There are parallels between taking a flight and embarking on a cruise but there are also many differences. Instead of ordering a taxi for 3:30 am to take us to the airport (about half an hour away), we got up as usual at 5:30 am, had breakfast then had a taxi take us to the train station at 7:15 am. We arrived at Haifa central train station just before 10 am; the train was packed with soldiers returning to their units and people with luggage going on a cruise….
After walking to the ship terminal, we spent what seemed like a long time but probably wasn't more than an hour and a half, we set foot on the ship. As I explained to my wife, a plane holds maybe 250 passengers whereas the ship has over 3000 passengers! Obviously processing is going to take longer. This includes handing over one's luggage that is going to be delivered to one's room.
We knew in advance in which room we are staying (354 with an ocean view), so once aboard we headed for the room whose door was open. Inside there were two beds, two keys and no towels. We were told to go and have an early lunch, so that's what we did, leaving our hand luggage behind but taking the keys.
Lunch – in the Seven Seas restaurant – was like eating in an Israeli hotel: plenty of food, open seating and much noise. After eating – and ensuring that we don't eat too much – we went back to our cabin. Our luggage had yet to arrive, so I went to where the lifts were and saw many suitcases, including ours. I extracted our suitcase and brought it to the room.
After lunch was a life safety drill – maybe less than 5% of the travelers attended. Apart from apathy, this low number was also probably a result of the fact that many people had yet to get settled in their rooms, which is where the life jackets are stored. After this drill, there was a welcoming talk in the main hall that explained many things. This hall is used primarily for the evening entertainments, more about which later.
We then spent a few hours unpacking, resting and trying to get towels. One of the major annoyances of our previous cruise was that there was no free drinking water on the ship; if one wanted a bottle of water or a cup of tea then one had to pay for it. We eventually got around this by buying a large bottle of water on our shore excursions, but the first day and a half are problematic. One of the improvements in the cruises is that now there are water coolers on deck 10, which is where the swimming pools are. So I went up there to fill our bottles and become acquainted with the walking track on deck 11 that is accessed from deck 10.
My brother in law, whose booking we had inherited, had ordered in advance a place in a different restaurant, the four seasons, as he said that it is quieter. When we went there for dinner (just after 6 pm), we appreciated his foresight as the dining room had fewer people (and no children). Apparently we are supposed to sit at table 15, but so far all the meals have been with open seating.
After taking my wife to deck 10 for a walk around, we went down to deck 6 for the evening's entertainment. This is also another improvement: the first time around, the entertainment didn't start until 9 pm or later and most nights I was too tired or disinterested to bother. Now there are two 'houses' at 8 pm and 9:30 pm. The entertainment was provided by a group of about nine singers and dancers; as the programme was dedicated to the songs and dances of Cuba, one might assume that they were all Cubans. I'm not so sure. Anyway, they sung and (especially) danced with great skill and enthusiasm. Each evening they are supposed to put on a different show but I doubt that we'll see them tomorrow as we will be in Rodos.
I should point out that internet access on the boat was difficult and expensive. This blog and the following ones were written in real time but uploaded only after I came home.
| Title | Tags | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 586 | My blood pressure may not be as high as previously suspected | Health, Migraine, Blood pressure | |
| 1138 | New chic shoes | Shoes | |
| 1393 | My 'friends', the viruses | Health | |
| 1504 | Senecio lives! | Personal | |
| 1623 | Two extremes | Weather, Swimming |
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