Cruise planning 101

Well today has been a whirlwind of activity, as it appears the next 24 or so will be as well. I received the booking registration form and my confirmation letter from the entertainment agency with a manual on how to behave ourselves – nothing we can’t live with as in ‘dress appropriately, be positive, don’t rush to be first and if a line forms walk away’ It appears they already know my travel partner – a man who is unwilling to stand in line behind other humans at banks, grocery stores or other service areas for longer than 3 minutes – so this should work out fine. A quick check of the closet does however confirm a trip to Frenchy’s is in order to spiff up the ‘country club casual’ wardrobe suggested for the cruise for himself. Checking the weather on the different stops it looks like highs of 15 – 17 c and lows of 8 – 11c with little chance of fog.

I was impressed to find a 20% discount for shore excursions or the opportunity to escort a group (all you have to do is count passengers to make sure they all return – I’ve certainly been a parent volunteer on school field trips, I’m an expert) for free. A 15% off drinks and tips included. The assignment is an inside cabin – better for the insomniac I’m traveling with and midnight sun conflict – as well as stability. And how much time do you spend in your room at a resort or cabin at sea anyway?

On the more concerning side of things my topics are listed for the cruise line in order as lobstering (done) Norway’s marine industry and Life in the slow lane (both just conceptual at present) and NS Duck Tollers as an alternate (done) so I have a bit of work cut out for me in the next week or so.

I’m just settling the airfare now as the last minute; peak season rates are not cheap! The travel agent suggested Iceland Air as the most reasonable so that led to thoughts of a stopover in Reykjavik. If we’re doing this what’s one more stop eh?

The transplanted out west friend wrote to say her husband has landed a better job and of course he’s deserved that for some time and is finally getting recognized for his talents. So congratulations are certainly in order. Plans are underway for the fall visit of the Calgary daughter and us all up to Prince Albert to visit them with her only request being Chris Brother’s pepperoni for pizza. Mind you these are the same folks who used to fly back on vacation with coolers of Polish sausage from the prairies in a nod to his heritage.

It appears our friends outside of Dartmouth have been spared with the forest fire under control better now – there were three houses burnt there. No word from Iowa City so we’re hoping the summer neighbours are doing okay and not filling sandbags or bailing due to the floods.

Anyway, enough rambling…I’m on for a nursing staff orientation session first thing in the a.m. and have to be a bit conscious.