001 - At Sea

DAY AT SEA

DATE:  January 7, 2012                                                              

DAY #: 001

I.                   LOCATION:  CRUISING WHERE?

“Our first day at sea begins with a gorgeous sunrise on the turquoise Caribbean waters” – I wrote that sentence when I was preparing the format for the blog.  I really can’t remember what the weather was now that I’m ready to actually publish the daily blog since I didn’t keep any notes those first few days.  But, here goes:

II.               ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE

A.                 MORNING

We were both up early (6:00 am), and had breakfast in the Lido by 6:30 am – the starboard (right) side opens for continental breakfast at 6:00 am and both sides open for full breakfast at 6:30 am.  We seem to prefer the starboard side for some reason.

The day will be spent unpacking the luggage I brought.  There is something to be said for simplicity (and nudity!).  There is not enough closet space (or is it that I have brought too many clothes, haha).  I have rearranged everything twice.  We had seen, first-hand, the mishandling of baggage by the workers, but I had no idea the damage that could be done until I opened the “toiletries” duffle and found a plastic tote smashed and one bottle of mouthwash empty, the duffle smelling ever so minty.

The velvety Slimline coat hangers I bought from Bed, Bath & Beyond did not survive shipping or baggage handling.  Several were broken when I opened the duffle, even though the duffle was packed very carefully.   And, once I put clothes on the hangers and moved them around the closet rod, the hooks broke right off.  The slightest pressure, the slightest twisting – arrggghhh – I think more ended up in the trash than on the closet rod.  The whole idea was to pack the hangers/clothes in tightly and to “cascade” the hangers, which, according to the advertising and pictures on the box was the whole purpose of these hangers.  Well, the Slimline hangers couldn’t take the weight either and broke.  So frustrating!!!  The wooden hangers provided by the cruise line take up so much room in the closet, which is why I tried the “space saving” hangers – what a waste of money!!

B.                 AFTERNOON

I folded up the duffles as I emptied them.  No matter what I do, it does seem as though I will take 2/3 and Anita will have 1/3 of the closet space.  There is stuff everywhere!!  And, I hate chaos and the mess.

C.                 EVENING

Early dinner, good food, and good conversation.  The show this evening was a fellow who played the violin, piano, and guitar, mostly instrumentals, some singing.  Being English/Irish, his rendition of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” didn’t quite cut it for me.  Hard to sing country songs with an Irish accent.

Off to bed early!  Still trying to catch up on some sleep.