On to Skagway

Following the departure of Radiance of the Seas it was time for us to eat. We always choose Anytime Dining where you can eat outside the normal 2 fixed seatings, the earliest of which begins at 5.30-much too early for us. Fixed seatings also usually mean you will dine with the same people each night at a table that seats more than two. We like two-tops so we can focus on eating rather than chatting.

The Diamond, like it's twin sister the Sapphire, has 4 small Anytime Dining rooms, each with a unique decor- New Mexican (Santa Fe dining room), Asian (Pacific Moon) and Italian (Vivaldi) but we liked the lack of geographic specifity of the Savoy with it's dark woods and Gentlemen's Club feel. We asked for a table by a window and were served by two young Thai waiters. We enjoyed their company and would ask for the same table from here on in, whether lunch or dinner. They liked to laugh as do we. They were Siwa (tall one) and Sadudee. (video)

While we are eating late, earlier diners are in the casino, once the ship gets far enough from land or are in the Princess Theater watching a singing-dancing show or catching a stand up comedian in Explorer's Lounge or enjoying a drink in anyone of the many bars on board. Crooners Martini Bar has a pianist and usually draws a crowd. So much to do and enjoy but no doubt we probably went to listen to karaoke in Club Fusion at the stern of the ship.

With our last port of the cruise arriving in the early morning I set an alarm to be up early so I could see the ship coming in to Skagway. We had an excursion planned of course but there would be time for my two breakfasts and a walk into town before we left for the town of Haines on a fast boat.

I was up on deck enjoying my coffee before 6 a.m with the camcorder in hand....(video)