Fantabulous Extravagance

I don't know of any other way to describe today but to say it was a fantabulous experience in just about every way.

Based upon our last cruise (with another cruise line) we both expected a number of hours of waiting and standing in line and sweating to death that we brought 4 bottles of water and a bunch of food with us. Turns out the last cruise was the bad experience and this was the good one.

We caught the shuttle from the hotel at 10:30 AM and after a few stops to drop others off (there were 5 cruise ships in port today for the Norwegian line, Princess and others all off to exotic locations no doubt) we arrived at the ship. What a monster !! After dropping our bags off with the porter right at the curb we went into the terminal and were whisked through security (had to take off my belt and all, anymore and it would have been a scene), then right on to the check in where we received our most dangerous tool of all, Our Seapass and then to a waiting room for a few moments. After a huge 5 minute wait we were off to the boat and after a quick check in and picture we were here. The whole process took 15 minutes and we were pleased to say the least.

After a walk around desk to try and get our bearings we headed off for lunch in WindJammers and then soaked up some sun on deck. We got access to our cabin after 1:00 PM to drop our stuff off and then a lot more soaking of the sun.

We departed at 5:30 PM and after just a few minutes we were clear of port and headed out to see. Our course will take us NE to the 30th parallel of latitude and then due east for 6 days until we reach our first port in the Azores. Our path to the Azores is going to be 2857 miles so I will do the math tomorrow and keep up to date on the mileage log.

Dinner was in the main dining room. We were joined tonight with a couple who immigrated to Calgary in 1966 from the UK but only stayed a short time before heading back home. They flew over to Ft. Lauderdale to catch this cruise ship back home.

Dinner for me tonight was the Chef's Recommendation which was an onion tart (more like a quiche with onion), Medallions of Pork with Mushrooms and Broccoli and a Cherry Chocolate cake for dessert. Sherry had a watermelon gauchpacho, Atlantic Salmon with lentils and blueberry / peach cobbler.

Made a quick stop by the SPA and set Sherry up for a hot rock massage later in the week and also checked out the gym. This gym will rival any gym on dry land much less anything at sea. I have missed the gym a whole lot this last week, was able to get in a cardio on Saturday but really looking forward to pushing some weights tomorrow morning.

We also received a fantastic surprise and treat of a gift of flowers in our stateroom from a dear aunt. Thank you so much for thinking about us.

Lots of pictures but wont be uploading too many as my internet access here is 55 cents per minute.

Sherry and Brian