Are You Packed?

A few last tip bits I thought you may need to know.

• There will NOT be any books for sale so please make sure that you bring yours. There will be a limit of 2 items to be signed per person


• If you want t leave an emergency phone number behind for family here it is 1-877-772-7447 or outside the US 1-732-335-3291


• If you are staying at one of our hotels make sure you come and check-in with us between 5 and 8PM to register for Paula's events. This will save you time the next day when you are wanting to get on board the Infinity. The guest staying at the Days Inn will need to go to the Sixth Ave (just across the street) to check-in. Sorry but there just isn't a conference room at the Days


• We will be putting wristbands on everyone, this will be your admission into Paula's events. It is extremely important that you keep these on the entire cruise. You will not be allowed in the events without it on your wrist and there will be no replacements.


• If you miss us on the 28th make sure that you check-in with us on the 29th. We will be just inside the terminal wearing blue aprons, you can't miss us.


• If you have not already pre-registered please go to Celebrity.com right this now and do so the cruise line shut it down on Wed night. Your Xpress pass along with your ID will get you right on the ship in seconds. Also make sure and pre-register for an excursions that you are interested in, s that they don't get sold out before you arrive on board. Butchart Gardens is one of my favorites as you see why by the photo I took, and in the evening it is all lite up and magical


• If you are staying in a Suite or a Concierge Class stateroom there will be a separate line in the terminal to speed up your check-in. As soon as the ship has cleared their guest from the previous cruise they will start allowing us to check-in. This is usually around 11AM


• There are hairdryers in the staterooms but they are the box dryers and let me tell you that if you want big hair than you better bring your own. These just don't blow


• We will have a few logo items in the Recipe Box (our hospitality room) but stop by early


• There are hot spots through out ship but not in the stateroom for those who need to stay connected. It is kind of expensive on the ship but there are Internet cafes in the ports


• There will be 2 formal nights in the main dining room. There is a wonderful restaurant called the United States that you should definitely check out, there is a casual dining up in the Ocean view Cafe and then there is always 24 hour room service


• If you are thinking about a spa treatment make sure that you set up your appointment as soon as you board the ship they fill up fast

I hope that everyone has safe travels to Seattle. My crew and me are looking forward to meeting everyone and putting a face with e-mail address and voices. We have all tried to ensure that your cruise is a great vacation and that it exceeds your expectations. Please let us know if you have any questions or need assistance, the office will be closed at noon on Wed. I talked to Savannah today and everyone is packing and excited to cruise. See ya very soon

Bon Voyage Y'all

Victoria

I know some of you are concerned about arriving in Victoria late but the city was all lite up and charming. If you are a gardner you must go to Butchard Gardens it is one of my favorites. This is a photo of the government building right on the water front.

Mendenhall Glacier

Here's a great view of Mendenhall Glacier on the way to the Whale Watching Tour. These photos were taken with my new little point and shoot that I had to buy on the ship because I forgot to pack the charged for my good camera. There is so much beauty surrounding you in Alaska even if you aren't a photographer you will come home with beautiful photos

Busy, Busy, Busy, Busy

Well I'm back in the office and I have finally gotten thru over 1100 e-mails but more importantly I just figured out how to read your comments on the blog. Sorry I am still a little techinally challeged sometimes, plus I just hit the big 50 so the brain is a little slower. But anyway I thought I would answer a few questions and give you a little new info.

On the whale watching tour the captain tried to stay as close as possible but there were a lot of whales everywhere. But the most awesome was when one of them came straight up out of the water (just like you see on TV) only about 50 ft away on our side of the boat. The boat is inclosed by glass so don't worry too much about taking heavy clothes unless you decide to go up top in the open air section. There was also a naturalist on board that offered several different talks on the Alaskan wildlife that was very interesting and entertaining if you have time you should attend one of them

To my good buddy and time counter, Tammy, sorry but yes when the ship reaches Canadian waters on Thru around 3PM the casino is closed and not re-open until the following cruise. And believe me the casino manager hates this worst than anyone but it is not something that can be changed, it is the LAW.

I hope to have a list of all of everyone that has signed up for one of Paula's excursions, hotels and transfers up on the website next week. So please check and make sure your name is on the list if you have signed up for something. We are trying hard not to leave anyone off the list.

Also in the next day or so the Spa Flyer will be posted so if you would to reserve a spot for the Ladies Night Out please e-mail me. You will be charged on the ship after the treatment. It really sounds nice, I hope you will join us.

Back in Seattle

Whale Watching in Juneau

On the Infinity

Hey Y’all from the Infinity
The ship looks great and the staff is wonderful and excited about us coming later this month. Getting to the ship was seamless, we arrived in Seattle around 12 noon, grab our luggage and 45 minutes later we were in our cabin. When you get to the baggage area you will see the Celebrity reps wearing yellow shirts and next to baggage carousal #1 there will be porters to take your luggage directly to your cabin. If you have already purchased transfers from Celebrity all you need to do is give the porters your bags. (Just make sure that your travel docs are NOT packed in those bags) If you have not purchased transfers and are arriving to Seattle on Aug 29 just approach one of the reps in the yellow shirts and they will sell you the transfer and the charge will appear on your onboard account. If you decide to take the taxi the cost is around $40 one way for up to 3 people.

Sat we were at sea which was great for Tommy and I to catch up on some much needed rest. The sea is calm although it was a little cool, 58 degrees. So after meeting with a few of the managers on the ship we hung out in the AquaSpa pool area where the pool attendant brought us nice warm blankets and then a thermos of hot chocolate with Baileys, we were warm, happy and relaxed, ready to experienced Alaska

This was the first formal night and we had a surprise invitation from the Captain to join him for dinner. It was very nice, most of the officers on Celebrity ships are from Greece but his English was good. The captain’s table is right in front of the large wall of windows in the dining room so we had beautiful views. The food and service was excellent, a great night.

Sitka
The sun is shinning and it is a beautiful day. The ship docks down town so it is a very easy walk around and do a little sightseeing and shopping. We choose to walk up to the Rapture Center (about 20 minute walk) where an injured eagle had just been brought in after flying into some power lines. This is worth your time to visit; you will never have an opportunity to be this close to this magnificent bird. Then we hopped on a tour around town to visit the museum and a few churches. We end our time in Sitka with a little shopping. I found a jewelry store (Goldsmith Gallery at The Bayview Trading Co, just ask for Chris) with some beautiful pieces, yes I had to buy a little something, he has great prices. I think I talked him into giving us some coupons for you to use.

The next day we cruised the Hubbard Glacier area again under beautiful blue skies but it was coat and glove attire. This is amazing to see and heat this very large glacier.

Juneau
The Infinity docked downtown Juneau. Around 10am we set out on the whale watching tour and again a beautiful clear day around 67 degrees. The whales were everywhere and so close to our boat that I was able to get some great photos. This is definitely a tour that I recommend. When you get back town be sure and take a stroll through the fur store and directly across from the ship is a small little store that has beautiful local art work and a great selection of ulus. Make sure that if you buy one that it is made in Alaska not china.


I spoke with the spa manager and she is going to arrange a certain time in the spa for just our group so that we can have a Ladies Spa Night with Paula, the details will be in your welcome aboard package but space will be limited so we will be making your reservations now, keep an eye on the PaulaCookinAtSea.com


Ketchikan
The sun gods are with us this week, again we awake to blue skies and the sun rising above the
mountains that tower over this little town. We walked right off the Infinity onto the Aleutian Ballad where we will spent our morning. The captains sails up into the calm waters right outside Ketchikan to the most beautiful scenery, the tall evergreen trees were laced with eagles that flew down right next to the ship as the crew threw out fish to feed them. We then proceed to the crab cages and long lines that they had been set earlier. When they pulled them up they were full of crabs. This tour is truly so more than I had expected, Tommy and I both really enjoyed it and I fell certain that you will also. After the tour there is very limited shopping time before we set sail at 1pm but this is the salmon capital of the world so be sure and pick up a few souvenirs.

We are on our way the Canada and I have never seen fog this thick, it is though we are cruising right thru the center of a cloud. But I’m keeping my fingers crossed for one more day of sunshine.

Then Infinity crew has been so helpful and are truly looking forward to hosting our group I know that you all will have a great time onboard this beautiful ship and fall in love with this great land, Alaska