Day 1 started as all our vacations do, a very early morning drive to Pearson. Mom had come down on Friday afternoon to help me get organized and packed. Not only did we do vacation prep, but we also cleaned out the kitchen cupboards, more stuff off to Green Again.
We went to bed shortly after midnight as I had a lot of work to do on my farm, since I hadn’t had a chance all day to work on it. I am fortunate that my sister Tiffany has taken responsibility for mine and Matt’s farms (among other games) while we are away ... thanks Tiff!
We arrived at YYZ shortly after 5 am, and so began the waiting. Although I had checked us in by internet again, Westjet was not as efficient at baggage collection as Air Canada. After this we proceeded to Customs and Immigration and then to security screening. It was at this point that I turned to my husband, only to find out he was gone! It turned out, I had been chosen for the more thorough screening and he had been sent another direction. Fortunatly we were reunited after I had a full body pat down, “massage” as the nice agent called it. She was very pleasant, and was just doing her job.
After grabbing a bite to eat we proceeded to our gate, well, sort of. We walked to where we could see the gate through a glass partician, but couldn’t access it. We were instructed that the area would open 45 mins before departure. About an hour before departure the Pilot, co-pilot and cabin crew arrived to find that they too could not access the area. They were not impressed. We later, through the cabin crew sitting next to us, learned that the area we were boarding in was actually a domestic terminal, and since we were flying to the US it had to be closed off and secured and that there was only 1 person with a key to open it again, and she was busy with a medical. Needless to say the crew was not impressed and we were almost 30mins late leaving YYZ.
Arrived in FLL a little late, but the luggage was very fast coming off, and we were off to the pier. The Crown Princess, MSC Poesia and the RCCL Oasis of the Seas were all in port today. Our check-in was smooth, and we were on the ship around noon.
Since we have been on this ship before and in the same cabin, there weren’t too many issues finding our way around the ship. We dropped our stuff in the cabin and ran to the Passenger Services desk to sign up for the Ultimate Ship Tour, which we are worried may be in high demand.
Returned to the cabin for a rest and to await the arrival of the luggage. Met our room steward, Elmer, who seems very helpful and efficient.
Had a tour through the buffet and settled on an ice cream for a quick snack to be later followed by the pizza matt has been waiting 18 months for. We did however get a laugh out of the “Meat Salad” on the buffet and knew we had to have a picture for matt’s friends who will appreciate the humour in it.
Luggage arrived by 2pm and I unpacked and organized everything. Matt’s formal stuff didn’t travel too well, so it has been sent out for pressing.
Spent sailaway on deck. I think the ships leaving is the local entertainment as we had several small pleasure crafts honking and waving as well as many people lining the canal and even standing on building balconies waving, ringing cow bells and blowing air horns as we floated by.
Had dinner in the buffet and then attended the welcome aboard show. The cruise director seems fabulous and the magician/comedian is awesome! Can’t wait to see his full show.
Plan to retire early as we are both exhausted.
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