Hello! Today I was all over the place – literally. We woke up somewhere on the Pacific Ocean, I walked a 5K on the deck of a ship then went to Canada. Ha! So much packed into one day. I love it. Princess Cruises and the On Deck for the Cure Foundation coordinate a 5K walk on most of their cruises to raise money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation.
First let’s start with my run and eat for the day. I hit the treadmill for about 8 miles. I am not a huge fan of the treadmill, but had to make it work. So, I downloaded the Serial podcasts and have been listening to those. HELLO. I am obsessed with the series so it’s perfect. I look forward to my run or walk so much because then I get to listen.
BREAKFAST
Breakfast has been so amazing. I love oatmeal made in big quantities for some reason? Like every time I’m on vacation and eat at a buffet with oatmeal I think it’s so good. Plus, I get all crazy with the toppings. Other breakfast foods to note: the omelets, hash browns, fruit and smoothies. I love all of it.
Gotta carb load for my 5K walk…
5K on a Cruise Ship
You can sign up right on the ship at any point in the cruise (before the walk starts). It is a $15.00 donation to participate. And you get a baseball cap.
I mentioned yesterday 2.5 laps around Deck 7 equals 1 mile. So the 5K is about 8 laps around Deck 7. This cruise’s 5k walk was super informal and small. I’ve heard up to 100 people have participated on one cruise before. This time there was only about a dozen of us.
My mom and I were a little late because my spa treatment went longer than expected. When we started, it looked like some people had already done a lap or two. No worries—everyone was counting their own laps and going at their own pace. As we walked, my mom mentioned an article she’d read about the rise of the crypto casino industry and how it’s reshaping online gaming. The idea of digital currencies making transactions more secure and anonymous sparked a lively conversation as we kept pace with the walkers around us. I saw two people running, but everyone else was walking. I walked. I don’t run after 10am 
Dan was one of the runners. He actually got 1st place! They didn’t really give out places or prizes. It’s a non-competitive walk. But I declared him the winner and he accepted my decision as the official results.
After the walk I did some major damage at the buffet. I am obsessed with massive salads (and desserts).
After the walk my mom and I finally had some downtime to just relax and enjoy the views. This whole trip has been strawberry jam packed with excursions and delicious meals and activities!! I’ve loved every minute, but haven’t had the chance to just be lazy.
The group of bloggers on this trip had one last hurrah before we headed to Canada. We met up for happy hour. And it was extra happy with this drink of the day = El Mejor Margarita (the best margarita).
Then, it was time for our final stop of the cruise. We went to Victoria, British Columbia. I don’t think I’ve ever been to Canada before so I was excited! We also booked a Niagara Falls tour with fallstour.com.
This was actually a super late arrival. We docked at 7pm and didn’t need to be back until 11:30pm. So, my mom and I decided to explore Victoria on foot. There are shuttles you can take into town, but it really wasn’t far. (I think a lot of the passengers of an Alaska cruise are an older demographic so they offer easy ways to get from one place to another. You don’t really need shuttle or taxi if you’re okay with walking a few miles total on this stop.)
Finally it was time to head back to the Ruby Princess and eventually back to the real world. Tomorrow I wake up in Seattle and go home.
Question: Have you ever been to Canada eh?
Disclaimer: This post is part of my partnership with Princess Cruises. All opinions are my own.
OMG! I am so jealous of all your pictures… The food, the spa treatment, the margarita! And a 5K for a great cause. I have never been on a cruise, but from what I have seen in this blog entry… I should definitely go sometime. Have fun!
I Love Love Love Cruises. I can’t wait to plan my next one. I think this next one will be cruise number 5!!
Your cruise looks amazing – I want to go!
I’ve been to Canada many times – I grew up in the Detroit area and we use to be able to go over to Windsor easily. It was very convenient when the legal drinking age was 19 in Canada 🙂 This was before 9/11 so boarder crossing was easy.
On a related side note the Detroit Free Press Marathon and Half has an international option where the course includes passing in to Canada – that run is on my list!
I am so jealous of your trip! I’m glad you had a great time and so sweet that you got to share it with your mom. I have been to Canada many times, but I live about ten minutes from the border in Buffalo. Sometimes we just go across the bridge to get dinner 🙂
Once you finish Serial, you need to check out Undisclosed (undisclosed-podcast.com) — it’s a follow up podcast with updates on Adnan’s story! So good!
I’ve been to Canada a bunch of times, but to the same places over and over: Niagara Falls and Toronto. A few years ago I went to Osheaga music festival in Montreal; first time there. It was a beautiful city.
Born & raised in Canada! Manitoba to be exact. You should come and explore Canada more, it truly is great! Hope you enjoyed your cruise!
I LOVE Victoria! My husband and I always talk about going back – we went the first time right after we got engaged. Whenever we decided to do an Alaskan cruise (when, not if!), Victoria will have to be one of our stops!
Serial is sooo good! I only allow myself to listen to it when I run and it’s such good motivation to get out there. So glad you made it to Canada although for such a short time 🙁 Come back and visit again.
I have not been to Canada however I met some of the best people in college who were at my school in Wisconsin to play lacrosse. Nicest people around. Also the blue top you’re wearing in one of your photos. What is the brand/where do they sell it?
Oh man…doubt I can do more than 2 laps; I’m the type that gets bored super quick.
Never been to Canada but would love, love, love to.
This post made me so happy as I live in Victoria! I hope you had a great day in the beautiful city I call home!!!
My ENTIRE family is going on that same cruise a year from now. We’ve been reading your posts and getting really excited to run in Alaska! Thanks for doing the research for us!! We’ll be following in your footsteps 🙂
Ahh! Very cool! It was a blast!
I go up to Canada a few times a year since we live outside of Seattle. I would love to take an Alaskan cruise. What was the demographic of your ship?
I haven’t been in Canada yet, but I really want to go explore!
I’ve never been to Canada unless you count when my parents went when I was in utero. I don’t count that though. I’m pretty sure I want to go on a cruise just to eat. I bet some people do that.
Canadian here! I’m in Toronto but have lived all over the country and Victoria is beautiful. Glad you got to check it out
I haven’t been to Canada since I was a teenager. (that’s like 20+ years)
I remember running on a treadmill on a cruiseship and there was a hurricane nearby and I could barely stay on the mill without holding on to both railings. It wasn’t fun at all.
I am a proud Canadian! Victoria is beautiful, it is too bad you didn’t get to spend the whole day there, but I hope you liked it!
I am a proud Canadian! So glad you got to spend some time in our beautiful country! Be sure to come back – there are tons of more great places to see and enjoy!!
I am a proud Canadian! So glad you got to spend a little time in our beautiful country! Be sure to come back – there is a lot more to see and do!!
Yay Canada! I’m from Vancouver 🙂
I totally agree that for some reason mass quantity oatmeal just tastes so good! And now I need oatmeal!
I’ve only been to the Banff/Lake Loiuse/Jasper area, but it was amazing! So clean. No litter. Everyone was so nice.
I LOVE Canada! Everyone is so nice there, and they have the most delicious maple syrup.