A Long First Day

A Long Day!

    We were up around 4 in the morning, our Highland Lakes pick up was there before 5 and had us at the airport quickly. Check in at the Delta counter was quick and we were waiting for our flight by around 5:30. The flight from Tampa to L.A. Was around 5 hours but there was enough room to be comfortable. They even had in flight movies, etc. We turned back the clock and were at the L.A. Airport by 9:30. Everything was going so well.

That is when the waiting began. L.A. Was in the middle of a terrible rain storm which slowed everything down. The Rudy Princess was also in port ant they expected 2200 passengers arriving during the day. They did not have enough transportation to handle the influx. We waited forever and did not arrive at the ship until nearly noon. We were on the second bus!     

    Arriving at the port there were long lines as boarding was “delayed” because of gangway safety concerns. OK, but we had to stand in the rain to get through shipboard luggage scanning. Needless to say we were very wet by the time we made it to check in. That went well as we bypassed the non “elite” waiting to check in. We did go to the head of the line and that was about all that went well. Then we were delayed boarding because of the gangway. When we got aboard at 1:30, there were very few people on the ship. Most were still at the airport of in the shore side waiting room. The lines continued all afternoon. Sailing was delayed! We did receive an extra $25 credit as a token of our continues loyalty (read payoff!). People were still boarding about an hour after we were suppose to sail.

    Some of our luggage arrived in the afternoon! I think they left it out in the rain for good measure. The safety drill was put off but by late afternoon we were ready to sail. Judy lined up a number of things for us to attend: Rum and cake tasting, champagne reception in the art gallery, Welcome aboard party, etc. However everything was disrupted by the delays in getting people aboard! The rum was ok (the cake was good but the welcome aboard party was not held. Before the safety drill, the captain explained way the day was so fouled up – besides the rain – and suggested that anyone proned to sea sickness should take something for it before we sailed as he was expection “heavy” weather tonight and tomorrow. I never heard a captain suggest that ever. By tonight we were bouncing and I think it got worse as the night wore on. Our big suitcase finally did show up just before dinner.

   We are at a table for 6 but only 4 of us were there. I hope that the other couple we just too tired for the prime rib. I ordered medium rare but when I cut into it, it moaned, it was so rare. It was the first time I ever that I asked for another meal. The night ended with a singer. I think both of us slept through the show.

We have been up for about 21 hours and it is time to get some real rest. Sea day tomorrow – Super Bowl Sunday.