WanderlustWonder - Seeing the world one overpacked suitcase at a time. - Page 54

Harbour Cruises in Vancouver

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Jan Ross

I was in a panic. All of my good intentions to carry my Bonine everywhere with me, no matter what, on every trip, had ceased to be important after our cruise ship docked in Vancouver and I figured I wasn’t going to need it again until we flew home.

Only I did need it.

We were setting out on a Sunset Dinner Cruise with Harbour Cruises. On the water! With no seasickness medicine! This was not a good thing for me.

I checked with the Harbour Cruise office but they had none and warned that I might not make it back in time if I tried to make a dash to a local drug store. So, with assurances from my husband that the water looked as smooth as a farm pond, I would be fine, fine, fine, not to worry, I mounted the small gangway up to the large and luxurious MVP Constitution, Vancouver’s only authentic paddlewheeler.

And I was fine.

MVP Constitution

Stupid Travel Mistakes We Made

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Jan Ross

We waited as the cab driver unloaded our suitcases, then I asked our friendly and pleasant driver how much we owed him. We had just been driven from the Buffalo airport to Niagara Falls – a trip that took approximately 20 minutes. I had noticed when we got in that the meter was not set but I was not concerned. I knew that there was often a set fare from the airport to hotels and assumed it would be about $30, maybe even a little more but surely not much more. I had already researched cab fare from La Guardia to our hotel in New York in a few days and it was going to be about $30 so this should be roughly the same. Right?

Um.

Wrong.

Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: how much should a cab cost in New York, how much should a cab cost in Niagara Falls, Jan Ross travel blog, Jan Ross Travel Blogger, New York cabs, Niagara Falls cabs, travel mistakes, travel transportation mistakes | 9 Comments

Summing Up the Norwegian Jewel

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Jan Ross

I had to make my own bed this morning.

No room steward came in and efficiently and quickly whipped the covers up and smoothed them in that incomparable way they do. I also had to make my own breakfast and, at some point, today I need to vacuum my entire house and clean the bathrooms.

Sigh.

Cruise withdrawal is a real pain.

At least I have my memories. And lovely, lovely memories they are. So lovely that I will definitely plan to cruise with Norwegian Cruise Lines again.

Pool on the Jewel and New York skyline.

Categories: NCL Cruise | Tags: Canada Cruise, Cruise, Jan Ross Travel Blogger, NCL, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Norwegian Jewel | 3 Comments

Red Bluff Cottage in Montgomery, Alabama

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Jan Ross

It was after dark when we arrived at Red Bluff Cottage in Montgomery, Alabama, but we could still appreciate how lovely this B & B was as we pulled into the back parking lot. With a late start in the day for our trip to Destin, Florida, we had decided to stop along the way and a B & B seemed a lot more pleasant than a hotel. Red Bluff Cottage had great reviews on Tripadvisor and they were very conveniently located, right off the interstate. As soon as Barry and Bonnie Ponstein, the innkeepers and owners, came out to greet us, help us with our luggage, and show us around the beautiful house, we knew we had made the right decision.

Categories: Alabama, Hotels | Tags: B & B, B & B Alabama, Jan Ross travel blog, Montgomery, Montgomery Alabama, Red Bluff Cottage | 6 Comments

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Cannons and Fudge

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Jan Ross

I would like to let you know that, even though we are spending a great deal of time stuffing our faces with one culinary delight after another on the Norwegian Jewel (yum…mashed potatoes), we actually are making time to visit a few ports in between meals and snacks. One of those was the quite lovely town of Halifax, Nova Scotia, which I am going to tell you about in great deal in several posts because we had so many marvelous experiences there.

We went up to Cagney’s Restaurant for breakfast which is rapidly becoming another of our favorite places to eat although I have to say that the list is becoming rather long because we are extremely fickle. We have one fabulous item and that place is our favorite! No, wait, this place is even better!

Categories: NCL Cruise | Tags: Canada Cruise, Halifax Nova Scotia, Jan Ross Travel Blogger, NCL, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Norwegian Jewel, Peggy's Cove, The Citadel | 3 Comments

Sydney, Nova Scotia and Yet More Eating on the Norwegian Jewel

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Jan Ross

OK.

I’m just a teeny bit embarrassed to tell you that I had mashed potatoes again last night. On a dinner plate.

In my defense, I ordered the gratin potatoes, thinking I would try something different and yum gratin potatoes all cheesy and but no. Not only were they not especially good but Tom ordered the mashed potatoes and when I took a bite of his, they were just as good as the night before. So I asked if they could bring me more.

And seriously.

This is what I love about cruising on the Norwegian Jewel. Without a blink of an eye or a judgmental look or a what the heck is wrong with the gratin potatoes, lady? they quickly brought me a plate of delicious mashed potatoes.

And then made sure that it was OK and I didn’t require anything else.

Categories: NCL Cruise | Tags: Jan Ross Travel Blogger, NCL, Norwegian Canada Cruise, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Norwegian Jewel | 6 Comments

Eating and Relaxing on the Norwegian Jewel

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Jan Ross

I have now found my favorite place on the Jewel. This, of course, is completely aside from the restaurants onboard, which are all my favorite places because I am seriously having some of the best food on planet Earth.

Possibly the universe.

Categories: NCL Cruise | Tags: Jan Ross Travel Blogger, NCL, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Norwegian Jewel | 6 Comments

At Sea on the Norwegian Jewel

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Jan Ross

We are cruising along on a navy blue sea with sparkles of gold on the tips of the waves which look like pirates have scattered their treasured doubloons on the water. The last time we left New York on our way to Bermuda, the water was so rough that the pool water was splashing up in huge waves, we staggered down the halls holding onto the walls and my green-faced husband experienced seasickness for the very first time.

But we are heading in another direction this time and the sea is being very obliging to those of us whose inner ears have a very delicate system of checks and balances. I am carefully taking seasickness medicine every morning as I am the one who gets sick at the very thought of a boat. No problem if I just take the medicine though. Anyone who has never cruised because of seasickness, take note. It’s not a problem.

Categories: NCL Cruise, Uncategorized | Tags: Canada Cruise, Jan Ross Travel Blogger, NCL, NCL Jewel, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Norwegian Jewel | 6 Comments

Norwegian Jewel: Truly A Gem!

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Jan Ross

10.

That’s how many cruises I have been on. So this Norwegian Cruise Lines cruise from New York to Canada/New England makes 11. I have even been on another cruise that left New York and sailed out past the Statue of Liberty. So it shouldn’t be all that exciting. But still.

Still.

Cruising away from New York.

I get that frisson of excitement when the ship begins moving. Another adventure has begun. Everyone on the ship feels it too. They rush up the stairs to someplace, anyplace where they can see and take pictures and smile at each other and marvel at the fact that they are on a cruise! Cruising away from port! And just how totally fabulous is that.

Pretty fabulous. Pretty darn fabulous.

Categories: NCL Cruise | Tags: Canada Cruise, Jan Ross Travel Blogger, NCL, New York Cruise, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Norwegian Jewel | Leave a comment

Niagara Falls: Two Sides of a Coin

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Jan Ross

Niagara Falls.

Honeymoons, hokey family vacations, maybe that movie with Marilyn Monroe. That’s what most people think of when you mention Niagara Falls. My own memories of Niagara Falls include a visit when I was 16 with a girlfriend and a vague memory of the falls. That’s it. And my husband had never even seen the area.

So, when we began making plans to take a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Lines from New York up the coast to Canada and New England, I suggested we stop at Niagara Falls on the way. We made arrangements to stay on the American side at the Red Coach Inn which I will be writing about in great deal but suffice it to say that if you are going to Niagara Falls? You want to stay at the Red Coach Inn because it is fabulous in every way. I’ll be writing a post soon about our wonderful stay there.