Dec. 10. Our luggage magically disappeared, so the rollercoaster begins!
Dec. 17. Friday pre-cruise. I think it may have all started here, with Joanne arriving 10 min. late, all disheveled, and most likely hungover, for my haircut. And I’d have to say, it is the worst haircut I’ve gotten in ages. And..it was only supposed to be a trim, mostly to my bangs! On the bright side, my nail appointment went great and I got lots of compliments on my silver glitter polish. In retrospect, this set the tone for the cruise. Some things were not so great off-set by others that were fabulous.
Dec. 19. Sunday, but regrettably not mimosa day! Today was get-away day, and it was pretty wack-a-doodle. First there was the stress of if Uber would show, but 20 minutes prior, our ride was assigned, then that driver canceled. Within a few minutes, Etienne was assigned and he did show up as scheduled. He was great and we have booked him for out return from Savannah, so that was all good…except for the pouring rain. We had plenty of time at the airport and the weather cleared, but the flight to Atlanta was very rough.
Not too long await in Atlanta, then off again on a very bumpy flight. They had to discontinue the beverage service. As we were on final approach a plane behind us had an emergency so we got called off and circled, and circled. Even after we finally landed, we had to wait on the tarmac as the fire trucks circled. Anyway, we finally got to the hotel, which is beautiful, begged a spot on bus #1 to the ship tomorrow, then hit the lounge” for beers, wings and fries.
Dec. 20. Monday. Embankment day. Again, the hotel was beautiful. We boarded bus #1 at 11:00 am, and what with the Covid testing at the terminal and check in process, we were on the fantail having lunch by 12:30. No too bad, considering. Masks are required in some places, like around the buffets, but just recommended pretty much every place else. After lunch we checked out the ship, the Explorer, which is new to us. It’s 50%larger than our beloved Navigator. And it is magnificent and all done up for Christmas. The cast was caroling around the ship the whole afternoon! I don’t know how people on 3,500people ships ever find their way around! We got in our suite by 2:30 were unpacked by 4:00 so relaxed with our champagne until 6:00 when we met Otto and Lissy for drinks.
We ate together in Compass Rose and skipped the abbreviated show as we were all ready to just crash!
Dec. 21. Tuesday. We were anchored off of Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, a private island of the cruise line. Our tour was “Swimming with the Pigs” at 11:30; yes, everyone else gets to swim with dolphins or at worst, stingrays, but, we got pigs! We arrived around 7:30 and several early tours went ashore, but by 9:00 there was an announcement that due to expected weather, we would be leaving at 4:00pm, instead of 5:00. Well, by 9:45, another announcement came, saying basically we are getting the hell out of Dodge, asap. All of the tours that were ashore were recalled, and by 11:00, we were hi-tailing it south. No problem! We hung by the pool having Margaritas with lunch. Otto and Lissy came by, so another Maggie! We slept on our deck, in the sun for most of the afternoon, as Cuba drifted by.
Georgene
2021-12-28
LOL at the Dicken Christmas Carole in the masks.