What I Learned by Cruising to Alaska

What I learned by cruising to Alaska

I get seasick.
Curled in a fetal position seasick.  
Boat rocking back and forth. 
Watching the hangers in the closet sway.
Watching the swimming pool become a wave pool.
Hyperventilating seasick. 
Crying seasick. 
Throwing up seasick.

Being told "Eat green apple...." repeatedly.
Wanting to scream, "YOU eat green apple."
I don't like them on a normal day. 

I can nap on a chair in plain sight of myriads of people going up and down in the glass elevators when I'm seasick and under the influence of strong meds. 

Pretty sure I'm in some picture on Instagram somewhere.

There are thousands of people on a boat and they all eat at the same buffet.
I've long had buffetphobia.
Thousands of people using the same serving tongs. 
Where they put the food on their plate and then pick up a piece and eat it and then lick their finger and then move to the next set of serving tongs.

Nope.

I found a bucket of serving spoons, took one and dug out the food I wanted with the same spoon.

Sorry for any cross-contamination.

There isn't much good, healthy food on a ship.
Other than green apples.

I ate a lot of baked potatoes, cheese, and whatever meat was at the cutting station.

And ice cream. For some reason it made me feel better.

Our ship did have amazing French onion soup in the dining room.

And there was the Spa Cafe with healthier choices that was open for breakfast and lunch. So it wasn't all bad.

But being crammed into an elevator with a bunch of people who smell like cigarettes, sunscreen, alcohol, food, and body odor isn't cool.

The smell of fish is everywhere as you get closer to the restaurants.

I lived for the times we were in port.

Sweet and instant relief.

The time went too fast though and soon we were back on the ship where everyone was swimming in the same pool or sitting in the same hot tub. All I saw was DNA soup. 

Then there was the Purell overload. 
Everywhere.
People wanting to dump that poison on your hands.
And the masses let them.
I avoided, of course. #AcidMantle

The things I loved:
Looking out the windows and seeing nothing but water. Stunning.
The variety of nationalities represented by the staff. I didn't see a single USA American person and it was beautiful.
Having a room attendant. 
Chocolates on my pillow at night. 
Whales from my balcony.
A teeny glimpse of the Northern Lights.
The stars over the sea at midnight.
Time with friends, old and new.
Taking the stairs instead of the elevator.
Standing on the balcony above the people shopping on the last day at sea, reminded me of Black Friday.
The cruise ship water tasted terrible but was really good for my hair.
The amazing way they got our luggage from the ship to our final destination (through two airports). Outstanding job. I wasn't sure I'd see my favorite stuff again but it all arrived safely.


So now you know. Cruising isn't my thing. I'd rather fly into the towns and stay longer at the locations. If I visit Alaska again I'll do it that way.

Alaska, you are lovely.