Setting Sail - April 25, 2016

Boarding the cruise was supposed to begin at 1 pm.  Being nervous nellies, we got to the port about 9:45...way ahead of schedule, but found that we could drop off our luggage.  We then went to the long term parking lot across the street, and by 11 we were able to board the ship.  Check in went smoothly, except for Bob being frisked when he set off the metal detector due to wearing his knee brace.  I couldn't get to my camera fast enough to capture that moment.  We were due to set sail at 4.

 



Enjoying a cold one on the Lido deck while waiting for our room to be ready.

 

 

Bob checking out a map of the ship's decks while waiting in port.

 

 

                                                       The mandatory life boat drill before casting off.  The guy

 with the red hat pretty much summed up how we felt.

Bob wanted to "wow" me by booking a stateroom with a private balcony, and that he did.

The room and balcony were our oasis for the entire trip.

The in-room tv had a few channels dedicated to information about the cruise, one of which was a live cam from the uppermost deck.  Data included ship speed, water depth, and distance travelled.

Relaxing with a pre-dinner cocktail

Each evening when we returned to our cabin after dinner, we were greeted by a towel animal created by our delightful room steward.

Sunset in the Gulf  four hours from port