All aboard!!
(BTW, I just got my keyboard paired,so huzzah!)
When we got to the Dover cruise terminal, someone came with a cart to move all our bags to the ship while the passengers went to check in. The facial recognition stuff is pretty amazing, and fortunately, my face is apparently easily recognizable. We had to wait maybe 10 minutes before we could board, but considering some other experiences we’ve had on other ships, this was a piece of cake! And best of all, our room was ready, so we could go right up and dump our carry-ons.
And, of course, first order of business was getting our internet set up. We each get one device at a time, so I set up the tablet for internet,and my phone for the ship’s wifi. Then it was down one deck to the buffet for lunch. On the way, we talked to a bartender and learned about our drink package and how to get drinks. The diet coke is in cans rather than fountain, but it’s still caffeinated, and we just have to order a glass of iceto go with it. We can also get beer(ick), wine, and mixed drinks that sell for up to $13 - up to15 total per day. I may actually try some wine, maybe.
Holland America apparently doesn’t trust passengers to serve themselves, but that suits me fine. You tell the nice person behind the counter what you want and it’s served up with a smile. I had a small serving of lasagne and a bowl of fruit salad. FCD has salmon patties and some kind of spinach, but he had to stop the guy from giving him too much.
As we were eating, we tested the chat function - works great! After lunch, it was back to the room where I unpacked and hung up our clothes. He’d have done his own, but I was on a roll, so I did it all. Our suitcases fit nicely under the bed. Our cabin is all tidy and organized for our 4-week adventure.
FCD wanted a nap and I wanted to walk, so he got in bed and I headed out to explore. And, as usual, I kept getting bow and stern mixed up - it all looks the same when you’re inside! But I found the dining room and the theater and I walked thru the tiny art gallery. I passed a gazillion bars where half a gazillion people were drinking.
Some very thick fog rolled in this afternoon, enough that fog horns were sounding. In fact, once we got underway, the ship did its share of tooting.
Anyway, we had to watch a safety video then go to our muster stations and check in with a crew member. FCD and I moseyed about a bit more before returning to our room for some more nappage. He zonked out right away, and I eventually drifted off. We woke to hear the captain announcing that we’d be on our way shortly.
So we got up and dressed (but not “dressed”) for dinner. We both had French onion soup (it was OK but not special) and the salmon (OMG, it was amazing!!) I was disappointed in the dessert, tho. I ordered chocolate cheesecake, and it was more like a wedge of chocolate mousse - what a waste of my bonus calories! He got the baked Alaska and said it was quite good.
After, we went out to the pool deck - he got another Diet Coke and we sat there awhile till I saw what the evening’s entertainment was. Harry the Piano - apparently he’s on YouTube (I haven’t looked yet) and he was amazing! We really enjoyed the show. But when that was done, we were both ready to crash. He’s been watching some James Bond movie - the selection of movies is amazing - and I’m writing this. I decided to don one of the complimentary robes. T
he tag says “One size fits all” but they lie. I have enough to wrap around my middle, but it’s flared open from below the waist. And, frankly, there are some people who are decidedly more rotund than I - no way they can wear this robe without, well, baring their souls.
The steward said we’re losing an hour tonight, and since we have an early excursion, we need to be sure to get to the theater on time, having had breakfast. So we shall see what tomorrow brings. Tonight brings sleep, I hope…
We’ll see how it goes.
