Did I tell you I'm going on a cruise?

So I said this regularly to my coworkers at the preschool front desk for the past 5 weeks. That is if they didnt say "hey your going on a cruise" first. And we'd laugh. But I realized that if I asked you my blog friends "Did you know I am going on a cruise? " many of you would say no I didn't!. Well I am!!! And I am currently in route.

For many, cruises aren't that uncommon of a vacation but for me, this one is a special and exciting event. This is a bucket list item which came about quickly and unexpectedly. I am flying to Montreal where I will board a Holland America cruise ship that travels up the St Lawrence River then along the Canadian and New Egland shore concluding in Boston next Saturday.  The ports of call include Prince Edward Island and Bar Harbor Maine. Ever since my introduction to Anne of Green Gables in the 1980's, I have said that I would love to visit Prince Edward Island.  I also have a group of friends who often speak of their travels to Bar Harbor and I've wanted to see what they excitedly talk about. While on my 50th birthday cruise to Alaska with my friends Dora and Barry, we learned of Holland America's Canadian - New England cruise. I said then, "thats the cruise I want to do". Dora and I decided our goal would be our 55th birthday. We'll I'm 56. Last year was challenging and the idea got pushed aside. But for the past 5 years when asked "where is somewhere you want to go," I would mention this very trip. 

In April Dora was trying to decide what to do with vacation time she would lose if not used by the end of June. So on a whim, Dora contacted the travel agent who arranged our Alaska cruise to see if there were any Canadian - New England cruises available in June. Wendy found this one, the very one I have been wanting to take, at an amazing bargain. For this week only it waz 45% off with the 3rd person traveling free!. When the math was done, per person it was an amazing deal. Although my first response was that I can't take off another week during the summer and my second response was that it's not in the budget. However the day before, I had met with my counselor and we talked about it being okay for me to want something and getting it. Admitting that this is something that I really wanted to do, I told Dora that I was in. This spring Dora had thyroid surgery as well as has had to move homes. Barry's mom died after months (years) of intense care of his mom and dad (who died last fall.) And I am coming out of a year of riding the roller coaster with Peter. This trip seems like really good timing. And technically Dora is still 55 and I haven't been 56 that long.  I am pretty sure we are all looking forward to the rest and refreshment. 

So now you know, I'm going on a cruise! And no Pete the Cat didn't come this time. He stayed to hold down the fort at school.   I will try to share a few pictures along the way.