Sunday -> Cruise Day #1 -- We got a cab to the pier from our hotel. The embarkation really wasn't too bad. We waited around to be processed and was on the ship in about an hour or so. We were guided towards the buffet restaurant where the food was pretty average. We ate and explored for the afternoon. We were pleasantly surprised when we found our cabin #6201. It was an outside cabin even though I had ordered the cheapest inside cabin. It was also right at the front of the ship or bow as we sailors call it. It was right under the captain's bridge. So if he decides to take a little snooze, we can keep watch from our window for him.
There's a lot of bars on board and people started drinking right away. We did a lot of walking. We ended up with late seating dinner, with Marge and Charlie from MA. The dinner was excellent. I ordered the fruit plate starter, excellent; the mushroom soup, really excellent, and the rack of lamb, as good as mine and very similar. We then went to the Toulouse lounge where they have all their shows and we met the cruise director, Steve Castle, a very funny and personable guy. Afterwards, a ventriloquist/comedian came on. Then back to the cabin. I was tired, but kept feeling sporadic lurching. I thought it was Mike, but it turned out to be the ship movement. Its not quite as even-keeled as they lead you to think. I finally got to sleep but it was a little difficult.
Monday -> First day at sea. Wake up not entirely rested as I'm not yet acclimated to the ship's rocking. Looked out the window and we're out in the middle of nowhere. The weather's a bit warmer as yesterday was quite cold in N.O. Its about 68 deg. We had breakfast in the Monet Restaurant and sat with Ian and Hazel from Oxford, England. They were very nice and had a son and daughter same age as my Matt and Steve. Breakfast of poached eggs and toast. The bacon and fruit was very good. Mike had his favorite eggs benedict. Afterwards, we heard a talk about the shore excursions. We had already reserved tours in Jamaica and Cayman through local tour companies on the internet, but we decided definitely on the ship tour of Tulum for our Cozumel stop. Went back to the cabin and made our reservations through the TV. What a world we live in. By the time lunch rolled by, I didn't think I'd be ready for any more food, however, when I saw them making hot fresh tempura, I changed my mind. It was so delicious! Every day they had a "taste of some country" and today's was Japan. Afterwards, though, my stomach was really bothering me. I don't know if it was the excess of food or the swaying of the ship. The waves were considered "moderate" at 4-1/2' to 7'. I know because spent a bit of time in front of the map that shows you the route and a current "you are here" with little tiny lights. We then went down to the atrium lounge where they had a couple singing. The woman had a beautiful voice and did a lot of Carpenters music. After this we watched an Austin Powers dance class on the Lido Deck. Very funny.