Sailing Away and Sailing, Sailing, Sailling!

October 24 has arrived.  After eating some of the best French Toast ever, Carol and Elva had Eggs Benedict served on crispy sourdough bread, we bid farewell and thank Matthew for making our stay at the Blue Keys so delightful.  He has called us a taxi which arrives promptly for the 3 min drive to port.  Less expensive than the 15GBP the hotel charges for the transfer.  We paid only 4 pound and 70 pence.  The driver didn't even want to wait while we sorted the change so he could get another fare quickly.

The lovely and familiar Celebrity Silhouette gleamed in the morning light.  We dropped our bags for the porter, walked into the terminal and started to join the line.  Carol pointed out there was an accessible one just as a lady asked Elva if she wanted help.  She, of course, declined when I pointed out that we could not see how far the line wound ahead of us so she acquiesced. We were seated while Philip sorted the paper work for us all even though we are in two separate cabins.  Once Elva moved to the wheelchair Philip whisked us past the line which, as they do in some terminals, wound its way down a hallway, turned the corner into a room where the queue line zigged and zagged back and forth between the stanchions.  Hundreds of people looked in envy as we whistled past!

At the front of the line the attendant held it up for us to join passageway through the door and then we moved to the designated line.  Philip handed the lady each of our passports, credit cards and boarding passes.  All we had to do for ourselves was to have our pictures taken!  We then were taken to an elevator instead of  joining the steady stream of escalator people.  The doors opened, we were checked off a list and taken straight aboard.  Philip found us comfortable seating overlooking the atrium, Elva tipped him with her remaining coins, and our cruise has begun.

Sailing on the Solent.  Despite the late date, there are several boats out on this quiet arm of the English Channel that cuts deep into the countryside.

Soon our cabins were ready, then snack time, them the real fun begins.

Yes, that is a very large IKEA across the road.

View from our balcony.

Our family typically texts each other our 'lunch' in the buffet to let each other know we have safely arrived and are ready to float away!

Through a glass bluely.  And can you see our reflection.  Particularly the stack?

Because I have cruised often and because you are loyal readers, I am not going to detail sea day activities but rather lump them sort of together.

We have been attending the Hollywood guy and also one my Katie would especially enjoy.  A former D A from Los Angeles is speaking about his cases or ones in which he was in someway involved.  So far The Melendez Brothers, O.J., The Kimes, and one talk about Are crooks Very Smart!  Not the best speaker but funny in a way and very interesting.  Another is the photographer who documented the Beatles rise to fame.  He also received the last phone call John Lennon ever made.  Unfortunately or perhaps luckily he was out of town when John was killed.  His secretary made a note of the message which he still has.

This was, in part, his case.

We also have production cast or guest appearance performers every evening.  The shows are the same as last time since they are only changed or rotated out every few years.  Most people do not see them twice or at least most don't remember what they saw the last time!

New for me on this cruise is complimentary cocktail hour from 5 - 7.  The first few nights we enjoyed ours in the Ensemble Lounge.  Because we share a cabin, Elva was invited also.  There are so many Elite level or higher on this sailing that drinks were offered at any bar as well as in the Sky Lounge.  The difference is that there are three drinks per day loaded on your Seapass card. Elva was on my card so se could each of us have two.  One each from Carol's and my cards for Elva.  The Sky Lounge, we discovered, was the typically offered reception.  Unlimited drinks and hors d'oeuvres for the two hsors for each of us.  Once or twice we had a card drinks at the buffet bar so we could have them with our dinner.  Cards not accepted nthe main dining room.  Complicated but we figured it our.

We found flowers in our cabin on Formal Night.

We had some stormy sea days.  The captain headed north to try to get ahead of the weather.  This had some people concerned about late arrival in New York.  For us is didn't matter.  We did opt for a leisurely breakfast that didn't involve carry plates and drinks ourselves across the Oceanview Cafe Buffet.  Although I must say the staff there always accompanied Elva, offered their arm, and carried her plate to insure that she would be safe on the rocking ship.

Two-fisted drinker!

Usually there was a Matinee Show which varied between interviews between the cruise director and staff officers.  Sometimes it would be a game show like the old saw Marriage Game.  Most guest performers would have an encore.

We celebrated Halloween on board a few days early since we will be in New York on that day and evening.  I didn't bring my costume and I had a new idea and was going to borrow Maddie's Kermit the Frog, But is is none of my business, one.  They didn't tell us in advance that they would have the party and parade.  But I could not have competed with some of these!

Yes, we have Adam and Eve sailing with us!

I was delighted to discover Alejandro is our cruise director.  We enjoyed him on the Eclipse in February and are enjoying him again.  He is supposed to be on vacation but called in because Julie was ill.  Sue, who we had on our last crossing was on vacation and traveling outside England, which is her home and couldn't get back to meet our ship.  Alejandro was called at home in Argentina and on a plane the next day to Southampton.  I am glad he made it happen.  But Argentinians can do anything, at least according to Alejandro!

Activities Director, Peter, did indeed sing quite well and the srtip tease wasn't bad either!

Dinners are delightful.  Heme and Valentino are our favorite waiters so far.  Sometimes we share a table and sometimes just the three of us.  Lunches are sometimes buffet and sometimes dining room as are breakfasts.  There is a coffee station practically right out side our door and an elevator practically next door.  Great location on board.  A very great decision to make this trip.  Thanks Elva for inviting me.  Thanks Carol for joining us!

The End!