Trip Day 3 - Time to get on Board

Saturday May 26

Since we had all morning, getting ready in the morning was not pressing. We had agreed that we might see each other at breakfast at 9 am and that is how it was. Hotel check-out time was noon. Perfect since since the ship check-in time was 1 pm.

At noon we were in the lobby. See the wanderer above the fireplace?

The desk lady called a taxi. She told us it would be at the corner in 7 minutes. And so he was. She had called a mini bus since we were 4 with 4 big suit cases. The taxi driver was very nice and talkative. We had asked about the Canadian winters. After a while we were wondering about where he was going. James mouthed “talking us for a ride?” Finally I opened my mouth saying “where are you going? Yesterday we walked to it from the hotel in 15 minutes but with the luggage we couldn’t do it”. He said that there were two harbors and that he might have made a mistake and made a u-turn. We arrived and he apologized and it was only 20 CD. Not bad at all.

When the taxi entered the harbor there was security and we had to show our passports. The officer even wanted to look in the trunk. When the hatchback was opened a case fell out and almost on the officers feet. I held it when we opened it again on arrival. By the time James and I had climbed out from the back seats over the middle seats our suitcases were already gone. Everything was labeled with things we had received in the mail. So efficient.

With our hand luggage we went into a line to register. It went really fast and we got our room keys. We could go to our rooms which are next to each other but no suitcases yet. So we went for lunch. It was already past 1 pm. We went to the buffet on the lido deck with everything you can image but I just had a big bowl of wonderful salad topped with seared tuna which melted on the tongue. A photo of Dave’s “pudding”.

Afterwards we explored the ship a little. James and I did a few rounds on deck 6 to get some steps on our fitbits. That felt good.

When we found the suitcases in the cabins we could unpack and settle in. At 3 pm of course was the mandatory safety drill.

At 4 pm the ship set out. People were all over the many decks and we talked with some. Bon voyage! The pictures look a bit gray but it really was quite nice. Sometimes a bit windy. We passed the island with the  amusement park. None of us were eager to have a ride on that rollercoaster. We passed underneath a bridge with not many inches of space to spare.

There is also a VIDEO!     (0:59)

Once we were on our way we sat on our balconies for a while and watched the world go by.

At 6 pm we met in Kate and David’s room for some of the “libation” we had brought (legally) on board.

At 7 pm was an informational presentation in the big theater about the first two stops which was very interesting and we were happy we had gone.

Dinner for us was at 7:45 pm at a table for four. Table #25 was in a great location and we were very happy. Selection from the menu was difficult. I had mussels as an appetizer and beef short ribs stroganoff as main meal. All so delicious. Dessert for all and coffee for some.

Afterwards David surgested to have a nightcap which was very much appreciated. We found a nice place. The waiter enjoyed “photobombing” but made up right away with taking the next one ...

... and insisting on running to the other side for one more.

And yes, last photo of what we found in our cabin. 

 Night, night.