Cruising the Caribbean, Part I
In celebration of having finished working with the (literally) thousands of photos from my point-and-click, I give you:
December 3, 2011 - at sea
11:40
Breakfast at 7:30. Far too early. Currently 11:40 and we're at mile marker 46. The Everglades are booooooooooring.
15:15
Huge boat is huge. Having given the car into the tender hands of one of the long-term parking places nearby, we were ushered onto a shuttle and thence to our ship. To actually board we had to pretend like it was an airport. Complete with metal detectors and irradiation of carryons. And massive crowds of people.
We found out, via flyers handed out to us, that because customs was searching the ship the rooms weren't going to be available until later than originally planned.
The buffet is also enormous, but a trifle underwhelming today. We sampled because the room, which was supposed to be open at 13:00, wasn't until about 14:45. In a half hour we have a lifeboat drill, and then at 16:30 we leave for Aruba.
As expected, the cabin is tiny. Just barely big enough for a bed and a loveseat with enough room to walk past. But the furnishings and washroom are nice. As is the view from the top deck. Our balcony, just barely big enough for a 2' coffee table and two chairs, is directly under the point where the upper deck flares out, so we can't see much sky from here. But eh.
Tonight's dinner is "semi-casual", so I'm hoping we get our bags relatively soon. Otherwise I'll be forced to go in my jeans and tshirt.
18:10
Agh. It's confusing the hell out of my inner ear to be moving, but sitting still. And we seem to have only gotten two sets of towels and shampoos and such. There are three of us.
21:23
Dinner was excellent. Lamb wrapped in phyllo dough and so tender it melted in your mouth. And interestingly, the complimentary champagne before dinner helped settle my inner ear.
Not sure what else we'll do tonight. If anything. I would be just as happy to hang out in the room and relax.
Tomorrow's dinner is formal, so I'll have to decide which of my formal outfits to wear. Hmmm. This may take some thought.
22:30
The shower is narrow, but otherwise very nice. The water temperature fluctuates a bit, but is bearable. And now we sleep. Dad is already passed out. Heh. All in all, not a bad start. It's still windy.
_______________________
December 4, 2011 - at sea
13:28
Woke up at 08:00, breakfasted on tasty omelet, and then spent some time lazing about on the uppermost deck, sunbathing with a book. It was incredibly windy, and, after about an hour, the rain hit. It was brief, but enough to send us indoors. We got back to the room, and found that, even at almost noon, our room hadn't yet been made up. Every hotel I've ever been in thus far has accomplished that... not too impressed. We got dressed, I found a new tan line, brushed my hair, and we went to find a light lunch at the buffet. I was happier with the food this time. Seafood jambalaya with chicken, and rice on the side. Mmm.
Made me miss Nawlins.
Mom and I spent some time working on our plot for our potential writing project, and once we tired of that, we returned to the room.
18:11
Guh. Why am I so damn tired? Dinner is in about 30 minutes, and I'm already yawning. Oh, and I picked up a mild sunburn on one shoulder this morning, without realising. It's a somewhat angry red. Doesn't hurt, though. Luckily. In a bit, we'll have to get dressed, and primped, but until then, I intend to nap for a bit. Or at least close my eyes.
In other news, our snorkeling trip on Aruba has been canceled due to lack of participation. Disappointing. I was looking forward to that...
And the slightly stormy weather is making my stomach a little unsettled. Blargh.
20:48
So. Dinner was tasty. As predicted. Very thinly sliced filet, followed by a cold soup, and bbq black salmon. Dessert was cheeries jublilée. The company was less enthralling, though. We just couldn't seem to get a conversation started, between the seven of us. Massively awkward. The couple we ate with yesterday, from New York (Long Island) were much better at small talk.
_______________________
December 5, 2011 - at sea
11:57
Breakfast was decent, as usual. Omelet and a waffle. And dad and I then went to investigate possible alternatives for our canceled snorkeling trip. We found one, too, slightly more expensive than the original. But it involves a pretty sailboat. *shrug*
Another sunbathing session, and I toasted a bit more. I can only hope I won't sunburn horribly when we go snorkeling.
14:30
Saw that there is sushi to be found, somewhere on board, but didn't find any at the buffet. Randomly ran into a Swiss guy and his wife, while questing for a cappuchino. Had a raspberry tea, and the 'rents got their coffee, at the cafe on deck 5. Not too impressed with the quality or service, though.
On the return to the cabin, dad pointed out the 'dragonflies' he'd seen yesterday. Turns out they're flying fish. Cool.
I had a mild spaz attack, though, trying to remember where I put my larger memory card for my DSLR. I thought I put it in my backpack, and unpacked everything, looking for the thing. And later realised, I'd put it in with my tablet, in the netbook case. So it was in the backpack, after a fashion. But not where I'd thought. Derp.
17:14
Found out that the buffet closes between 16:00 and 17:30. Got some salad. The sushi bar opens at 17:30. I think I may go taste test it before dinner tonight.
19:55
Mmmmmm. Nommy. Thinly sliced veal with sauce, pear salad, almond encrusted trout, and tiramisu. Oooof. So much food. I will have to go investigate the sushi bar tomorrow night. Tonight, I am planning to crash early. Starting tomorrow, I'll be getting up at 07:00 or so for the next 10 days. In the morning we're going snorkeling, and the day after is my beach dive. Exciting! :-)
I'm too lazy to put the pictures in this post, so you get a (link to the photos) instead. Nothing too spectacular, yet, but I'll be working on getting the first destination post written up sometime tomorrow or soon thereafter.
December 3, 2011 - at sea
11:40
Breakfast at 7:30. Far too early. Currently 11:40 and we're at mile marker 46. The Everglades are booooooooooring.
15:15
Huge boat is huge. Having given the car into the tender hands of one of the long-term parking places nearby, we were ushered onto a shuttle and thence to our ship. To actually board we had to pretend like it was an airport. Complete with metal detectors and irradiation of carryons. And massive crowds of people.
We found out, via flyers handed out to us, that because customs was searching the ship the rooms weren't going to be available until later than originally planned.
The buffet is also enormous, but a trifle underwhelming today. We sampled because the room, which was supposed to be open at 13:00, wasn't until about 14:45. In a half hour we have a lifeboat drill, and then at 16:30 we leave for Aruba.
As expected, the cabin is tiny. Just barely big enough for a bed and a loveseat with enough room to walk past. But the furnishings and washroom are nice. As is the view from the top deck. Our balcony, just barely big enough for a 2' coffee table and two chairs, is directly under the point where the upper deck flares out, so we can't see much sky from here. But eh.
Tonight's dinner is "semi-casual", so I'm hoping we get our bags relatively soon. Otherwise I'll be forced to go in my jeans and tshirt.
18:10
Agh. It's confusing the hell out of my inner ear to be moving, but sitting still. And we seem to have only gotten two sets of towels and shampoos and such. There are three of us.
21:23
Dinner was excellent. Lamb wrapped in phyllo dough and so tender it melted in your mouth. And interestingly, the complimentary champagne before dinner helped settle my inner ear.
Not sure what else we'll do tonight. If anything. I would be just as happy to hang out in the room and relax.
Tomorrow's dinner is formal, so I'll have to decide which of my formal outfits to wear. Hmmm. This may take some thought.
22:30
The shower is narrow, but otherwise very nice. The water temperature fluctuates a bit, but is bearable. And now we sleep. Dad is already passed out. Heh. All in all, not a bad start. It's still windy.
_______________________
December 4, 2011 - at sea
13:28
Woke up at 08:00, breakfasted on tasty omelet, and then spent some time lazing about on the uppermost deck, sunbathing with a book. It was incredibly windy, and, after about an hour, the rain hit. It was brief, but enough to send us indoors. We got back to the room, and found that, even at almost noon, our room hadn't yet been made up. Every hotel I've ever been in thus far has accomplished that... not too impressed. We got dressed, I found a new tan line, brushed my hair, and we went to find a light lunch at the buffet. I was happier with the food this time. Seafood jambalaya with chicken, and rice on the side. Mmm.
Made me miss Nawlins.
Mom and I spent some time working on our plot for our potential writing project, and once we tired of that, we returned to the room.
18:11
Guh. Why am I so damn tired? Dinner is in about 30 minutes, and I'm already yawning. Oh, and I picked up a mild sunburn on one shoulder this morning, without realising. It's a somewhat angry red. Doesn't hurt, though. Luckily. In a bit, we'll have to get dressed, and primped, but until then, I intend to nap for a bit. Or at least close my eyes.
In other news, our snorkeling trip on Aruba has been canceled due to lack of participation. Disappointing. I was looking forward to that...
And the slightly stormy weather is making my stomach a little unsettled. Blargh.
20:48
So. Dinner was tasty. As predicted. Very thinly sliced filet, followed by a cold soup, and bbq black salmon. Dessert was cheeries jublilée. The company was less enthralling, though. We just couldn't seem to get a conversation started, between the seven of us. Massively awkward. The couple we ate with yesterday, from New York (Long Island) were much better at small talk.
_______________________
December 5, 2011 - at sea
11:57
Breakfast was decent, as usual. Omelet and a waffle. And dad and I then went to investigate possible alternatives for our canceled snorkeling trip. We found one, too, slightly more expensive than the original. But it involves a pretty sailboat. *shrug*
Another sunbathing session, and I toasted a bit more. I can only hope I won't sunburn horribly when we go snorkeling.
14:30
Saw that there is sushi to be found, somewhere on board, but didn't find any at the buffet. Randomly ran into a Swiss guy and his wife, while questing for a cappuchino. Had a raspberry tea, and the 'rents got their coffee, at the cafe on deck 5. Not too impressed with the quality or service, though.
On the return to the cabin, dad pointed out the 'dragonflies' he'd seen yesterday. Turns out they're flying fish. Cool.
I had a mild spaz attack, though, trying to remember where I put my larger memory card for my DSLR. I thought I put it in my backpack, and unpacked everything, looking for the thing. And later realised, I'd put it in with my tablet, in the netbook case. So it was in the backpack, after a fashion. But not where I'd thought. Derp.
17:14
Found out that the buffet closes between 16:00 and 17:30. Got some salad. The sushi bar opens at 17:30. I think I may go taste test it before dinner tonight.
19:55
Mmmmmm. Nommy. Thinly sliced veal with sauce, pear salad, almond encrusted trout, and tiramisu. Oooof. So much food. I will have to go investigate the sushi bar tomorrow night. Tonight, I am planning to crash early. Starting tomorrow, I'll be getting up at 07:00 or so for the next 10 days. In the morning we're going snorkeling, and the day after is my beach dive. Exciting! :-)
I'm too lazy to put the pictures in this post, so you get a (link to the photos) instead. Nothing too spectacular, yet, but I'll be working on getting the first destination post written up sometime tomorrow or soon thereafter.