Emerald Princess Cruise – Day 2

Another beautiful day at sea. The weather was perfect clear skies with a temperature around 80 degrees. Spent the morning getting some sun and reading. Then napped after lunch and played trivia before getting ready for dinner, It was a formal night, so I needed a Jacket and tie. Had a very nice dinner and then played Beatles Trivia – did well but lost, saw a production show – corny but fun, played a game show, and then sang and here I am . Every Monday should be like this. Have to get up early tomorrow as we get to Antigua and I have a morning excursion – so it's off to bed for me.

Emerald Princess Cruise Day 1

A perfect day at sea. I felt much better this morning after a good night sleep. Considering the bed hereis two twin beds pushed together it's really comfortable and there's no gap at all. I got up at about 8:30 had breakfast and then sat in the sun for an hour. Then to the first of 4 trivias of the day.
WE won two of the trivias and did ok on the other two. The only priozes they have this year are Princess passport wallets. I now have three of them. I dont think I need anymopre. For those of you who have never heard of a passport wallet its basically a wallet on a cord that you wear around your neck. I like using it for carrying my cruise card around the ship and also for holding my cash/credit card in port but I don't need multiples. Sorry I spoiled your Christmas gifts.

Tonight we had very slow service in the dining room and had to skip dessert to get to evening trivia which was an all ABBA quiz. Right in my wheel house but alas that's one of the ones we lost. Then on to Pub Night where there were singalongs and games. Then to the hypnosis show. I got hypnotized. I always enjoy participating in hypnosis shows they are fun. Most people reading this diary will know that I will do some embarrassing things without the aid of hypnosis if you put me on a stage. Just imagine what I did under hypnosis. I have just a few words to remember. Wedgie man and Who's your daddy. Lol

I'm finally getting dessert as I type this. Two delicious pavlovas with orange strawberry and kiwi fruit. I love pavlova.

By the way sorry that there are no pictures with this diary, but when I tried to load one last night it was taking forever. Satellite internet from a ship is much slower than what I have at home. Pictures will come when I get back. Now just some light reading and bed. Good night

Emerald Princess Cruise – Embark and Sail Away

I made it safely to Ft Lauderdale and to the cruise terminal. Embarking was a breeze. There was absolutely no line and I walked right onto the ship. Dropped my carry on at my stateroom and had a great lunch at the Horizon Court Buffet. Scallops, Mashed Potatoes and a Croque Monsieur. Then back down to my cabin where the smaller of my two suitcases had been delivered. I unpacked this suitcae - which pretty much consisted of socks, underwear and books. Went up to the Lido deck for sail away hoping beyond hope that my big suitcase makes to to my room.

Sail away was awesome. I found Susan and Dave, who I met on a Caribbean Cruise two years ago, and got a big hug from Susan. It was so nice to see them. As we pulled out of Ft Lauderdale it was overcast and windy but it felt great up on deck. Once we were underway come back down. Found the rest of my luggage – yipee!! unpacked and then to dinner with Susan and Dave. Great food as always Crawfish Etoufee and crème brulee for dessert. YUM!!. Ythen just sort of walked around until trivia and karaoke. I sang Desperado. It went pretty well but my voice broke a couple times. I'm putting that down to being very tired.

Overall it's been a great day to begin a vacation. We can currently see intermittent lightning from the deck. Here's hoping that it clears up tomorrow for a great day at sea.

The picture below is from the stern of the Emerald Princess saying goodbye to the USA as we steam out into the Caribbean.

Emerald Princess Cruise Day 0. We have lift off

Greetings from Atlanta. Today started early. Left home at quarter tip six and got to the lair port by six fifteen an hour before flight time. Good thing to the airport was very busy- evidently Delta cancelled a flight out last night and everyone on it was in the tsa line this morning.  All I can say is thank goodness I fly first class. I was able to bypass the line and made it onto the flight.  The flight went well.   There was a. It of turbulence but nothing bad. Now I'm just waiting for my next flight. Next step ft lauderdale.

Emerald Princess Cruise day-1

It's the day before the cruise and I think I will make it.  Though I think next time I may take the day before a cruise off.  My intention was to leave work a little early today  - and I did! 5 whole minutes early.  And to do that I worked like crazy all afternoon.  Though the lat few days have been very productive and at least I feel like I'm not leaving any time bombs for the folks watching things in my absence.

Since I've been home I have cleaned the house have one load of laundry in the washer and another in the dryer.  All the clothes (that aren't being washed) that I'm going to pack are sitting folded on the bed and ready to be placed in the suitcase.  Now it's just a matter of waiting for the laundry to dry and I can be ready to go.  Now I just have to gather up the various electronics and their chargers.

Oh by the way, in 24 hours I will be sailing into a perfect Caribbean sunset.  mmmmmmmmm

Emerald Princess Cruise Day -2

In 48 hours I will be aboard the Emerald Princess en route tot he island of Antigua.  I am so excited.  This has been a particularly cruddy year.  So much has happened since My cruise to Hawaii last March.  Between the drama this summer, a very cold, snowy winter, and work that has been at times so frustrating that I've shed tears I an ready for 10 days of pure relaxation, sun, pools, nature on the islands and being pampered by an awesome cruise staff.  

Today I spent my lunch at Barnes and Noble and bought some reading materials for the trip.  Three Agatha Christie Mystery and a True Crime classic "Fatal Vision".   Vacation is time for trashy reading. Aside from that I have done nothing to prepare for the trip.  Tomorrow after work I will do laundry, gather my travel documents and pack.  I would also like to clean the bedroom and master bath so I come home to a clean house.  Tomorrow will be a busy day.  Then up and at 'em early Saturday to catch a 7:15 am flight.  Vacation is fun!