Jan 04/12: (Part 2) Boarding the Cruise Ship!

Hi,

I'm sitting in our cabin as I type this. This sun is shining, the air is warm, and I can see the ocean waves going by my window.

And Philip is naked.

OK- he's not, but it sure got your attention! We are missing one piece of luggage- and it contains most of Phil's clothes- important things like underwear, so this morning he said he was going to stay in bed all day until it arrived. Of course, we are out at sea, so if it didn't make it onboard last night (and it's starting to look like it didn't) it will hopefully make it to the next port (Grand Cayman Island- tomorrow) . Meanwhile- he has no clothes except for some workout shirts, shorts, and the clothes he wore since we left London. Not very good ! He is totally upset- didn't sleep all night.

So, here goes-

January 04, 2012: (Part 2) Boarding the Cruise Ship!

We board the ship for the first day of the cruise

Seems so long ago already! Anyway, weather in Ft. Lauderdale is still cool. Apparently we have a cold front here. How is the weather at home?

Woke up  around 8-8:30 and had breakfast  at the hotel. It was good- they had both a hot & cold breakfast buffet, so we had eggs, instant Quaker oats, yogurt, toast, juice, tea/coffee, etc. Repacked our bags ready to  leave on the 10.30 am bus for the pier to get on the boat. Meanwhile I quickly went back to the Dollar store in the shopping centre  beside the hotel to pick up some baby powder as Phil had developed a rash and I wanted him to 'powder it'. Also wanted to pick up some small bottles of hand sanitizer for when we are off the ship- saw it yesterday but didn't want to buy it, but after Phil nagged all night decided to quickly get some, as well as some combs as it seems he only brought one ( and it looks flimsy- it will probably break before the trip is over, so some equally flimsy spares seem to be in order).

Checked out and got on the shuttle bus, along with a bunch of other people who also had 'Prinsendam tags' on their luggage. Looked like at least a dozen of us. The bus was supposed to leave at 10.30 am but of course by the time everything got done etc. it was more like 11. Ride to the port was  about 15 minutes. Holland America people were waiting right there and we got off the bus, got our bags, and walked right into the port terminal to begin the boarding procedure. It went very smoothly, and within about 75 minutes we were on board ship.

We got to our room and were thrilled with it. It has a huge walk in closet, a full sized tub in the bathroom, and a very nice sitting area with a loveseat, chair and small glass table. There is a desk with 4 small drawers ( where I am now) and a 4 shelf bookshelf with a  TV on the top and small bar fridge built in underneath. Will try to take some pics and send later. Dumped our luggage and put netbook, cameras, important papers etc into the sage in the closet.  By then it was around 12.45 or so so we went up to the "Mariner's Luncheon' in the dining room. So far seems to be an older crowd- we feel like youngsters. At lunch met a very interesting couple- he was 91 and she was in her late 80's, and  they were still raring to go. Very friendly couple with quite the sense of wicked humour. After lunch went back to the room to do some unpacking. Although the closet is large, we did bring a lot of stuff!!! Spent until  around 4.30 unpacking when it was time for the safety boat drill on deck. We are station # 6. Did not have to wear those awful lifejackets this time- yay!

Went back to the room and more luggage had been delivered, so spent until supper unpacking and putting things away - those packing cubes are great- we left most of the stuff right in them and just put them in the cubbies  and drawers just like that. Keeps them clean & organized, as long as they don't need ironing. Explored around a bit more- went to a short talk about the spa and had a free neck/shoulder massage. Actually felt better afterwards. As we unpacked we came to the radio we had packed, but we could only find one plug in the room, right near the desk- and yes, there is only one plug !!! The extension cord we brought is too short to reach across the cabin to the bedside table, so put the clock on the desk. It will be interesting to see how we fit all our chargers etc into one plug!!!!

Have just turned on the iPod- am listening to Chris de Burg as I write. Gee- it is almost time for supper!!! Where has the time gone?

Supper was very good. Our table mates are 2 couples from Holland - they spoke Danish to each other the whole time - how rude! We spent most of the time talking to the other couple. After supper we went back to the room and did more unpacking! Then we went to bed. It was already midnight.

Will send update for Jan 4th later on.

Hope all is well at home.

Tomorrow we should be in Grand Cayman. It should be warmer there!

BTW: If you go to the Holland America website, you can go to the Prinsendam and find the boat webcam and see where we are going and what it looks like.

PS-Alex, would you please keep the postcards we are sending ? We want to ' borrow' them afterwards to include them in the digital scrapbook we plan to make.

Thanks.

Rosie & Phil