11) First day on Board

First Day on Board - Wednesday, January 24, 2018 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.         Trip Day 1

Long Lines But Out of the Sun

The first day on board is not really a full day. We took a taxi from the Hotel at 1 PM, arrived at the Pier at about 1.30 and then stood in line for a good hour. The lines were long. Not a terrific way for me or Carol to stand and stand and do nothing; certainly not an elegant entry to a cruise. 

Oh, I know it is like that with every cruise ship, but that does not mean I have to like it. I feel it could (should be) improved on.  More staff checking people in would make the lines move quicker. 

Checking In

We also had to sign-in the case of wine we schlepped with us because the bottles had to be kept in the bar of the ship, we could not keep them in our cabin.

When we finally got through the sign-in procedure, the x-rays, the passport controls, etc. it was 3 PM and now we had to wait for our section on the ship to be called. At least now we could sit and wait for the next hour. 

The Island Princess

I felt ‘processed’ like cattle. 

Now comes the best part: our room, C 731 on deck 10, was NOT ready even at 4 PM.

We had to hang around in the lobby of the ship, explore the ship for a bit, but then at 5 PM we had our first Muster Drill. So soon?  Aren’t we still docked?  NO, the ship’s lines had been cast and we were on our way.

As you may know, you must meet at your designated Muster Spot on the ship so that you KNOW where to be in case of an emergency of any kind. Our meeting spot was in the Gym on the 6^th Floor. You must use the stairs; all elevators are unavailable when the call comes to assemble at the Muster Station.

OK, we made it to our spot at the Muster Station and now after this drill we finally could get into our mini suit.

Living and Bedroom Areas - 2 TV Sets

Our cabin was at the very rear of the ship on the starboard side (right) of the ship on the 10^th Floor. The room had sections: a living room section, a bedroom section, as well as a large bathroom and a large balcony. The balcony wrapped around the side and the aft (back) of the ship; offering views to the starboard and aft and the whole of it was just fine for us. We now called this home for the next 2 months. 

Balcony - Aft View

We saw our friends for just a few seconds in the hall way when we checked in, just waved and moved on.

Balcony - Starboard View

Oh, we heard later that Jean missed a step on the staircase going down to the Muster Station. The result was a severe ankle sprain. Jean will be in a wheel chair for a few days. Luckily she did not break anything. 

So we are finally underway. 

Now we have to wait until the crew drops off our bags. Then it’s unpacking and sorting out our stuff and getting used to our new surroundings.

We are off to the café for a light dinner now.  Great!  I don’t have to cook tonight!