Embarkation Day July 20th, 2008

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

OK – here is the recap in a nutshell. Woke up – finished packing, got the groceries to grandma’s, total stressing out job but finally got on the road about 1ish. Got to the port about 1:33. We decided to self-park. A friend said it would cost about $12.50 per day. Figured with the amount of luggage – its better to go this route. So, Steve dropped us off, while we waited for him to arrive.
First let me requaint you all with my son. Remember about this time last year – we were estranged? Well, Andrew and I are exactly alike – but together – we are like fire and ice. Our way of communication is swapping barbs but we know where exactly to stop and don't beyond that. This sometimes causes A LOT OF STRESS on Steve as he thinks we are arguing.

Let me say that while we are not extremely close and loving in nature, like many Italian and Hispanic cultures, we band together in emergencies. Well, that is Andrew and I. So, before we left, he starts explaining on how he had to get “supplies” from Target which, I of course picked up on immediately. So, I proceed to tell him that the cherry oil is disgusting and the strawberry and to definitely stay away from the edible underwear which of course grosses everyone out. I, OF COURSE, have absolutely no idea what I am talking about – but it’s a contest between us two on how best we can embarrass the other. (Keep that in mind for later) So anyway, we continue, totally stressing Steve out. We make it to the port and go up the escalators and go into this section where we go into the non-existent line which I say to myself, goody – we should be on in less than ½ hr. No such luck. “Alice” decided to take ½ hr JUST to check us in. Meanwhile, I’m watching the lady next to us pump out 4-5 parties to our one party. I’m all for equal opportunity employment but come on – get competent people. By this time, even Andrew’s getting on my nerves so I call a time out.

We FINALLY get our go ahead – which Alice managed to screw up by not activating the kids cards – ok they scanned in but wouldn’t let the kids into their cabin. We had the plain blue keys but when we got the kids cards replaced so they can enter their cabin – they got Donald Duck cards. Almost made me want to say – can I have one?

So we our ticket number – I’m thinking when I see 31 that since its almost 2:30 we will get in with plenty of time to eat – no such luck – they were only on 23. Seems, I found out later, that there was trouble in the morning and the whole system went down. They did not allow people to board for about 45 minutes. They were through the line, waiting on the “balcony” to board. They also did not get announced only the “greeters” heard them. By the time we boarded at about 2:45, they were up and running but we almost didn’t make Topsiders. Dropped our bags off and hightailed it to the buffet line where we had about 20 minutes to inhale our food before the lifeboat drill at 3:30.
I debated on telling Andrew, who was really driving me nuts up until the point he disappeared at the cabins –which was nice, but for the lifeboat drill, which is “mandatory” he showed up. So we get in line – we were “those” people holding up the drill, while in line, we saw our old server – Vlado AKA Blado who ran over to the girls and I and hugged us. So after the drill, which really wasn’t bad because it wasn’t that hot, we ran back to the room in all the hassle. Let me remind you all that Megan’s BFF, Yesenia is traveling with us again. She is only about 4’11 (but she tells us she grew an inch so she’s 5’ even) Yeah OK! Well, imagine this image: Andrew hightailing it back among the throng of people, Megan is right behind him, I’m running to keep up with her and I’m assuming everyone else is behind us – Steve, April, Yesenia. So Andrew makes it to the room, strips off his vest , Megan does the same and I enter our cabin expecting April and the rest to be right behind me. 2 minutes later, in comes April, then another 2 minutes comes Steve. 2 minutes later – no Yesenia. So I ask Megan – where’s Yesenia? Her answer? I don’t know – she’s lost. About a minute later I realize she’s not kidding. She’s not back yet so we all head out of the cabin on the hunt for Yesenia. Megan’s in the bathroom so she didn’t come out yet. Well, ½ way down the hall, here’s Yesenia looking for our home away from home. LOL – she got parted from us by the throng of fish – um, people. So that almost made us have accidents. We peeled ourselves off the floor and made it back to the cabin.
Went to see if anyone else was left at the DIS meet and ran into some friends. Took it easy until dinner where we were seated at the 8:30 seating, table 9. Our servers turned out to be Mario from the Phillipines and Jana from somewhere – Czech Republic????? I believe. Not sure. Just what I wanted to be saddled with – a hot, young, tall, blonde cutie with an overly friendly (at least to my son) persona. That’s ok, at least we got our drinks (in the beginning at least). So anyway, dinner proceeds, it was the Let the Magic Begin. BTW, I did not make it to the entertainment show. Got myself situated and unpacked. Figured it was time to “go on vacation.”
Dinner started off a bit strange. Got an iffy feeling from our server until our Head waiter came by, then I had to name drop a bit to get some friendly service and requests granted. Remember, it was Megan’s birthday, our anniversary and my birthday cruise. Mario didn’t want to know about it until the night before so when I got a cool reception, I spoke with our head server which immediately warmed up our servers, especially when the photographers came around and recognized me – OK should I say they recognized my camera from the WB PC? LOL – it was actually very funny. They all came by our table and said hi to me which I then mentioned we would see them again in 3 weeks. They were all superfriendly – better than the wait staff. Let me add a disclaimer here, right after this, the waiter & server started warming up but Jana dropped the ice tea ball but certainly picked up on the alchohol ball from Andrew. He was ordering Flamingos and Banana drinks left and right – about 4 I think along with a shot – which Megan and Yesenia of course had to try too. Oh well, she’s legal now, I think they are just doing it to see if it gets to me. That’s ok, I get even. LOL
So Andrew splits after dinner, which I ordered the spiced rib-eye, double baked potatoes and green beans. I had ordered the crab Martinique but couldn’t stomach the appetizer. Went on to the West Indies Cesar Salad which was delicious by the way, and for desert had the French Toast Banana Pudding – get the theme for this night? Bananas. Yummy!
So we finally get done after I give some special requests – seems the guys at our table LOVE their ice tea. We requested 2 glasses of ice tea to be waiting for us when they get there. Seems they get cranky if they don’t have something to drink. Our tablemates are a couple that we meet on 2005 Mexican Riveria cruise. Andrew also ended up working with Vern so we had that in common too.
After dinner, I decided to deliver my fish gifts which only 16 cabins are participating in – so my gift was those magnetic dry erase boards which you can find now due to school starting soon – they make wonderful gifts. So as I’m finishing up my deliveries, I realize that I’m by Rocking Bar D. I decide to go and see if the girls (Megan and Yesenia) are in there. I go – they are and so is my son – Andrew. Well, those of you that know me – the lightbulb goes on. I tell Megan – lets go dance before Andrfew sees me – he’ll ignore me (he’s with his friends – that are girls - ) well along this time, Flo Rida’s Low comes on. Yeah, well, I like this song so I drag the girls onto the dance stage, Megan balks but Yesenia is right there with me. I knew I liked that girl. I then make a bet with Megan who decided she’s had enough liquid courage to join us – that within 5 minutes of me getting on the stage to dance, Andrew will leave. Well, it didn’t take 5 minutes – just 1. I come on the dance floor – Andrew sees me – eyes go wide and in the middle of the dark bar – he goes red. I introduce myself to his friend who encourages me to dance with her as I tell her I love this song. Andrew sees this, runs his hands through his almost bald head and groans – Oh No! Stays that way for 30 seconds and then JUMPS up to the bar and stays there. I about wanted to pea my pants. I promised Megan I would not freak so I didn’t but I did get low and dirty one time only! LOL - ;-)

So after the song ends, I go to bed. I moved the clocks forward one hour per instructed and then proceeded to finally go to bed about 1:30 to what I thought was going to be a peaceful night’s sleep.
Again, those that know me – nothing ever goes as planned when I’m on the ship. See Monday’s blog for more info.

Gonna end this one right now. Later – Laura