We started early…..5:30am. For a change, we thought ahead yesterday, and re-packed our luggage, not leaving the task for the morning. We could have stayed in the hotel, and had breakfast there, but we really prefer the café, a 10 minute walk away. And besides, there were a few items we still needed to buy at the grocery store. So we were the first ones to enter the café when they opened at 8am. Service with a smile was quick, and the food very good. We were done before 9am.
The skies were stormy, and rain threatened any minute. We had purchased a couple of umbrellas just in case, but never really needed them. Fog had settled over the entire area last night, making it muggy. Once again , we never had a chance to use the pool at the hotel. We'll have plenty of chances when we board the ship and head south.
The lobby of the hotel was bustling. The first bus was scheduled to begin the transfer to the pier at 9:45am. Our group had been divided into three groups…..actually four. A special limo had been provided to transport the PC group around 9:30am. Our luggage was due to be picked up at 8:30am. That did not happen for all of us. Not to worry, they guaranteed it would be picked up even after we left the hotel. This is where trust comes into play. At least we were not leaving the luggage outside the door, as we had done in the past. We'll never forget the time, ten years ago, when our dear friend Millie lost her one piece of luggage to a "hallway" thief. Yep, someone had simply walked away with her bag. Luckily, it was only a seven day trip, and everything she would need could be provided on the ship. Good thing she kept her meds in her purse.
The ride was short, getting us to Port Everglades in 20 minutes. Passing through security, a guard requested for all to hold up ID for him to see. Most everywhere else, this guard boards the coach, and looks at every single passport. Not so thorough here. The driver brought us straight to Pier 26, where the Amsterdam was docked. Even though it was around 10:30am, most all of the previous passengers had left, with the exception of some that were sailing onward.
The best thing about arriving this early, is that very few people were checking in yet. Gerald B was there to direct our group through the check-in counter, after we filled out the health form. We are happy to report that we were cleared within minutes. A small group of us were led up to level two, and the entrance to the gangway. That's where we began to recognize many folks we knew…..almost all PC members. It was like summer camp once again.
Captain Mercer, Henk Mensink, Gene Young, and Gerald B finally all arrived to pose for photos with every couple or single passenger in our limited group. If memory serves us right, we should be gifted with a copy of this photo. Captain Mercer was sporting a newly-grown beard, very distinguished-looking, although he admitted that when we hit the hotter weather, he may change his mind. Unless his wife, Karen, likes it more, then, she wins.
Shortly after 11am, we boarded the ship. The good news is that our room keys worked right away. On our last cruise, our photos were mixed up, and we had to go to the front desk to get them fixed. The room cards have a different format, which began on the Tales of the South Pacific last fall. We believe that the suites on deck seven have an orange stripe on them, while the rest of the population have a blue stripe. Your current Mariner Society status is also printed on the card, from one to five star members to President's Club members.
Our room was ready, so we could drop off our hand carrys. Lucky for us, our head room steward was the same nice fellow we had on our last trip……..Ratno. The good thing is he remembered every request we had, and he made sure all was as we expected it to be. His assistant was different, but he was not available yet. This is a massive day for these guys and gals, especially on a Grand Voyage. So much more luggage has to be delivered, added staff is needed to do the job. Secretly, one of us was glad that nothing had arrived yet, because it's a major task to stash it all. No rush…..as long as it all shows up undamaged, we'll be happy campers.
We went in search of something cold or hot to drink, as well as make the first pizza check. The Lido was just opening with lunch, so we had to try a slice of Margherita pizza. Every time we come here, the pizza seems to get better. Unfortunately, the custom-made sandwich bar is gone forever, we think. Now you have the choice of pre-made deli rolls (with printed descriptions), or put a sandwich together with limited bread and lunchmeats and cheese. No chance for toasted cheese sandwiches or paninis here. However, we spotted a few paninis on the new room service menu, which we'll address tomorrow.
You can be guaranteed that if you stand near the Lido restaurant area, you will run into everyone you know eventually. Our first and most important find was Barbie, our BBF, and tablemate of almost 10 years now. She was followed by Ellen and Martha, more good friends and tablemates. More folks stopped for hellos, as we ended up blocking the aisle. Time to move into the Lido pool area for the Mariners Society welcome reception from 1:30 to 2:30pm. Complimentary champagne and wine would fill that area with guests and staff for well over an hour.
Can't tell you how many folks we recognized……hundreds. The afternoon evaporated as we chatted until 4pm or so. Guess it was time to go back to the room and check for luggage. Our three suitcases had arrived, and one of our duffel bags was also waiting there. Before more came, we stashed what we could from the three bags. Right before dinner, all of the duffels were delivered. We could hear them crash outside our door, dropped off of dollies. We heard a "kaboomb", and we knew the heavy duffels had arrived. The best we could do was help our room steward drag them inside. Each one probably weighed more than Ratno.
Muster drill was held at 4:15pm. Necessary, of course, but it is not one of our most favorite of activities. No matter where we dock, it seems that we're always on the hot and sunny side. Now a good thing is that the boat commanders have a new hand-held device for scanning our room cards. This is really convenient, avoiding the yelling out of cabin numbers and names. They only had to do that with the late-comers.
Captain Jonathon did his normal announcement for the drill, with adding the funny about "captain turns page over" joke to make the folks laugh. Good way to tell if everyone is really listening. Today, they were. We always stay and watch the dockside activity before going back down the stairs, since the majority of folks were already gone in ten minutes. Maybe we could continue to unpack…..or not.
By now, all of our stuff was delivered. No way were we going to tackle that job, so we stacked them, and headed off for dinner. Too tired, we did not even change our clothes. Since jeans (without the silly holes) are allowed now, we did not feel out of place. Our usual group showed up which included Barb, Bob, Martha, Ruud, and us. New-comers were Scoop from Florida, Maureen and Jim from Canada, and Martin from Holland. We are not sure they were assigned to this table, since technically, we are sitting in the open-seating venue. Our group of six is pretty vocal, so we do hope we did not scare the newbies away.
Our first dinner included tomato soup, Caesar salad, and prime rib with mashed potatoes. Martha ordered a plate of assorted vegetables, but for tomorrow evening. Oscar, one of our favorite head waiters, came with a heaping platter of beans, asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower. Think all of us had some. The only thing we noticed was that the soups were on the cold side. The broth is served separately from a gravy boat, but by the time it is added to the bowl, the heat is gone out of it in one minute. Eventually, they will get it right.
Desserts looked tempting…don't they always? One of us had raspberry-swirl cheesecake ice cream, and one of us had jello. Martha and I both ordered it, and got mercilessly teased. Figuring if we can keep the bread at a minimum, and have a light dessert, perhaps we will survive the cruise without gaining a ton of weight.
At 9:30pm, the Bon Voyage Sailaway took place at the Lido Poolside. We understand that the Amsterdam orchestra played, and drinks of your choice were offered for one hour. Too bad our dinner ended after 10pm, as we missed the party. We did go out on deck three to watch the ship sail out into the Atlantic Ocean as we head south towards San Marta, Colombia, the first stop of this grand voyage.
Looking forward to a very restful sleep tonight.
Bill & Mary Ann
Yep, it is going to rain for sure
A duck with her many ducklings
All the ducks in a row
Local squirrel
Luggage from the hotel being loaded
The buses for the transfer to the pier
Hope the rain holds off
Port Everglades and the security check point
No lines at the check-in desk yet
Waiting for our group to gather
Cookies and juice offered
The Amsterdam docked at pier 26
The room stayed neat for awhile
Reading the gift cards
We don't have to bring the life vest to muster anymore
Gift box of Molton Brown goodies
Room spray, pumice wash, bath salts, bar of soap, and lipgloss
Fresh fruit plate
Gifts, however not the type we drink
Pizza….do we need to say more?
Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale
Aft pool
Busy dock area
The rain stopped for the afternoon
The Zuiderdam was also here
Many flights to here
Barb choosing her favorite beverage….red wine
Orlando socializing
Some of the luggage
The other HAL ship
Zuiderdam
The sun was going down
Waterways in Ft. Lauderdale
Patrol boat
Good security
Passenger boat
We will sail past these condos when we leave
Clouds and birds
A fairly good sunset
The ship was in port later than usual
The city lighting up
The work on the dock was done
Last of the rays
