Mostly Live From August 21-28 Alaska Sailing

[roxybear135]

Today was embarkation day and we were so excited! We arrived at the cruise terminal around 12:45 for our 1pm check-in time. First we dropped off our luggage before entering the terminal. Then we got into line for the health assessment. We had to wait about 15 minutes in this line and then had to present our passports, vaccination cards, boarding pass and negative covid test. We were also asked if we had any symptoms of covid in the last 72 hours. 
 

Next we went upstairs to complete the checking, which is done via tablets. They have facial recognition and it pulled up my info in less than a second (along with the photo I took on my other Holland America cruise six years ago). My fiancé has never been on a cruise before so he had to take a photo and we both had to scan our passports. We then were on our way into the ship! It took about 20-25 minutes from getting to the terminal to stepping into the ship. 
 

We dropped our bags at our room, where our keys were waiting for us. We then went to the dining room for lunch where they somewhat begrudgingly let us sit since we got there 2 minutes after it closed (lunch ends at 1:30 there on embarkation day). However, the service at lunch was very friendly and the food was good. I got the calamari, Beechers Mac and cheese, and ice cream sundae. My fiancé got the passion fruit yogurt, chicken tacos, and an ice cream sundae. 
 

We then went and got our room keys scanned at the muster station which is required, along with watching the muster drill in your room (so much better than the old muster drills!). We then got some drinks at the outdoor pool area for sail away and explored the ship. 
 

Tonight we have dinner plans for Pinnacle grill so I will report back on how that was. Let me know if anyone has questions and I will try my best to answer them. So happy to be on board and everyone seems to feel the same!

[oakridger]

Bon Voyage @roxybear135!  I'll be interested to hear what your fiancé thinks of his first cruise.  He sure picked a great itinerary and ship to get started on!

 

~Nancy

[Lido deck main]

Great thanks for posting.  Will be following.  

[12cruise2]

Thanks so much for posting.  We, too, will be following you.

[klb1978]

My mom is on this cruise with some friends.  I’m excited to follow along on your cruise to Alaska!

[woodworker&knitter]

Enjoy your cruise. Look forward to follow along

[BSR]

Have a great cruise and following along. 

[Dunmore2]

Thanks for sharing your holidays with us. Although past cruisers have posted  food photos for us, I’ve not seen any pictures from the Lido. If you have a chance, I’d like to see how the food is arranged/displayed. Thank you and best wishes for a fun cruise.

 

[madera1]

Bon Voyage. Have a fantastic cruise.

[roxybear135]

3 hours ago, Dunmore2 said:

Thanks for sharing your holidays with us. Although past cruisers have posted  food photos for us, I’ve not seen any pictures from the Lido. If you have a chance, I’d like to see how the food is arranged/displayed. Thank you and best wishes for a fun cruise.

 

Thanks! I will try to take some photos of the Lido tomorrow and post them. 

[erewhon]

Bon Voyage.

Have a fabulous cruise.

[roxybear135]

Dinner at Pinnacle Grill tonight was fantastic. We were seated at a window seat and had a lovely view for the meal. For appetizers we ordered the shrimp cocktail, steak tartare, crab cakes and bacon. I definitely recommend the bacon. 
 

We both got the filet which was cooked to a perfect medium rare and was so tender you barely needed a knife for it. The red wine sauce they have as an option to order was fantastic (tasted like a Demi glacé) and I highly recommend this. I got the chocolate soufflé for dessert and my fiancé got the Creme brûlée which he thoroughly enjoyed. 
 

Afterwards we walked around the ship for a bit and spent about an hour in the casino. I would say about half the people onboard are following the mask rules (and the staff doesn’t seem to be strictly enforcing them) and the ship has felt pretty empty everywhere we’ve been. 
 

Overall it was a great first day and just happy to be back on a dam ship. 

[Lido deck main]

Dinner sounds lovely. The Pinnacle will be our first dinner as well once we get back on a ship.  What are the first impressions of cruising for your fiancé.  What a great location for a first cruise.  Both the ship and scenery are something to marvel at.  

[portofrome]

Bon Voyage! Thank you for posting.

[0bnxshs]

Thanks for taking on this task.  First cruises are always memorable ones and I hope your fiance has a great time on this cruise.  Have a wonderful time!

[woodworker&knitter]

Your Pinnacle meal looks so yummy😋Thanks for letting us tag along on your cruise 

[aliaschief]

Thank you for sharing your cruise with us. Hope you have as great a time as we did two cruises ago.

[KirkNC]

1/2 the people are following the mask rules????  😳😳😳. 

[seaoma]

2 hours ago, KirkNC said:

1/2 the people are following the mask rules????  😳😳😳. 

 

Since the mask is worn mainly to protect others, it's disappointing to read that half the cruisers won't show the crew, staff and fellow passengers the same respect.

[SilvertoGold]

Wonderful posts! Outstanding photos!  Your choices in the Pinnacle were super and I am so glad you enjoyed it all.  Always good to go there early in a cruise so you still have the appetite to eat so much :)   Enjoy!!

[zelker]

8 hours ago, roxybear135 said:

 

I would say about half the people onboard are following the mask rules (and the staff doesn’t seem to be strictly enforcing them) ....

 

It’s one thing for crew to look the other way when pax ignore dress codes or hog chairs but quite another to ignore people not masking. Not happy to read this at all.  😷

Edited August 22, 2021 by zelker

[KAKcruiser]

But if everyone if fully vaccinated, why do you need to wear a mask?  

[durangoscots]

11 minutes ago, KAKcruiser said:

But if everyone if fully vaccinated, why do you need to wear a mask?  

Because of "break through" cases which can still make someone sick.

 

 

[roxybear135]

12 hours ago, Dunmore2 said:

Thanks for sharing your holidays with us. Although past cruisers have posted  food photos for us, I’ve not seen any pictures from the Lido. If you have a chance, I’d like to see how the food is arranged/displayed. Thank you and best wishes for a fun cruise.

 

Here’s some photos of Lido at breakfast 

[woodworker&knitter]

Thanks for posting food porn