An early start

 We’re off to Alaska on a Viking cruise - using the credit from our cancelled river cruise through Ukraine that we were booked on for last April.

We’ve arrived on board, and after lunch were able to move into our room, where we’re resting comfortably - and we really appreciate it, because it’s been a bit of a slog getting here, starting with a 1:45 am wake-up in order to get to Eugene for our VERY early flight to Vancouver BC by way of Sea-Tac.  Once through customs and immigration at the Vancouver airport - and a long wait for the bus to the Canada Place cruise port - the actual check in process was very efficient, with lots of helpful and friendly staff to guide us from point A to point B, etc.

However, point B wasn’t where it ended.  After going through Canadian customs, we had to clear the Covid requirements, and then the cruise check in.  We thought we were good to go, but wait - since the first port of call after leaving Vancouver would be in Alaska, we now had to go through US customs and border control.  Our sleep deprivation was beginning to kick in about then, but we soldiered on through that line and were finally able to board the ship.

Then, after signing in to the ship’s wifi, we got the email that said John had been selected for the random Covid test requirement.  Arrrgh!  Thankfully there was a phone number at the bottom of the lengthy email to call if you had tested positive more than 10 days ago (but less than 180 days) - John qualified, punched in lots of numbers on the automated call, and is now (hopefully) free and clear.  Whew!

By early evening the enormous Princess cruise ship next to us sailed away -

opening up a great view of downtown Vancouver.

After a delicious dinner at the Italian restaurant, we decided it was time to call it a day and catch up on our lost sleep.

Good night!