Tammy Trip Reports | Day 2

22 Dec

Posted at 09:42h in Uncategorized by Tammy 0 Comments

0 Likes

Day 2 – The Suspense

So, there was some suspense today. We all had to take a Covid test to board. I totally understand the cruise lines need to do that, but it still adds a layer of apprehension.

Because of that rule, the Ladies of Leisure didn’t do their normal pre-cruise get togethers. We didn’t want anyone to denied boarding because someone they had seen tested positive. So we stuck with our roommates, and that was it!

The night before I found out that my roommates had tested multiple times, or had stayed home for two weeks. Wuh oh. I had not done any of those things! What if I was the reason they couldn’t board? My word, I was not prepared for that!

I woke up at 7:30, which was like 5:30 my time! Couldn’t sleep.

I had a zoom meeting at 9, so Kris and Sherry were very kind and waited for me to finish. After I finished we went to downtown Celebration for beignets!

Let me say, that’s an excellent way to start a cruise!

After that, we hopped in the car and took off to the terminal!

When we arrived, we dropped off our luggage at the curb and made our way to the garage. As we entered, we were given our Covid tests, and instructions on how to administer them. We did them without ever leaving the car, turned them in, and then drove around to our parking place.

They told us it would take 30-45 minutes. 30-45 minutes of torture. Ha!

Here we are! Waiting to hear our fates!

We were keeping track of the ladies via text, and two more carloads of ladies pulled in. We told them where we were, and they came and parked next to us. We all sat in our cars and waved at each other. We weren’t taking any chances!

Every time one of our phones vibrated, we were sure it was our results! And seeing as how I get about 75 emails a day, mine vibrated a lot! That was cruel.

Finally, the big ones came! Right in a row!! COVID NEGATIVE!!! Woohoo!!!

Which, as Michael Scott would say, negative in the medical community is a good thing.

I honked my horn several times, and we all cheered!

We could hear other honks around the garage, they seemed to be doing them in batches. We waved goodbye to the other ladies and crossed our fingers for them!

Then we walked across the bridge!

Look at that beautiful ship!

Check-in was quick, and the terminal was empty!

Kris speaks for all of us here.

We took a few pictures before boarding.

After our glorious welcome onboard, we got in our spots for the show. And we saw some more of our shirts!!

Beth’s mom and aunts were onboard with us, but Beth had to back out at the last minute. So we had never met them! But we were excited to see them!

Show time!

After the show, we popped up to our beautiful room. Man I had missed this room.

And this verandah.

But this bathtub. I mostly missed this bathtub.

We stopped in the concierge lounge just for a minute!

Then we were off to Cabanas for lunch with the ladies!

By this point, almost everyone had their results and were making their way onboard. We were so excited! Every time another one of us walked up, there was a big cheer and lots of hugs!

I’m sure we didn’t annoy the people around us at all.

Lunch!

With ice cream!

Beth’s mom made her a primer book for the cruise, and she showed it to us.

I mean…this is amazing.

We sat there for a very, very long time. And loved every second of it!

After we left, I ran down to Sherry’s room. She was in an 8A, and I wanted to take some pictures because they are so unique!

No split bath in this one, but it did have a tub!

I took a quick video too:

We had agreed to meet the ladies at 4:00 for a group picture in our shirts! When we got out there, the sky was ominous.

Toe picture!

Look at that cute little entrance to the AquaDuck!

When everyone got there, the crew was trying to encourage everyone to go inside. I asked if someone could take our picture and they said they weren’t supposed to. I understood and started looking for someone else to do it. When he realized if he didn’t take it, we would be out there even longer, he very kindly took it for us.

Ladies of Leisure!

We all went back in afterwards and said goodbye until dinner.

We stopped by the lounge and saw Danny!! Danny!! My favorite concierge host!! I love him! And he was so happy to see us, he got a little teary! Man I missed the crew. I didn’t know who would come back! That 18 months must have been so so hard on them.

Alina was here too! I took her picture to send Courtney and Justin.

We listened to our safety briefing and checked in! Then we unpacked. We were going to watch the sailaway, but the skies had opened. It was a torrential downpour.

We looked outside and found a little pigeon taking shelter on our verandah. We named him Pete!

We did hear lots of cheering outside as we sailed away!

Tonight we were eating in Palo, so we changed and met the ladies in Meridian.

We were eating in the private room. Our dinner was very long, and very fun. I enjoyed it so much! I think everyone did.

I love these little amuse-bouches they have now!

I also love arancini!

And filet mignon.

And the souffle! I love it all!

Look how sweet they are here!

We popped back by the room after dinner to change. We had told our stateroom host that we didn’t need a bed made out, but he made one! So I decided to sleep on the couch and try it.