FGSCruise2015: Featured Destination Seattle

The FGS 2015 Alaskan Cruise sails from the port of Seattle on August 28 at 4:00pm. But just because Seattle is the starting and ending point for the cruise, doesn’t mean that cruise-goers can’t arrive a few days early or stay a few days after the cruise to explore Seattle and the surrounding areas.



Seattle is known as the Emerald City because of its omnipresent evergreens.  Its Washington Park Arboretum with Japanese gardens houses over 5,000 plants from around the world.  Seattle is often characterized by its rainy climate, but it also offers the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges.



The city is a charming and welcoming metropolis with a small-town feel and laid-back attitude.  Seattle offers one-of-a-kind architecture and a unique urban sophistication. The modern architecture such as the newly designed downtown library create a visual contrast with the turn-of-the-century buildings such as the Historic State Building in Pioneer Square.



Pike Place Market is the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the United States for over 100 years and accommodates millions of visitors a year. Sample freshly-baked goods or watch the salmon flying as the market workers put on a show.



And of course, there's Seattle's most famous landmark, the Space Needle, created for the 1962 World's Fair, which changed the city's skyline forever.  Dinner at the SkyCity restaurant atop the Space Needle offers a 360-degree-view of the city in a 47-minute rotation.

Other tourist attractions include the Pacific Science Center, EMP Museum (formerly Experience Music Project | Science Fiction Museum), Seattle Aquarium, Chihuly Garden and Glass galleries, and Woodland Park Zoo.  These attractions, and more, can be visited with discounted rates with a Seattle CityPass.



The cruise disembarks the morning of Friday, September 4, and with Monday, September 7 coinciding with the Labor Day holiday, you’ll have plenty of time to take an extended weekend to fully explore all Seattle has to offer!

The FGS 2015 Alaskan Cruise will offer a full genealogy conference during sea days that does not encroach on time to enjoy mainland excursions.  Register for the cruise at https://www.fgsconference.org/cruise/.

FGSCruise2015: On the Ship

So, you’ve never been on a cruise and you’re wondering what it’s all about.  Yep, I had to drag my husband on his first cruise, and now we’ve taken over forty in twenty years, so how bad can it be?  You want to come on the FGS cruise but wonder if your spouse will be bored.  Hmmm.

First of all, it’s really hard to use the word “cruise” and “bored” in the same sentence.  When you wake up in the morning you’re either “at sea”, a great place to be, or in “port” – another great place.  Let’s pretend that today we’re at sea.

Is your spouse or you an exercise person? If so, there is usually a stretch class on the deck.  If not, head to the gym and jump on the machine of your choice, or go to one of the many pools and swim a few laps.  If you’re a walker, you can walk miles on the Promenade deck, or you can jog on the jogging track.  No excuses!

Exercise is not your way to start the day?  You could have breakfast ordered from room service (no extra charge, but a small tip is nice.)  You can sit on your balcony and sip your coffee.  Or, if you want to find your genealogy friends, head up to the Windjammer for a breakfast buffet that will blow you away.  You can even get a “made to order” omelet, or just stick to your fruit and yogurt.  NAH!  Go for the gold – eggs, bacon, waffles, coffee, juice – you know what I mean.  You came on this cruise to be waited on!  Okay, go to the dining room for breakfast and that will happen!  (Meanwhile your room steward is making your bed, cleaning your bathroom, and he’ll be back later in the evening to check on things again.)

In the morning show, the cruise director will tell you all about the ports.  You both can find out what you’ll see and what you can buy.  This is always a fun event to attend.  If you prefer, there is a card room where you can beat your friends at the game of your choice.  They have games on the ship, but I like to bring a few of my own.  Anyone for Five Crowns or Sequence?  How about Canasta or Scrabble?  If you like Trivia, there are three or four trivia games a day on the ship and they give very exotic prizes – like key chains and highlighters – but hey, it’s fun.  Get together your team of six or just go to the game and join someone needing more team members.  It’s a great way to make friends.

You might catch a movie or if you’re into the slots or other gambling, the casino is open when we’re at sea.  This applies to the gift shops, too--we have to be in international waters for them to be open, so they are not open when we’re in port.  SHOPPING – yes, there is shopping!  Have fun!

The spa!  AHHHHHH!  Need I say more?  It’s rather pricey, but oh-so-decadent.

On Port day you’ll be able to see all the beautiful stops in Alaska and how lucky we are to stop in Victoria!  We will soon tell you more about our private excursions we are putting together just for our group.



But wait – you’re going to genealogy lectures while we’re at sea.  I’m sure your spouse will be very bored.  Be sure to bring him or her a good book! :)

--Pat Oxley, Cruise Coordinator

The FGS 2015 Alaskan Cruise will offer a full genealogy conference during sea days that does not encroach on time to enjoy mainland excursions.  Register for the cruise at https://www.fgsconference.org/cruise/.