OK folks, I'm not sure how much I'm going to be able to update! Thanks for all the replies, let's see if this one goes through!
I started writing this on embarkation day, so pretend that you’re reading this with me as I sit in my stateroom waiting for dinner…..
So here we are cruise day! I know that you all know we made it on the boat and we made it to lunch, but let me tell you a little bit about how we got here! We were doing fine this morning, we woke up around 7AM, started moving and I think I was even dressed before 8:30AM and messing around with the DIS before shutting down my computer. I fed the cats by 9:00AM and I thought we were about to get out the door. It took us another hour and a half, but we made it. It was 10:57AM when we were pulling out of our street.
I’m not a good relaxer, hence why I am writing this TR while Fran is in the bedroom sleeping.
I hadn’t eaten anything, nor had I had any coffee yet!
We drove through Carl’s Jr.
and I had a burger and coffee. I had read enough Wonder menus for the last year to know that there aren’t really many burgers on the ship, so I might actually enjoy having one today and next week when we get home. The trip to the port was actually incredibly fast! I was amazed at how close it was once we got over the bridge into San Pedro. Here are some shots of me getting really excited about seeing the ship, but having really lousy angles to take pictures.
Now our first mistake was to pull into the parking lot. That one cost us a dollar to get back out and go around to the drop off area. But once we pulled back around we saw
Unloading the bags was easy and a porter helped us out, and we gave him a big tip. I left Fran curbside with all the carryons and her
scooter and went to park the car. I lucked out and got the last handicapped spot, so I didn’t have to walk very far to get back to the terminal. Boarding was easy and other than a few snafus (like we hadn’t signed our new passports yet) we were good to go with our KTTWs and on our way. Security is always a thing with Fran especially when we are overpacked. I had four carryons, purse, computer bag, special pillow bag and CPAP machine. She had her two carryons so we were quite a sight with her all loaded down carrying bags on the scooter!
We got on board and almost had a meltdown or two, but avoided that and headed towards lunch. I wanted to eat at Parrot Cay (another reason for wanting to be at the ship early). When Parrot Cay (indoor buffet seating) fills up they send everyone to Beach Blanket Buffet. It serves the same menu, but you have to sit outside. As you could see from my previous pictures, it wasn’t a lovely Southern California day. Besides I didn’t relish the idea of sitting outside looking at containers waiting for transport. San Pedro is not the most picturesque of ports, not like Vancouver with a beautiful skyline, and I forget what Port Canaveral looks like Even Long Beach has a better view from the Cruise Terminal.
So we were here!
We were shown to our table
Any of you who have read my TRs know that I always survey the buffet line before jumping in. My first stop was the kids buffet.
They had Mac and Cheese and Mini Corn Dogs
There was also spaghetti with meatballs available
I checked out the breads and pastries
I took a look at the hot items available, I think you call this a side of beef.
I believe here there was some ziti and gorgonzola, pork schnitzel, something with salmon, and something with another kind of fish.
I did a fly by of the desserts. Not sure what any of these were!