Tammy Trip Reports | Day 1 – Boarding Like Rock Stars

19 Jan

Posted at 08:02h in Uncategorized by Tammy 0 Comments

0 Likes

Day 1 – Boarding Like Rock Stars

Boarding Day!

I had just finished up a great trip to Orlando for Disney World’s 50^th, so Stephen flew there and met me the day before. We found a super cheap flight to Miami, and while I don’t like to fly in the day of the cruise, we knew we could hop in the car and go if something went wrong.

We were up at 6, and on the road soon after. There was an accident on the way to the airport, but we still made it in plenty of time!

After a rigorous 40 minute flight (ha!), we ended up with three hours to kill in the airport before we were supposed to arrive at the port.

We got a table at Margaritaville and ate an early lunch. It was soooooo cold in that airport. Like I would have put on a parka if I had one. We hopped outside a couple of times to warm up!

After lunch, we went and hung out in the military lounge for a little while. Then it was finally time to go!

We caught an Uber, and he dropped us off out front where there was a huge line! We got in the back, and someone came by asking if anyone was staying in a Rock Star suite. I said no, and she kept going.

Then she asked the people behind us and she encouraged them to say yes. So they did. Then she looked at us and asked again. I said, “Should we say yes?”

She just smiled, grabbed Stephen’s arm, and pulled us along.

Okay!!

Front of the line! Woot!

Picture op!

The first stop was a Covid test. This one was a nasal swab. I’ve had LOTS of Covid tests, all different kinds. The nasal swab is a nightmare for me. I cry just thinking about it. And this person went deep. I was so sad.

Stephen’s person didn’t! He was done quick and saw me being done. He knew I was unlucky and sad, and he was like – yikes! Yikes indeed.

They led us into the waiting area, and before long – we were cleared! Woohoo!

We moved into the check-in area, and declined the champagne, due to our lifelong teetotaler status. Ha!

We checked in, and made our way to the ship!

Here we go!

There she is! She is not your average looking ship! And that spot on the back with the tree ended up being where we spent a lot of time!

We had to stop for a quick mermaid photo!

Our room was very close to Levi and Missy’s, and we started walking down the hall to drop our stuff off.

We passed a friend of mine, Chuck, who insisted we turn around and follow him to go see a suite. So we did! Here’s the suite!

One interesting thing about this suite, the window to the bathroom from the bedroom. Okay? You have to be careful who you are traveling with!

Then we went back to our room. Very modern! I liked it!

We had some MerMaiden Voyage gifts!

The beds in the standard rooms turn into couches during the day if you want them to. That’s a cool idea, but unfortunately that made them pretty hard. No comfortable bed can be made into a couch! I stand by that.

I did hear the Rock Star suite beds are much more comfortable, which is good information.

The bathroom was tiny, but that’s normal for cruises.

No tub though, so sad. I should have been a Rock Star!

There was cold water:

I loved the hammock. I thought it was a fun choice.

Also, there was mood lighting and music in the room! That was new for a cruise ship!

I took a video later in the week of all the things the controls did –

And here’s a room video for you:

After a few pictures, we went up to The Galley for a second lunch. We passed the two pool areas.

Virgin makes a pretty big deal of it not being a typical cruise line, and how it doesn’t have typical cruise things. One of the first things people associate with cruises is buffets! So Virgin does not have a buffet. What they have is – The Galley.

The Galley is full of food stations. Some you could walk up to and order yourself, others you needed to order from your table. It was a little confusing figuring out which was which, but it was their first sailing, I’m sure that’s gotten easier!

We found Missy and Levi easily, and sat down and ordered. Lunch was great!

Here’s the menu:

I had pho? Mainly for the noodles.

I had to get a mermaid cupcake. Had to!

There were also several of these grab and go food stands on the ship. I thought that was kind of brilliant.

After lunch, we left to explore. We walked out the back of The Galley.

Clever!

When we were out on the back of the ship, there was someone on the net above us. I realized it was Len Testa’s daughter, so I yelled up hi to him!

Here’s Len on the net:

Then he came down to say hi and we caught up for a few minutes before we continued exploring.

The top deck was great! Lots of fun places to sit.

Here’s the net:

Hot tub!

This foosball table was crazy long!

Basketball court!

Built in Twister!

You could rent these little cabana areas –

One of the pools –

Lots of varieties in seats!

Levi trying to decipher art.

Second pool!

More seating!

Here’s the Pizza Place!

It’s very cute inside! I see us back there in the mirror!!

At some point we also checked in for our muster. Then we went down to the Dock! The Dock was that area on the back of the ship, and we lvoed it.

Here’s a little seating area inside.

This is The Wake, where we were eating tonight!

This is fun!

Free arcade!

This diner looked promising!

This space was made for Instagram. Nothing else. Oh! Maybe the cover of a trip report day.

Here’s a music area. Seems fitting!

This is Extra Virgin, the Italian restaurant!

Then we went to unpack.

We had plenty of space for our stuff in our room, which was a good thing.

Then it was time for dinner! Tonight we were eating at The Wake, which is so named, because the windows overlook the wake of the ship. And I forgot my camera! Dang it, Joan!

I did have my phone for pictures, of course.

Menu!