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Sunday – Embarkation

Daily Program

All Aboard!

We finally made to the ship, albeit our clothes were a bit fragrant.  It was about 3:00 PM.  With no luggage, that was one step for us to skip.  Off to check-in.  We checked thru security very quickly.   They were kind of annoying in that they went through the women's purses and took anything that was open and edible.  They took packages of mints and a few other candies.  Not sure why.  If they were still original sealed it was ok.  They didn't search my stuffed backpack.  Guess we should have thrown the mints in my bag.  Better yet, just stick them in you pockets.

We got a quick picture and looked around.  There was absolutely zero line, but we still went up to the suite check-in.   We were signed in quickly, photos taken and cards issued.   We met Al our concierge and told him that the airline said it would track down our luggage. 

My wife bought some leis at the bottom of the stairs even though I had told her she did not need to as we would get free ones.  Once we got up stairs and down the corridor we got our free leis.  The ones she bought used different flowers and smelled much better, so we were all happy.  Yet another boarding picture and finally on to the ship.

A brief wait on for the elevator and off we went to our cabins.  My in-laws cabin 9303 was our first destination.  We had some problems as we thought the key was not working.  It would show green, but the door didn't open.  Turns out that their cabin door sticks a bit, and with a little more effort it would push right open. 

The cabin appeared ready.  However later in the day, my mother-in-law would discover that the shower drain was full of hair.   We reported it and it was handled very quickly.

Off to our cabin 9201.  Our door worked fine.  Our room steward was nearby and came over to tell us the room had been made ready.  A quick glance around it looked nice.  Later in the day, my mother-in-law notice that he hall sink was dirty.  If you just glanced in the room you would see it until standing at the sink looking down, and then you could see it was a mess.   Once it again it was handled quickly by our room steward.  In turned out that she serviced both our cabins.

After we had been in our cabin a little while Al called to say he would track down our luggage.  He proceed to check on it and called us several times to update us.  At last it arrived and all was intact.

Time to Explore

We all decided to spend some time getting comfortable on board while we waited for our baggage.  For me that meant exploring the ship, taking pictures of everything.  For the others it meant checking out a few key areas and hanging out on the balcony.

While I was exploring I happened to go through the buffet.   I saw they had had lobster bisque today and really wanted to taste it, but the buffet was closed.  I mentioned to one of the staff that was taking the soup away that the soup looked good and he told me it was and to give it a try.   I told him there were no bowls and he said no problem wait right here.  A few minutes later he was back with a bowl.  If service continues like this, things will be great.  The soup was very good.   And with that, two major complaints of prior passengers looked like they had been addressed.  Service and bland food.

Our luggage arrive just before the life boat drill.  We put on our life vests and off we went.   My youngest daughter was given her child's life vest as we boarded.  Good system for distribution.  The drill was very quick.  They did open a lifeboat for viewing. 

Back to the our cabins and we changed for dinner.  The daily indicated that the dress code would not be enforced, but the clothes we had on were in need of change - if you get my drift.

We decided to eat at the Crossings Restaurant (menu).   We arrived about 5:50 and were seated promptly with no wait. I had

• Fine Venison Pâté
• Caramelized Maui Onion Soup
• Coconut/Macadamia encrusted swordfish - tonight's special
• Kahlua Mousse Gateau

Others had the Baked Turkey Parmigiana and the Paniolo Steak.  I like all everything I chose and several commented on how good the steak was.

We did find some nice chocolate covered strawberries to snack on while we unpacked.

My in-laws were not so lucky.  Their door keys would not work.  The room steward recognized them and let them in their cabin.   They had to go to the reception desk to get their keys re-coded.   Well the keys still didn't work.   We called for help and security came to look at the lock, while my in-laws waited with us.  We went to their cabin to see if they had been their and the room steward indicate they had been.   Their keys still did not work.  The room steward indicated that there was a trick to some of the locks.  Insert and remove your room key.  Count to five and do it again, slower this time.   Tada the lock opens.   This trick worked pretty well, but it was strange to say the least.  The lock behaved this way the rest of the cruise.   

Off to sleep.  We were all very tired and we needed to get up early for Kauai.

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My Portrait Photography
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