Alberta Referendum

I've been outside Canada for over 3 weeks.  I'm so happy they've decided to keep us united.  For those who want to break up our country, move.  I hope you find a paradise that makes you happy.

I knew there were 10 questions but I didn't know what they said.  This was on Facebook from someone I know.   He grew up in Alberta.  I loved his comments:

How Alberta voted vs how I would have voted had I opted to cast an illegal ballot which would have been really really really easy to do... but I didn't.

Question 1 - AB Govt getting increased control over immigration

Alberta - Yes

Me - Yes

Why... because Alberta wants and needs top tier new talent and should be able to seek them out and prioritize them. It doesn't limit federal immigration programs, and doesn't limit the constitutional right to move to any province you want to. Alberta wants more doctors - right now Alberta can't say.... put them at the top of the list. I have a friend who tried FOR YEARS to immigrate to Canada as skilled worker - she passed all the tests - she learned french - she had an education and the means to hit the ground running and be a net contributor... the process took so long she aged out and gave up.

Question 2 - AB Govt making it so that only citizens, permanent residents, and other AB approved status holders are eligible for provincialy funded social programs.

Alberta - Yes

Me - Yes

Why... this is normal - social service tourism isnt. When I step off the plane in a new country I don't expect to receive social care services - Albertans complain that government services are stretched too thin as it is. This was spun into taking away services from immigrants - it's not.... if you choose to come here on a tourist visa and then stay.... you're not going about it the right way. if you choose to come in on a student visa and then never go to school and stay.... you're not going about it the right way. If that's the case see above... my friend should have just applied to a fake strip mall "college" and then never attended. PR's, Refugees, are all recognized and statuses and receive and will continue to receive access as they should. But if you come in on a 4 year student visa in 2003 and never went home.... sorry fella.

Question 3 - Require non permanent residents to reside in Alberta for 12 months before accessing public services.

Alberta - Yes

Me - Yes

Why... Again those with status (refugees etc) continue to receive services as it's funded federally so the vulnerable new arrivals continue to be covered. I don't expect to step off a plane somewhere and qualify for government social suppoort. Is 12 months a bit long - yeah I think so. Do I think that social services are currently stretched beyond their means - yup. 

Question 4 - A fee for those without permanent status to access healthcare and education.

Alberta - Yes

Me - Yes

This isn't a foreign concept. My brother moved to the UK on a student visa.... his passport was stamped "no recourse to public funds". he was restricted to how many hours he could work. he had to pay a fee to access a healthcare system he'd never paid into. I went to a hospital in Turkey once.... got a bill. My sister ended up in a hospital in the USA... got a bill. The fee for new arrivals to access healthcare in the UK. The current fee is $1,941 per year of your visa.

Question 5 - Proof of citizenship to vote

Alberta - Yes

Me - Yes

Why... This should be a no-brainer. Heck at the federal level I once voted with an expired pill bottle from a pharmacy outside of my riding, and a property tax estimate (not an actual bill) for bare land issued before my house was even built. Just to prove a point of how dumb some of the acceptable voter ID items are.... I voted with actual garbage. Also.... there was literally nothing stopping me from voting in this referrendum other than my own willingness to abide by the rules. I have a canadian passport. I have an Alberta Drivers Licence. I could have requested a ballot and voted. I could have simply lied about my residence status. Given that actual ID is easy to obtain - and services exist for completely free ID for those who have difficulty - this is just some administrative cleanup in my opinion.

Question 6 - Allow the province to appoint judges to the Court of Kings Bench and Appeal Court

Alberta - Yes

Me - Yes

Why... Simple - we have had a federal government who for a dozen years rarely bothered to fill vacancies while at the same time we have a Supreme Court ruling which has forced the dismissal of charges if cases arent heard fast enough. Alberta when I last looked into it had 4 federal vacancies still.... Carney appointed one a few weeks ago (we had 5 at the time). On average federal judge vacancies sit empty for 14 months. On one trudeau let the vacancy sit open for 22 months. So you read about very serious cases where the whole case is tossed out because it didnt go to trial fast enough.... well.... fill the seats. And if you won't... we should. Alberta and all provinces should join together to push for this change.

Question 7 - Abolish the senate

Alberta - Yes

Me - No

Why...... we should abolish the unelected part of the process only - not the senate. So the wording of this one I disagreed with. Had they asked do I support making senators an elected position - yes I support that.

Question 8 - Allow Alberta to opt out of new federal programs that are provincial jurrisdictional areas and opt to take the money instead.

Alberta - No

Me - Yes

Why.... Simple.... Quebec has had this veto over federal programs for decades. What's fair is fair. When the $10 / day daycare program was rolled out Quebec said - no thank you, we'll take the cash and apply it to our provincial daycare program. Trudeua said... OK sounds good. A few weeks later when Alberta's terms were being negotiated (first of all why is each province negotiating different terms) Kenney said to Trudeau... we will take the exact same deal Quebec signed - copy and paste - we'll take *points at Quebec* that... Trudeau.... nope you're not allowed. And it's not limited to that one program - for decades Quebec has been granted the ability to say no to federal programs and take the cash equivilant instead. It's a matter of national fairness.

Question 9 - Allow Alberta to force provincial laws to override federal laws when both laws touch on the same jurrisdictional area.

Alberta - No

Me - No

Why.... There ultimately needs to be a top dog in a federalist system. When there are areas of SHARED jurrisdiction and there is conflict - there ultimately needs to be a top national interest. In areas of provincial jurrisdiction the feds should stay in their lane - when there's a shared lane, the province should be expected to yeild to the national interest.

Question 10 - that good ol separation should we have a referrendum to leave Canada 

Alberta - Remain

Me - Remain

Why... Every single promise made by the separatists is based on some pretty wild fantasy assumptions. No more taxes.... Billions paid from the federal treasury... Immediate access to export oil and gas... The faxt that the half dozen seperatist groups can't even get along tells me I want nothing to do with that clusterfvck. Has Alberta been screwed by successive federal governments with one in particular for a decade - yes. Is becoming a landlocked country without access to tidewater (oh but the seperatists will tell you the UN guarantees you right to tidewater... it doenst) a smart idea... absolutely not. Should Alberta roll over and let the federation continue to take advantage of it - nope. Which is why on the other items above I would have voted the way I did while also promoting really... the Quebec approach - refuse and demand and sue... challenge everything. But leave.... no.... I just look at who the seperatists want to join down south and know that's not what I want. It's also.... a big part of why I left.

I'm a Canadian living in Scotland. I own more Canadian flag hoodies than Scottish. Outisde of my home is a decorative Canadian Flag at the door. My car has a maple leaf on it's bumper. There's a whole lot wrong with Canada that needs fixed - hopefully this whole exercise begins the process to do so. Right now I am not convinced that the federal liberals are genuinely interested in long term cooperation vs short term "elbows up" or something because of what's happened with the US. Had it not been for the trade war I don't believe for a second they'd be putting on the sudden pro-alberta oil song and dance they've been performing the past few months. Time will tell. In the meantime... I'm over here and you're over there and my vote doesnt matter anyway.

Day 23 - Flying Home After 23 Days at Sea

 

This photo appeared under our door yesterday.  What a nice remembrance from the Captain,

Twenty‑three days ago, we stepped aboard this beautiful ship in Vancouver — my hometown — full of anticipation for a long voyage south. Today, we’re packing our bags, saying our goodbyes, and flying home. It’s always a little bittersweet, leaving a ship that’s become your world for nearly a month.

This cruise has been wonderful in so many ways. The food was consistently good, with plenty of variety, and the entertainment was truly outstanding. The Captain was a delight — personable, warm, and always ready with his cheerful 12:00 noon updates that became part of the rhythm of each day. The staff were just as memorable: friendly, upbeat, and unfailingly kind. We’ll miss their bright faces more than anything.

If I had one complaint, it’s that the Princess Arena and Princess Dome simply aren’t big enough. To get a decent seat, you have to arrive well before showtime. But because this was a longer sailing, Cole, our Cruise Director, added a third performance of every major show the following afternoon. It was a smart solution, and honestly, it should be standard on every cruise.

The ship itself was easy to navigate, and the elevators — fast, responsive, and impressively efficient — made getting around effortless. After nearly a month onboard, I can say without hesitation that we’ll book another cruise on this class of ship again.

There’s a special kind of magic in long voyages: the slow mornings, the familiar faces, the routines that become comforting, and the sense of being part of a small floating community. As we head home, I’m grateful for every day we spent here.

Until next time…

Day 22 - The Final Curtain Call

As this cruise comes to an end, I’ve been thinking about one of the true highlights of our days on board: the entertainment. It has been nothing short of wonderful. We’ve had circus performers, aerialists floating above the stage like silk ribbons, comedians who kept the theatre laughing, dancers who filled the room with energy, and singers whose voices carried beautifully through the ship. I never saw a single show I didn’t thoroughly enjoy.

But what stands out most is the work happening behind the scenes — especially from Cole, our outstanding Cruise Director. When Mazatláns port stop was cancelled because of Hurricane Simon, it wasn’t just a change in itinerary. Eighteen entertainers were standing at the pier waiting to board, ready to join the lineup. Suddenly, none of them could embark, and Cole had five sea days ahead with a completely disrupted schedule.

He didn’t miss a beat.

Cole reorganized everything — reshuffling acts, adjusting schedules, coordinating performers already on board, and making sure the ship still felt lively and full of variety all the way to Panama. And he did it with the calm confidence and good humour that make him such a pleasure to sail with.

It’s easy to applaud the performers on stage, but this week reminded me to applaud the people who make the magic possible. Cole did a fabulous job, and the entertainment team delivered night after night. What a gift to end a cruise feeling so thoroughly delighted.

A Night of Laughter at Sea

We’ve had six comedians on this cruise, and every one of them brought something different to the stage. But the standout, without question, was Ken Boyd. His late‑night XXX show at 10:45 PM came with more warnings than a hurricane briefing — “If you’ll be offended, please leave.” And one gentleman actually did. The whole room clapped as he walked out, which only made the rest of us laugh harder.

Ken told us he’s been fired from three cruise lines, and honestly… you can see why. He’s raunchy, absolutely, but never crude. There’s a cleverness to his humour — sharp, quick, and just the right amount of outrageous. It was one of those shows where you laugh so much your cheeks hurt. He doesn't have a routine, he works with the audience.

A perfect reminder that at sea, the entertainment can be just as memorable as the destinations.

Here are some photos of the other great entertainment:

La Shonda is under contract with Motown records!

This was a tribute to Broadway Musicals!  The voices were amazing.

This show was so good, we went to two performances!

I've never seen or heard anything as wonderful as this Candlelight Concert

Day 21 - A Windy Day in Aruba

 

We arrived in Aruba right at 7 AM, greeted by sunshine and a strong, steady wind that seems to be part of the island’s personality. I’ve been here before and always found it beautiful, so instead of joining the crowds, we decided to simply enjoy a relaxed walk and take in the morning.

A free trolley was running from the port, but the lineup stretched a long way down the sidewalk. Rather than wait, we wandered past it and followed the waterfront into town. Aruba is wonderfully easy to explore on foot, and the breeze made the warm sun feel just right.

The streets were lined with local shops, colourful and inviting, each one offering something different — souvenirs, clothing, handmade crafts, and the usual island curiosities. For anyone wanting a more structured outing, private island tours were being offered for $30 USD on air‑conditioned buses. Tempting, but we’ve done the island tour before and didn’t feel the need to repeat it.

Instead, we enjoyed exactly what we came for: a gentle walk, bright skies, and the charm of this gorgeous island. Aruba has a way of feeling familiar even when you’re just passing through, and today was no exception — simple, sunny, and thoroughly enjoyable.

This reminds me of Bora Bora!

We saw a golf course at Divi Beach that said "9 and Dine"! I wish we had time. Our all aboard time was 3:30 PM. A lovely day at a tropical island.

Day 20 - Aruba

 

Tomorrow we sail into Aruba — an island I’ve visited a few times, including one wonderful week‑long stay that left me with a soft spot for its dry heat, turquoise water, and spotless streets. Aruba has that unmistakable “desert‑meets‑Caribbean” feel: bright sun, steady trade winds, and a landscape that’s as clean as it is warm. It’s always a pleasure to return.

But what makes Aruba Aruba didn’t start with beaches and cruise ships. Its early story is surprisingly rich — and adds a lovely layer of meaning when you step ashore.

🌅 A Glimpse Into Aruba’s Earliest Days

Long before Europeans arrived, Aruba was home to Indigenous peoples who crossed over from the South American mainland. The earliest known inhabitants were the Archaic peoples, semi‑nomadic groups who arrived by canoe and lived in small coastal and inland communities. They fished, hunted, gathered food, and cultivated early crops like maize and sweet potatoes.

Around 900–1000 AD, another group — the Caquetio people of the Arawak tribe — settled on the island. They built larger villages, farmed maize and manioc, and left behind the red ochre cave drawings you can still see today at Fontein Cave and the Ayo Rock Formation. These markings are some of Aruba’s oldest surviving cultural expressions.

🚢 Spain Arrives — and Mostly Looks Away

Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda claimed Aruba in 1499, but because the island lacked gold and pearls, Spain dismissed it as one of the “Islas Inútiles” — the “Useless Islands.” That neglect had consequences: in 1513, many Caquetio people were forcibly taken to Hispaniola as enslaved laborers. Some later returned and worked on ranches under Spanish rule, which lasted for more than a century.

The Dutch Era Begins

In 1636, the Dutch took control, using Aruba mainly for ranching and horse breeding. Apart from a brief British takeover during the Napoleonic Wars, Aruba remained tied to the Netherlands — a relationship that continues today.

🌴 Tomorrow’s Visit

So when we step off the ship tomorrow, we’re not just arriving at a sunny, spotless island — we’re walking onto land shaped by canoe‑crossing Indigenous families, Spanish explorers who overlooked its beauty, and Dutch settlers who anchored it into a new era.

Aruba may be hot, dry, and wonderfully modern today, but its roots run deep. And knowing a bit of that history makes the island feel even more special each time you return.

Day 19 - Entering the New Locks of the Panama Canal

We’ve waited a long time for this day, and there’s something magical about finally reaching it. Before sunrise, the ship was already gliding toward the new Panama Canal locks, the ones we’ve heard so much about. At 5:45 AM, the sky was still a soft grey, and the air had that quiet stillness that only early morning at sea can offer. That’s when I took the first picture — our ship paused, waiting patiently to enter Cocolí Lock.

Watching the approach felt almost surreal. The new locks are massive, modern, and beautifully engineered, yet the experience still carries the same sense of wonder that travelers have felt for more than a century. Thanks to the webcams at Cocolí, we were able to see the lock from another angle, and it was fun knowing that somewhere out there, people could watch our ship begin its transit.

And then came the moment we’d been waiting for — the gates opened, and we eased into our first lock of the day. A quiet, steady rise, the water lifting us toward Gatun Lake and the long journey across the Isthmus. It’s one thing to read about the Panama Canal, but it’s something else entirely to feel the ship move upward, carried by engineering and history working together.

Today is a day we’ll remember. The new locks, the early morning light, and that first glimpse of Cocolí — all part of a transit we’ve looked forward to for so long.

These pictures were from the webcam at Cocoli Locks.

Our ship took up almost the entire lock, it's so big!

I captured this picture from the Bridge Cam in our stateroom from the first lock

Below is the last lock and in the distance you can see the bridge and the Atlantic Ocean.  I was on Deck 11 forward.  The crew is at the very front of the pool.  You can see the crew swimming pool and there are two hot tubs.  They were all out enjoying the view.  It was a gorgeous hot humid day.  33C/91.4F

After a wonderfully calm day sailing through the Panama Canal, the late afternoon brought one of those small but unforgettable moments that make cruising so special. Right at 4:00, as we approached Colón, the Atlantic Bridge — Puente Atlántico — came into view, standing proudly against the horizon. Just beyond it, the Atlantic Ocean stretched out like a promise of the next chapter of our voyage.

And then came the charm only a cruise ship can deliver. At every lock, without fail, the ship sounded its air horns with the unmistakable theme from The Love Boat. It echoed across the water, playful and nostalgic, adding a touch of whimsy to a day already steeped in history and engineering marvels.

A relaxing sail, a dramatic bridge, and a soundtrack that made everyone smile — the kind of simple, perfect cruising moment that stays with you.

From the Agua Clara webcam.  We are finished with the locks.

Day 18 - A Full Day in Fuerte Amador: Panama City’s Gateway

 

After several wonderful sea days, our ship finally eased into Fuerte Amador, the port that serves Panama City. There’s something about arriving after days at sea — the skyline rising in the distance, the bustle of a working port, the promise of a full day ashore — that always feels a little electric.

This picture was taken from Old Town

Princess offered a handful of shore excursions, but each focused on just one area. I wanted a fuller picture of Panama City, so I checked Shore Excursions Group and found exactly what I was hoping for: a 7‑hour comprehensive tour, covering all the highlights. They guarantee your return to the ship, and with our schedule — docked at 7 AM and sailing at 11 PM — I wasn’t the least bit worried.

One of the unique buildings in Panama

We were met by our guide and driver and settled into a very comfortable, air‑conditioned van. Our guide outlined the day: the first stop would be the Miraflores Visitor Center for the IMAX presentation. Unfortunately, the recent earthquake had damaged the facility, so that portion of the visit was cancelled.

He gave us two choices:

• Visit Pedro Miguel Locks, or

• Take a long drive to the locks on the Atlantic side.

Choosing Pedro Miguel meant more time in Casco Viejo, the Old Town — an easy decision.

Pedro Miguel Locks

I took photos, but they were through a chain‑link fence, so they won’t make the blog. Even so, watching two massive container ships pass through the lock was fascinating. Our guide explained the rules, costs, and logistics of navigating the canal — a reminder of just how complex and vital this engineering marvel remains.

Bridge of the Americas

From there, we drove past the Bridge of the Americas, completed in 1962. It’s the span that physically links North and South America, and seeing it in person carries a certain weight — a reminder of how geography and history intersect.

Downtown Panama City

Next came downtown Panama City, and I was genuinely surprised by the skyline. Tower after tower, sleek and modern, rising in clusters. And yes — two Tim Hortons. A little Canadian comfort in the tropics.

Casco Viejo: Old Town

We continued into Casco Viejo, the historic district with its narrow streets, restored colonial buildings, and lively plazas. We visited a small museum, then a chocolate factory where the scent alone was worth the stop.

One of the most memorable visits was to the oldest Catholic church in Old Town, with a history that reads like a novel:

• The original church was built in Panama Viejo in the early 1600s by the Mercedarian order.

• After Henry Morgan’s attack in 1671 destroyed the old city, the stone façade was carefully dismantled and moved to the new settlement at Casco Viejo around 1673.

• The church today features a weathered baroque stone façade, a wood‑pillared interior, and historic bells that pre‑date the move.

• It sits just steps from Independence Square, anchoring the neighborhood with centuries of history.

On the drive we saw a Tamarin Monkey

and a few Sloths.

By late afternoon, we had seen modern Panama, historic Panama, and the engineering heart of Panama — all in one well‑paced day. With our ship not leaving until 11 PM, we returned onboard with time to relax, reflect, and enjoy the evening.