I thought Day 0 would be the warm-up. It turns out boarding day has a personality all its own — equal parts excitement, exhaustion, and moments you don’t expect to remember later, but somehow do.
This was our first full day aboard.
Welcome to our 7-day adventure. It begins with Day 0 travel to Seattle, then seven days at sea—boarding, scenic cruising, glacier watching, exploring ports like Juneau and Skagway, and finishing with a stop in Victoria before sailing back to Seattle. Each day had its own surprises, and I’ve gathered them here so you can come along with us, one chapter at a time.
Day 1: Boarding Day!
Date: Friday, August 15, 2025
Location: Seattle → At Sea
🌅 Morning: Boarding Excitement
I woke up at 3:45 a.m. out of habit (too many early mornings before this trip). Shower, gear check—camera, backpack, clothes. Outfit of the day: black jeans, black coat, green accents, and a hat.
Seattle greeted us with classic Pacific Northwest weather: 61°, light rain, visibility down to about a mile. Honestly, it looked like the start of a scary movie. Cue ominous violin strings.
We had breakfast at the DoubleTree. It was okay but overpriced. Honestly, I wish I’d crossed the street to McDonald’s for a couple biscuit sandwiches. Lesson learned.
We caught the Seattle Express shuttle to the port, and the whole bus buzzed with excitement — every single passenger bound for the ship. Bags were loaded, rain misted the windows, and anticipation built with every mile. The best part? The shuttle drove us straight to customs, bags included. No parking fees, no circling for a spot — just an easy drop-off and a seamless start to embarkation.
Customs was quite the sight. Boarding times were staggered to spread out the crowds, but we arrived early. The process felt a lot like airport security — lines, shuffling, ID checks — yet they managed to move 4,400 people in about three hours, which is impressive by any standard. HP and I were already sipping martinis on deck long before our friends Eric, Scott, and Sue even made it through.The express shuttle for the win. All credit goes to HP, who made the arrangements and handled everything with the ease of a seasoned pro.
🥗 Afternoon: First Meals & Sweet Surprises
Our first stop was the Windjammer Café on Deck 14 — a cavernous dining room humming with motion. Rows of warming stations stretched through the center like market stalls, steam rising in soft curls from trays of curry, roasted vegetables, carved meats, fresh breads. The air carried spice and butter and sugar all at once.
Along the outer walls, floor-to-ceiling windows wrapped the room in gray Pacific light. Fourteen decks up, the sea felt close enough to touch — fog sliding past the glass like we were already somewhere far from land.
I loaded my plate with chickpea curry and warm bread, the kind that fills your hands and your stomach at the same time. Scott, Sue, and Eric found us, and we settled in while crew members passed by with easy smiles and a steady, “Enjoy your cruise!”
We met up with Scott, Sue, and Eric and drifted toward the aft deck. The sweeping balcony caught a cool breeze — the first hint that Alaska was ahead of us. Fourteen decks up, the ocean stretched wide and gray, the wind carrying that clean salt edge that makes you breathe a little deeper.
There’s something grounding about that mix — ocean, wind, and good company leaning on a railing together.
As we made our way back inside, crew members passed with easy smiles and a steady, “Enjoy your cruise!”
When we finally made it back to our cabin for the night, the biggest surprise was waiting.
HP had arranged a special anniversary welcome. A sweet message hung on the door, and I felt my chest tighten in that quiet way it does when something is thoughtful and unexpected.
Inside, a plate of chocolate-covered strawberries sat beside two bottles of champagne. Streamers spilled from the ceiling in bright ribbons. Suddenly the room didn’t feel like a standard cruise cabin — it felt like ours.
Twenty-two years. And still finding ways to surprise each other. It was simple, thoughtful, and perfect. I know how lucky I am.
🍽️ Evening: Food, Friends, and Fog
After asking where dinner was being held, a crew member guided us to the main dining room on Deck 4. If the Windjammer felt expansive and bright, this space was something else entirely — elegant and intimate. White linen tablecloths. Small candles flickering at each setting. A quieter kind of energy.
The menu offered three appetizers, three entrées, and three desserts — enough choice to feel indulgent without overwhelming.
Saif (“Safe,” like safe voyages) moved with calm confidence as he took our orders. Francis appeared and disappeared almost invisibly, clearing plates before we noticed they were empty. Hennesee made steady rounds with drinks, never interrupting conversation but always arriving at the right moment.
They weren’t just serving dinner. They were conducting it.
Then Francis asked if we were celebrating anything special.
HP smiled. “Our anniversary. Twenty-two years.”
Francis grinned and said he could sing.
And then he did.
Right there at the table, he launched into “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith. Not casually. Not shyly. He sang.
The table went quiet. We just sat there smiling at each other, a little stunned, a little grateful. It was one of those small, unexpected gifts you don’t plan for — and won’t forget.
As we left the dining room, a man ahead of me wobbled slightly. I reached out, steadying his shoulder.
He shot me a sideways grin. “Might’ve had one too many.”
“Naw,” I said. “You’re good.”
We both carried on smiling — strangers for only a moment, sharing that easy cruise camaraderie.
Later, we wandered into Vintages on Deck 5. Cozy. Low light. Soft conversation. Amit mixed drinks with quiet precision: a crisp Tanqueray and tonic for me, an espresso martini crowned with silky foam, and — according to Scott — a killer Manhattan.
The lighting was warm, the chatter easy, and by the time we turned in, the evening had settled into something comfortable and unhurried.
🌊 Night: Fog, Waves & Torpedo Toilets
Back in the cabin, we discovered two truths.
First: the beds are firm. Futon-level firm. I’m fairly certain I bruised a hip. HA.
Second: the toilets flush like torpedoes. Loud. Sudden. Violent suction followed by a metallic thump. I started calling out, “Fire One Torpedo!” and “Fire Two Torpedo!” Sure, it’s juvenile — but that vacuum could outmuscle an airplane flush any day.
Later, we climbed to the track on Deck 15 — a wide ring circling the ship. Signs said 2.5 laps equaled a mile, but distance stopped mattering once the fog rolled in.
The horizon vanished. The ocean blurred into gray. People became silhouettes drifting past without faces, like ghosts pacing the deck.
Haunting. Quiet. Beautiful.
As we pushed into open water, the wind strengthened and the ship began to rock. Not violently — just enough to feel like mild airplane turbulence. It kept me awake for a while. Strange. Slightly unsettling. And, if I’m honest, a little thrilling.
🚢 First Impressions: Anthem of the Seas
We’re sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, and the sheer size of this ship is jaw-dropping.
- Height: 15 decks tall (think small skyscraper at sea).
- Length: 350 meters from bow to stern.
- Capacity: About 4,500 passengers, with 1,500 crew members keeping everything running smoothly.
Our cabin is on Deck 10, port side (Room 260). Like every cabin on board, it feels a bit cramped at first glance — but somehow spacious once you settle in. The balcony makes all the difference: fresh air, ocean views, and the soft hiss of the water rushing past. It is amazing how relaxing it is.
Walking the halls, you quickly realize this isn’t just a ship — it’s a floating city. There are restaurants, bars, theaters, shops, pools, and even quiet nooks to escape the crowd. It’s impossible not to feel a little awe when you realize you’re basically living inside a moving high-rise, cutting through the ocean at 20+ knots.
The lower decks open up like a mall at sea, filled with all the pleasures of a shopping promenade. Instead of JCPenney, you’ll find Sorrento’s pizza, lively bars, clothing boutiques, and specialty shops.
It’s surreal to be surrounded by so much variety in the middle of the ocean. Beyond the shops, there are specialty restaurants, a music theater, and even a pool hall. Upstairs, a game room hums with video games — a reminder that this ship is as much a floating city as it is a vessel.
📝 End-of-Day Reflection
- Best part of today: HP’s anniversary surprise in our cabin.
- Something unexpected: Francis singing Aerosmith at dinner.
On our balcony, the ship’s steady hiss as it cut through the water sounded like thousands of bubbles bursting all at once. It was the perfect soundtrack to end the first full day.
At the Forge
Day 1 wasn’t just boarding day—it was stepping into a rhythm the ocean would teach us. From the chaos of customs to Francis belting out Aerosmith, every moment reminded me that adventure is equal parts motion and meaning. You plan for the big things, but it’s the small surprises—the music, the laughter, the fog—that anchor you.
By the time the ship slipped into open water, it already felt like we’d left more than land behind.
— Dennis
Stories Forged in Ink and Ash
Next up
Day 2 was supposed to be naps and endless ocean views. Instead, it was wind tunnels, trivia games, and a waiter who sprinted ten decks just to bring me curry. Sea days aren’t boring — they’re unforgettable.
Dennis D Montoya 