Zippeedee

There were a few nights near the end of my 33 days on the Star when all I wanted was something simple. Shrimp cocktail and cheese pizza. I’m very picky about pizza and thought it was quite good. Not Regina’s in Boston’s North End good, but still done well.

I realized after I posted that obviously we would have met if you were there. Sorry! Our group was so big we were afraid we’d get shut down for competing with the casino. We did get asked to quiet down by the Mah Jong ladies across the hall in the game room.

Growing up on the north shore of Boston with a father who was a lobster fisherman, I chose to skip the lobster nights and leave it for those who would likely appreciate it. I’m so picky I buy my lobsters alive and cook them myself.

The excursions manager on the Star in November was exceedingly thorough like that. He helped me so much. I wish they would let him train every excursion manager to do the same, or let him print out a version for every sailing.

Was that on the Getaway where we had a conference room booked and played every afternoon? I had so much fun and met so many nice people by playing that game.

I know search isn’t great here but there was a long thread about the beds because of that video last fall. You can request a mattress topper or a couple of extra duvets to help pad it.

I pick up an extra towel after washing my hands at the entrance and use it for the serving tongs and spoons.

Viking allows you to bring anything you want, bottles of scotch? case of wine? No problem, no charge, just enjoy it. There was a small group on my last cruise that didn’t like Viking’s beer selection. They took a cab to a liquor store in Honolulu and filled a large suitcase.

That’s true. I’ve been moved around in shady ways by another cruise line. I hope Viking doesn’t start that chaos just to save money.

My post is below your post but not in response to it. I was commenting on the lack of busses in Alaska.

Shore excursions rely on humans to drive and guide. There is a shortage of both pretty much everywhere. What a local tour company promises a year out is not necessarily what they can deliver. People move, quit, get sick. Human infrastructure is the least reliable part of planning.

There was a very confused but helpful man on the Star in November who sought out a crew member to report he had searched everywhere and could not find the source of the water leak in the men’s room.

That’s sad. I really enjoyed the CD’s coffee chats with Kate. On the Star in November Captain Olav seemed a bit impatient and gave Kate the “wrap it up” signal a few times. Maybe he just doesn’t enjoy them.

Has anyone had luck getting those lamb chops for dinner? Maybe in the World Cafe? I love them but can’t handle that much food for breakfast.

I will miss the Gnocco Frito but if it doesn’t come back it will force me to make other choices. It was so good I’ve ordered it every time I’ve been to Manfredi’s.