Following breakfast in the Hotel this morning we returned to the room to finish the last bit of packing our suitcases to get ready for the departure to the Cruise Port which was about 20 minutes away.
We sat in the lobby for about an hour and half watching the world go by waiting for our driver who was due at 13.50 but he actually turned up very early at about 13.30 and so we decided we might as well go and if we have to wait at the Port so be it. We arrived at the port an we noticed that apart from our ship there was also the Celebrity Infinite in port and so the security was a bit busy. I must remember to get a full plastic belt as they make you take your off which can cause trousers to slide down but we go thro that bit ok and so on to check in.
There was no waiting for check in and withing in 5 minutes our photos were taken and we were given our boarding cards and a swipe of my AMEX card and we were off until I heard the voice , Hi Mr Groves can you spare a minute as we cannot find your USA VISA ESTA on line. To say I was surprised would be an understatement. So I explained this is strange as I have been to the USA twice since my last ESTA was issued so not sure how this can be, anyway they said they would check again. So we boarded and dumped our hand luggage in the cabin and went to the pool deck for a light snack and beer. Then a brief walk around the ship and at 1700 Noel had a meeting with the CHEF and his side kick to discuss food , diets etc and gave them my list of do’s and don'ts and hoped would be ok.
In between all this Noel played to see what was on TV and then came across the second half of the Newcastle vs Chelsea game where it was 1-1 and then all hell let loose and suddenly it was 1-3 after two stupid defence mistakes at which point I turned it off. I later learned that the Chelsea Captain was shown a red card, so no the best days for the blues after their stunning games against The Spurs and and Man City.
At 1800 we had to attend the Muster where we were advised how to leave the ship should it be necessary due to an emergency , the usual cruise ship drill but at least now we don't need masks and also to put the life belt on and mess up your hair. We had booked prior to boarding our first night in the GRILL which is actually on an open pool deck but with roof heaters blasting away and we enjoyed the ‘Hot Rock’ experience where they provide a lump of rock heated to over 250 C and you cook your own food and in our case we had the filet mignon and noel added some Madagascar prawns to the mix and washed down with a couple of glasses of Chardonnay.
Following dinner we went to see the show in the main theatre which would have been good apart from some drunken American female behind us clapping and shouting at every opportunity , we shall watch out for her in future.
And then back to the cabin as we were both a bit tired.
