Day one--we step onboard
We're smoothly transported up the ramp and onto our floating palace, where we roam over soft carpets, gaze at crystal chandeliers and a multi-million-dollar-plus art collection along the walls. We are awed by two luxurious outdoor swimming pools, the Greenhouse Spa & Salon and Exercise room (where Beth and I will work out on the treadmill each morning). We peer into the two-tiered show lounge with its velvet seats and a cheery casino filled with music, and bright lights.
We have a few hours before our rooms will be ready with our luggage, so we check out the elegant main dining room, the intimate Pinnacle Grill and The Lido Restaurant, a casual dining buffet that seems to serve something all day and evening. In addition, we look over the room service menu--open 24-hours a day. Of course there's too much food on board, but part of the fun is not having to prepare it--and that's also why we schedule treadmill time.
At last our (upgraded) eighth-floor stateroom with a veranda is ready --and champagne sent by a friend is waiting on ice. We uncork it and unpack. As we slip into summer clothes, we remind ourselves that it's 13 degrees at home.
This is our first full day at sea. We sit in lounge chairs on our private balcony,sipping the bubbly and watching tiny foam-tipped waves ripple by as sea gulls hover overhead.
Dinner features every delicacy imaginable, and continues to do that in each dining spot throughout the journey. The service people, from top to bottom levels, strive for "excellence" on the final-day passenger survey. In our opinion, they achieve it.
Our first evening includes a swing through the Casino where we don't spend much time or money, and to the on board shops sparking with jewelry and perfume bottles, then on to the piano bar. We stop to see our first show in the Show Lounge introducing the Eurodam dancers and singers.. (We saw several shows during the cruise, including and a heart-stopping magician who performed with his aerial ballerina wife.) Late that first evening we stop at the Internet Cafe, where we buy one hour of on-line use for $50. It seems expensive, but that gave us almost 10 minutes a day to check emails. Other choices included 75 cents a minute
Stay tuned, more coming....
See The Widows List: Travel
and The Widows List: Great Advice
We have a few hours before our rooms will be ready with our luggage, so we check out the elegant main dining room, the intimate Pinnacle Grill and The Lido Restaurant, a casual dining buffet that seems to serve something all day and evening. In addition, we look over the room service menu--open 24-hours a day. Of course there's too much food on board, but part of the fun is not having to prepare it--and that's also why we schedule treadmill time.
At last our (upgraded) eighth-floor stateroom with a veranda is ready --and champagne sent by a friend is waiting on ice. We uncork it and unpack. As we slip into summer clothes, we remind ourselves that it's 13 degrees at home.
This is our first full day at sea. We sit in lounge chairs on our private balcony,sipping the bubbly and watching tiny foam-tipped waves ripple by as sea gulls hover overhead.
Dinner features every delicacy imaginable, and continues to do that in each dining spot throughout the journey. The service people, from top to bottom levels, strive for "excellence" on the final-day passenger survey. In our opinion, they achieve it.
Our first evening includes a swing through the Casino where we don't spend much time or money, and to the on board shops sparking with jewelry and perfume bottles, then on to the piano bar. We stop to see our first show in the Show Lounge introducing the Eurodam dancers and singers.. (We saw several shows during the cruise, including and a heart-stopping magician who performed with his aerial ballerina wife.) Late that first evening we stop at the Internet Cafe, where we buy one hour of on-line use for $50. It seems expensive, but that gave us almost 10 minutes a day to check emails. Other choices included 75 cents a minute
Stay tuned, more coming....
See The Widows List: Travel
and The Widows List: Great Advice
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