11-29-17 11 night HAL Cruise-Embarkation day:

Yep, it was still a cloudy rainy chilly day for Fort Lauderdale.   But we were heading to a cruise ship today, so who cares!?   We ate our complimentary breakfast at the Ramada Inn, checked out, and were on our way.

Since we had plenty of time, we headed to A1A for the long way to the cruise port.  Even longer due to a drawbridge. 

 Love the Christmas decorations in South Florida! 

Went to Quay Shopping Center on A1A across from the cruise port and returned the Budget car we had rented from the airport yesterday.  Then waited for their free shuttle to take us to the port.  Found out the shuttle didn't come until about 11:30, so we had a half hour or so to stand around.  finally got to the our pier and waited some more----first in line to get our room keys and boarding number, then for boarding to start, then for our boarding number to be called (we were number lucky 13), then in line with everyone boarding.  ( I did think I was pretty clever while we were waiting because I downloaded the Mobile Passport app onto my phone and set it up so we could use it for a speedier debarkation when the cruise was over---only to find out during debarkation that they no longer use it.)

This happened to be an "O" cruise ( O, The Oprah Magazine---Adventure of Your Life Cruise).  I didn't pick this cruise because of that.  In fact I was a little concerned that it might interfere with our usual cruise fun, but it turned out to be a nice bonus.  HAL made some kind of an agreement with them to offer "enrichment" activities on something like 4 of their cruises.  I believe this was the 2nd "O" cruise.  We got use to seeing a lot of "O's" this cruise.
Embarkation time finally came.  During that time they handed out "O" T-shirts.  It was rather neat seeing all the "O" shirts all around the ship throughout the cruise.  (And you didn't have to worry about someone seeing you wear the same shirt twice because there were so many "O" shirts  around every day that noone would notice you wore it 4 days in a row!)

Our cabin this cruise was on the Navigator level (8), room 8065---mid-ship on the right side (I know I should say starboard or port or whatever, but I'm not that nautical minded).  I had reserved a VF (lowest level of unobstructed verandahs) for $899@ and hoped that we weren't given a cabin with the solid metal wall on the varandah.   We usually get upsell offers, but didn't get any for this cruise.  Probably just as well, we were pretty happy where we ended up.   About 10 days before the cruise, I was happy when we got the email saying that we got a VA---highest level of verandahs (not including the spa verandahs).  I was kind of hoping for the VQ spa verandah like we had last year, but figured this ought to be really good, too. 

  The room was the same size and design as the spa varandah we had last year.  We also didn't get the free water, pedometers, bose speakers, and yoga mat that was in the spa varandah---not that we cared about that.

same nice size bathroom with large shower and Elemis shampoo, conditioner and shower gel.

One advantage to this verandah over the spa verandah is it's deeper.  I did find one really big disadvantage (for the photographer in me).  The lido deck over hung our cabin by about 8'.  Not a big deal unless you were trying to take a wide angle sunset photo from the verandah.

This is the spa verandah we had last year.  Not as deep by about 4 boards, but still big enough to use the ottoman if you turn the chair sideways.  An advantage of this VQ is the overhang was the same size as the verandah making for great views of the sky.

As we looked out our verandah we noticed there was 1 other cruise ship in port----The World!  It is the largest private residential ship on the planet, The World is home to only 165 Residences. Residents & Guests spend extensive time exploring the most exotic and well-traveled destinations.   Each year it's itinerary is determined by the Residents and the Captain.  I saw a tv show about this ship once.   The studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom cabins seen in the tv show are spectacular! So are their prices!  I was a surprised that the exterior of the ship wasn't as spectacular.

After checking out our cabin, it was time to head to Lido for lunch.  Luggage was already arriving.  I was amused and enlightened by this piece of luggage!  I wouldn't have thought of checking a case of water (or soda) at the curb!  But I may next time!

Shortly after lunch it was time for the muster drill.  Ours was in the balcony level of the Queens Lounge.  Only had to go down 5 levels of stairs.  In fact, being on the 8th level made it convenient to use the stairs a lot---and I did.  Even got a "Lighthouse award" on my Fitbit for doing 50 levels of stairs one day.

walking through the Lido restaurant between lunch and dinner.

I'm sure this is a new addition since last year---and a great one!!!!  A great addition for the Teetotalers---and me!  I love the variety of teas, especially the decaffeinated ones.

Sailaway time of 5pm came and went and we were still looking around the marina.  This brought back fond memories.  When we lived in South Florida a couple years ago, we took the Belearia to Grand Bahamas one time.  What a fun trip!  Long day trip, but a fun one.  And reasonable priced at something like $60@ with a Groupon.  We went to Grand Bahamas and hung out at Paradise Cove, Deadman's Reef for the day.

Looking out from our verandah towards the land protecting the marina from the ocean.

Almost sunset and still at the pier---and still a cloudy rainy day.

We headed to the Lido buffet for dinner.  Prime rib night---even at the buffet.  It was very good.  We didn't know it at the time, but this became a regular thing for us---dinner at the Lido buffet.  If I'd known that before we packed, I wouldn't have packed as much clothes!

Walking around the Lido deck after dinner on our way to the World Stage to see the Preview show---A look ahead at the entertainment this cruise.  The entertainment the whole cruise
was very good! 

Back at the room---the 2nd and 3rd of our "O" treats and our mariner bag.  (The first "O" treat will be shown later---the T-shirt)  Every night we got a new inspirational card by Oprah, too.  Tonight's read, "Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe."
The "O" activity today was:
O's Reading Room---This cruise featured the book, The Price of Illusion by Joan Juliet Buck.  It was available in the Crow's Nest from 4-6 to be checked out and returned at the end of the cruise or bought for $20.  I checked it out, didn't finish it on the cruise, but thought it would make a great Christmas present for my sister.  (I did finish it before I sent it to her.  It was an interesting autobiography.  She led quite the life!).

Past 9 and still in port.  The Captain announced there was a problem with the communications equipment.  Guess you would want those to work! 
We headed up to the Lido for the 10pm Poolside Movie:  Wind River  (a veteran tracker with the Fish and Wildlife Service helps to investigate the murder of a young Native American woman, and uses the case as a means of seeking redemption for an earlier act of irresponsibility which ended in tragedy."  It appeared to be a really good movie---too bad there was no audio for it!  Guess that was part of the system that was out, too.

About 10:30 we finally shoved off---about 6 hours late.  At least we didn't have any port days 'til the 3rd day.  We booked it at about 22 knots a good part of the next couple of days. 

Another long "travel" day, but this one went pretty well, too.  It was nice to be on the ship and have no more packing and unpacking to do for a few days.