Cruise 2011- Day 1
Departing from Fort Lauderdale and Cruising
Updated: 02/17/11
To
those who do not know, this was our first cruise. We can not remember the last
time we (Mary Lou) had to pack anything but the HitchHiker for a trip.
Fortunately, Melanie had two pieces of wheeled luggage we could borrow. Those
combined with our large duffle bag and a backpack we carry for day trips from
the HH, we were good to go. We took an empty canvas bag for anything extra we
needed to bring home.
The
directions and ease of getting to the "Park'n Go" were just as they had
described. Leaving the HH at the campground and the truck at the "Park'n Go"
worked out great.
The drivers were very friendly and helpful. When we returned from the ship, the woman in the pay booth gave us each a cold bottle of water. That cold water hit the spot.
Passing
through ship security went well. Until, we got close to the inspection area. One
of the guards asked if Fred had made a photograph in the security area. Of
course, he said yes. She said no photographs were allowed. Fred said he would
not make any more.
After passing through the metal detectors, photographs were allowed.
While Mary Lou has suggested cruising, Fred has resisted. Fred tried (jokingly) to use recent reports of fires in a cruise ship engine room and other cruise ship related emergencies to support the risks of cruising. When we first saw the Navigator of the Seas, Fred was quick to point out the life boats.
He also pointed out that the ship (obviously) needed repair
below the water line.
At the top of the gangplank . . .
Our
first impression of the ship was its size from the outside.
Our second impression came as we crossed the walkway to our state room - 'real nice'.
Our
stateroom had a balcony.
That was Michelle's suggestion - we are glad we listened.
From our balcony, we had a great view of Fort Lauderdale port . . .
That is where our driver dropped us off and the gang plank we climbed . . .
Oh,
our stateroom also had a bathroom - smaller than our HitchHiker's bathroom.
And, the neighbors were nice people.
For those you don't recognize them, Michelle and her family were our neighbors
Fred
posed for a photograph in his life vest.
Carved watermelons . . . at the entrance to the Windjammer Cafe.
All the stateroom doors looked the same. Michelle, Ashlyn and Lily surprised us by decorating both doors to help us find the correct staterooms. It must have been a good idea. Ashlyn noticed on the second day that a decoration was missing - someone 'borrowed' one of the decorations for their door. When Michelle found it, she 'acquired' it but did not hang it back on their door.
This is where you were to go to get on your life boat in the event of an emergency. A mandatory assembly drill at your assigned emergency location (ours, C08) was not fun - standing in the sun for 30 minutes. Fortunately, you are no longer required to wear your life jacket to the drill.
After the assembly drill, look who we saw on the lower deck . . .
The Navigator of the Seas 'pushed' away from the dock, we were underway. The propulsion jets on the sides of large ships has almost eliminated the need for tug boats.
The port was very busy with many pleasure boats enjoying the water.
The U. S.
Coast Guard and the Sheriff's Water Division worked hard
keeping the pleasure
boaters away from the cruise ships.
Heading for open water, we passed a wedding party on the beach and people on the rocks.
On the way to dinner, the Fort Lauderdale skyline could be seen in the distance
We could not have asked for a better seating location - a round table for six by the window. We had the same table and waiters for dinner every evening. The only thing that changed, was who sat by Michelle and grandma.
The main entertainment for 'Day 1' was a comedian named Dean Austin. He was preceded by comments from the Cruise Director Mike Hunnerup and the Navigator of the Seas dancers.
Another
cruise ship ran parallel to ours all night.