Departure Day Carry-on

When we check in at the dock in Seattle, the porters will take our luggage and then bring it to our stateroom most likely sometime after we set sail.

Royal Caribbean suggests the following for your carry-on:

For the first day of your cruise, pack a small carry-on bag with your travel documents, a change of clothes, bathing suit, maybe workout clothes, and any medications you may need. This will allow you to begin enjoying your vacation immediately, because you won't have to wait for your bags to arrive at your stateroom. 

I usually don't worry about a change of clothes, as the first night is casual in the dining room.  However, I do try to have available my toothbrush, toothpaste, makeup and other personal items I may wish to use to freshen up before dinner.  And, of course, I have my camera at the ready!

Also, I usually have a book or magazine available to kill time until the luggage arrives and I can get settled in the room.

Think about what you would like to have available to you for the afternoon we board the ship and pack it in your carry-on.  Spending the night at the hotel before our cruise makes this an easier task than if you were coming directly from the airport.

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 Of note, in checking the Royal Caribbean website, it reads:

   We regret that luggage tag mailers are no longer available because the number of requested mailers has exceeded our permissible limits. You may secure your luggage tags from our porters once you arrive at the pier.

Glad we ordered ours!  One less item to worry about on cruise day.

Our Time in Seattle

We are starting to plan how we will be spending our time in Seattle.  The Royal Caribbean website offers these suggestions:

Seattle, Washington

Seattle is often characterized by its laid-back attitude and rainy climate, but this thriving metropolis also offers one-of-a-kind architecture, the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges, and a unique urban sophistication.

The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss
A trip to Seattle isn't complete without visiting Pike Place Market. Here, you can browse the stalls of local merchants and artists, take in a street performance, or watch fishmongers play catch with the catch of the day.

Other Fun Things to Do
Take in the view from the Space Needle, a 650-foot structure left over from the 1962 World's Fair. Glimpse the future of aviation technology at the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour. See the latest breakthroughs in in-flight entertainment and design your very own aircraft using high-tech aviation software. Travel a few short minutes to the Boeing factory where you'll go behind the massive hanger doors to witness the inner workings of the world's largest airplanes.

Shopping Around
If you're looking for an upscale shopping mall with character, head downtown to Westlake Park. To uncover an antique treasure, you'll want to go to the Pioneer Square Antique Mall, where more than 60 dealers have their collections on sale. Or, for more traditional crafts and specialty stores, Pike Place Market is the place to be.

Get a Taste of Local Flavor
Thanks to the fish-abundant waters, Seattle offers fabulous seafood restaurants, ranging from fine dining to casual eating. There's also a great selection of brew pubs, and of course, coffee shops. With lattes and cappuccinos on just about every street corner, Seattle's easygoing attitude seems to be fueled by caffeine.

Source: Royal Caribbean Cruise Line brochure


In addition, Uncle Ralph and I plan to visit the Dale Chihuly Museum.

Exhibition Hall

Dale Chihuly's fanciful glass sculptures have been on display at more than 500 exhibitions worldwide during his career. Now a permanent exhibition call Chihuly Garden and Glass has opened at the Seattle Center near the Space Needle.  The exhibition features an exhibition hall with eight galleries, a glass house featuring one of his largest suspended works, and a garden that sprouts red and blue glass reeds.  
Tickets cost $19 for adults and $12 for children 4 to 12.  
305 Harrison Street, Seattle
Visit chihulygardenandglass.com


Source: Chicago Tribune, a couple of weeks ago!


Also, we might take in the Tacoma Auto Museum.  There was an article about it in the Chicago Tribune by Paul Duchene.

1906 Cadillac

 Fifteen years of hard work came down to the wire in Tacoma, Wash. on June 2, as 3,000 people and 500 cars assembled outside LeMay America's Car Museum for opening ceremonies.  Before the day was out, an estimated 10,000 auto enthusiasts had visited the museum.

The new building looks like Ridley Scott crashed a spaceship beside the Tacoma Dome.  The gleaming, corrugated aluminum worm is a symbol of the hard-scrabble port city's revival.  The museum's four levels are accessed by sloping galleries at the side, like the interior of a parking garage, which makes changing exhibits relatively easy.  Walls are covered with images and stories about cars, designers and drivers.

2702 E. D St., Tacoma, Wash
Summer hours: 10 a.m. to 5 pm. daily
Admission: Adult, $14; senior/student/military, $12; youth (ages 5-12) $8 
Info: lemaymuseum.org or 253-779-8490


Source: Chicago Tribune, June, 30, 2012, Rides Section

 

Bob's Birthday

Today, June 14, is Bob Watson's birthday.  He would have been 75 years old!  I'm sure he is smiling down at us watching all the planning going on for the Alaskan cruise.  I know it would make him very happy.

Thank you Bob!

You Can Now Check-in for the Cruise

I have just "Checked in" for our cruise.  It took me about 45 minutes to fill out all the forms, collecting numbers from passports, credit cards, etc.  I also ordered luggage tags, which I would suggest you also do, so there is no question regarding which ship/stateroom the items belong.  It said it takes about a week to receive the luggage tags.

If you haven't already, I'd suggest you log on to your account on Royal Caribbean in the next couple of days and take care of the check in process so you don't have to think about it as the date gets closer!  

Note, there are special directions for registering minors traveling under a separate reservation number, this will affect Kelly, Emily and Erin.  I have reproduced the direction below:


Completing Online Check-In for all the guests in your reservation will save you from having to fill out forms at the pier and must be completed 3 days prior to your sail date. When you arrive at the pier with everyone in your party, you'll just need your SetSail Pass, identification documents and credit card used to establish onboard expense accounts for each guest to board and begin your adventure.

Check in everyone in your reservation or fill out forms for one or two guests now and come back to do the others later. Any way you choose to do it is fine with us. Please note that the information requested on these pages must be identical to the information as it appears on the identification documentation. Discrepancies may result in delayed or denied embarkation.

In order to complete the Online Check-In process you will need the following information:
• Proof of Citizenship Information and appropriate photo identification for each guest in your reservation
• Credit Card information in order to establish an onboard charge account
• Crown & Anchor Membership Number (if you are a member)

If you are the parent or guardian of a minor who is traveling with you under a different reservation number, you will need to do the following:
• Under the minor's reservation number, complete Step 1 Guest Information, save it and exit.
• Then under the parent/guardian's reservation number in the Cruise Ticket Contract section, you can associate the minor's reservation by clicking on "Add and accept all of the conditions stated above for minors in another reservation." Enter the minor's name and reservation number. This will enable you to accept the terms and conditions of the Cruise Ticket Contract on the minor's behalf.

You will need to complete all steps in the Online Check-In process in order to access and print the SetSail Pass.

If you require assistance with the Online Check-In process or your SetSail Pass, please call (800) 398-9819 or click here for our Contact Us information.