Here it is, the day we've been waiting for all year!
Boarding day for our third once-in-a-lifetime trip!
After waking up around 7:30 Stan went for a walk around the hotel while Amy hit the hotel's fitness center. We met back up at the room an hour later and went to breakfast downstairs in the hotel's restaurant. We both had the buffet (as we figured we'd practice for the cruise). There were delicious waffles that Amy enjoyed and delicious bacon that Stan enjoyed! After breakfast it was time to shower and pack everything up and get this cruise started. We left the room at 11:30 to head over to the port. After checking out, we went to wait for a cab and since this was the host hotel the line was full of cruisers and was probably the longest the hotel has ever seen. There was about a twenty minute wait for us to get to the front of the line and luckily a taxi van pulled up and we were able to share a ride with 8 other "dippers". The ride took about 8 minutes and cost us $7 each. We gave our bags, except for our carry-ons, to the porter and we will see them in our cabin in a few hours.
Below was our first view of the Norwegian Jewel upon arrival to the terminal at about 12:15.
The first thing we had to do when we arrived was to fill out a form for Norwegian that stated whether or not we have been sick in the last 48 hours. We never encountered this with Carnival and this is normal procedure for Norwegian. Next we went through security and unlike the airlines this goes much smoother; just empty our pockets and x-ray our carry on bags. Then there was a short line to check in for the cruise. We had to set up our on-board spending account and get our picture taken for our ID cards. A short walk upstairs to another line gets us our concert tickets and cabin keys.
Are we there yet??!!
Almost--one more line to have our embarkation photo taken and then we encounter our first surprise. Kevin from BNL is there to greet us as we walk on to the ship. We didn't see them but the rest of the band members took turns during the boarding process. The next surprise, that we would get very used to, was the Norwegian staff spraying our hands with sanitizer as we walked on to the ship. As we found out during the week, they would do this outside of each dining area. In addition, there were self-sanitizing stations in the hallways, elevators, etc.
Almost--one more line to have our embarkation photo taken and then we encounter our first surprise. Kevin from BNL is there to greet us as we walk on to the ship. We didn't see them but the rest of the band members took turns during the boarding process. The next surprise, that we would get very used to, was the Norwegian staff spraying our hands with sanitizer as we walked on to the ship. As we found out during the week, they would do this outside of each dining area. In addition, there were self-sanitizing stations in the hallways, elevators, etc.
FINALLY!! AT 1:00, WE ARE ON THE SHIP!!!!!!!!!
And what's the first thing we do? Accept a glass of complimentary champagne! Since they told us our cabins wouldn't be ready until after 2, we headed up to the pool deck to have our traditional embarkation burger and Stan's fruity umbrella drink.
After eating we decided to scope out the sightlines for the BNL sail away show that was scheduled for 5. With the layout of the stage this year we figured our best spot would be on the upper level of the pool deck across from the stage. We walk around the ship checking out the other concert venues before heading to our cabin a little after 2. Our first impression of the room was that it was a little smaller than our cabins on Carnival but still nice. And what do we do when we get there-- Amy immediately gets to work disinfecting the room with her Lysol and Clorox wipes while Stan checks out the view of Miami from the balcony! With that finished, we take a few minutes to plan out our evening of shows and then it's time to muster. The muster drill takes place at 3:30 and is mandatory for all on board. Our muster station is located in the Azure dining room and we are told what to do in the case of an emergency. Now when the drill is finished it is always a mad dash to the pool deck where everything is vying for a good spot for the sail away show. Fortunately, we have a system for this, as it is our third time and all. Stan takes our life jackets from the drill, and literally, throws them in the room while Amy runs to hold the aforementioned spot. Exercising this morning pays off because Amy was the first one on the second level of the pool deck and had her pick of spots. Stan made it up a few short minutes later and there was nothing more to do but wait till 5 when the show would start. We had yet another surprise when, at a little before 5, the ship actually set sail. This doesn't usually happen until after the band takes the stage but Norwegian officers are on the ball and no one is complaining.
After eating we decided to scope out the sightlines for the BNL sail away show that was scheduled for 5. With the layout of the stage this year we figured our best spot would be on the upper level of the pool deck across from the stage. We walk around the ship checking out the other concert venues before heading to our cabin a little after 2. Our first impression of the room was that it was a little smaller than our cabins on Carnival but still nice. And what do we do when we get there-- Amy immediately gets to work disinfecting the room with her Lysol and Clorox wipes while Stan checks out the view of Miami from the balcony! With that finished, we take a few minutes to plan out our evening of shows and then it's time to muster. The muster drill takes place at 3:30 and is mandatory for all on board. Our muster station is located in the Azure dining room and we are told what to do in the case of an emergency. Now when the drill is finished it is always a mad dash to the pool deck where everything is vying for a good spot for the sail away show. Fortunately, we have a system for this, as it is our third time and all. Stan takes our life jackets from the drill, and literally, throws them in the room while Amy runs to hold the aforementioned spot. Exercising this morning pays off because Amy was the first one on the second level of the pool deck and had her pick of spots. Stan made it up a few short minutes later and there was nothing more to do but wait till 5 when the show would start. We had yet another surprise when, at a little before 5, the ship actually set sail. This doesn't usually happen until after the band takes the stage but Norwegian officers are on the ball and no one is complaining.YEA! WE'RE CRUISING!!!
Our hosts take the stage at 5:15 (the first of many shows starting late) and do not disappoint. They kick off the cruise with a great set and everyone is singing along with every song. When their show is finished at 6:15 we first went to the room to see if our luggage had been delivered, which it had, and then to dinner, at one of the two main dining rooms, Tsar's. Stan feasted on baby shrimp cocktail, sirloin steak and fries while Amy enjoyed her salad, chicken breast, mashed potatoes and veggies.
With our bellies full we went to the merch table (first of many trips) to buy some t-shirts while all the sizes were still there, dropped them in the room and then walked by the pool deck to hear a song or two from Melissa McCelland & Luke Doucet, an unknown to us husband and wife duo. Next was a night of shows in the main Stardust theater. We found great seats in the fourth row, just off center. First up was Sloan at 8:30. We had never heard of this band before the trip and had just listened to a few of their songs before we left. Rolling Stones + Kinks = whole lot of crazy Sloan. We really enjoyed them as they were very entertaining. Next up was Great Big Sea at 10:00. We discovered them on the cruise last year and had been listening to their music a lot since. This would be our first time seeing them that we were familiar with their music and we couldn't wait. They took the stage and rocked our asses off! Was it because of our great seats? Our first full show of the week? The energy of them playing their first show of the cruise? Don't know but we really enjoyed them--a definite highlight so far.
They finished playing by 11:45 and before calling it a night , we would see one more show --Thinbuckle on the pool deck. (Thinbuckle is Kevin from BNL's band). We missed their first few songs but made it in time to see Steven from BNL preform a song with them. The rest of their set was good. By this time we were starting to get a little munchy so we went over to the Garden Cafe (buffet) and grabbed a late night snack of hot dogs and nachos. It's now getting close to 2, so we head back to our room, unpack and call it a night by 3.
Whew...a 3AM bedtime and this is just the first day!!!!!
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