North to Alaska!

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Now our Alaska cruise was ready to get underway! Port transportation from the hotel delivered Susan and me to Seattle's Smith Cove cruise terminal at 11:30 a.m. Boarding the ship was easy and quick. Susan and I enjoyed lunch on the Lido Deck Buffet by 12:30. Cabins were ready for occupancy at 1:30. The Muster Drill was very different than in times past. Passengers merely checked in at their muster station, watched a life jacket demonstration, and had their ship cards scanned.

Carnival Spirit sailed from Seattle at 3:30 p.m. And so, we were now headed “Way up North, North to Alaska, the rush is on…” as the catchy theme song from the 1960 movie goes. Susan and I had great views from our starboard side balcony of the Seattle skyline, West Point Lighthouse, Whidbey Island, and the Cascades range as we sailed along Puget Sound. Snow-capped Mount Baker stood out in prominence. After sunset, lights from Vancouver Island shone in the distance.

The Welcome Aboard show hosted by Cruise Director Erin occurred at 9:00 p.m. following dinner in the Empire Restaurant. The Carnival Spirit Dancers provided an energetic preview of their upcoming shows.

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Photos

Carnival Spirit
Carnival Spirt at Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, Seattle.
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Smith Cover Cruise Terminal
Carnival Spirit sails from Seattle's Smith Cove Cruise Terminal.
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West Point Light
West Point Lighthouse on Puget Sound. Built in 1881. Automated in 1985, it is an active aid to navigation.
National Register of Historic Places 77001336
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Edmonds, Washington
Sailing past Edmonds, Washington, on Puget Sound.
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Mount Baker
Mount Baker viewed from Puget Sound. Mloiunt Baker is a 10,786-foot (3,288 m) volcanic peak in the North Cascades range.
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Glaucuos-winged Gull
Glaucous-winged gull (Larus glaucescens) following Carnival Spirit in Puget Sound.
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Vancouver Island Sunset
Sunset off Vancouver Island.
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Cruise Director Erin
Cruise Director Erinat the Welcome Aboard Show.
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Welcome Aboard Show
The Carnival Spirit singers and dancers troupe entertain at the Welcome Aboard Show.
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Say Play
The violinists of Say Play entertain atop the Carnival Spirt Lobby Bar.
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Pollo Parmigiana della Cucina
Pollo Parmigiana della Cucina - Chicken Parmigiana over Spaghetti. Dinner aboard Carnival Spirit.
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