Got up relatively late, got ready, and went down for breakfast. It was a rugby scrum in the breakfast area, so we went out by the pool. Got the message from the ship that the delayed boarding seemed to be off and that there were no lines outside the terminal. So back upstairs to pack and check out and went down to get a cab to the pier. First cab who showed up wouldn't take the three of us with luggage and told us we had to take two cabs, but another guy showed up and said he'd take us. Smart fellow. Knew he would get a good tip.
Got to the pier, dropped our big bags with the porters, and proceeded to checkin with our carryons. No snafus at security and we got checked in and went upstairs. Same guy who was directing boarding from last year was there. Really funny Irish guy who makes jokes and seems to like interacting with the passengers.
These people who help out at the pier are all senior citizens who get paid very little to do this but get fantastic deals on Celebrity cruises. Think that would be a good way to while away the retirement hours—think maybe I should move to Ft. Lauderdale?
Anyway, got on board to find out that the cabins weren't ready yet, so went to the lido to get some lunch. Spent some quality time out on the back deck with Beth's favorite bartender, Tiger, and other Cruise Critic friends. Andy and I were lamenting the fact that we hadn't been able to go to the Infinity reveal and still make this cruise. Celebrity had responded that for security reasons, they needed to keep all the people touring the ship in groups, as we had expected they would. Oh well.
They finally announced the cabins were ready at 2:30 so we were able to get rid of our carryons and get those unpacked and then it was time for muster drill. That's lifeboat drill for those who aren't cruisers, except we're no longer required to don our lifejackets and report to our lifeboat stations and stand in the hot sun. We just show up in a lounge where they take attendance as you enter and watch crew members demonstrate how to put on a lifejacket. They got a round of applause when they point out the whistle and the beacon designed to attract attention. I can just hear the beacon going, “Here, shark, here shark!” but I digress.
Following muster we resumed the sailaway party on the back deck until we actually sailed around 5:45. We passed the Infinity on the way out, so got a look at the changed exterior and the passengers on each ship waved madly at one another.
Then it was time for dinner. We had asked our friends who were already on board to set us up with our favorite waiter, Bonifacio. Turns out he was getting off in Ft. Lauderdale to go on vacation, so we'll miss him. The waiter we have is OK, but certainly won't turn out to be one of our all time favorites. But we have a great group at our table, all friends we met on Cruise Critic.
After dinner, back to the cabin to unpack since the rest of our luggage had arrived. Went to the computer center to get our laptops set up for the internet, but they weren't doing that, just arranging for the packages of internet time—said we'd have to come back tomorrow. Late to bed after finishing unpacking.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Up late (for Beth, anyway) at 7:00. Up to breakfast with Don & Peggie and then off to get the laptops set up.
We had our Cruise Critic party at 10:00 and the Captain, the Hotel Director, the Food & Beverage Manager, and the Cruise Director turned up. They got honorary Woo Hoo buttons and the Captain & the Cruise Director promised to say Woo Hoo in their noon announcement, which they did. We do have lots of interesting interactions with the other passengers and crew because of the buttons.
Then everybody found notices in their staterooms that the credit cards hadn't swiped properly on check in and to please bring them to Guest Relations to be swiped again. Went off to check out what might be in the stores and saw a ring that had Carolyn's name all over it. Lo and behold, I ran into her about two minutes later! Took her back and showed it to her and she agreed she should probably have it, so she bought it.
It's exceedingly windy out today, so not a good day for walking laps or sitting by the pool. I decided to try a walk on the top deck and could hardly make any forward progress at all, so gave it up and came inside and walked laps in the corridors. Just going to sit on the balcony and read—it's pretty sheltered from the wind out there.
Tonight was the first formal night. Another delightful evening with our table companions. Carolyn brought us all nutcracker Christmas ornaments to get us in the mood.
The wi-fi is not working in our cabin, so I have to go out in search of a signal to post.
Good night!
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