shadowmeboy

As you will remember from previous reviews, I am an early riser. We had a time change overnight onto Alaskan Daylight Time. So its approximately 5:30 in the morning at this point. I noticed a bunch of people up early this morning, compared to other mornings. I started talking with a few of them and they pretty much had one thing in common. They all lived on the east coast of the US or Canada. It makes sense, it would be 9:30 approximately back east. The loungers were all still put away as they were still squeegeeing the pool deck. the Garden Cafe was getting ready to open at 6am. My destination was the Great Outdoors!

Day 2 July 1, 2023 Sea Day

It might be easier for you to ask specific questions you might have. I am on the 3 biggest socials as @shadowmeboy.

The cliffs of the western face of Whidbey Island with Mt. Baker in the far distance. Here is the time-lapse of the sailaway from Seattle I finally had to leave the Great Outdoors and head to our stateroom to change for dinner. After changing, we headed to La Cucina for our Anniversary Dinner! Passing through the Bliss Lounge on the way to drop down into La Cucina from Deck 6. It was dark and hard to get a good picture. The entrance to La Cucina - Deck 6 Mid (Restaurant is on Deck 5 between 4 Seasons and Seven Seas MDR along the Starboard side of the ship. The rest of the area of deck 5 between Seven seas and 4 seasons is the main galley). La Cucina - Deck 5 Mid Starboard So when we were ordering, I had a server who argued with me about the Specialty Dining terms and conditions. I get tired of servers who make up things not in the T&C's. I ordered what I wanted. Zuppa/Antipasti/Insalate Course Insalata Mista Insalata Di Rucola E Gana Mozzerella "Caprese" Pasta Course Beef Lasagne Al Forno Gnocchi Di Patate Al Pesto We noticed that the Pilot boat was coming up on us! The pilot gets on/off right below La Cucina on deck 4. I was shooting through the dirty la Cucina windows otherwise this would be a better shot. Nothing I can do about the outsides of those windows. The ship had angled close to the Washington Shore (We were in the Straight of Juan De Fuca between Washington State, USA and British Columbia, Canada) to help protect the pilot and pilot boat on the transfer from the heavy wind and waves ripping through the straight as we were heading out. Secondi Course Salmone Grigliato Con Crema Di Cannellini E Croccantino Di Prosciutto Filetto Di Manzo Al Pepe Verde - so this is supposed to come with a blue cheese ravioli. Our server was specifically asked if the blue cheese was in the ravioli or on top. He said on top. I said ok then no blue cheese. This comes out and he says, oh its inside actually. So you were going to tell me when? So instead of getting a different pasta to go along side this I went without. I was starting to get frustrated with him, as we were literally the only guests in La Cucina at this time. Its not like he was overwhelmed with a large number of tables. Panna Cotta Alla Vaniglia Tiramisu Remember how I said it was our anniversary. Well we brought our certificate and they brought out the cake. Typical NCL Anniversary/Birthday Cake We were stuffed, so we asked our server if we could get a cover to take it back to our stateroom. We wanted to enjoy it later once we weren't stuffed to the gills. The answer was no. that wasn't allowed. Well later in the cruise we saw desserts leaving other specialties all the time. So basically, we had a lazy server who didn't want to do over the minimum. Not a good start to an 10 night cruise. Remember that argument with the server over the T&C's, well here is the receipt. Who was right? That's right, me. The server and restaurant staff had a chance to make this anniversary dinner special and memorable. They made it memorable all right, just in a bad way. We headed back to the stateroom and enjoyed each others company for the rest of our anniversary night. End of Embarkation Day Day 1 - Seattle

Look who joined me out on deck! As we got near Kingston, a Washington State Ferry heading to Edmonds from Kingston has to slow up and wait for us to pass. They timed it up perfectly, so they came around our aft and I got some beautiful pictures as you will see it this series! Meanwhile the other boat on the route, going from Edmonds to Kingston, was making the final turn to Kingston.

The US Coast Guard was doing some training flights over the Puget Sound as we were sailing out. While I was out taking hundreds of photos of the beautiful weather and scenery, Susan was attending the Spa raffle. Unfortunately, se did not win anything. Off they go!

I couldn't resist snapping this series of photos as this Washington State Ferry from Bainbridge Island makes it way to Seattle.

Wow! This screams Seattle and Pacific Northwest!

Sailaway Party was in full swing as I walked aft to the Great Outdoors Mt. Rainier was out today as well! A much clearer shot! Goodbye Seattle! It was a gorgeous day to sail out of Seattle!

A few minutes later it was time for Amtrak's Empire Builder to depart Seattle for Chicago. Gates are down One of Amtrak's Long Distance Siemens Charger units is leading the train today. Amtrak 301 As soon as Amtrak cleared, I packed up the camera gear and headed towards the Great Outdoors for Sailaway. We were just begining to push off the dock as I left the room. Here is the video from the trains!

While we were chilling on the Balcony watching them load the final cages of bags, our Latitude Strawberries arrived. Then our bags started showing up, so we started unpacking. Susan kind of lead the effort, as I hung out on the Balcony with my cameras hoping a train would roll by! We were departing on a Friday, so it was a workday in Seattle. At about 4:35, one of the Commuter rail trains left Downtown Seattle for Everett. I had a great view of the crossing from the Balcony! Sound Transit's North Line Sounder Train

While we were eating lunch, I realized we had an extra Specialty Dining Meal more than I had prebooked. So we figured out where we wanted to go and headed to 4 Seasons MDR where Restaurant Reservations is set up on Embarkation Day. The Sun Ship model is on the counter leading into 4 seasons from the Atrium. After getting our additional night situated, we headed to our stateroom. We were in a Balcony - Room 0208 - Deck 10 Forward Starboard - Under the Spa We had booked an Inside Stateroom originally through Casinos at Sea. We had opportunity to bid through Norwegian's Bid program. I bid $200/pp to go from an Inside to a Balcony which was accepted. If I had booked into a Balcony at booking, it would have been $1600-$1800 more than what I paid for the inside stateroom. So I consider our bid a great win! Letter in the room from Casinos at Sea Balcony Pano of Seattle

Embarkation Day Lunchtime! Seven Seas MDR I caught Susan in an awkward moment with this picture. Funny selfie time! pano Cobb Salad Wedge Salad So we got our appetizers at about 12:05; Our entrees did not come out until 12:45. People who ordered after us were getting entrees ahead of us. Finally, the entrees arrived. Fish & Chips Cheeseburger - I had requested bacon with it, but that didn't come. By this point I was glad our entrees finally showed up. Five Spice Mango Tapioca Pudding Creme Caramel The only good thing about the delay was that the staterooms were finally ready by the time we were done eating. Unfortunately, lunch took twice as long as it should have.

Ouch! Yeah, we are really lucky to live near the packing sheds and are able to get such a fabulous deal.

The climate is perfect for growing them, hot and dry. The irrigation keeps the trees watered. The perfect Cherry needs a bit of water at formation and dry weather to form that perfect fruit. We also enjoy the cherries. We buy a 20lb box each year from a packing shed nearby for only $20.

Atrium from deck 6 mid looking up towards 7 Atrium from deck 6 mid looking down towards 5 Atrium elevators from deck 7 Passing through the shops on deck 6 mid to aft starboard Lunchtime at Seven Seas - Deck 5 Aft Note: you can only get here from deck 6 or 7

Finally aboard our favorite Ship! We had Muster Station C, so we stopped and checked in. I love how almost all the muster stations are out on deck on the Sun! Freestyle Daily - Day 1 - Embarkation Day - Seattle, WA

Checking In! We headed down the hall to board the ship. Unfortunately, we weren't quite ready yet! All the people with boarding group numbers Here we go! Hello Gorgeous! This is our 3rd time sailing the Sun! I love how the Port of Seattle repurposed basically an airport skybridge for pier 66. Almost there!

Note: I was hopeful to get a lot done today, but I got mired in a project at work. So sorry I didn't get much progress. Time to drop the bags! I spy my favorite part of the Sun! Time to get our cruise on! The wandering line for document checks Lots of smiles! We cleared security and headed to check in! Check-in is upstairs in Seattle. Boarding Photo time!

Ah thanks! I would have declined it if I could have; unfortunately I didn’t have that option

Waiting for a few cars to head out before we can get parked in the lot. These are all in line ahead of us. Loading the van to head to the Port! Heading to the Port! Pulling up to Pier 66!

Fisherman's Terminal Turning off 15th Ave NW to head to Seattle CruisePark

We were literally on Interstate 5 for one exit, before hitting the streets of Seattle. Near Green Lake and Woodland Park Zoo Ballard - 15th Ave NW and NW Market St Heading South on 15th Ave NW towards Interbay Crossing Salmon Bay and the the Lake Washington Ship Canal - This is just to the east of the Ballard Locks Fisherman's Terminal across the water is where a bunch of different Deadliest Catch boats dock while in Seattle.

Heading out of Monroe towards Seattle We jumped on WA Highway 522. 522 goes from Monroe to the University District in Seattle. It was a beautiful day to sail out of Seattle! Junction of Interstate 405 and WA Highway 522 in Bothell Getting more urban! Not Keith Urban though! Reaching the end of WA Highway 522. 522 dumps you onto Interstate 5 Here is the video from highway 522

June 30th, 2023 Embarkation Day!! Happy 16th Wedding Anniversary Susan! We headed down to the lobby to get breakfast. Breakfast Enchiladas - they were really good After breakfast, it was time to pack up and head to Seattle!