North to Alaska
Friday, May 30, 2025
Embarkation Day- Seattle, WA
It's CRUISE DAY... the BEST DAY EVER!
Morning
It doesn't matter how tired we are, on embarkation day we get up EARLY and are super excited- this day was no different. We were awake with our suitcases packed and ready by 7:30AM. We knew we had to clean the Airbnb so we left time to take out trash and take off sheets, etc. We had pre-planned an Uber to pick us up at the Airbnb at 8:30 since we had a 10:30AM check-in time. We were not sure how long the commute would take since it was a work day and there may be traffic. With the previous day's commute taking over 90 minutes to go 25 miles, we did not want to chance it. TIP- It's always easier and less stressful to plan these Ubers ahead of time. This Uber cost $74 (with tip) and was good bargain as most shuttles from downtown hotels were $20-25/ per person.
The Uber arrived shortly before 8:30AM and was an Uber XL which was supposed to hold all of our luggage (8 suitcases) and it barely did. We played a little "Tetris" and it all fit. We were on the road to the Cruise Terminal by 8:45AM. We arrived at the port around 9:15AM and dropped off our luggage with a "porter manager" as all of the porters were still helping the previous sailing unload. This felt really weird to me but I dropped them off and hoped for the best.
Making memories... One UBER at a time!
We then got in line outside the terminal just as a Terminal Worker came and told us there was a delay and we would not get into the terminal until 10AM. We waited outside over an hour and at 10:10AM they opened the doors and we began the check in process. We were among the first 20 people to get checked in and that felt great.
I was so grateful for the awesome weather and shade... Waiting over an hour outside was actually glorious! In Galveston, you'd break a sweat in 5 minutes.
Once checked in, we waited in the chaotic terminal until about 10:40AM before the announcement was made to board the ship. They followed the traditional order of groups for boarding but we were on the Anthem of the Seas at 10:47AM- Not our fastest time but not our slowest time either. TIP- I really liked the way the Miami Cruise Terminal had the passengers line up as they finished checking in. This avoided the mass chaos of people just swarming to the ship when the boarding announcement was made. Check out the SMOOTH boarding in Miami- HERE! That mass chaos happened here in Seattle as the 10:30AM boarding time was called and hundreds (I kid you not) of people jumped up and flooded the workers to get on the ship. Some people we even talked to outside had an 11AM check in time and they boarded before us as they just ran to the boarding spot. It doesn't matter once on board but it was a little chaotic for me!
Once on board we made our way to our Muster Station spot to get checked in and checked off. TIP- Royal Caribbean has an "online Muster Drill" that includes several videos and then you go and check in at the actual Muster location. This is SO MUCH easier than the Pre-Covid Muster Drills. Thank you RCCL (and many others) for continuing this less-stressful Muster process.
After the Muster Drill check in, we went to deck 14 for the Windjammer Buffet as they opened at 11AM. We were among some of the first people to get there and the staff actually clapped for us and another family which felt really cool and upped the "Cruise Vibes". The Windjammer buffet was good despite me not liking buffets or the Windjammer. The kids LOVED the WJ and ate there MANY times throughout the cruise but I hate having to fight crowds to get not only food but a table so the whole vibe is a bust for me- but it always works on embarkation day!
We have arrived- We are in the Windjammer ready to have an AMAZING cruise!
The BACK of the Windjammer is open deck and gives AMAZING views!
Do not skip on this seating area in Windjammer!
Afternoon
After lunch we went to the Flow-Rider to sign the waivers for us and the kids before the crowds arrived. TIP- This is a MUST do as soon as you get on the ship as if you wait until afternoon you could be waiting over an hour on some "kid heavy" sailings! Then the kids took off to explore the ship while Chris and I headed to the Schooner Bar for our first drink of the trip. After we got a drink I went to the MDR to verify we had a table just for FOUR people and confirm our dining time. We were able to get a table just for FOUR and even a window table. TIP- If eating alone or only with your party is important to you, make a pit stop by the MDR on embarkation day and they will try and make it work for you! Then I went back to the Schooner Bar with Chris. We waited here until 1PM when the staterooms were ready. The kids kept exploring and taking pictures and videos of the ship! They were already in LOVE with the Anthem of the Seas.
This is one of my favorite sights to see... This means I am on a cruise!
Cheers! Happy Birthday Kids (and Chris)!
Let's have the BEST CRUISE EVER!
Once the staterooms were ready we made our way to Deck 8 forward for our Interior with a Virtual Balcony Staterooms. We opted not to get balcony cabins and instead use that money on shore excursions. In Alaska it is always advised to get balconies but with the cost of this trip we opted to save here and it turned out to be a GREAT decision as these rooms were PERFECT for us. TIP- We have 2 teenagers and we did TWO ROOMS- One for girls and one for boys. This was actually cheaper than 1 room for FOUR which is crazy but Royal knows how to price things well. We have booked 2 rooms for the last 1-2 years and it has worked out well.
I HIGHLY recommend this stateroom for couples or families!
It is VERY SPACIOUS and "up to date" with things like outlets and USB ports.
The luggage had not been delivered so we went back out to explore the ship. We went to 270* first to see what it was all about. TIP- The Anthem of the Seas (and Quantum class ships) have a back lounge that has 270* views of the aft. Perfect for "colder sailings" like Alaska. This area also has the 270 Café which offered sandwiches and made to order salads as well as a coffee shop brewing Starbucks coffee. TIP- This coffee IS included in the drink package at no cost. As well as the freshly squeezed Orange Juice. There was hardly ever a line for coffee in 270 as well! Natalie got a salad at Café 270 and as she finished eating she found a "ladybug" or what she thought was a bug in her salad. I am not sure if it was a bug but we left at that point- We were not going to let this ruin our day or our cruise!
This was one of my favorite parts of the ship!
Then we went to the Seaplex to sign up for roller-skating and play corn hole. Chris found the Seaplex Doghouse and we just had to sample it. TIP- This is a unique hot-dog stand in the Seaplex that offers hotdogs, sausages and brats. It was an interesting "late lunch" but was my only visit of the trip. Luke then got in line for the Rock Climbing. This has a waiver that falls in with the Flow-Rider so he was able to jump the line and get to climbing while others had to go to the Flow-Rider to get the waiver signed.
Luke really enjoyed the Rock Climbing wall.
Sign the waiver early and TRY IT OUT EARLY as the lines got really long into the sailing!
We got a drink and then made our way to the AFT of the ship for the sail away from Seattle. This was about 4PM and we knew we would need to get a good spot to see the sail away. I love a good sail away and Seattle did not disappoint. The views of Seattle and Mt. Rainer were incredible and the weather was PERFECT!
My traditional buoy picture... I never miss this one!
Goodbye Seattle... We will see you in 7 days!
Mt. Rainer in all her glory!
This was postcard worthy!
Happy Birthday Luke- How can you be 13 ALREADY!
The Norwegian Joy sailed with us for the first 2 days before breaking off to go to Ketchikan (us to Sitka).
My whole heart... I love getting to share this with them!
Happy Birthday Lukey!
And Happy Birthday Nattie Grace... 16 in just 2 months!
I cannot... I just can't!
We love cruising with our kids!
This will never get old... I love sailing from Seattle!
This was about 2 hours after sail away and it was a "little windy".
After sail away we went back to the stateroom hoping our luggage would be there and many were so the kids changed into swimsuits to go to the indoor pool. TIPS- 1) The Anthem of the Seas has THREE pools (1 outdoor, 1 indoor and 1 Solarium or Adults Only indoor pool). This made for an INCREDIBLE cruise in Alaska and the colder weather. The kids spent a LOT of time in the indoor pool! 2) ALWAYS pack a swimsuit in the luggage you take on the ship (carry-on) so you can swim immediately. We almost always do this but the Alaska mindset had us forget- Rookie mistake!
While the kids went swimming in the indoor pool and Chris enjoyed the Pool bar, I unpacked the luggage that was there and got both staterooms "set" for the week. We like to unpack into the drawers and not have to live out of suitcase. This cabin was impressively well equipped with storage space as well as overall cabin room. We LOVED this Interior with a Virtual Balcony!
Evening
The kids swam in the indoor pool for over an hour while I unpacked and then we all changed and got ready for our 8:30PM dinner in the MDR. TIP- Royal Caribbean has changed the Main Dining Room set times from 2 times to THREE times and this meant the late seating was now 8:30PM instead of 8PM. This allowed the kids to "snack" all afternoon so it worked out for us but be mindful and check your MDR times.
We made our way to 270 hoping to see more of the sail away but they had the windows closed for an upcoming game show so we went to Vintages instead. Vintages is ALWAYS my favorite place to be on a RCCL ship and this Vintages was HUGE. The kids were even able to sit in this bar with the comfy couches and etc.
We left Vintages to go to the Schooner Bar for nightly trivia at 8PM. This was a general knowledge trivia and all 4 of us played as a team. We didn't think we would do well but we ended up WINNING. We actually won a trivia and on the first night!
We then made our way to the Chic Dining Room on Deck 3 for dinner in the MDR. I am so grateful I went to the MDR early to request a table by the window. This was a HUGE table we had all to ourselves and the window was perfect for viewing. The service was some of the best and most efficient we have EVER had on Royal Caribbean throughout the cruise. Most nights were we in and out of the MDR within 80-90 minutes.
This was the PERFECT table for our family and all I had to do is ASK!
The Welcome Aboard Menu in the MDR.
Roasted Tomato Soup (Kellie)- 4.0
Royal always does soups well and this was delicious!
Royal Crab Cake (all)- 4.0
We all loved this appetizer!
The Prime Rib (boys)-3.5
The each liked it but Chris says was lacking a bit..
Spaghetti (Luke)- 3.5
He likes the one I make at home more!
Aromatic Chicken Saag (Natalie)- 4.5
She ordered Indian food every night and LOVED it!
Boston Creme Pie (adults)- 3.5
This is a dessert Royal does well!
Happy Birthday kiddos!
I love that our servers (and even the manager) came to bring them cake and sing to them!
I love celebrating Birthdays on a CRUISE!
After dinner it was nearly 10PM and we decided to walk around Deck 15 as the sun was still out. This always helps when you are eating more than usual to "walk it off" and this proved right again. After we walked a few laps we went back to the stateroom so Chris could take his medications before going to the Majority Rules game show in the Music Hall. Luke LOVES this gameshow for whatever reason and he loved writing dumb things on the paper so the worker would read it out loud. We did not win this gameshow by any means but we had fun! We then went back to stateroom as it was past mid-night and we were all SO TIRED!
Day 1 is done and we are LOVING it!
Anthem of the Seas... we already LOVE YOU!
It was a FULL DAY of FUN on the Anthem of the Seas and we were already in love with this ship and this trip!
Up Next... Sea Day #1 aboard the Anthem of the Seas!
God is Good... ALL THE TIME!
Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas- March 2019
The Norwegian Breakaway- November 2018
Royal Caribbean Liberty of the Seas- 2018
Carnival Legend- ALASKA- 2016
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