We got to the pier at 11:30 am and it was a breeze going through security and checking in.We were through the security check in 15 minutes and walked right up to an agent to check in. Once we had our Sea Pass we walked right to the picture taking checkpoint to get our faces into the security system and then straight aboard. We had a nice lunch in the Windjammer and then to the cabin to await our luggage and unpack. Our luggage showed up right away and we had everything placed and stowed and made our way to the Schooner Bar for a pre-meet and mingle to meet our CC buddies asap.

Sail away was just at sunset and very pretty. Going under the Skyway Bridge and leaving the bay was made easy by Capt Rob. He announced the time so that we could head forward at the right time. The age demographic on this cruise was the oldest I have ever experienced. There were more canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters than you could shake a stick at. Early seating was at 5:30 and late seating at 8. We had late seating and the DR was about 2/3 full. Early seating was a sell out. Very few children and only a couple of teens. There was never a problem with deck chairs being taken for the entire trip.

We had great weather for the entire trip. 80-85 with mostly sunny skies. The first two days, when sailing into the wind, it is very windy on deck. The second sea day we had a Coast Guard medievac of a critically ill passenger. They closed the pool deck to facilitate the helicopter dropping the basket and it was a really amazing to see them in action. The entire process was carried out with precision and it is amazing how dangerous the procedure is. Capt Rob changed the ships course to meet the helicopter that much sooner but unfortunately the passenger did not make it to the hospital. Read more