Monday, September 19, 2011

Cruise Holiday pics + GIVEAWAY ENDS TONIGHT


some of you know I went on a "family" holiday recently, my daughter, her fiance & I
flew to Seattle, where we were joined by 2 other family members, to begin our
Alaskan cruise.


here you see my daughter, Vanessa, and me overlooking Puget Sound.
She took about 1000+ photos I think.
Today you will see a few.


flowers at Pike Place, home of the fresh seafood & tossing fish market



all of us about to board the ship, Westerdam of Holland America

it was already chilly in Seattle, so us Texans thought we needed to bundle up.
I must say I packed about a dozen pashminas and another dozen scarfs...
I am so happy I did, they solved so many problems with weather and dressing up.
One of the things I enjoyed the most was actually "dressing" for dinner each night.




sailing out of Puget Sound was one of the most beautiful scenes you can imagine,
we set sail around 4pm, so nightfall was not too far away...



Ness had never been to Seattle, I think you can tell she was loving every minute.
taken from shipboard, Seattle in the background.

sunset on the open waters





GIVEAWAY

ENDS TONIGHT @ 9PM CENTRAL




7 separate bangles make up the set of lovely bracelets,
styled in the Ippolita-fashion, you can see the
originals on the N-M website.

fashion jewelry which is now available here on my blog.

leave a comment telling me which set you would like.



My signature Bloody Mary, shipboard

1st night, after the formal dinner, all of us in the Piano Bar.
A couple whom we met in the Piano Bar saw us later in the journey 
and told us they had gone back to the bar every single night hoping to 
find us again...they had so much fun singing along with us on the
1st night.   Fun?  Absolutely!




I must tell you, sailing is one of the most luxurious holidays you could have.
You can do everything, or nothing. 

Onboard this ship there was a 10th deck Observation Floor which wrapped around
about 180 degrees, smack in the front (forward) of the ship, 1 deck above the Bridge.
There were big recliners, lots of comfy chairs, a delightful Starbuck's-like coffee bar,
a full bar, a library, and the computers for all of us to use. 
 It was the BEST place on the ship for me.
We talked to everyone who would listen, made some new friends, and felt like we were
front & forward for the most beautiful vistas imaginable.

There was a 5000-piece puzzle set up on a big table, where people could work to solve
the puzzle, we saw the same ladies everyday until the puzzle was complete.
I would have been coo-coo doing this, but hey, they loved it.

There were card rooms on another deck, all seaside, so one could play as you watch
the scenery sail by the windows.  
These beautiful rooms were for personal play, not in the casino.  
Just so much more elegant on their own. 

And, another wonderful place on the ship.  
The Culinary Center.
Like a TV set if you can imagine.
Each day various chefs on board would demonstrate how to do something.
Browning Creme Brulee was my favorite.  Vanessa loved the ice-carving.

Tomorrow, some of the wild Alaskan coastline...
not to miss if you love wildlife and pristine nature.

xx's 





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13 comments:

  1. YOur trip is on my bucket list. Oh it looks like so much fun! I can't wait to see more.
    If I won these gorgeous bangles, I would want them in gold! I am a gold girl all the way!
    So happy you are back, safe and sound and you had a spectacular time!
    Lots of love...
    Yvonne

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  2. Wow, Seattle is beautiful - mind you, I should already know that that, goodness knows I have watched enough episodes of Grey's Anatomy....I always think how lovely the city looks!!

    I went on a cruise once with my father - around the Caribbean for 17 days, it was absolutely fantastic, I'd definitely do it again.

    I did laugh about your comment about the ladies doing the jigsaw!! Something on board for everyone indeed ;)

    LOVE love love these bracelets, they are beautiful Marsha.

    Hope you are well my friend XX

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  3. I miss living in Seattle so much. We moved to Dallas from Seattle and it was like moving to another planet. Isn't the Sound gorgeous? I'm so jealous. Have a beautiful journey!

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  4. Silver, if I win, Marsha and if I don't, I'll just take one of those Bloody Mary's -lol-.
    The trip looks fabulous and so glad y'all had a great time.

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  5. How beautiful Seattle looks, I always wanted to go there and visit! You all look like your having a ball, I love cruises and bloody Mary's, I love those big ships!! Thank you so much for the lovely giveaway and for the chance. Always been a follower.
    Enjoy and God bless you all. Hugs,
    FABBY

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  6. Marsha, you are going to have such a wonderful time. We did this about 6 years ago and just loved it. I agree, starting in Seattle is wonderful too. Think I missed the giveaway, too bad! Have a wonderful time and eat to your heart's content!

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  7. what beautiful fotos. looks like a wonderful trip! If I won, would love to have the mixed set... that way I could bless my daughter and granddaughter with a couple of each also!
    Cathy B
    pbprojecthope at yahoo dot com
    http://palmbreezeliving.blogspot.com

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  8. I have never been on a cruise, but have always wanted to ... its sounds like you had a ball Marsha with your gorgeous family.

    The sunsets look spectacular ...
    xx

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  9. What a lovely way to spend time with your daughter and her fiance. And about as far away as you can get from Texas for a change of scenery.

    You've taken one of my dream vacations Marsha. Thanks for taking us along. Now I want to go even more.
    Sam

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  10. Looks like a lovely holiday. I love the silver bracelet set, it is very similar to a range of fine jewellery called Raindance made in the UK by Boodles

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  11. Oh my Marsha..certianly something to add to my ever growing bucket list!

    Hugs

    Veronica
    ps: as you can see I am playing catch up with all your lovely posts and feeling indulgent now.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am just seeing the cruise photos now- just gorgeous! What a fun opportunity!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nice photos--if only all Blogs were as good.


    ashane
    http://thecruisegeek.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete


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