Voyager of the Seas: Boarding Day!
Well over a year of planning this birthday cruise for my friend… and last minute events changed everything. A mandatory training for Barry forced him to cancel and a family emergency took my friends in another direction. For a time it seemed I would be doing the entire trip on my own but thankfully, at the last minute, Corey enthusiastically agreed to join me for a large portion of my time away. Taking a bit of a loss on things that couldn’t be canceled just means I’ll have to work hard when I return…
What would a drive to Galveston Island be without a stop at Buc-ees??? This is pretty much one of my favorite places on earth! Some think it’s funny to have a gas station as exciting… but this is much more than just a station! It’s food, shopping, doggie play area… everything! We planned extra time for our little side trip, which is actually just a turn off the road we would be on anyway!
Check-in was a breeze. We had a 10:30 boarding time, which is nice and early. We had to wait in the lounge area for the passengers from the last itinerary to leave the ship. It was quite comfortable. Everything is digitalized and security was smooth. Diamond Plus and Pinnacle are the first to board after Key members. These are people who pay extra for a package of perks. It seems that WE have paid a good price to get to our level… Maybe it makes sense to buy the Key until you reach a level to receive those benefits automatically. Our wait was about ten minutes… so not too bad.
Everything happened so quickly! While the other guests boarding stopped to purchase dining packages, drink packages, make dining reservations, get internet working, we headed straight up to the pool deck! We had the whole place to ourselves. It was time to get this party started! Corey ordered a Mimosa and I had a Pain Killer. Texas has restriction on alcohol while in port. They limit the brands that can be served. Fortunately, the things we wanted were on the list! Cheers!
We got into our cabin pretty quickly. Knowing the time they usually make the announcement, we beat the crowds by heading to our floor a few minutes early. Our timing was perfect. As soon as we hit our floor, the cabin steward said, “Welcome… your rooms are ready”. Keys are on the outside of the door and the doors left open. Thankfully, our luggage had also arrived. It was truly the most seamless “day one” ever! We had plenty of time to unpack, decorate and settle in for 15 days! We were also blessed with a visitor… playing in the water outside our deck was this dolphin. With no others in sight, he seemed to be enjoying a leisurely day of swimming in the sun.
Corey may have been second guessing his decision to join me on this journey. When the magnets and decorations came out of my bag… there may have been a little eye roll. The door was decorated and clothes hung up in time to take a nap! On our way to the cabin, we realized our floor has the card room/library. My phone Kindle always has books but I was wanting to read a mindless, entertaining novel that could be held in my hand. Luckily, there was a copy of Jodi Picoult’s “The Tenth Circle”. This a rare one I haven’t read by this author. She has a way of catching your interest on the first line! This was no different…
Our schedule was listed as a 2:30 “all aboard” time and a 3:00 departure. By four o’clock, we knew that wasn’t going to happen. The “Sail Away Party” was resceduled for 4:30 but even that was delayed a second time. Not that it mattered to us, we were tucked away resting in our cabin. Quite satisfied to lounge, and two sea days ahead of us before we reach Nassau, it really didn’t matter when we actually started. Looking off our balcony, we can see the slides. Of course, I want to try them… Corey is on the fence. I’ll get him up there! With 15 days, I have plenty of time to change his mind!
Finally… it’s time to sail away.On the left photo, I noticed a park. That will be a fun place to take the grandkids one day. Our journey begins! Leaving the busy Port of Galveston, we waved to those on the ferry! Bon Voyage! Leaving this sunny day and hoping for nice weather across the Atlantic!
Night one… time for dinner. Oh my! It was incredible! We used my BOGO for Diamond Plus. Gluten-free bread was delivered by the waiter. Dipping bread into olive oil and balsamic is on my list of “most missed”. It’s so nice when I actually get to enjoy this taste! So focused on the amazing taste, I forgot to take a photo of my Burrata! It was heavenly! The waiter went above and beyond… he cut my fresh cheese, leaving a slight cave. When he turned around, I realized he would be pouring a little bit of olive oil and balsamic inside the center of the cheese. Wow! So creamy, so tasty! The second course was a gluten-free seafood pasta. Again… wow! Clams, scallops, ship and crab… a creamy white wine sauce on a bed of g/f spagetti noodles. It was so filling! Corey had Ossobuco, which he said was really good. We have a couple more nights, including Mother’s Day, at this restaurant.
Stopping by to see Mr Wilson… in the evenings he works on the fourteenth floor, in the Viking Crown Lounge. He said he was expecting a slow trip because the crossings don’t use the nightclubs as much. What he didn’t realize… there are many, like me who look for something a little quieter where you can actually meet people. Many new friendships were started last night. Surely, we will see the same cast of characters on Day Two…
