On Board Century 7 night Alaska

[AndyB]

Well, I've seen plenty of people with boots and some dressed as if it were 40 below, but I haven't felt it to be too cold - haven't needed boots. We've been good with t-shirt, jeans, sneakers, fleece jacket and a raincoat on standby. I may change my tune after a rainy day in Juneau - stay tuned.

 

 

A few more notes:

 

Wednesday night dinner in the MDR went a little smoother, service was back to what I remembered. It was DH’s birthday and he got a little cake, which they delivered to the cabin for us. Escargot still going strong! After that big lunch in Murano I opted for pasta over steak – the rigatoni was fantastic (with a white wine cream sauce, prosciutto and arugula). Sommelier from the port wine tasting took care of us for dinner too. We generally don’t go to the production shows; tonight’s was a British Rock revue. But we opted for some casino time and our nightly stop at the Martini Bar. I have always liked Century’s martini bar with its changing color lights and lounge area. Wonder if they will change it to the newer style that is centered around the bar, less lounge, when Century goes into dry dock. Tonight there was also karaoke in the Crystal Room, with very few participants.

Back at the cabin we found an invitation to the Captain’s table for the 2nd formal night – which is also Juneau day – our first invite, so we will not linger too long in Juneau. We rented a car and planned to drive to Mendenhall Glacier, possibly drive out north to the shrine, lunch at the Alaskan Hotel, not a whole lot planned.

Thursday – Juneau

DS has a bridge tour this morning as part of that Fun Factory VIP package, so we’re not off the ship as early as I had hoped. DH headed out already to pick up the car, and hopefully our phones will work so we can meet up easily. It’s cloudy, overcast, and threatening to rain (about 60 degrees). So we’re wearing our fleece and carrying our raincoats and umbrella, and hoping for the best. Wi-fi is killing us on board, so we are going to take the laptop and find a hot spot to upload and connect. I’ll try to post some photos. More later!

[DiamondSuiteCruiser]

You are doing a great job, and again thank you for taking the time to share. Looking forward to more. Hope you enjoyed your dinner at the Captains table.

[AndyB]

(It’s Friday now and I’m sitting in the Cova Café, sipping an Aspen, catching up on my notes. After rainy Ketchikan, it’s heavenly.)

DH went ashore first to pick up the rental car. He had an address that we didn’t see on the port map, so he went into the Visitor Center to get directions. He got the surliest, unfriendly Visitor Center staff we had ever encountered, and also the least knowledgeable, as they had no idea where Juneau Car Rental was, even after DH told him it used to be rent-a-wreck. When DS and I got ashore we just called them and got easy directions – it was about a half mile from where Century was docked, an easy walk. So we had a fairly late start after the bridge tour, and we did a quick drive around town and then straight out to Mendenhall Glacier. It was not the spectacular sight Hubbard was the day before, but still quite striking. We didn’t hike any of the trails but did spend some time in the visitor center ($3 pp, kids under 15 free) which had some nice displays. Once again we didn’t have any particular plans (I’m not going to be the best informant on Alaska and the various excursions), and actually weren’t feeling our best, so we didn’t do much else besides stop at Walmart for some provisions we couldn’t find on the ship (it’s on the Glacier Highway between Juneau and the Mendenhall Loop) and look for a place to have lunch. We stopped in the Red Dog Saloon and immediately left – it was so crowded and loud. Walked up to the Alaskan Hotel, which I have seen mentioned on CC many times, but found it had only bar, no restaurant. We walked in anyway, and they were so preoccupied loading up kegs for the day that they didn’t give us a second glance. We walked further to the Front Street Café / Imperial Saloon and grabbed some sandwiches, an Alaskan Amber, and some wi-fi time. By this time we were just tired (and tired of each other – we get that way sometimes), that we decided just to split up and head back to the ship. DH returned the car, DS and I bought a few souvenirs, and we all made our way back to the ship to refresh a bit before dinner.

Dinner at the Captain’s Table! We were very excited as this is our first time being invited. No idea why we were. And we were pleasantly surprised to find the invitation included DS, who is 11. We had a cocktail party in the Rendezvous Lounge to get us all together – three couples and us. The Captains Club Hostess (I’ll find her name) joined us, made sure we all had drinks, then came back and led us to the table – paraded us down the steps to the lower level after everyone else was seated. Place cards at each seat, and we were joined by Laura __ (Human Relations Manager), and __ (I need to find his name, as he sat in for the Captain, with his name tag saying “Georgios” and his place card having the Captain’s name). So we didn’t get the Captain himself, but it was a special evening nonetheless. Before dinner service started a photographer got our picture, and by the end of dinner they had presented us all with an 8x10 photo along with a list of everyone at the table. All the ladies got flowers. Very nice. We were proud to hear DS pronounced a fine young man, and he did handle himself very well.

Friday – Ketchikan

I think I mentioned we’re in an inside cabin – I might also add that in an inside cabin you tend to oversleep unless you really try to wake up with alarms or wake-up calls. We have slept more on this cruise than I would have thought possible (and maybe that just means we need the rest). But I did set a wake-up call for today, because Milos had his fourth talk – “The Night Sky” – at 10:15. His talks have been some of the highlights of this cruise. We didn’t dock in Ketchikan until 2 pm today, and again, we had no particular plans. DH went out in search of a pub and some wi-fi, and DS and I looked to see what excursions we might join last minute. No luck there, and we had just missed the bus to Saxman, so we just walked a bit in the rain. Went up to Creek Street and watched an otter playing in the creek, bought a few souvenirs, and headed back to the ship. Getting ready for dinner now, and feeling a little sad that we’re on the downhill stretch of this cruise. Tomorrow we’re at sea, Milos has one more talk, and hopefully I can find a free slot of spa time.

[lovecruzin]

Dinner at the Captain’s Table! We were very excited as this is our first time being invited. No idea why we were. And we were pleasantly surprised to find the invitation included DS, who is 11. We had a cocktail party in the Rendezvous Lounge to get us all together – three couples and us. The Captains Club Hostess (I’ll find her name) joined us, made sure we all had drinks, then came back and led us to the table – paraded us down the steps to the lower level after everyone else was seated. .

 

We also had the pleasure/privilege of dining at the Captains table in June. We really enjoyed ourselves. BTW Marlene is the name of the CC hostess, she is wonderful.

 

Enjoying your updates, makes me wish we were still on the ship though!

[Blazerboy]

What a lovely review! We have lots of cruises and destinations on our bucket list, but you've reminded me that we want to go back to Alaska. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

 

Andrew

 

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Forums mobile app

[Grammy J]

Very exciting to hear about the Century. DH and I will be on her for the November 21 sailing to Hawaii. Originally on a March 2014 sailing, but changed because of rumored dry dock. Century sounds like a beautiful ship.

[dwp1127]

Thanks for the updates! We're heading to JFK in a little bit for our flight to YVR, and then onto Century tomorrow for the next cruise after yours -- can't wait! Your posts have been getting us even more psyched up :-)

[islandjacquelin]

Thanks for the update! We are on the Century in 4 weeks for our first cruise!! So excited and this makes me more so!

 

I have a couple of questions, if you don't mind answering:

 

What kinds of on ship activities are there available? I asked this once and people answered "the usual", except I don't know what that means! Anything kind of art and craftsy? Movies? ????

 

What kinds of activities do they do in the FUn Factory? We have four kids 11, 13, 14 and 17 who are very reluctant about trying it out. I think it sounds fun!

 

Thank you so much!

[Bneebear]

:)I have been reading your diary and it's been great and very informative. We are going on this cruise on 25 August so it's giving us a great insight into what to expect.

[AndyB]

Thanks for the update! We are on the Century in 4 weeks for our first cruise!! So excited and this makes me more so!

 

I have a couple of questions, if you don't mind answering:

 

What kinds of on ship activities are there available? I asked this once and people answered "the usual", except I don't know what that means! Anything kind of art and craftsy? Movies? ????

 

What kinds of activities do they do in the FUn Factory? We have four kids 11, 13, 14 and 17 who are very reluctant about trying it out. I think it sounds fun!

 

Thank you so much!

 

I can't answer for the activities for your teens, although I know Century has a teen club called Xtreme up on deck 12 next to Hemisphere Lounge - they've got foozball and other hang-out stuff. Not sure about organized activities. Your 11-year-old will be in the Ensigns group of the Fun Factory. My son has loved it. If you allow it they can sign themselves in and out; they go on scavenger hunts, have lunch and dinner parties, have photo contests, etc. My son has made lots of friends.

 

Back later to answer about other activities. Off for manicure and later, seaweed wrap and massage!!

[AndyB]

Saturday – At Sea

Finally a sunny day! Once again relied on the wake-up call, or we would have slept til noon (not necessarily a bad thing). Just coffee and juice this morning as the big brunch is coming up in the dining room. Grapefruit-juice-guy sees me coming and starts cutting the fruit. For the final day of the cruise, we have way too much activity planned – Trivia at 10:30 with Chico, bridge tour at 11, brunch after, manicure at 1, Milos at 2:30, Riedel workshop at 3, more trivia at 4, massage at 5:45, and will have to find time to pack at some point.

Some other activities that have been available during the week (in no particular order): art auctions, ballroom dance classes, line dance class, bingo, Zumba (with Gaby, very popular), raffles and tournaments* in the casino, karaoke, xbox tournaments (bowling and Dance Central), movies in the cinema, spa seminars, other fitness classes, cooking demonstrations, Dancing with the Stripes, various tastings* (wine, martini, whiskey), table tennis, shuffleboard. Also Rosetta Stone* and other classes in the computer center. Some of these* are for a fee, but there is no shortage of things to do. The hard part is scheduling it all in and still freeing up some down time. Also for free: take in the views from deck; even on our cloudy days they are quite moving. Talk to the officers, crew and staff – they are very approachable and love to talk about where they are from, and have great recommendations for things to see in port.

Entertainment – in the theatre: 3 production shows including British Invasion, Best of Broadway (I can’t remember the other one); comedian Louis Johnson; violinist __ (have to find his name). Also Captian’s toast party on first formal night. Tonight they’ll have Farewell Show.

Around the ship: So Cool – dance quartet; Twist of 8 – party band; Estrada jazz trio (that is also part of the Celebrity Orchestra); Julep duo (soft guitar and female vocalist); Carlos Avalon piano soloist; also a guitar soloist.

Our favorite spots – afternoons in Cova Café; post-dinner in the Martini Bar, listening to music or watching the waves in the Rendezvous Lounge. Hemispheres on deck 12 also has window-facing seats wrapping around the bow.

Man, I’m getting sad now, knowing I’m leaving the ship tomorrow morning. But not to worry – there will be another cruise!

[islandjacquelin]

Thank you so much!!! I have really appreciated your updates - I am SO excited now!