The First Few Days

Steve has not felt well since we left home. Often he would drive, but yesterday he slept most of the way. Nothing contagious, we expect he will be feeling better soon.

He milks it as nuch as he can, just watching videos all day and having Adrienne bringing dinner to their cabin.

When we left Miami the temperatures were about 70. Today, a sea day,  not much warmer. The sun comes and goes with only one shower - just as Alyssa was trying to get in a few miles on the walking track. The treadmill would have to suffice.

Being a 10 day cruise there are few children. At top tier we learn there are just over 100 pinnacle loyalty members and about 500 diamond plus. Way too many for the crown lounge. Mario is also on the ship. With well over 10,000 points he is by far Royal's best customer. I get it, if I had a couple million to spend on cruising, I just might do what he has done.

A little too cool and windy for most to be in the pools.

A card is left at our cabin for dining time and table. We'll it should have been one, but we actually had two. Both at the same time but in different dining rooms. The staff shared that they just love the new software - not! But it does help keep them busy sorting things out. We choose to use the card that specifically  indicates a table for 8.

Dinner was sliced beef tenderloin. Again excellent.

We have moved our clocks ahead an hour, so the 7:30  dinner feels like 6:30 on my body, but it also means the only option for evening shows is the late one at 9:15 or 9:30.

The second night, I pass on the headliner, again a comedian, and head to the piano bar. He leaves for break just as I arrive, there are no seats, so I give up and call it a night.

The seas have been the usual 5 to 7 feet. Occasionally you can feel a little motion but not much. Our first port of call is Puerto Plata, Dominion Republic.

I elect to stay on the ship, the other 7 hire an Uber to take them up the mountain to the rain forest.

Alyssa, the youngest and smallest was the designated fare negotiator. On her third negotiation she was happy with the results. Up the mountain they went. A transfer to the back of a truck and then a long walk over very steep and slippery trails and they arrive. Lovely scenery and views was the reward for the mile long walk.

I'm glad I remained on the ship.

The dining room has many empty tables tonight. The service is quick.

We go to the production show with the singers and dancers, sparsely attended with many empty seats. Seemed to lack the energy usually seen, I was told I slept through much of it.

Tomorrow we will be in San Juan.

10 Days on Explorer Of The Seas

The Explorer is about 25 years old. I first cruised on her when she was almost a "new" ship.

A week or so before departure I verify my supply of prescriptions and other essentials. I am good. The rest of packing gets delayed until the last day.

There are 8 of us cruising together. I swap cars with my daughter as 6 of us are leaving Clermont, possible in her minivan, not with my Lexus.

It has been cold in Central Florida with morning temps below 40.

Half way home the "check tire pressure light" comes on. She already had warned me that she had ordered new tires, but they were out of stock.

Probably just the cold weather. I stop and fill all the tires, the warning light goes off.

I check all my ziplocks of supplies, all those things I take just in case and can not rely on being able to purchase on the ship. All is good.

It is the night before departure. We agree to pick up the others at 7:30. This should get us to Miami by our scheduled boarding time of  1:00 PM. I finish my packing, and set the alarm.

In the morning I secure the house and head to Adrienne's to pick up the others. I arrive precisely at 7:30 as planned.

All the luggage is stashed and we head south on the turnpike towards Miami. We plan to meet Alyssa and James in Port St Lucie. A fuel and food stop.

After about an hour on the road, the "tire pressure warning" light comes on. I don't tell the others about the backordered tires, or the fact I had filled the tires 24 hours earlier.

We look for a tire pressure gauge. Don't find one. A call to Alyssa to ask her. If there is one it would be in the glove box.  None there. The next rest area is 20 miles. I take the risk and keep driving. Nothing with car handling seems abnormal.

Are the 5 year old tires worse than they look? Have I picked up a nail? Is a valve core leaking?  No answers, just fears. I manage to keep my questions to myself. We have about 4 extra hours in the schedule. Abandon the car and Uber is always a last resort.

It seems like it takes forever to reach the service plaza, the warning light continually glaring at me.

Finally the exit sign. I quickly spot the tire air fill hoses.

All 4 tires are checked, and all are exactly at the pressure I had filled them to two days ago. Relief. It is not a leak, but a faulty tire pressure sensor. Now I can share the rest of the story with my five passengers.

We meet the others as planned. Refueled and nourished we are on our way.

The plan is to drop most of the passengers and all the luggage at the terminal and then Adrienne and Alyssa will take the cars to the off site parking garage and Uber back to the terminal.

Financial savings? About $500 compared to parking at the port.

Boarding is effortless. There are no lines and no waiting. The cabins were ready at 1:00, we arrived at the terminal at 1:15, and by 1:30 we had checked in at our muster station and are in our cabin.

Alyssa and Adrienne are no more than 20 minutes behind us.

The only other "must do" task is to fix our dining reservations. We are booked at 2 different tables. 

"See me at 7:30 and I will have a table somewhere for you." Later than we had reserved, but OK.

Southern fried chicken was excellent. Too tired to bother hearing a comedian, we are sound asleep before 10.

Tomorrow is a sea day.