This morning, Candi and I
left the ship around 10am to grab a cup of coffee and meet Mom & Dad. They drove us to the bank, where Candi
and I each grabbed some cash, then it was back to Pier 3 of the Port of Tampa,
for their arrival and embarkation on the Norwegian Dawn! We unloaded the car, and Mom & I
stayed with the luggage, while Dad took the car to off-site parking. Once he came back, they went up through
the passenger boarding area, and I boarded via the crew area. They were on in no-time and the
adventure began.
The hotel director very
kindly added their names to the V.I.P. list for the week. This provided them with little
chocolates or canapés, delivered to their stateroom each afternoon, access to
Cagney’s Steakhouse for breakfast and lunch on port days, and additional
discounts & amenities. It also
provided them with concierge service, though they had their own, private
concierge . . . ME! The “real”
concierge also allowed them to sit in the V.I.P. seating of the theater. So, although they were in a low-level
cabin (deck 5), with just a porthole, they will be well cared for this week.
While I was giving them a
tour of the ship (since they were on board by about 11:30am), we stopped at the
Venetian Dining Room and had lunch.
They attended the passenger
safety drill, and then the sail away party on the pool deck, where the
production cast performs a number each week. I had some afternoon rehearsals, but was back with them by
about 5:30pm. We spent quite a bit
of time on the upper decks at the bow of the ship, as we maneuvered through the
channel of Tampa Bay. They brought
binoculars with them, so we were able to find Bahia Beach . . . where the first
condo they owned in Florida was, and where we spent many family vacations. We had a quick bite in the Garden Café
(buffet) and then it was back to the bow, where we were when the ship sailed
under the Sunshine Skyway. Even
though you know you’re going to “clear” it, it’s a harrowing experience.
They attended the first
Welcome Aboard show, then . . . geez, I don’t remember what they did after
that. Regardless, their vacation
is off to a great start and they’re having fun. They’ve met a lot of people, and two of the cruise staff
members (Natalie and Dan) are both trying to weasel their way in as daughter
and son-in-law, respectively.
