Today we slept until we woke up. For the first time no alarm was needed as we
are heading to the ship and not doing that until close to noon. We did keep moving though because somehow in my
travels, time contracts. What sounds
like a long time is really just a fleeting opportunity.
Breakfast was delicious and always such a nice variety. We then set out to the Supermercato to buy
the things I for sure needed for the rest of the trip but had foolishly left in
the airport in Madrid. There was one in the next block. I bought four 16 ounce bottles of Coke
Light. Also deodorant, toothpaste, and a
hand lotion. Elva bought a wine bottle
opener. We walked back to our corner
because sun screen is sold only in Farmacias.
A very small tube cost 14.95 Euros or about $21. I will never be so thoughtless or careless
again in an airport. Lesson learned and
compared to leaving electronics behind, the lesson was cheap! However, in my defense I will say that if I
could trust that my bags would reach my destination and in good condition, I
would pack all that important stuff and not have to deal with it in security. This time my checked bag was damaged and,
although still useable, I will need to see about having the lifetime guarantee
activated!
We returned to the hotel and had another round of tea and
coffee and a roll before gathering our belongings, setting our bags in the hall
by 10:30 am and leaving for the bus.
Elva went down to the lobby first and when I got there she was upset,
not a happy camper. The handles of the
box holding her wine bottles broke! Wine
all over the floor by the check in desk.
Wasted money and no time to replace it for the trip.
We boarded the bus and because we were on the far side of
Placa Catalunya from the port, the ride took about 30 minutes or so. The
transfer was provided as part of our package so we just took our carry on, for
me my small rolly-bag and for Elva, a back pack, and began the check in
process. We were directed to a short
line because we had our signed Express Check In papers and passports in hand
and because I am Select Level on Celebrity Cruise Line.
It only took about ten minutes from the curb to
clearance. And then the strangest
thing…a Duty Free Shop! We were not
leaving the country but I guess because the final destination is outside of
Spain we were eligible for Duty Free. I convinced Elva to replace her
wine. Even with having to buy double the
amount it is cheaper than buying on the ship if you care to have a glass. I even bought a bottle of Rose!
Despite our stop to shop, we were in our cabin in less than
a half of an hour from the time we arrived at the port! Remarkable.
Elva had forgotten that we had a balcony ordered and so was
pleasantly surprised. We were both surprised
and happy with the size and configuration of the cabin. The bathroom has a nice, high-lipped and
rounded shower. A broad counter with
lots of nooks and crannies and several narrow shelves for toiletries – I won’t
need much space this trip.
The cabin itself has a couch that is long enough to be a
third bed. There is an oval coffee table
high enough to use for eating or writing.
The rounded cornered bed was separated to a two twins. The dresser has
two drawers apiece for us. A cabinet
with a safe and mini-fridge drops down to become a desk/vanity with three
electrical outlets and mirror above. The
chair is comfortable. Sliding glass
doors take up most of one wall leading to the balcony which is wide enough for
two chairs and a table that would be good for a room service lunch. We were happy to discover that over the bed
we each have an additional storage space since there are not really enough
drawers for such a long trip. The double
closet has enough wooded hangers, the kind with clips for pants, but we have
mostly casual clothes which do well folded.
Each bed also has an easy to reach reading lamp and the beds and couch
face the 32” flat screen T.V. All the
comforts of home and none of the chores!
We had lunch in the tastefully decorated (no pun intended)
Oceanview Café. . . the Lido equivalent.
I found us a table by the aft rail and the sea air and soft breeze made
the warm sun feel even better. We know
we are lucky people!
At 4:00 we joined dutifully into the lifeboat drill from our
comfortable seats in the Asian fusion restaurant where everything was
illustrated in a Power Point demonstration. We then took a few minutes to
finish unpacking so that the vacation could be officially begun and headed to
the Sky Lounge for the first party of the voyage.
The Cruise Critic Welcome Aboard Meet and Mingle. It is unusual to have it immediately but we
do not have a sea day until after four port days. On Cruise Critic so many tours are organized
that it is a good idea to give group leaders a chance to remind people of
meeting times and places or any changes.
I have a group of 89 in Lanzarote so was glad to have a chance to remind
them to find me at the gangway and that I would be wearing bright green. Cross your fingers that it works!
We have “Select Dining” so we tried to make reservations but
had no luck so just went ahead and went to dinner. We ate in the Café and I had roast leg of
lamb that was delicious. If the food
upstairs is that good the dining room should be amazing. We met a couple of ladies who were new to
cruising and were trying to pick our brains and we obliged.
Before we knew it, it was time for the opening night
show. The cruise director is Paul from
the USA. He has a calm and professional
attitude and we are definitely not on Carnival if the sample entertainment is a
true taste of what is to come. No Bubble
Girl here! Rondell, the black comedian,
just killed and we can’t wait for his performance tomorrow night. There was a young man who could balance
inside of a spinning hoop/wheel thing and we heard that there will be a Cirque
type show. The singers and dancers sound
really good and although they are easy to hear the music was not too loud.
Yes, I think this will be a good cruise!
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