Sunday brought me the moment I was most looking forward to and it was even better then I anticipated!
Waking of my own accord, no scheduling, no alarm clock jangling my nerves before I even open my eyes.
At last the planning and packing and ironing was over. We had all made it aboard safely and it was time to take the deepest of deep breaths. I grabbed a beverage on nine aft and headed for the secret verandah on seven aft. I was alone and it was sweet. Nothing to see but the sea and the sky. The water was already getting more blue. The seas were calm and peaceful . So was I. I took a moment to offer a prayer of gratitude. For all the beauty around me, for the blessing of this vacation, for our safety and the love that we share. I admit to having tears in my eyes at the close of this prayer. Some called me lucky for getting to go on this won cruise. I believe that luck is just a blessing unrecognized.
After a while it was back to the room. I debated about waking the teens. i didn't want them to sleep thru thier first day at sea but I need not have worried- they awoke soon enough full of excitement.
We spent time sunning up top- how wonderful to feel the sun warm my winter weary bones. Yum.
After not too long it was time to explore the ship- didn't want sunburns on the first day after all! So much to look at- a feast for the eyes. What subtle grace this ship has, warm and relaxing at every turn. While carnival and NCL may have had a more neon, electric sort of excitement to them, this ship was calming and lovely.
And I hardly saw any kids around the inside of the ship. I mean I know there were a few hundred of them out there somewhere- but they were apparently busy else where and not at all underfoot.
A stroll around the shops and then onto lunch. One glorious meal onboard sort of blends into the next so I can't recall what we ate for lunch but I am sure it was the best of something! No meal on board disappointed me in the least- not a one. And this evening's dinner was one of my favorites. It was a veal chop that was sooo good. I could have eaten another and would have if I had not eaten three appetizers first!
Tonight was semi formal night- a chance to gussy up a bit that was great fun. It is a special treat to see any of my teens in something other then ragged jeans! They looked so wonderful! As I have heard it said "they clean up real purty!" And thier manners matched thier clothing- they surprised me with thier ability to rise to the occasion and behave like civilized humanoids! There are times at our family dinner table that they scare me!
After dinner we each parted ways for awhile- to relax in our own ways. Dearest Sis and I checked out the clubs, saw a taste of dueling pianos that had us chuckling and vowing to go again and then it was up to the top to check out the night seas.
One more of the healing deep breaths and it was off to bed. How sweet is it to rock to sleep on a silken sea? It was a most pleasant and restful night. Just what the doctor ordered!
Waking of my own accord, no scheduling, no alarm clock jangling my nerves before I even open my eyes.
At last the planning and packing and ironing was over. We had all made it aboard safely and it was time to take the deepest of deep breaths. I grabbed a beverage on nine aft and headed for the secret verandah on seven aft. I was alone and it was sweet. Nothing to see but the sea and the sky. The water was already getting more blue. The seas were calm and peaceful . So was I. I took a moment to offer a prayer of gratitude. For all the beauty around me, for the blessing of this vacation, for our safety and the love that we share. I admit to having tears in my eyes at the close of this prayer. Some called me lucky for getting to go on this won cruise. I believe that luck is just a blessing unrecognized.
After a while it was back to the room. I debated about waking the teens. i didn't want them to sleep thru thier first day at sea but I need not have worried- they awoke soon enough full of excitement.
We spent time sunning up top- how wonderful to feel the sun warm my winter weary bones. Yum.
After not too long it was time to explore the ship- didn't want sunburns on the first day after all! So much to look at- a feast for the eyes. What subtle grace this ship has, warm and relaxing at every turn. While carnival and NCL may have had a more neon, electric sort of excitement to them, this ship was calming and lovely.
And I hardly saw any kids around the inside of the ship. I mean I know there were a few hundred of them out there somewhere- but they were apparently busy else where and not at all underfoot.
A stroll around the shops and then onto lunch. One glorious meal onboard sort of blends into the next so I can't recall what we ate for lunch but I am sure it was the best of something! No meal on board disappointed me in the least- not a one. And this evening's dinner was one of my favorites. It was a veal chop that was sooo good. I could have eaten another and would have if I had not eaten three appetizers first!
Tonight was semi formal night- a chance to gussy up a bit that was great fun. It is a special treat to see any of my teens in something other then ragged jeans! They looked so wonderful! As I have heard it said "they clean up real purty!" And thier manners matched thier clothing- they surprised me with thier ability to rise to the occasion and behave like civilized humanoids! There are times at our family dinner table that they scare me!
After dinner we each parted ways for awhile- to relax in our own ways. Dearest Sis and I checked out the clubs, saw a taste of dueling pianos that had us chuckling and vowing to go again and then it was up to the top to check out the night seas.
One more of the healing deep breaths and it was off to bed. How sweet is it to rock to sleep on a silken sea? It was a most pleasant and restful night. Just what the doctor ordered!
