The last few weeks have been problematic in the cruise world. Some ships have had increased numbers of covid cases. The CDC has advised everyone to avoid cruise ships. the Omicron variant of the virus is rampant in many areas of the country, but fortunately most cases are mild and existing vaccines are very effective.
NCL cancelled several sailings for severlal ships. Royal is using three of their ships to quarantine crew members. Some ships, including this one on a previous sailing have been denied dockage in some ports due to covid infection level.
My perspective is a little more analytical. I am fully vaccinated and boostered. Nearly every passenger is vaccinated before they are allowed on a cruise ship. Every passenger must test negative prior to boarding. Crew is tested twice per week. My risk on a ship is less than shopping in Publix or Target.
Packing is very easy, thanks to a very detailed packing list that I have developed over the past years. Much more reliable than my memory. Now don't misunderstand this. I don't necessarily take everything on my list. For example there is a chance or showers in Aruba but the wind is expected to be about 25 knots. Too high for an umbrella. I'll take my chances on just getting wet.
I leave the house at 8:00 on Saturday morning. the traffic on the turnpike is lite and I make good time to Ft Pierce, my usual spot for restroom, fuel, and a bite for breakfast. Construction at the exit ramp and probably a missed sign and I have to travel an extra 2000 feet to reach my favorite Pilot gas station.
Back on the road, and the temperature has risen to 75. We take a few minutes to listen to our safety drill. A much more pleasant way than standing packed shoulder to shoulder on deck with thousands of other passengers.
I arrive at the Park-N-Go parking lot just before my 12:00 PM expected arrival time. There are only 4 of us on the shuttle bus. Maybe an indicator of things to come.
About a 3 minute wait outside the terminal and then the process begins. Do you have all your paper work? The check of passport and negative covid test report. Nearly everyone I see is showing paper forms. I guess the word has spread that paper is easier to find and scan than forms buried somewhere deep in the memory cells of a mobile phone. Luggage scans, picture ID verification, body patdown or pass thru metal detectors. Within 30 minutes we are entering the ship.
My first stop is The Coastal Kitchen. An attempt to make dinner reservations at 5:30 everynight. I'm rebuked, the earliest time available is 7:45, but we may be able to switch later if there is a cancellation. We go for it.
While there we decide to spend the hour waiting for cabins to open and enjoying lunch. Properly set tables with an attentive waiter is sure a change from the usual crowds in the buffet.
Lunch was delicious. A quick stop to check in at our muster station. By now the cabins are open.
A typical standard balcony with a few modern features. You are supposed to put your sea pass card in a slot to activate all the stuff in the cabin. Not going to happen. I want the AC on so when I return to the cabin it is comfortable. A carefully folded card works fine in the slot to keep things operating.
A head stop is first. Pushing the button does not activate a flushing cycle. A call to maintenance and it is quickly fixed with the explanation that this is a new ship.
Often there is fruit and cookies in my cabin. Always a surprise as to what it will be. This time 3 cookies, 4 bottles of water and 18 cans of diet coke. Not going to be thirsty this week.
There is a knock at the door. There is a crowd outside. Two people are here to fix the safe. I haven't even tried to use it yet. They check a list to confirm they are at the correct cabin. I check the safe and it works fine.
Next in line my cabin steward is here to introduce himself and to check that the plumbing has been fixed. We try, it is is still working even if a little hesitantly.
The last person in the group is a gal from the galley. She delivers 4 more cans of water and 4 cans of diet sprite. I later hear they can't get bottled water and are reverting to canned water. Why so much, I have no clue.
The ship of course is nearly brand new, having been launched in 2020. Packed with technology and lots of activities. More on that later.
Dinner in The coastal kitchen was excellent. As Lynn and I were finishing dinner we were asked if we would like to switch our reservations to 5:30 for the rest of the cruise. Absolutely.
A short stint at the piano bar and it was the end of the day. Seas were less than 5 feet as we cruised from Ft Lauderdale on our way to Nassau.
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