I meant to write about first impressions yesterday but fell asleep before I could do so. A sure indication of the relaxing effect of ocean swells on me.
This ship is clean and well-cared for but lacks the amenities I have become spoiled by on a Cunard vessel. No surprise. Nonetheless I am bereft by no bathroom extras, like cotton balls and q-tips. Fortunately, was prepared, though I have idea what inner prompting made me pack those items.
My balcony is nice, but I miss a chair that tilts into a semi-recliner. Yep, I’m definitely spoiled.
I am typing this morning where I ate breakfast on the upper deck of the Garden Café. Outdoors under a Carolina Blue sky above a Florida Blue sea. The dining area is protected by a circus canopy of stretched canvas that shelters it form the direct sun but provides an airy, inviting place to dine and to people watch. An initial observation: I am far from the only overweight traveler!
One thing I’m noticing is the ship traffic. I am so accustomed to the North Atlantic that it is a bit unsettling to see a plethora of other ships in all directions.
After perusing the activities offered today, I’ll be spending my time reading and talking with Dianne, if she is having a good day. She shared yesterday that she can’t sleep and has no physical reason why, she just gets raging almost panic attacks late at night. She still looks great and possesses one of the best outlooks on life I have ever encountered.
I just realized I have yet to meet my cabin steward. I guess I should go remedy that error. Juevan is charming and, based on my cabin, efficient.
This ship does have a marvelous answer to those horrible nasty knobs that QM2 now has – all the stateroom doors and drawers have these cutouts that are sooo easy to use, I wish I could redesign my cabinets at home!!
On the flip side, room service is not free – anything except continental breakfast is a $9.95 delivery fee plus a 20% gratuity and taxes. It is becoming clearer why this was so much less expensive than previous cruise lines. I definitely plan to use my two free high-end dinner passes and max out my Adult Beverage Package (perks Audrey got me when she booked this passage).
Back to the ship – I know why it seems so much smaller than QM2 – no dance floor, no movie theater, no planetarium. It is a space designed to have people spend time in bars or restaurants, I guess spending money. Even the rear pool area is smallish. This is not one of the large hulking vessels that has climbing walls and hang gliding; it caters to families (I am getting used to small ones running around while I am walking the deck. Speaking of the walking deck, I like the painted-on-the-deck instructions stating “Walking - this side of the line, Jogging - this side of the line.” By my observations today, folks seem to follow those directions clearly.
Scott just stopped by where I am typing and said his birthday cake was delivered to their room last night, after we left the dining room, with apologies for it not being presented during dinner. Makes me feel better. I was a tad perturbed when I thought he had been overlooked.
Regardless, I’m meeting them for dinner at Seven Seas at 5:45 tonight. Hopefully we can beat the crowds again.
I am so relaxed. I’m thinking a nap is in order. I'm having a good time, no worries!
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