The FastDay Forum

I want a baby bear!
Thanks Debs, you confirmed my own qualms of what it must be like on a cruise
Captain's table's not for me..stunning scenery is!
Loved reading what you've been up to while we've been here missing you! X
Welcome back x and@rebelsueand @StowgateResident have a great time x

Loved reading your account of your fantastic holiday Debs, truly an experience of a lifetime. Cruising's not our scene but it sounds like yours fulfilled all your expectations. x

Hi, @janeg. We tried to find a private guide to take us on a tour of the historic/archaeological sites but they we all booked up, so we have had to book one through the ship. I'm really looking forward to it as we have never visited the Shetlands before and the history is amazing!

We spent a week on Vancouver Island, @rebelsue2, in a an RV which we hired on the island. We have family in Vancouver and in the Okanagan Valley (six hours drive north-ish of Vancouver and home to some incredible wineries!) so we have visited there a number of times. We also went on the Rocky Mountaineer train from Calgary to Vancouver which was an incredible experience, although my husband maintains that it would be better done from Vancouver to Calgary. We went 'Gold' service, on the travel agents advice, and it was an amazing experience! Enjoy your trip! We're off on the 22nd so I will need to start thinking about packing soon!

@Merlin, so sorry about your husband's health problem and your cancelled cruise. I hope that he is now recovered?

I must get off this computer and into the garden while the sun is shining! It's supposed to cloud over later and I've a lot to do out there before I go away!

@StowgaterResident Sounds good!

We've got extended family in that area and we're visiting them! We looked at the Rocky Mountain train but it was too expensive to include as part of a longer trip, but we will be probably driving up in that area. Hopefully visiting Banff, Lake Louise, Rockies, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island, and staying some time in Chilliwack!

I've never been to Canada, and neither has my mum who is coming with me! So it should be an experience!

Where are you off to on the 22nd? We're flying to Vancouver on the 21st! I have to pack this weekend for sure, incase i've forgotten anything!

Welcome back Debs! We missed you but so glad you had a great holiday!
Xxx

Wondered what you were up too, who would have thought you could have such a juxtaposition of experience. Thanks for the long post lovely reading about the good bits and the photos devine. Missed you too

How wonderful Debs, lovely narrative and pix, quite green now!
I've just booked 4 nights in Ipswich as it's all OH can cope with, somewhat different scale but at least away.

Hi Debs. Missed you. Your hols sounded amazing. What a great write up. Cruising is not my scene and your account made me roar with laughter, now I know why my mum adores it. The wildlife and scenery looked stunning. Thanks for posting

Yes, I missed you too Debs. I was about to put out an SOS, where is Debs post. I thought perhaps you'd got lost in the move to the new site. But no. You have been living it up in the lower latitudes in the far north. How amazing. Marvellous post. Thank you so much for telling us all about it. I don't think that's how I plan to see Alaska. But then, I may miss out on Alaska.

Great to hear from you @Debs - & to vicariously enjoy your holiday without the food and the cold, ha ha!

Have been missing your posts, but very glad you are away having a much needed break!

Seasick and hanging over the rail already.

What a wow of a holiday!

Hi @Debs

Good to have you back!

Loved your account of your holiday. It hasn't put me off cruises at all - it's good if everyone else is happy to eat, drink and spend money on board, that means less people cluttering the countryside when you do all the more interesting things. I have friends who had similar adventures to yours while seeing Alaska and they had a fantastic time. So I look forward to doing it sometime. (Everyone I know who has gone on cruises has loved them.)

Look forward to you being back posting.

Cheers

Glad I know where you've been hiding Debs, I did wonder. Alaska sounds wonderful, I would love to visit Canada and Alaska - I prefer cooler/cold places but my husband hates the cold and likes hot countries! I have to say cruising on one of those huge boats has never taken my fancy though I do know a teacher who goes as often as she can. I'm actually not very good at holidays, have not really gone away much except for camping. Loved your photographs and your observations; very funny

@azureblue: Ipswich for us as well! Saving Alaska/Canada for another day...

Thanks for your very insightful account and the photos.

To be fair, that isn't how most Americans eat on a daily basis, but something they save up for, often for many years if they are older retirees. But that said, I have never been able to get myself to do a cruise because of the crowds, the dress up and the silly shopping.

If you are a bird watcher, and enjoy a less luxurious experience, you might consider taking the birdwatching trip in Penobscot Bay, off Maine, on the Lewis R. French, a 19th century schooner. We have been on two of their cruises, and they are beyond wonderful if you like to sail through a spectacularly beautiful environment full of interesting animals. (We did see whales on one trip, and dolphins on both.) http://www.schoonerfrench.com/index.htm

The food is cooked on a wood stove in the galley and all the bread and pastry baked that day. It is all utterly delicious, though in reasonable quantities, and full of fresh fruits etc. The captain is a young man who is as funny, handsome, and entertaining as he is competent.

You will meet an entirely different kind of American, and one that will cause you to reassess any judgments you might have made based on the people you met on the cruise. We aren't going this year, and I am already deeply regretting it.