Transatlantic Embarkation Day
Our travel blog is not reachable via the ship’s Wifi. So, we will be updating only when we are in port. However, there will be a separate entry for each day on the cruise. Hopefully, that gives a good view on what there is to do on a transatlantic cruise, as well as what we actually do/did on this cruise.
Left the hotel by taxi ($15) and arrived at the port within 10 minutes. Had a brief crisis situation shortly after arriving at the port because Melissa thought she left her wallet in the rental car yesterday. The nicest female porter at Port Everglades reassured Melissa and told her that she was sure that her wallet was in that industrial sized bag that she had strapped on top of her rollaboard carryon luggage. Sure enough, immediately after we got into line to get on the ship, Melissa found the wallet in one of the many zippered pockets in that very functional bag. Whew!
From there, it was smooth sailing (see what I did there?). We were on board the ship within 15 minutes. Huge lines of seniors waiting for elevators, so Melissa and I chatted with our new friends Pete and Caroline. Finally, Pete suggested we try another bank of elevators, but there were mega seniors waiting there, too. Melissa and I bade farewell to Pete and Caroline and lugged our carryon luggage up four flights of stairs. A little cardio is not a bad way to start the afternoon.
Everything about this Holland America cruise so far has been top notch. Our balcony is huge! The cabin has lots of outlets and the shower is almost as good as what we have at home. Food is fantastic. Service has been excellent. Color us as impressed!
Made lots of new friends. Didn’t take any photos of them because we can’t be scaring people off on day one. Our next door neighbors on deck 5 are Victor and Hollie from Alabama. Victor gave me a quick primer on pickle ball and will be joining us tomorrow morning as Melissa and I learn how to play. His wife Hollie is delightful and knows a lot about cruising. We will be picking her brain.
We shared a table at lunchtime with Sheldon and Carol Ann from Naples, FL (lots of Floridians on this voyage). Sheldon is a retired professor from George Mason University (my sister’s alma mater) and Carol Ann had lots of great stories about their recent trip to Egypt. Time flew by until we had to check in our muster station. Thankfully, that took all of 30 seconds once we found the station.
We met RJ and Donna Marie, deck 5 neighbors from Jupiter, FL, while in line to get into the main dining room. Melissa complimented Donna Marie on her vintage Chanel scarf and next thing we know, we are chatting away. Fun fact, RJ is originally from Malta and they are going to spend a week there after being on this ship for 24 days (Melissa and I are “only” on this ship for 14 days). But when I retire, we want to be RJ and Donna Marie.
We shared a table at BB Kings All Stars Blues Club with Paul and Lisa from Naples, FL by way of Kentucky. We had lots in common with them but Paul wasn’t dancing, no matter what the song. But when the band kicked up “Bad Girls” (Donna Summer), Melissa pulled me onto the dance floor. No joke, this band was rocking the house. I hope there is no video of my signature dance moves!
Well, that is all for day one. Looking forward to pickle ball tomorrow. Melissa is getting a pedicure and we will attend Easter service. Happy Easter to all of our friends, old and new!
Right side of the balcony. It is really deep.
Left side of the balcony. We chose one on the “bump out”. They are approximately twice as deep as an ordinary balcony.
