March 17, 2015


Well, this cruise has sure had its “interesting” moments in the beginning.  Your favorite scribe hopes that they are all over!

Least, but not last, you notice that you are receiving this before we get to Madeira, so you know that there was an internet package less than $224.99!  Yipee!

We stayed with Linda and Tony in Vero Beach on Sunday, the 15th, before sailing yesterday.  Well, my original letter to them – no idea how I did it (senior moment) – I told them we would be arriving on Saturday the 14th.  I got an email from Linda Saturday night saying, “Where are you?”  Boy was my face red.  But all was well and we just got there a day late (I did check every other date in this itinerary to be sure I hadn’t messed something else up).

We decided to park at Ft. Lauderdale airport’s economy lot for $7.50 a night instead of $15 at the regular lot.  Got there, the lot isn’t.  It’s not at the airport, it’s 3 miles away.  A kind attendant gave us the address and Elena got us there with no problem.  Well, there was a problem.  There is no transport to the dock, only to the airport.  So Google got us to Gold Coast parking for $6.00 per night, and we left Frank there (my car – Frank Sonota) to be retrieved in three weeks by a driver who will pick us up at the airport.

We got on board around 1:30 – we came in through the crew area, no lines, no waiting, and were in our room by 2 o’clock.  Very nice stateroom with a large window and a great view of blue water and blue sky.  When I woke this morning, I said, “What’s that bright light?”  We typically have an inside cabin.

The next interesting thing occurred today when I turned the Xoom on to begin rehearsing (I bought 11 talks on board, at my agent’s direction, but the ship is only going to use 8, so I’ll play for a few extra days, and more time to rehearse).  Imagine my horror when the Xoom wouldn’t turn on!  I have hard copies of my talks – belt and suspenders, but still!  I took it to Clinton in the Cruise Director’s office, he took it to the on board tech staff who fixed it – needed reset – no idea how they did it, but in my gratitude, I offered cash, their favorite beverage, a change in my unborn grandson’s name.  You can’t imagine!  I could do the talks from paper, but the Xoom makes it so much easier.  We typically travel with two computers, I may have to start traveling with two tablets.  And no, my brother, an Apple wouldn’t have helped.

Well, that’s all of the interesting stuff!  Lord, hear our prayer!

Instead of a set table seating, we have any time dining, which means we go any time.  We have had interesting table mates at each evening meal.  Last night was a couple from Ireland who are living in Scotland, and a couple from the Netherlands who are living in the Netherlands.  Tonight we sat at a table for two couples.  Our table mates were from Canada, living in Canada.

And I went to high tea this afternoon and sat with a retired programmer who developed Sabre (all you travel agents know that it was the original program to do computer reservations – the airlines and others used it) and a retired FCC director and a retired IT guy.  Interesting folks and great cucumber sandwiches followed by scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam.  All washed down with tea.  Earl Grey.  Hot.  Marvelous.

Great show tonight.  A comedian/juggler from Germany. 

And now it’s off to a WiFi hot spot to see if I can post this.  Don’t expect any pictures until we do a shore day, and maybe not until Rome on the 31st.

TTFN!