First Day at Sea

First of all a quick explanation, I could not get connected last night on the internet.  The signal is not very good from our room, so I have to go down to the lounge and it was too late after we got settled.

Our first day on board was a busy one!   We woke up to find the Rotterdam already in port waiting on us!   We went to breakfast up the street first, then came back to the hotel room and started getting the luggage all ready, located a cart and got it filled....down to the street where we met the shuttle.......We were dropped off from the shuttle right across from the entry door and a porter was right there to help us unload and take all of our luggage.....  we turned it over to him with great trepidation just praying it would show up in our cabin later......  We entered the terminal and were directed to “stand in line” with the 2,000 other folks trying to get on board.....  we did as told and stood there for about 10 minutes when I noticed there was a special line for “suite guests”....  not realizing that we had entered the wrong line, we decided to duck under the yellow tape and ask some questions.....  indeed the lady directed us to the right line.

They checked us in, took our picture, looked at our boarding documents & scanned our passports and we were told to head up the gang plank.....  Away we went and were guided to our room.....  Soon our room stewards brought the first piece of luggage and introduced themselves....  Dewa & Budo, (pronounced woody).....Both young Indonesian men and eager to please....   One by one every piece of luggage arrived.  Jim started putting his away while I went to check out the internet....  Turns out that they would not be connected while in port but would be able to connect later at sea......

I let that go and proceeded to start putting away my clothing......  We worked hard for an good hour or more getting everything we had brought hung up or put in drawers.....

About 4:15 they announced that we were to go on deck 3 for our emergency drill....  We stood in line as directed and watched at the staff showed everyone how to put on life vests and where to go and what to do in case of an emergency......  

Back to the room, we took a break, then it was time to join the rest of the group at the lido deck for the “sail away”.......  We met several of the bunch and enjoyed visiting with them..... but it was sooooo cold!  We soon all decided we could visit more and better at the meet & greet in the crows nest on Saturday........   Back to the room, we changed clothes for dinner.

Since we signed up for open seating, we can go at any time so got ready and located the dining room with only a slight amount of trouble.....   up and down a short flight of stairs a couple of times and finally we found the front door to the dining room....  We requested and were seated at a table for two......   One of the appetizer choices was a pear & cucumber gazpacho which I ordered and it was delicious.....   Jim had mussels and said they were really good.....  (I’m just not a fan of mussels no matter how good)   Prime rib, baked potato and vegetables of green beans and carrots were the special which we both ordered and it was great!   

Following dinner we were both so tired after the big day we came back to the room and here we are........  ready to call it a night.  We stood on the patio for short time but it was too cold to be out very long.  The Captain announced earlier that we would be hitting some unsettling weather causing “moderate seas” and to expect some rocking.....  Yes, we felt the swaying........   Got our I-pod working with some of our favorite music and it was hit the sack ............. 


March 5th - I still have some things to learn about adding pictures so will just post this for now and try again this evening......

This morning we went for breakfast in the King’s lounge and it was great....  We are going to our first “meet ‘n greet” of all the couples who are in our group for the donations.   More later........