As former vendors to Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines we have always loved traveling by ship. Going into 2016 we had travel points on RCCL that we had to use or lose. We had enough for a 4 or 5 night cruise so we thought “no problem”. Having frequently cruised out of Florida we thought it would be no trouble finding a cruise to use our points. Wrong! On the west coast there was only ONE cruise, one date available. Fortunately for us the cruise was out of Seattle where we planned on arriving anyway.
Seattle from the ship
The ship was Explorer of the Seas, one of the huge Voyager Class of ships that has become all the rage. With over 3000 passengers and 2000 crew it is a floating city. The central promenade is a Disney like fantasy town with near constant entertainment.
Explorer of the Seas
Ice skating show on Explorer
We visited Victoria BC and Nanaimo BC. We had been to Victoria before and love the walkability of the place. We walked all around including Craigdarrock Castle. Nanaimo has to be the friendliest town we’ve ever visited by cruise ship. Small town atmosphere, very clean with a vibrant waterfront. The promenade was a great venue on this cruise as the temperatures in mid-May in the Straits of Juan de Fuca were too cool for the pool deck.
Craigdarroch Castle
Victoria
Lovely Victoria waterfront
Victoria Chinatown
Nanaimo harbor
Nanaimo bastion
Classic Canadian architecture
Vancouver Island is a gardeners paradise
We had a great time on the cruise but we think we prefer to stay on the smaller ships.
Kings on the Road 
awesome. hope you are enjoying the northwest. hope we can hookup in baja
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Thanks. Hope we can put together a fun little group in Baja.
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Hi guys, as usual I seem to always have the same reaction to your travel blog, I WANT TO GO WITH YOU!!!!!!!! At least, thanks to your great skill with a camera I at least get to enjoy some of the best sights.
Please stop in Boise on your travels. Nancy and I both miss you.
We will be going to Havasu in January but I don’t think we will be there before you go to Baja.
Dave
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Soooo enjoyable to travel with you.
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I love living life vicariously through you both! I, too, have done a cruise out of Seattle, but we went up to Glacier Bay and Juneau and then back down. I just love Victoria, and would love to go back there! Enjoy your travels! Hugs to you both! T~
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We were in Victoria a few years ago, before we got on a cruise to Alaska. Enjoyed it a lot, but trying to figure out how we missed the Craigdarroch Castle (looks so interesting from your pic). I think we spent most of the day at the Butchart Gardens – didn’t have a whole lot of time for other exploring. Anyway, enjoying your adventures and your photos!
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Yes, Victoria is a gem. We had been to Butchart and Craigdarroch on a previous visit and loved it all again. It is also the sunniest place in BC, even in winter. Very popular with retirees.
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Glad you enjoyed Vancouver Island, as locals now having moved from Vancouver to Vancouver Island recently we think it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth! Our home is about 30 minutes south of Nanaimo on the water. They don’t call it Beautiful British Columbia for nothing!
Keep on enjoying! Looking forward to hooking up for our upcoming return to the Baja!!
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