Page 23 - CALIFORNIA WOMAN - FALL EDITION 2023 - Binded with added Forms

“COOL CRUISING”

This September my daughter Kelly, granddaughter
Dominique and I took a cruise to Alaska. This was three
generational cruises for the second time. The first was to
Mexico for Dominique’s high school graduation present.
She is now the mother of three boys!
We flew out of Sacramento into Seattle for a night and
then aboard the Royal Caribbean in the morning. It was
a very large ship accommodating a lot of passengers but
everything went smoothly, pleasantly and well organized. Our stateroom was more
than ample for us...three women! We settled in for some “cool cruising”! We got it in
spades.

We started sailing the first day from Seattle and the second day was a cruise day to ex-
plore the ship and checked out the activity and entertainment schedules. I was immedi-
ately struck by the courteous, well-groomed and efficient staff. As the amenities got
“cooler and cooler” so did the weather!

Our first stop was Sitka > a post-card worthy
scenes with its snow capped peaks and volcanic
Mount Edgecombe. There are animal refuges and
Alaska Maritime Bird Refuge with 40 million sea-
birds. The shops and restaurants were ample and
courteous service.

Cruise overnight to < Skagway a tiny town that
still looks like it did during the Klondike Gold
Rush over 100 years ago! It is a rugged town
with outdoor activities available. The town almost
shuts down the winter months so a few restau-
rants were already closed!
Our cruise to Endicott Arm, a less known fjord as you drift along a thirty mile stretch
of floating icebergs, granite cliffs, dozens of gushing waterfalls. Nature in all its freezing
glory! Juneau the state capitol was a sharp contrast to the rugged Fjord with muse-
ums, art galleries and the Governor’s Residence and official buildings.

Our last stop, Victoria, Canada delivered a blend of British pomp and outdoor adven-
ture! Victorian architecture is fantastic and with great art galleries.

The last cruising day was full activities, open shops, entertainment and dress up night!
The next morning we were back to Seattle, Sacramento and home!

By the way, wouldn’t it be fun if CFBPW took a cruise… any travel agents amongst us?
Take care of yourself you are important to the world.

Connie Stahl CFBPW Past President 2005-2007

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