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Tag: Smith Cove

  • Part 6, Return to Seattle via Victoria

    Part 6, Return to Seattle via Victoria

    The next morning, cruise director Dave treats us to a backstage tour behind the Princess Theater.

    We leave the open ocean and curve back into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Suddenly, Andy discovers that we have cell reception! It’s a straight line of sight to Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, and Port Angeles is starboard. Sequestered since leaving Skagway two days ago, everyone’s phones suddenly beep with stored alerts.

    The Golden Princess glides smoothly into Ogden Point while we enjoy an early dinner. After customs clearance, we disembark. Wynn and François pick us up for a tour of Victoria, visiting the front lawn of the Legislature Building, catching the brilliant sunset from Clover Point, and climbing to the top of Craigdarroch Castle. Back at the waterfront, we stroll through The Fairmont Empress Hotel. It’s nice to have this little reunion to finish our trip.

    Soon, we cruise in US waters. We wake up back by the docks of Smith Cove. A quick taxi ride shuttles us to the airport. We’ve beaten the crowds on this early walk-off disembarkment, and we realize how lucky we were as we watch our taxi driver’s dispatch screen calling all the taxis back to the cruise terminals for the thousands of passengers that need rides.

    Just like it says in the Princess Cruises tag line, we did escape completely—well, almost. Except for the brief periods of cell and data intrusion, that promise did, for the most part, come true. And just as we had originally planned, this weeklong excursion was the perfect getaway celebration for my favorite sister’s birthday.

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  • Part 2, From Seattle to Inside Passage

    Part 2, From Seattle to Inside Passage

    People, all trying to escape onto the cruise liners, jam pack the Smith Cove terminal. The entire hall swirls with excitement of the upcoming vacations. The process takes a long time, but we finally board the Golden Princess, have a late buffet lunch, and go through emergency drills.

    Soon, the horn blasts through all of us standing on the top deck, and we’re off, setting sail for Alaska through the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Inside Passage. After gorging ourselves in Seattle and the buffet, the first order of business is to work out, of course. The welcome show introduces us to the upcoming cruise services. Right after this, we literally sail off into the sunset.

    We had reserved the second dinner setting. Our table, number 275, happens to sit right next to a window, and the waiters assigned to us are meticulous. They both have OCD, the main waiter more affected than the junior. Every detail is perfect—appetizer spoon, fish fork, filet knife, fresh herb garnish, hand-selected berries. It’s all about presentation.

    I wake up earlier than the rest and catch the Wake Show with Kelly and Dave, cruise directors, while it plays on the big screen as we sail in the open Pacific Ocean. The sea, originally quite calm, churns on its long wash cycle. In the upper deck swimming pools, water sloshes back and forth, emptying each end with every roll. It’s good that lunch never found its way back up. In the line dancing session, Kelly tells us the rule: if you make a mistake, blame the ship. By dinner time, we steer back into quiet waters. While sailing through the Inside Passage, we enjoy dinner and showtime.

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