Vancouver - Boarding Day

We started the morning by packing up last minute items before taking a walk around the corner to Ciclo for one last amazing coffee.

Jeff is practically on a first-name basis with the baristas at this point, and they don't even need to ask for his order. Our arrival time at the port is 12:30 and our checkout time for the Air BnB is 11:00, so our goal is to push our departure to the absolute last moment and just arrive at the port early. The worst case scenario is that we end up waiting for boarding – but that's never been the case, especially since electronic boarding documents were implemented.

We lingered over our coffees and enjoyed some incredibly well-made pastries, enjoying our last few hours in Vancouver and anticipating the start of the "real" vacation, despite already having enjoyed some of the best food we've ever had in restaurants, anywhere. We returned to the AirBnB, put on the finishing touches, and shuttled our suitcases down to the lobby. 

Our challenge was going to be finding an Uber that would accommodate four passengers and all of our luggage. We requested an XL and a large Kia SUV arrived, which just fit everything. We had the good fortune of a driver who was familiar with all of the ins-and-outs of the cruise terminal drop-off process. Thanks to his knowledge we avoided the long drop-off lines and were able to take our luggage out of the car and hand it directly to a porter. We did have a bit of a longer walk than had we gone to the other entrance, but not having to wrangle suitcases more than compensated for the extra steps.

This is our 46th cruise, across four cruise lines, departing from 18 different ports in five countries. It was the most convenient and one of the smoothest processes we've ever experienced, even if it did involve a bit more walking than any others that we can recall. After dropping our luggage we snaked through a short maze of hallways to the elevators, rode up a level, and then continued along a concourse, out of the building. You then walk in another door and go through security. After security you show your passport and get a paper ticket (I think I've got the details in order, I may have a step or two mixed up, but the general concept tracks.) Then you proceed into a large room where there are a line of cruise reps armed with iPads. Boarding passes are scanned and (assuming you completed the online check-in) you're sent along ANOTHER path that runs parallel with the first path you followed from the elevator to the outside. You exit again, then proceed down the breezeway past the door you entered a few minutes ago (showing your paper ticket for passage) and then proceed back in the building, through US customs, and on to the ship. Despite walking approximately half the distance of the Yukon trail this entire process, from handing luggage to the porter to stepping off the gangway onto the ship, took us exactly thirty minutes. 

Thanks to the online safety briefing we were able to complete our muster station check-in within minutes after boarding and then headed to the Windjammer for lunch.

The Windjammer experience was one of the least hectic departure day lunches we've ever experienced. Perhaps it was because we were a party of four, maybe it was just the crowd, or the timing of the day (I heard that the late departure, due to waiting for the tide to allow bridge clearance, allowed some of the pre-cruise activities to run a bit later, so maybe that was it.) Whatever the reason, it was fantastic. 

By the time we finished lunch our cabins were available, so we were able to drop our carry-ons, convert to "vacation mode," and explore the ship. This was our second Quantum-class ship, and was recently "Amplified" (in Singapore last April) so we were curious to see the changes. Most obvious was the removal of the Bionic Bar and it's replacement, the Tiki Bar. The Tiki Bar has several frozen drink dispensers, a couple of which seem a bit questionable, but all are tasty. Giovanni's Kitchen was added, along with Izumi Teppanyaki. The family Splash Pad area was updated as well. The pool area aft of the Solarium has a sliding roof, providing a protected area for colder-climate itineraries. In place of El Loco Fresh (one of our favorite spots on Odyssey) there's a Fish & Ships on the pool deck - which received good reviews from everyone I spoke with. Odyssey has a Sports Bar, with food available for an added fee,  where Ovation has the Dog House, which has a selection of complementary hot dogs and brats which make a good mid-afternoon snack when returning from an excursion after lunch.

Our luggage was delivered promptly at 3:00 (air tags are brilliant for tracking progress!) so we returned to the room and spent about 30 minutes unpacking and organizing before relaxing on the balcony for a bit.

This is the first time we tried early seating for dinner. We have been on small cruises with only one seating, but traditionally we've always opted for late seating. It's difficult to make a comparison due to how unusual an Alaska itinerary is to a Caribbean itinerary. We have early seating for our upcoming New Year's cruise to be more kid-friendly for the grandsons, so that might give us a little better idea.

The welcome aboard comedian was a complete bust. He started strong, but after the fist five minutes or so he devolved into a stream of disjointed babbling and never managed to recover. We ended up in Boleros for a couple of drinks and called it a night.

We enjoyed our time in Vancouver, but it was nice to get settled on the ship.

Vancouver - Day 2

 23 July, 2026

A full and wonderful day!

We started out in search of breakfast. Who would have thought a Thursday morning would have been so busy? The first couple of places we tried quoted extensive waits and no options for coffee while we waited. Our ultimate destination was still highly recommended, and there was a coffee shop just around the corner, so we could begin our morning caffeination ritual while we waited for our table.

The weather was spectacular - especially after suffering through 90+ degree days with humidity levels you could slice with a knife in North Carolina. We were having a nice chat on the patio, enjoying our coffees, when a fire alarm activated. Suddenly our quiet and cozy wait was joined by a couple of hundred office workers, unceremoniously ejected from their desks by a cacophony of sirens and buzzers.

Cafe Medina

After checking our watches, and realizing we hadn't received a notice that our table was ready (long after it should have been) we packed up and made our way back to the restaurant. Investigation with the hostess revealed that another "Jeff" with a party of four had claimed our spot in the queue, walking up just as our slot became available. The hostess apologized profusely and we were seated immediately.

Café Medina (neither funky nor cold) is a bustling venue, considered the "original" Vancouver brunch destination, and renowned for their Belgian Waffles. The menu borders on the eclectic, but modifications are happily managed (I can't speak for substitutions, as we tend to avoid them unless they're offered, or mandated by a dietary restriction.) Service was on-par with our expectations, and the food was spectacular. Our table covered everything from waffles (have to try the specialty) and avocado toast to the Cassoulet. There were a couple of cocktails consumed, and, of course, plenty of coffee. We didn't linger over our table, as a healthy waiting list was standing by and we had places to go and things to see.

Our first destination was Granville Island, which has a variety of what can be generally described as "everything." Food, specialty boutiques, produce markets, craft stores, instrument makers, art galleries, and street vendors are all well represented. The ever-present trinket shops are available, but if you want to get a more useful souvenir there are plentiful options to choose from. We strolled along from shop to shop, ultimately headed for donuts (because brunch was at least an hour prior, and we had to get in some pre-cruise conditioning.) After small purchases at a yarn shop (or two) and a music store filled with local hand-made items, we paused to listen to a street musician and do a bit of people-watching. We arrived at Lee's Donuts and found a bit of a queue, which appeared to be fast-moving. If you're looking for the same donuts you'll find at your local chain establishment then you may be headed for disappointment. Lee's leans heavily on local and regional influences, with the base being a honey glaze as opposed to the typical simple-sugar glaze found in franchise shops. Filled variations on offer tend to be cyclical, specialty recipes - targeted by many customers - seem to be more consistent. Regardless of your choice, prepare for  deliciousness. We each chose a donut, and since a half-dozen made more economic sense than four singles, Jeff and I selected two. (We're walking it off, after all!) After we polished off our donuts we browsed a bit more before grabbing another Uber to head over to Stanley Park.

Stanley Park is the home of a collection of Pacific Northwest Totem Poles which are the most frequently visited tourist site in British Columbia. The collection began in 1920, with the purchase of poles from different areas. Over the years many original poles have been returned to their origins and what we see on display are replicas. The authentic poles have been carefully preserved and maintained over the years.

If you're visiting on your own, keep an eye out for tour buses, and try to be flexible. Buses will show up, purge their contents onto the park, and almost as quickly, disappear.  Your patience will be rewarded with better photo opportunities and easier access to the restrooms and gift shop. The area benefits from pleasant breezes, thanks to being on a point that projects into Vancouver Harbor. Seaplane traffic is plentiful, as are steady helicopter transits to the outlying islands - any aviation buff can be entertained well beyond the attention span of their companions.

Having logged more than our allocated steps for the day, we summoned yet another Uber for a ride back to our AirBnB. After unloading our purchases we worked on re-packing suitcases in anticipation of our move to the ship the next morning. This proved to be perfectly manageable, leaving a bit of time for relaxation and recharging before our dinner reservation.

Tonight our reservation is three blocks south of where we ate last night. Spoiler alert - I'd stay in this neighborhood again just to be close to these restaurants. Blue Water Cafe is an excellent choice if you're looking for good seafood. Service was spectacular, with one caveat - when the check was paid our server quickly adopted the attitude of "You're done - now leave." This was communicated without nuance or apology. After spending $100 per person on an amazing dinner, this was a bit abrupt and enough to avoid this server should I ever return. Our cocktails were innovative, delicate in flavor, and delicious. The selection of appetizer specials approached overwhelming - I opted for the trio of bluefin tuna nigiri, one portion each of Akami, Chutoro, and Otoro - and I don't regret my choice at all. The three cuts were simultaneously complimentary and contrasting, forming a culinary delight. For an entree two of us selected the Arctic Char, one chose steak and the other scallops. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their entrees without a single point of complaint.

North! To Alaska: Getting to Vancouver and Day 1

22 July, 2026 

The intrepid travelers

We're currently sitting in an AirBnB in Vancouver, working on our jet lag. Our flights yesterday were both delayed, but uneventful. The first flight fell victim to harsh weather in the midwest early in the day, but still got us to Chicago with over an hour to spare before our connection was scheduled to depart.

This trip is a new adventure in several ways.

It's the first time I've vacationed with my sister apart from large family trips.

It's our first time to Canada other than my hunting trip to Anticosti Island in 2001. While that was a singularly spectacular trip, and one I wouldn't hesitate to repeat, I didn't experience much in the way of "regular" Canadian life.

Our first time visiting Alaska.

We boarded our connection just a few minutes after the posted time, and during the boarding process one of the flight attendants suffered a medical crisis and had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital for evaluation. We had to wait about a half-hour for a standby flight attendant to arrive. After her arrival it took another 10-15 minutes to bring her up to speed and sort out the assignments before we pushed back. The 737-MAX was quiet and comfortable (my first trip on a MAX) and the flight crew was excellent. The menu was fairly good, but limited due to the size of the aircraft. The seats were comfortable, but a bit disappointing as a First-Class product. Winds and weather aloft were in our favor and we arrived in Vancouver just a few minutes after our scheduled time despite our delayed departure.

Vancouver

After de-planing we trekked a distance roughly equal to the journey of the miners seeking gold in the Yukon from the gate to immigration. The walk was punctuated by various installations of nature and cultural exhibits, so we were entertained, but at 2am (to us) it was a bit to stomach.

Immigration was automated and efficient, baggage claim was seamless, and we soon found ourselves curbside, evaluating ground transport options.

Despite having International cell phone service, none of us could access a network. This issue continues intermittently 12+ hours later, without any plausible explanation. Everything has been reset, reconfigured, and rebooted to within an inch of existence. I've traveled to multiple destinations in both Europe and the Caribbean with much less friction than this. (Update - after 16+ hours the cellular systems seem to have caught up with themselves and everyone's service is now consistent and seamless.)

Ciclo

Other than arriving on one of the hottest days of the year, and our AirBnB not having central air (and in-room units that were not turned on) things went fairly well. The condo we're staying in is nicely appointed and comfortable. The bedding and towels are sumptuous and an assortment of pillows in varying degrees of firmness are provided. Thoughtful touches, such as toothbrushes, tea, and coffee are available, and the WiFi was fast and reliable. This is certainly a drastic contrast to my Canadian hunting trip.

Our day has consisted primarily of coffee, snacks, showers, reading, and some light napping. There are nearly a dozen coffee shops within two blocks of our Air BnB (only one of them a Starbucks) and Jeff made the fortunate choice of giving Ciclo a try, which happens to be located in the restaurant we are having dinner in this evening. I took a short walk to the grocery store for some light snacks. Visiting local grocery stores is always enlightening, it's interesting to see the differences in product selection. 

Chili Oil for Days

We may have an assortment of hot sauces, while they'll have a similar selection of curry. We're much heavier in snack items, while other countries tend to have a greater variety of breads. (Note that the prices are in CDN, and the exchange rate at the moment is about $1 USD to $1.25 CDN.)

Social Corner came highly recommended from Jeff's daughter and son-in-law, who lived in Vancouver until recently. Highly recommended in the Michelin Guide, it offers a Spanish-Italian fusion menu along with excellent cocktails. While the tapas, burgers, and pizza may be disarming, don't lower your expectations in the least. We didn't have voracious appetites, and the portions were larger than we anticipated, so we ended up taking boxes home rather than stuffing ourselves to the point of misery. Without exception, everything we ordered was delicious and I will definitely return should I find myself in Vancouver again.

Lourie and I find the city to be enchanting. Bustling, but clean, stereotypical Canadian politeness, and abundant trees and green spaces all combine in a unique arrangement. It's quite unlike any other large city I've visited.

North, to Alaska!

 To borrow from Johnny Horton (no, I didn't know his name without looking, just the catchy line from his song) we've booked a Vancouver departure for 2026 and opted for the post-cruise land add-on. Our thought process being that with everything on our list Alaska will probably be a "one-and-done" destination, so let's do as much as we can (within reason, of course.)

Ovation of the Seas

This will be a new destination and yet another new adventure - travel with my sibling and her husband. No kids, no parents. For a touch of irony, they booked an Alaska cruise for this year after hearing us talk about our (now rearranged) cruise. As I've previously noted, our trip was shuffled due to surgery. Well, their trip also befell what I'll simply refer to as "organizational challenges" and fell by the wayside. As I was contemplating plans for 2026 I looked at Alaska itineraries and discovered a similar trip to our original booking was about 1/3 less in cost.

Courtesy hold? Yes, Please!

Now, my wife is generally of the "just tell me how to pack and when we're leaving" mindset - but I wanted to let this simmer for a couple of days and give us both time to think. You know, at least pretend to be adult. I sent my sister an FYI email with the details of my hold and a note saying "This is what we're thinking about..."

They put a hold on an adjacent cabin.

After a proper conversation, which in reality consisted of "is there any reason we shouldn't?" I paid the deposit and informed my sister. She paid their deposit, and now the planning begins!