The Mezzanine

Hello from the misty fjords outside of Ketchikan, Alaska! We are a little ways away, as we do not get in until about 11am. It's probably going to be a rainy day, but I'm a member of the don't care club. I'm going to be in Ketchikan! This may/may not be a tender port. That means if all the docks are full, we may use the lifeboats to get to shore. Then, when another boat leaves, our ship will pull in, and we'll be able to just walk back on. Not looking forward to the tendering, but we'll deal.

We've got a crab feast at noon, which is all you can eat Dungeness crabs, yum. Then we have nothing except walking around the town to get souvenirs.

This morning, I'm planning to grab breakfast, and maybe run to the shops to see if they sell suitcases. We've bought so much shit that we need a little more room to pack it all. Not a big one, just a wee one for bits and bobs. Either Jess or my sister will pack their fanny pack in their personal item, and then use that as a carry on. It'll be great.

We're back on the boat a bit early, as we have two appointments, but more on that later.

Yesterday was amazing. It was glacier day, as we went up Endicott Arm to get to the Dawes Glacier.

First up, when we went onto the veranda, there was a noticeable chill in the air. The mountains had become more jagged.



Here and there the rock was dotted with these lovely little waterfalls.



Just before 11, there was a knock at our door, bringing us steaming Holland America Mugs of hot cocoa. It was really good cocoa and the mug is ours to keep. I will be using mine for coffee. It holds the heat really well, and will be a reminder of this trip

Then, suddenly, there it was, the Dawes Glacier in all it's majestic beauty. We had a prime spot, and once in place, the captain began slowly spinning the boat in a circle, giving everyone a view. But as always, Pinnacle Suite got first look. Well, our side of the boat at least.

It was huge and beautiful and amazing, and every other adjective I can't think of. It was also cold as hell. Even from .5 miles away, you could feel the cold radiating from it. We snapped so many pictures and then just stood there and marveled.







None of those really do it justice. It was so immense.

After we bid farewell to Dawes, we headed down for lunch at the main dining room. Good choice me. The food was amazing, and as always they got us a seat by the window, so we could watch the snow topped mountains slip past.

I had a lovely salad topped with Dungeness crab meat, which was the highlight. It was so fresh. It was obvious that they had picked up the crab either in Juneau or Skagway. After that, we did some relaxing until tea came at 3. Tea was as always lovely. After that, we got ourselves prettied up for our renewal of vows.

Our concierge Rachel came to the suite promptly at 4:30am and walked us down to the art gallery where we could wait for them to be ready for us. Everyone we came in contact with seemed really excited for us to do this. Apparently they don't get many and they love doing them.

Before long, they brought me a corsage and Jess a boutonniere, which made them happy. The boutonniere was a real bitch to get on, but eventually it was mostly in place. Then, it was time for the ceremony. We met Captain Paul Adams, who is the master of the Koningsdam. He was lovely, and very intense. When you're his focus, you are the only one in the world for that moment.

The venue, which two days before was a tiny, kind of drab meeting room had been transformed into a fantasy wonderland.



Jess and I walked down the aisle, and Captain Paul did a short ceremony that was just lovely. The vows we repeated were touching and Jess and I both teared up saying them. Afterwards, we posed for pictures with everyone. Captain Paul, and Jayme our cruise director, My sister and brother in law, everyone.



There were a variety of appetizers, and we cut the cake. (More pictures, oh boy!)

A word about this cake. It is fucking enormous. When they said cake, I was thinking a little four inch cake. No, it was a ten inch monstrosity. It's so delicious, but oh lord, we have a lot of cake.

The whole time, Rachel, our concierge was right there with my phone, taking pictures and videos for us to remember the day.

After that, we headed over to a studio for, you guessed it, more photos. These were posed, and the photographer was amazing, and also a loon. We did some with my sister, a bunch of poses together and then a few of each of us solo. It was surreal, but a lot of fun.

Then, we hit the bar and got ourselves a smoked old fashioned. It was very yum, and I really enjoyed it. It was a fairly good amount of liquor and I was feeling it a touch at the end.

Then, it was back to the room for a bit, where the appetizers and cake had been magically transported. We nibbled a few appetizers, and relaxed until it was time to head up to Morimoto by Sea, which is the Iron Chef's collaboration with Holland America.

The food was magnificent. We started with the sushi platter, which had some amazing and fresh fish. After that came shrimp 3 ways. there was panko crusted with tartar sauce, panko crusted with a spicy gochujang sauce, and then teriyaki with a tonkatsu sauce. At the end of the meal they brought us another cake with Happy Anniversary on it. Not technically correct, but very sweet. Of course, more fucking cake.



Then, they brought out our actual desserts, which was a chocolate sphere, filled with marshmallow and chocolate sorbet. We also had gotten cocktails, which might have been a mistake on top of the Old Fashioned. We were all pretty drunk by the end of the meal.

When we got back to the room, our bedroom was decorated with balloons and a Congratulations sign and a big towel animal of two swans kissing.



It was the perfect end to a perfect day.

Like I said before, I really feel like this trip has changed me. I see why Alaskan cruises are so popular, and I see why people cruise for their vacations almost exclusively. The ships are amazing. Everything you could ever want at your fingertips all the time. Holland America has definitely been a good cruise line for us. It's not a party boat, just very chill and a bit refined, and just relaxing. The suite has been amazing. (Check our my Google photo album for a tour of the suite.
It's utterly ridiculous and I adore it.

Today, we have two meetings after Ketchikan. First is to look at our wedding pictures and see what we want to buy. Second is to meet with cruise consultants and see what kind of deal they can get us for next year. After this, we've decided that we want to do it again. This time, we'll do the California Coast, which is out of San Diego. It's another 7 day, on the same ship, which I now affectionately consider "our" ship.

So, instead of Hawaii, where the room would cost half as much as the cruise, we'll have everything catered to us, and save on food, since it all will be provided. It's also in November, so I'll have a bit more time to save up on PTO.

That's important, because I think when we get back I am going to go to the ortho and get my knee looked at. It hasn't slowed me down, but it has hurt quite a bit, and I'd like to fix that if possible.

Tomorrow shall be our last day at sea, and then back to reality on Saturday. We'll head down to Seattle and fly home on Sunday. It's been so amazing that I really don't want it to end. But alas, all good things.

I go home with a boatload of memories, and SO many pictures and souvenirs. I'm so glad we took a step out of our comfort zone and did this.

And now, I shall get dressed and ready to face the day. The guys we made friends with are coming over at 10:30 for cake. (You will eat some of this freaking cake. I might grab breakfast before then.

Everyone have an outstanding Thursday!