2024-07-13 (Saturday) To The Ship ( Daily Diary )
When the alarm went off, we were ready to get up and excited to start the adventure.
We decided to take the 102 suitcases from our room to the lobby by ourselves, a feat that should NOT be attempted by amateurs. I stacked Mary's suitcases up and tilted them over to start the rolling process and heard a gut-wrenching sound from the top of the stack.
My instincts kicked in, and I dropped the handle and ran to safety in the bathroom. The crashing sound was deafening, and then it subsided; I peeked into the room, hoping Mary had escaped the crash. She was OK and suggested we not stack the suitcases as if we were playing Tetris with our luggage!
We finally got the baggage to the front desk, and the limo came by to pick us up; the driver took one look and passed out!
Oh my, this is just Mary's makeup bags!!
Our ship was about 400 feet from the lobby, but due to the ongoing construction of a new hotel, we had to drive ten minutes to get to the ship. We got everything off the limo and into the hands of a very lovely porter, and then we got into the line.
The line moved right along, and within five minutes, we were inside, where the air conditioning kept us from melting. It was already 85 degrees outside.
Take a good look; our ship (The Enchanted Princess) was 400 feet from our room!
Princess cruise ships usually dock at Pier 2/Terminal 2 in Port Everglades, which is in the Northport section of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This facility is used for both embarkation and disembarkation, and the ground level has check-in, luggage collection, and immigration and customs inspections.
We zipped right along!
Then it happened. We passed through security without a hitch, except that Mark insisted on having the female security officers do a pat-down on him three times. They didn't find anything, but they giggled a lot.
They refused his fourth request, but Mark would NOT take no for an answer. The ladies huddled; one got her cell phone, and then a four-hundred-pound sumo wrestler in a security uniform came out and asked Mark to step forward. It was fun to watch.
The ships photographers were already busy at work!
We made it!!
Mark and Colleen met the Captain!
They had a beary good visit!
"Yes sir, what every you want!"
We did not realize Mark was a two fisted drinker!
We went onto the ship and found an alcohol dispensing room—I think they called it a bar. Mark found a table for four after he pushed two little old ladies out of the way!
We ordered our first round, and Mark decided to do a taste test! He took a vote by himself, and it was tied 3-3; he re-voted, and finally, the whiskey won!
"One for me and one for me!"
Oh my! A smile! This must get framed!!!
Love that smile!
Us being able to escape was because of Irene and Robin, mostly Irene. She stayed at the house and her and Scout had a good time. We have been friends with Irene for almost twenty years and she lights up our life.
Thanks to Scout for babysitting Irene!
Who's your daddy?
Dang girl, are you sure you are going to be 90???
Speaking of memories, I took the family (twenty of us) on a cruise over the New Years day turn of the century. Colleen and Mark were newlyweds. They look so young here.
We decided to split up until dinner and headed to our cabin to unpack and recuperate – or, as I like to call it, take a "mandatory relaxation break." The view from our room revealed a giant harbor fit for six or seven cruise ships at a time, or, as my inner kid would say, "the ultimate parking lot for giant boats!"
We were unpacked in 15 minutes and ready to go!
We went to"The Trough"
(a.k.a. buffet) and it was quite nice
We sent the kids out to survey the situation!
Mark had to hide his face as his tongue was hanging out at the delicious food!
Mary and I embarked on a quick discovery walk of the ship before dinner!
Tow that barge, life that bale!
All is well, its a thumbs up!
Our neighbors were well decorated!
Whenever we depart a port, the ship would play theme from "The Love Boat" on the ships whistle. It was an amazing! Listen below! Thank you YouTube.
See you in a week and again in another week!
I headed to our room and was about to take a power nap when Mary yelled, "The land is moving!"
My first thought was an earthquake, but then I realized it was just the ship getting its groove on while the land was playing it cool in one spot.
We sailed past many Caribbean bound ships!
Ten minutes and we will be in the open sea!
Watching the world go by!
I love that smile!
The kids were at the Crown Grill first, and the manager gave us great seats next to the window. Mark ordered a Big Mac, and the waiter nearly passed out.
Featuring premium aged beef and fresh seafood items, the Crown Grill offers a truly special dining experience with an open, theater-style kitchen where chefs custom-prepare fresh seafood and cooked-to-order steaks.
No Mark, no burgers here!
Colleen is just this side of slobbering at the beef selections they offer!
He will eventually smile!
Oh my!
The filet mignon; the prince of meat cuts!
After dinner, we again decided to split up as we watched Colleen's eyes begin to droop since it was almost 8:00 pm. They headed out the door, and Mary suggested we walk for a while.
We went to one of the movies, which was NOT for the faint of heart. It was rather x-rated, so we did not stay. If I want to see something ugly, all I have to do is stand in front of a mirror.
Mary spotted a mother and young son heading to the movie, and we waved them off.
We found O'Malley's Bar, where there was live Irish entertainment. We slithered to the bar, plopped ourselves down, and began ordering. I fastened Mary in with the safety belt; I needed a five-point harness.
Being in Ireland, I had a Guinness! It was pretty good.
It wasn't perfect but it was not bad!
We downed a couple before we began to sing!
Mary found some other goodies to try!
After two drinks, I began to remember some old Irish songs, and in fact, I requested that they play " The Irish Rover." They played, and the whole audience clapped along.
"The Irish Rover" is an Irish folk song about a magnificent though improbable sailing ship that reaches an unfortunate end. Numerous artists have recorded it, some of whom have changed the lyrics over time. Listen below!
We sang until the wee hours! OR, was it we sang until we had to go wee wee?
The group was outstanding!!
After two rounds of drinks, we headed upstairs to our cabins. We watched some TV before crashing at midnight!
One last shot and they headed to their cabin!
