February – I actually slept well the night before embarkation which rarely happens. The complimentary breakfast was fine. The day was overcast. We took an Uber to Port Everglades at 11:00 a.m. We arrived just as they were allowing boarding. We got in line, went quickly through security, got our faces and passports scanned and never stopped walking until we got to our room.
They hadn’t finished servicing the room so we dropped off our backpacks and got our keys. We were eating pizza from the New York Pizza on the Sea View level deck by noon. One of the easiest embarkations ever.
We checked into our muster station, watched the safety video, received all the luggage, got all our stuff stored, and met our room stewards – all before sailaway.
Our balcony room was a disappointment. Because this cruise was a casino offer, we had a guaranteed balcony room (we didn’t get to choose which one we wanted). This room was almost as far forward as you can get on the ship on Deck 5. The balcony had a metal panel instead of a plexiglass panel because of the wind force it would have to endure. Sitting, you could see in the distance but you couldn’t see what was happening close by.
I also had a notification that we had a Pinnacle Grill reservation that evening at 5:30. Nope. I didn’t make that reservation. I had to go get it cancelled.
The sailaway party was fun. We ate in the Lido for dinner. We skipped the Mariners welcome reception and the Welcome Aboard show on the Main Stage. We did attend all three sets of the Rolling Stone Band.
With such a full day, I was looking forward to a restful night. Being so far forward there was a lot of up and down motion but not enough to keep me awake. So, it was restful until about 1:00 a.m. when the balcony door blew open with a bang from the force of the wind. Sat straight up. The neighbors probably did too. Chuck got up and pushed it closed and locked it. It didn’t happen again. (The next day our room steward said “Oh, be sure to always lock your balcony door so it won’t blow open. Oh, okay. Wouldn’t want that to happen.)
April – I had a terrible night’s sleep. Kept waking up and never going right back to sleep. I was glad when it was finally morning. The breakfast was fine. The day was sunny and breezy.
We got an Uber at 11:00 and walked right into the terminal building after dropping off our luggage with the porters. We were almost to the security line when we noticed that all the people who were already past security were not moving onto the ship. Security was not allowing anyone else to go through the scanners. So we stood. And we stood. More and more people were filling in behind us. Nobody seemed to know what was happening.
I told Chuck that it was either a computer problem or a problem with Customs clearing the ship. And we continued to stand. We soon saw the police come in and tell the port authorities that people were lined up in the street outside and they needed to move more people inside. HAL personnel started coming out with cans of water to give people. Not a great sign that we were getting on the ship any time soon.
Finally, the line started slowly moving. We got through Security. The problem – computer malfunction. The facial recognition system was not working properly and there were not enough people who knew how to check-in people with a manual process.
Chuck and I both went to a scanner. It would not recognize him. I was recognized and I was told to go on and board the ship. I said I was not going to board until Chuck could also board. They told me to just go to the waiting room which I did and sat where I could see him. I could see that it was hit or miss whether the system recognized people or not. Chuck was finally recognized at a different scanner. We stepped onto the ship at 1:00 p.m. – two hours after we left the hotel.
We had also gotten the bad news that our ship was selected to have a full muster drill which meant that we would have to line up at our life rafts for the Captain announcements, life jacket demonstration, etc. I didn’t see how the ship was going to get all the people on board and lined up for muster before our time to sail at 5:00.
Our room was ready. It was another guaranteed balcony room. It was on the fourth deck and the view was partially obstructed with life boats lined up slightly below the site line. Not great but the panel was plexiglass, so our view was okay.
We ate sandwiches at the New York Pizza and Deli on the 10th deck. As we were eating, the Captain announced that the full muster drill was cancelled and that we could do the expedited drill. Hallelujah! As soon as we finished, we checked in at our station. We had already watched the safety video.
I checked our room. Only 3 of our 4 bags had arrived. My biggest piece of luggage was not there. Not great.
Instead of attending the sailaway, we went to the Casino party. Every now and then we get invited to cruises that have extra casino comps. This was one of those cruises. They served free drinks and appetizers at the party. They had some free gifts for Chuck. They would also have some drawings throughout the cruise open only to the invited guests to win some free play money.
After the party, I checked our room again and my large bag had arrived. Thank goodness.
That evening we went to see the comedian who we both thought was “meh.” Went back to the New York Deli and Pizza and ordered pizza for dinner. We then went to the Casino which, not surprisingly, was very busy.
The last event of the day was attending the final set of the BB King Band. I slept soundly throughout the night.
Next up – Sea Day activities
