Well, we did it............

[gijanet]

Thanks to y'all's encouragement..........we did it. We had a fabulous cruise agent who managed to book us the last week of July to Alaska in two adjoining suites when they weren't to be had.............ya know most people kind of plan long term for these things! Not six weeks out.

Not doable in our case..................anyway. I thank y'all so much for cheering us on as I wouldn't have probably done it and will probably be second guessing myself right up until it's here, but it's paid for now...........so no going back, even though it's not my money. Uhhhhhh, we did definitely take out the trip insurance..........never know on this front. I hope that it's the best money spent my mom never uses!

Anyway, I thank y'all so much and if anyone knows anything to do in Seattle or a die for hotel let me know as we are doing an extra day there for Katie's sake...........probably mine, too. And yes, Burman, we would love to meet y'all here sometime. Just say when. Hugs to you all. J.

 

[Mary]

Trip insurance?
For the cruise ship?
Now honestly Janet, I don't think Katie can tear a cruise ship apart!
Remember, don't let her play "hide and seek" on board ship . . .otherwise it will be more than just your rear-end that rebels.
Your brain will want to take up residence somewhere else! (I know, it already does!)
Take plenty of pictures, and see if they have an internet connection. I can't wait for your posts! This could be a book in the making!

 

[Ross]

Trip insurance?
For the cruise ship?
Now honestly Janet, I don't think Katie can tear a cruise ship apart!

I'm not so sure about that. Katie+Cruise ship=The possibilities are endless!

I can see her running butt naked down the starboard side now!

 

[Andrew'sMom]

Awesome! I am sure it will be a wonderful and memorable vacation!!!!!!!! Did you find a sitter for that lizard yet?

 

[catwoman]

Janet:

Can I come, too?????? Pretty please???????
I would love to go on an Alaskan cruise.

 

[Doug]

J,
My wife and I did the Alaska Inside Passage cruise last September. You will love every moment of it I am sure. We stayed in Seattle an extra day as well and went to Pikes market and tootled around on the water front. There is a trolly we took from one end to the other, (don't remember the name of it, but it was great). The trolly goes right by the aquarium etc. It was fun!

I hope you have a great trip! Relax and enjoy!!!

Doug

Thanks to y'all's encouragement..........we did it. We had a fabulous cruise agent who managed to book us the last week of July to Alaska in two adjoining suites when they weren't to be had.............ya know most people kind of plan long term for these things! Not six weeks out.

Not doable in our case..................anyway. I thank y'all so much for cheering us on as I wouldn't have probably done it and will probably be second guessing myself right up until it's here, but it's paid for now...........so no going back, even though it's not my money. Uhhhhhh, we did definitely take out the trip insurance..........never know on this front. I hope that it's the best money spent my mom never uses!

Anyway, I thank y'all so much and if anyone knows anything to do in Seattle or a die for hotel let me know as we are doing an extra day there for Katie's sake...........probably mine, too. And yes, Burman, we would love to meet y'all here sometime. Just say when. Hugs to you all. J.

 

[marky]

Oh what fun!! Praying that you can make wonderful memories for a lifetime

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hey Janet.....Can I Sneak In One Of Your Bags??!!! LOL

Hey Janet.....Can I Sneak In One Of Your Bags??!!! LOL

I would love a vacation about now.... Here's wishing you an Katie a REALLY NICE TIME when you do go, and I hope Katie doesn't wear you outeek: ) on your trip....With many hugs coming your way (((((((((((Hugs))))))))))) Harrybaby

 

[Marguerite53]

FUNTASTIC!!!

And wouldn't you know? I"m just leaving to meet a friend who is down from Seattle for the day. She is a 5th grade school teacher. I will ask her the best itinerary for your bouncing bundle of joy!! You can add whatever she has to what Doug has suggested. Then there's Melissa who will undoubtedly be on soon, too! You will LOVE Seattle. And the cruise!

back after lunch.......

Marguerite

 

[Phyllis]

Wonderful news, Janet. You are going to make wonderful memories for all concerned and I can't wait to see the photos and hear about Katie's exploits. Seattle is beautiful- don't miss Pike's Market ( especially the flying fish market there) and I'm sure Katie would love the aquarium. Eat lots of cherries from the market (Dick's favorite). We had a salmon shipped home and dined off of it for months. They suggested freezing it in a zip lock bag with water and it worked perfectly.

 

[geebee]

Janet,
It sounds wonderful and we expect lots of pictures. Keep the clothes on the little one as glaciers are a bit cold for nekked butts.
I know things will go well and you will be very happy you went.

 

[Karlynn]

Sounds like a wonderful trip. Do as Gina says - lots of pictures!

 

[Sherry]

Boy that sounds like such a cool trip (no pun intended ). I'm sure Katie will have the crew members in stitches the whole time. LOL

 

[Georgia]

Good for you. You all deserve some fun after the adventures you've had the last few years.

We always get trip insurance, too. And we don't have your Katie to worry about.

All I know about Seattle is that there are Starbucks on every corner. Like 4 at an intersection. I think that's just so great. No wonder people like Seattle - they're so caffeinated NOTHING can bother them!

I'm incredibly jealous - we've been watching and waiting to see if Holland comes up with an Alaska giveaway - sometimes they'll have last minute deals very cheap. But our summer's so booked up now I don't know if we could find a week to get away. Maybe next year . . .

You have a good time. Take raingear. When I cruise I take large coffee mugs with us - I know, it sounds silly - but they have all the free tea, coffee, expresso, and iced tea you want, but they have dinky little cups and glasses.

You want luggage "markers" - neon luggage tags, pompoms, etc. Put matching ones on all your luggage - there are hundreds of bags all put out together, and this simplifies things a lot.

Oh, I love cruising - you will, too.

 

[gijanet]

OH, thank y'all so much..........

OH, thank y'all so much..........

I'm not so sure about that. Katie+Cruise ship=The possibilities are endless!

I can see her running butt naked down the starboard side now!

And, yep, Ross and Gina, that is exactly what I am worried about........starboard, port..........I guess I'll be happy as long as it is ON the ship! We did get her medical alert bracelet, so at least she will have something on. Trying to figure out if I can put some type of homing device on her now.

Thank you all so much for the good wishes, the encouragement and the tips. I will take all those I can get as I have not had much time to research the side trips or Seattle...........I never knew anyone really lived in Seattle. Just hope they don't turn into over the side trips!

And, no, Mary, the trip insurance is for us............to hell with the cruise line. For what they charged us(mom ), they can fend for themselves. Besides if they have any advance notice about Katie........and I don't mean her health issues, they won't let us board!

And no, we don't have a lizard sitter locked in yet. Trip's science teacher had agreed, but she will be in Montana during that time..............ohhhhh, Karlyn............heehee! Think I can fedex Spike to ya? Oh, and don't forget MooMoo the fish..........don't ask, long story.

Anyway, thank you all again so much, and seriously, I do appreciate any input you have. Hugs. J.

 

[gijanet]

Found this old pic...........

Found this old pic...........

actually, I'm ashamed to say I just got these developed. So, just a couple years behind. This one was taken a month before Katie's failed valve repair in 2004. Hugs. J. Yep, snow boots and a bugs bunny hat! Ya seriously think that cruise line is ready?

 

[Ross]

Trying to figure out if I can put some type of homing device on her now.

Take her down to your local veterinarians office and have one of those pet chips installed in her neck, just below the skin.

This is just the ticket!

 

[adamsmom]

Janet, I hope your trip is wonderful. It was so nice to meet you yesterday. I do look forward to meeting your children. We went on a cruise with Adam last year, and even though he is older, they have wonderful programs for the children in very supervised conditions. That should allow you some freedom. However, if you are like me- no one will watch your children and protect them as well as you will! Just have fun- you guys all deserve it!!