak and pasta. Shrimp on the rocks, calamari, marinated lobster tail, and tuna salade niçoise are a few of the delights that can be found there. I shall make SURE I have a post with more…personalized…information.
There are a couple of other changes as well so I’m sure the first sea day will be spent doing some ship exploration. On a side note, my ‘office onboard’ remains comfortably located just outside the Crown Grill with the Crown Bar directly in front of me on deck 7. With all the furious typing and picture manipulation, it would be a shame if I were overcome by…dehydration…for instance.
More will be forthcoming. However it may have a slight leaning towards our garden exploits as the REAL FUN won’t start til we get to Montreal. 🙂