Boarding day: after a hectic time getting to the ship
because my Uber driver canceled the ride, and I had to take a regular old taxi,
I was on the ship in less than an hour. I arrived at 4:10 and there was no
waiting. I wondered if I was at the right place. They said most of the people
were already on board. It was the smoothest quickest check in I have ever
experienced with a cruise embarkation. ( I found out later that boarding had
begun two hours earlier than the 1 o'clock time I had been told.)
As I was boarding, I heard the mandatory life drill over
the loudspeaker and saw the guest lined up on the promenade deck. I ran to find
my Muster Station, lifeboat number 13. Whew, thank goodness I didn't have to
attend a make up session the next day.
Next, I discovered I had been granted my early dining at
table number 46. Joining me was a couple from California who is on their third
world cruise--all 115 days and a mother, father, daughter team, Asia, Irma, and
Bill Wright, who have also cruised the world before. Asia is a maritime attorney and was an
assistant cruise director for Holland America 10 years ago. The company was
very pleasant and I might stay there.
After dinner, I attended the solo gathers meeting and
recognized many of the faces from the cruise critic roster created by Pete. I
met more nice people who had cruised the world many times before.
From 9 o'clock till 11 o'clock was the gala sail away
party and feast complete with live music, hors d'oeuvre stations, and
free-flowing drinks. Everyone is in such a lively mood.
As always, I was out on deck to experience the magical
sailing away from shore as I watched the lights in Fort Lauderdale twinkle and
fade away into the horizon.
I dread going to my room to unpack but at least all the
closets space, all the drawer space, and all of the shelves are just for me.
Even the bathroom!
I insist on completely unpacking before I go to sleep.
Perhaps it will be by midnight, we will see.....
Once we sail away at 11 PM, I will turn my phone on
airplane mode to avoid data roaming charges. I will explore ship Internet
plans. In the meantime, my global data package will begin January 9, in Costa
Rica.
I have had very little time to explore the ship since I
have moved from one activity to the next. I will share commentary on this
later. I promise.
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