Day 01 2/11 - Departure Day
So finally, the day arrived. Roxanne and Mike loaded her car up with my many suitcases. She drove us all, including Javy, down to the ship. That took about 15 minutes. We got there way early.
It was easy to drop off the luggage. Roxanne wanted to help with my carry-on bag (Meds! Pajamas! Clean underwear!) but she was not permitted to enter even the first door. If we had said nothing, she could have gone farther in, I reckon. But oh well, I handled it.
It was easy to drop off the luggage. Roxanne wanted to help with my carry-on bag (Meds! Pajamas! Clean underwear!) but she was not permitted to enter even the first door. If we had said nothing, she could have gone farther in, I reckon. But oh well, I handled it.
I waited in the Key Pass line to check in, waited in the Key Pass waiting area, and thus was in the first group to be permitted to board. I would assume that the more-privileged folks, Pinnacle Members and Suite customers, boarded directly as they arrived, ushered to their special bar at the very top of the ship on Deck Eleven.
As I slowly worked my way up four levels of ramps, other faster un-privileged people passed me by. There was a short line at the point where one leaves land and crosses into a sea faring vessel.
As I slowly worked my way up four levels of ramps, other faster un-privileged people passed me by. There was a short line at the point where one leaves land and crosses into a sea faring vessel.
I went through a serious security check, which was reassuring. Just past the entrance I dropped off my carry-on at the Key Pass desk. Then I walked a few more steps to the Main Dining Room where a special menu was offered. I sat by the window and enjoyed a lovely meal. I stayed comfortable and read my book until the call came that our rooms were ready.
My carry on was there in my room. In one of the photos you can see my other bag – what I call my “bag of tricks” after Felix the Cat, which in this case is a Mickey Mouse bag I got at the Coronado Resort gift shop in Walt Disney World. It only gets to come out to play on very special occasions.
There was not much in it – but it is a great place to stow my collapsible walking stick so that people don’t trip over it when I need to put it down and then it falls over, as it aways does. The gangplank went up at 3:30 PM and I took some photos from my window. I’m so glad I was able to upgrade to get that window!
There was not much in it – but it is a great place to stow my collapsible walking stick so that people don’t trip over it when I need to put it down and then it falls over, as it aways does. The gangplank went up at 3:30 PM and I took some photos from my window. I’m so glad I was able to upgrade to get that window!
We headed south. I explored the ship. I went up to Deck Ten and then took some stairs up to an observation Deck. I tried to make some videos of our travel south in the Chesapeake Bay.
I had supper in the Main Dining Room and met most of my table mates. I lucked out here as they were all decent and amusing people. I watched a show in the Orpheum Theater. The singing wasn’t bad, in fact some of it was superb, and the dancing was wonderful. I liked sitting up in the balcony with my special Key Pass privileges.
When I got back to my room I unpacked. There was plenty of room to store things; of course the room was intended for two people. I had planned how to consolidate almost all my luggage into one nested Russian Doll of suitcases and bags.
I was tired so I made an early night of it. Rather than make my way up to the Windjammer buffet, I ordered a celebratory snack from room service. The food was free but there was a service charge of $8 and that’s still a lot of money. I may have been on a luxurious cruise, but I’ll never give up being a skin flint.
My sheets were divine. The duvet was cozy. I did not stay on my half of the bed! I colonized the whole thing, sleeping right in the middle. Of course, when I woke up, I was over on my own side, with my face struck in my fan, as per usual. Yes, I brought a fan. And two pillows. And my special “blue blankie.” Well you know, I didn’t have to carry all that luggage.
Dr. P-J
3/2/23
When I got back to my room I unpacked. There was plenty of room to store things; of course the room was intended for two people. I had planned how to consolidate almost all my luggage into one nested Russian Doll of suitcases and bags.
I was tired so I made an early night of it. Rather than make my way up to the Windjammer buffet, I ordered a celebratory snack from room service. The food was free but there was a service charge of $8 and that’s still a lot of money. I may have been on a luxurious cruise, but I’ll never give up being a skin flint.
My sheets were divine. The duvet was cozy. I did not stay on my half of the bed! I colonized the whole thing, sleeping right in the middle. Of course, when I woke up, I was over on my own side, with my face struck in my fan, as per usual. Yes, I brought a fan. And two pillows. And my special “blue blankie.” Well you know, I didn’t have to carry all that luggage.
Dr. P-J
3/2/23
