CatLadyFemme

2 hours ago, 3yorkies said:

I love your writing style and your photos---and and the tats!     Can't wait to follow along until I leave this Friday for my cruise on Allure to the ABCs.

Thank you! And have fun; we did Allure in April (did a live review then too!) and had a really wonderful time.

Gah! It deleted my whole dinner post. What you need to know if they bake GF bread fresh on this ship and it was super yummy, and our head waiter hooked me up with GF vegetarian mushroom soup and it was sooooooo good and I had two servings and also convinced the folks next to me to order some. Polenta was great, MxCatLady’s chicken Waldorf salad and key lime pie were also enjoyed, and as usual, I put in my MDR lunch and dinner order for Day 2 in.

A few pics from the first few hours on board.

First ship update! The Wi-Fi (yes, even the surf + stream we upgraded to) is sloooooow. So a good reminder to be present in the moment, to enjoy our time here, to read, to watch the ocean. It also means I will do a text post first, followers by pictures, is it seems to two together crash my small amount of internet juice.

Boarding was slightly more hectic than most of the Florida ports and waaaaay more hectic than Copenhagen, but the people at the Seattle port are 100% nicer than anywhere I have ever been, airport, train station, or cruise port. Like, alarmingly nice. It was pretty crowded and a sizeable walk, so I opted for a wheelchair. Everyone was so kind and helpful, and they even had a shorter ramp for boarding for wheelchairs and those using mobility aids. 10/10 on accessibility!

Once onboard, we checked in at our muster station, and headed up to WJ to check it out. Even at 11:30, it was SO crowded and overwhelming. MxCatLady grabbed a burger, fries, and some olives, and we headed to the Solaroum, which is STUNNING. Most beautiful one I have been to so far. That being said, the fact that it was all enclosed and over 80 degrees in Seattle made it like a green house and it was super toasty. I grabbed some salad and fruit from the Solarium bistro, and we both kicked of using our refreshment package with some virgin frozen mojitos, followed by mudslides. I didn’t love that they opted not to open the pool until after 1pm, but it was worth the wait. I was the first one in, and my body was so happy in the water (though I wish it was deeper!).
 

Rooms were ready around the same time, so we headed down to our accessible balcony. We had paid for an accessible ocean view, but after the drama with the glacier visit being dropped, a lot of folks cancelled. I had my TA call to see what the cost would be to upgrade to a balcony if there was one….and it was free! It was almost like the upgrade fairy was back!!! I love sitting on the balcony and didn’t have one when MrCatLady and I went to Alaska previously, so it is a special treat.

The room, like most of the ship, is lovely. A blend of updates (like a plug by the bed and USB ports), smarter storage (two closets!), and a lovely vintage/classic cruising feel (think more like High Seas than Below Deck). Beds are more comfortable than most RC ships, but we still blew up our travel air mattress pads for extra good sleep. I love that the chairs on the balcony recline a little, and there are foot rests!

We didn’t see our steward before dinner, but found our luggage in a room down the hall, so had everything unloaded before heading down to dinner. I should note that outside of eating, we are wearing KN95s any time indoors. Many more people are also masking than on the Allure in April and Voyager in May. It’s really nice not being the odd person out!

I had emailed to request a table in the quietest, least crowded two top on the dining room. As I have mentioned, I am autistic (and other flavors of neurodivergent), and can get overstimulated with too much noise, light, people, etc. We are in the Silk dining room on level 4, and in one of the back corners by a window. It’s nice because I can kind of melt into the corner. It was super bright with sun in lots of people’s eyes, but then they lowered the blind and it was perfect!

Gonna see if this will post, then will talk about the food. Including the mushroom soup of my dreams!
 

59 minutes ago, perfect match said:

All I could think of when I heard the term Kraken was the roller coaster by that name at Sea World in Orlando! 😱

 

Actually, I did think of the giant squid that I occasionally hear referred to as Kraken too.

 

I loved the Orca statue riding in the little blue wagon! 😂🤣😂  It seems to me like there a lot of fun and interesting things to see and do in Seattle. Getting there is definitely on my bucket list of US cities I’d like to visit some day.  The problem is that I have a number of different bucket lists and none of them are short lists. I’m checking things off one at a time but it’s going to take a long time for me to get to all of them. They’re my motivation to maintain my health and fitness as much as I can for as long as I can.

SO many fun things. Other things I have enjoyed on previous trips were a visit to Alki island, visiting San Juan islands, Pikes Place Market, kayaking, Chihuly Gardens, and more. So good! I hope you make it here eventually 💜

I love it here so much! Today we went to meet my BFF’s pandemic puppy, got amazing Mexican food that was so good I got teary, stopped by a queer friendly comic book shop, got to meet one of my online students and her wife in person, saw the Freemont troll, hyped up the Chinook salmon going up the salmon ladder at the locks (and saw some seals!!!), and got some fun boba tea (well, I got the purple rice kind, but still), and are now icing various body parts whole noshing on GF Ethiopian food.
 

Such a great day, but am canceling evening plans to that I can save energy for embarkation tomorrow.

For those following along, the vegan Thai food from Araya’s was amazing (except my Laad Na did not come with the noodles), and seeing my friend was delightful. I got to see more of the lobby and it really is fun to explore.

7 hours ago, justKirbo said:

Love the update! My husband grew up in Ballard and we met while at UW. Seattle's a great town, glad you're enjoying it (and I hope you're all rested by tomorrow).

Did your friend name her dog Turbo after the Kraken player? I love him and hope he's able to have a full season this year (the hockey player, not the dog, though I'm sure the dog is lovely).

I cannot imagine they did, as I think they follow even less sports than I do. It is likely a nerdy video game life reference, though of course I always think of the silly snail cartoon. When you said Kraken, I definitely was thinking of our vein of D&D stuff more than hockey 🦑 

Y’all are so nice and are gonna make me blush! I used to be a blogger back in the early days (mid 2000s), and have a few popular press books out in my area…though now mostly just write academicy stuff, so it’s nice to know people still enjoy reading my stuff.

Yesterday, our flight was a bit bumpy, but ok otherwise. The Seattle airport is a bit of a nightmare to navigate, especially since I use wheelchairs through airports, and their elevators shut so fast. More than once, the doors closed before we could get me and my luggage in. Oy! However, we made it out and got a lovely and really kind taxi driver to take us to our hotel (the Graduate Seattle in the University District). Somewhere either in the wheelchair or the taxi, both of our hoodies were lost. I am particularly sad since mine had a big polar bear and little polar bear and said “Protect Trans Kids.” Alas. Hope to buy one at our first stop.

Hotel is fun and funky. Definitely more of a hip and younger crowd, but lots of fun art work through out the hotel; you can even take a virtual tour. Way less expensive than downtown (same with the StayPineapple options MrCatLady and I used in 2018), and still nice rooms. The bathroom doesn’t have a roll in shower, but does have a lot of grab bars and a transfer bench, so at least is useable for me. Bed is quite comfy and SO many pillows.
 

Last night we ordered in from Capitol Cider, an all GF place. I had charred broccoli, pea/truffle soup, and gluten free cheese curds with housemate apple compote. It blew my mind. MxCatLady had fish and chips, and said they are also phenomenal.

Today, we slept in and went to meet an internet friend of mine (we met on TikTok maybe 3 years ago, and have been Instagram friends since). They came up from rural Washington with their partner and kid, so that was really lovely. We sat outdoors at the Portage Bay Cafe, where they do amazing GF Swedish pancakes (lots of other GF and vegan options,

plus a breakfast bar with fresh whipped cream and tons of beautifully fresh and delicious berries). MxCatLady had biscuits and pork gravy, and reported back they were yummy. Both were huge servings so we took food back.

Let me tell you, a walk downhill is much more enjoyable than the walk back up the hill, especially on Seattle. My disabled self is exhausted and my feet are swollen, so now relaxing in the cool room while MxCatLady makes a run to Target for tissues, bandaids, foundation, and bug spray; all things we forgot! Tonight’s meals will be Thai food from Araya’s vegan Thai. Thai food is my absolute favorite and most places in the Midwest are rubbish in comparison, so getting good food is the highlight of my trip. One of my friends from middle school also lives near by and is going to stop by to say hello. I actually introduced her to her now spouse a week before my wedding to MrCatLady in 2011, and now they have a 2.5 year old baby. I love that I have people in my life for decades still. 💜

If it wasn’t for all the spiders (I am severely arachnophobic), and the ridiculous gentrification/cost of living, I’d be trying to get UW to recruit me all the time. It is SO lovely here, seeing other visibly queer/trans folks, having such an easy time eating meals, having folks talk about accessibility openly. Maybe I can retire out here one, if it hasn’t gone underwater yet.

Oh! We did our Emed tests too. Thought that would be easier and potentially cheaper than chasing down a free test center. I had used them for Voyager on May, and MxCatLady for Allure in April, so we knew what to expect. No problems here, and we are both negative. I basically never leave my house and mask 100% of the time inside when I ever do, and MxCatLady managers a Starbucks and has gotten it twice from work, so I was worried a bit, but not a ton. Glad to have that out of the way!

For tomorrow, we are meeting up with my BFF from college (who was our wedding officiant and lives here). Plants include the Fremont troll, Ballard, the lochs and salmon ladder, and then meeting their adorable pup Turbo in person. Also, one of my online students from my class I just finished is in Ballard, so we may meet up with her and her wife to meet in person. 
 

I am autistic, and haven’t met up with this many folks in 2.5 years (other than our wedding, but I knew everyone). On our last two cruises, we didn’t meet up with anyone anywhere, and I wore my loops a lot and kept to ourselves. It’s been really nice getting to see folks I like and also really overwhelming. I am exhausted and it’s just day 2 of the trip. Really looking forward to some quite time on the balcony this trip to try and reset a bit before our semester begins. So gonna try my best to be my authentic self, and hope that my awkwardness is endearing instead of annoying to people. It’s also the first time many of my long time friends are getting to meet MxCatLady, since we had only started dating a year when the pandemic hit. They have been so good in helping me navigate all of this stuff, and I am so glad I get to show them some of one of my favorite cities (along with Denver, SF, and Portland) and take them on this cruise.

Boarded! Seattle, here we come!

These are EnvoMasks for those who are interested. Bought them for our occasionally air travel where no one is masking and we are higher risk. Also wiped down our seats with bleach. Trying to avoid both COVID and MPXV on this trip. Plane is full, so we are settling in to watch a movie.

14 hours ago, metalguy21 said:

 

 

I called special needs (thanks for the suggestion, I had never needed or heard of such a service.)  They said the do indeed deal with this all the time.  I said we aren't just talking a vegan diet here but she assured me they can special order and they will special cook her meals to order.  She also mention talking with the staff in the MDR.  And I guess there is a form you can fill out on booking.  Good idea to talk to the cook too.  We took her to a very high end resort in Thailand and the head chef came out at the start and went over her needs and then personally cooked all her meals.  But then that's what you expect out of a $1000 a night resort.  Just not sure if they can make good on this. 

I bring a color coded list (green are ok foods, red are allergies) and give a copy to the head waiter who enters it into the system for me. Had almost a dozen cruises since my celiac DX (am also vegetarian and egg free), and never once gotten sick in the MDR. They are SO careful and even double check on gelatin, etc. If she has meals she would like because they feel safest to her, she can request them as well.

2 hours ago, leojagpreet said:

Hey Catlady, I hope you will have good time.

 

We will be cruising on 22nd Aug, one question - we will be coming from London UK 4 days prior to cruise. Do we need to pay for test or can we get free test in seattle? (all vaccinated guests)

We are going to do the Emed virtual testing so we don’t have to bop all over Seattle looking for a site.

I will say that compared to the UK and much of Europe, the US is totally failing regarding ongoing testing. Many of the drug stores that were doing it have stopped, and many places are making you pay, even if you have US based insurance. I’m happy to ask my BFF who lives in Seattle about places still doing preemptive testing, but you might want to think about other options depending on how long before you get on the cruise and where you are staying.

2 hours ago, gowensricks said:

I am on this cruise too! I will certainly say "hello" if I run into you. Congratulations on your marriage - my very first cruise was my honeymoon 22 years ago and we have been smitten with cruising every since (this will be our 23rd cruise - all with Royal). BTW you said your friend will take you to the port on Sunday...the cruise leaves on Monday😀

Ope! That’s what I get from copying and editing the post from our Allure cruise 😂 Don’t worry, will be there monday!

Hello - it's time for another live review!

I'm CatLadyFemme, a recently tenured professor at the University of Michigan, a cat lady (obviously, with four cats and one cat like blue nose pittie across our two homes), and a fairly experienced cruiser. I am disabled/live with chronic pain, and so walk with a cane, plus I am a vegetarian and have Celiac disease, so am super duper gluten free.
 

In addition to things like photos of the rooms, pools, etc., I will post about finding vegetarian GF food (we've had some AMAZING luck like with Belic on the Explorer, and some not great experiences where I ate iceberg salad and berries for days), and access/ADA issues. Oh! I'm also queer and nonbinary (as is MxCatLady), so there may be some stuff about the LGBTQ meet up, etc. I like to stay in the shade/find a nice lounge and read, or enjoy the hot tubs. Yes, even when it is fairly chilly (see my May review of Voyager in the Baltic).

One of my partners, MxCatLady, will be joining me. They run a Starbucks on land (sadly, cannot use their discounts aboard), and this is their first time in Seattle or Alaska, and second time on a cruise. We both will likely frequent the shows depending on how crowded they are, napkin folding/towel animals, observation decks, and the pools. I have been on a similar itinerary before (in 2018 with MrCatLady); Any tips for a first time Alaska cruise to make sure I give them the best experience?

We'll be staying in an accessible ocean view balcony, which we got for a free upgrade after y’all the changes. So stoked to be able to sit on the balcony, listen to audio books, and enjoy the water.

We have early seating at dinner, like seeing most of the shows, and are super excited to travel together for the second  time in over 3 years.. We both have the refreshment package, internet packages (surf only). This cruise is our honeymoon (see wedding picture below!) and a celebration of their birthday earlier this month. We have excursions planned for all the ports now, though most aren’t through Royal, given cancelations. Currently scheduled to do a multi stop tour in Juneau, a trolley to see Toetems and raptors in Ketchikan, a bear/otter quest in Sitka through Royal (that hasn’t been rescheduled since the schedule change, so am afraid this one will be cancelled), and a shot bus tour of Victoria through Royal (I had been SO excited to get GF high tea at the Empress again, but it ends at 4pm. Alas.).

I should note I am immuno compromised, and despite isolating for two years, I finally got COVID in January (MxCatLady caught it from work for the second time). We are both dealing with some pretty seriously long hauler syndrome. We also know getting it more than once can be additive, so at my HCP’s advice, we will be masking indoors or in crowded outdoor spaces. I also got my 5th shot (which is considered my booster)  end of July so I will be at maximum protection for this cruise. Please don’t argue COVID stuff with me, and I won’t spam you with peer reviewed studies, and we can all have a nice time.

Our trip starts tomorrow, Friday the 12th, with flying out to Seattle, getting to the hotel (the Graduate near the University), and finding a vegetarian/GF friendly place for dinner. My best friend who lives in Seattle will be taking us to the port on Sunday, and I have a town car scheduled to take us back to the airport on the 22nd.

Let me know if you have any specific questions or requests; otherwise, I'll try to do regular updates (assuming the internet isn't wonky), post occasional pictures, and hopefully induce a small amount of envy.

Oh! And if you see us on board, come say hi 💜

Also on the 15th. Just the original switch from Skagway to Ketchikan and skipping the glacier viewing; nothing new.

3 hours ago, CruiszBug said:

One thing to keep in mind is that Junior Suites on Oasis class are located on Deck 14 just below the pool deck. Friends of ours who were traveling in one were miserable because they could not get any peace and quiet for a nap or going to bed early due to the dragging of chairs overhead. So I would check that out for sure! We have a special needs child also and have cruised in Owners Suite, Aqua theatre Suite, Crown Loft HA Suite and Ovation's HA Junior Spa suite which is a Grand Suite on Deck 8 that was converted. All of them worked for us. We would just wheel her over to the spa/fitness center and use the fantastic HA shower facilities there for the rooms that did not have a roll-in shower.

Same with balconies on the boardwalk and CP. We love all the accessible rooms we have had (mostly OV and balconies, though one spacious panoramic room on Voyager and we are booked on a Jr Suite on Freedom next February), but the accessible balcony on Allure near CP was very loud.

We are booked on our first TA in May 2023 (Anthem from NJ to Southampton) and are super excited. We love sea days, and since we don’t drink, our Diamond drinks should be enough for us, but we did buy the UDP, especially since you can do speciality restaurants for lunch on sea days and there will be so many. It’s pretty affordable right now; just over $200/person for 11 nights. Great for random sushi to go from Izumi too!

21 hours ago, Project-College said:

Not sure what College she is in but my 25 years experience with Universities... rare a Professor would make that sort of allowance for one that is on vacation.  Sickness/Family Issues, yes but vacations... have never seen it except at Princeton (he Parents had donated over 4 mil so I guess she deserved a few privilages).  

As a university professor, I can’t imagine *not* letting students turn in stuff ahead of time. I don’t have to grade it till everyone else’s is in if I don’t want, and if it is turned in early and I have the time (ha!), I can get ahead of my grading. [am a a top 5 public R1, #1 ranked in our field, for reference]

Very enjoyable, and yes, though we usually just have a pool bag and a small back pack with us.

1 minute ago, brillohead said:

As Ron White says in his comedy act, "You can't fix stupid!"

I've never understood why we don't have more unisex restrooms, like the Ally McBeal tv show.  Put the urinals inside a stall, and then nothing "private" is happening where anyone can see anything.  Especially in a setting like Royal, where there aren't huge gaps in between the partitions and the doors for people to look through.  

Stupid to have settings like an arena/stadium (or airport!) where there are empty toilets in the men's room and there's a line of 100 women waiting for their turn.  

Agreed. This is something I talk about to my (social work) students. All restrooms used to be unisex and then we decide to gender them…but SO many people benefit from either single stall or gender neutral multi stall; parents with kids of multiple genders, PAs/caregivers of disabled folks, disabled folks generally, trans and gender diverse folks, people caring for aging family members, folks in long lines at events, etc. Maybe one day! 

They were not when I was on it in May. I had actually been looking forward to it, though I believe they might be offered in Jr Suites and above?

And for WJ, you can always let your MDR server know if you plan to go there for a meal the next days, and you can pre order special vegan items (or in my case, GF vegetarian items) to be prepared for you. Obviously, they cannot make what they don’t have (don’t expect Just Eggs, for example), but the Head Chef on one sailing made me this amazing vegan GF Indian breakfast porridge one day when he found out I liked Indian food. It was SO good and I requested it for future meals there.

I didn’t realize I had even booked during it, so was delighted to have gotten them on our April Allure and May Voyager sailings.

Content note; adult joke

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also,  before I became a professor, I was a sexuality educator, and I can’t stop cackled at everyone telling me how easily they got their DP. 😂

2 hours ago, firewife09 said:

We loved the ship and the only negative I had about our cabin was it is a little narrow but otherwise it was great!!

I have never been in a Quantum ship. Any trips for our trip on the 15th regarding best places to just sit and enjoy the waves? Favorite bartender or server? Anything that is absolutely don’t miss? So glad you had a great time!

I printed a lift of what we wanted, boarded, we high tailed it to Sabor, and while we ate, the manager there put in all of our reservations so we didn’t have to do it ourselves. So that’s an option too, since you can enjoy lunch at a specialty restaurant on boarding day.