December 23rd, 2023

We have arrived!. All flights on time but by the time we made it to the port it was after 3pm so no lines to embark the boat. We were going to do the included bus ride from the airport to the port but after hearing people complain that they had been waiting 2 hours for the bus we opted to grab a taxi and make it quick and easy and not have to wait in line with all the folks on the bus.

Today was a busy day in Ft Lauderdale port. There were 7 cruise ships in port and that was in Ft Lauderdale. There were another 5 ships in Miami and another 5 in Port Canaveral. I guess everyone wants to cruise for the holidays. When you first board you have to go straight to your muster station and do the life jacket drill. Of course they hand you a glass of champagne as soon as you get on board so that makes it a little easier. While we were getting a 1 on 1 life jacket demonstration we hear someone behind the bar say “I know you” and when we look over it is our favorite bartender Aaron. So already a familiar face. So happy he is onboard and he makes the BEST aperol sprites!

We headed to the room but no luggage yet and as soon as we got in the room we got a text from our friends Kathy & Michael, who boarded at 11, that they were in Explorers lounge with Jeff & Judi also from the 21/22 world cruise. So we spent a few hours with them catching up and waiting for sail away. Sail away was a little after 5 and we went up top to watch. Compared to the other ships in port we are tiny and the other boats tower over us.

We all met for our first dinner at 6:15 in the restaurant and also happy to report that another friendly face from 21/22 was waiting for us. Casper is the dining manager so he is over all the restaurants. We have seen a few more people from the 21/22 world cruise but I am sure we will see more.

Tomorrow, Christmas Eve is a sea day. So time to unpack and find where everything belongs for 138 days.

Port of Ft Lauderdale as we were flying in. We are the smaller boat in the middle.

Sail away with our glass of champagne.