04 01 2017
The traveling adventures of Michael and Robin.
Mike always wanted to go to Europe “old school”. We tried to set up our trip following the traditions of Magellan, Henry the Navigator, Columbus, Ernest Hemingway, and our grandparents. Not knowing exactly how to get to the Spice Islands, Italy, Poland, Russia or the Guadalquivlt River and such we settled on sailing out of Port Canaveral, Florida to arrive some time later in Barcelona, Spain. In modern day terms this is called a “Transatlantic Crossing” in Mike’s words “crossing the pond”, and in cruise ship speak a “repositioning cruise”. To quote Eric Larson in “Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania” in describing his transatlantic modern day crossing on the QE2: “My voyage brought me invaluable insights into the nature of transoceanic travel. Even today, when you are in the middle of the Atlantic you are very much alone, and far from rescue if something cataclysmic were to occur. Unlike the passengers of the Lusitania, before we left New York we all were required to try on our life jackets. No one was exempted regardless of how many voyages he or she had already made. This was serious business and frankly, a bit scary, for putting on a life jacket forces you to imagine the unimaginable.”
Day 1: Was pretty much a cluster, although a happy cluster because everyone was in a good mood. We showed up at the dock, on time, with several thousand other passengers. It was kind of like being at Disney with no ride at the end. Although as Michael pointed out, “but we are going on a ride”. Thanks to my friend Gail who is a true inspiration to me in “socializing” we made many friends in the shuttle, line # 1, line # 2 and the final line across the gang plank which is actually a cushy fiber glass tunnel that shoots you into the bowels of the ship.
Our cabin is lovely, clean, ingeniously taking advantage of every square inch. Many months ago we decided to go with a balcony cabin as we couldn’t picture ourselves in an innie shoe box. Good decision; we have a nice patio with chairs, table and plexi glass wall to admire the sea and I suppose the port when we get to one. Unpacking was a relief as we packed so much stuff we couldn’t remember what we brought. They took my Gerber knife away, (which I always travel with) I get it back when we get to Barcelona. I miss my knife. After that we started walking around the ship which Michael describes as totally obscene. Ridiculously big, with very bad maps. We had trouble finding everything and Mike flat out refused to continue using the stairs as “we will never get there”. Ha Ha. We did make it to dinner, which was lovely, and as everyone says the food is amazing. It’s true. After dinner we sat on our balcony then went to bed.
Day 2: We found the gym which is gigantic. It is filled with every body type known to man. The kinetic energy (possibly stored?) alone could power our side of the ship. After the work out, lite lunch and another tour of the ship. We saw the Cigar bar, endless shopping with weird things people can’t seem to resist, watches, perfume, handbags, diamonds, chains, and the usual array of T shirts, logo beach towels, models of the ship, cigarettes, chocolate, more chocolate, candy. I got dizzy, perhaps that is their intention. I bought a Snicker Bar. Presently (back in our cabin); Zack Brown on the iTouch and Bluetooth. I love my husband for downloading all my favorite songs. Later we’ll pull up Willie and crack open the bag of pistachios we bought in Florida.
Later in the day; we strolled the decks, and found our way to a nice sunning deck and unearthed our nooks (e-books). I have saved the new Carl Hiiasen; Razor Girl, and Eric Larson’s; Dead Wake, The Last Crossing of the Lusitania. I figure these 2 books will keep me entertained for a while. Evening found us again in the more “formal” dining room (no shorts or tank tops, hardly formal). After dinner we went up to the 16th level and watched a movie under the stars; “Deep Sea Horizon” Mark Walberg and group, a very suspenseful and gripping tale of an oil rig gone terribly array. Mike and I love “the outdoors” this is what we called the Drive-in(s) in and around our hometown of Greenfield MA, there were at least 4 we went to regularly. We still have a double screen drive-in in Fort Collins.
Day 3: Off to the gym again, all the machines were crank’in, fortunately these folks don’t last long. The quality of work-out machines is astounding. You can torture absolutely any part of your body. There is also a massively strong and fit fellow who has some kind of boot camp work out on his iPad. It is brutal; I hope he doesn’t have a stroke. Lunch in the adults only area, 16th deck (although there are very few kids on this floating city). Great salads. Afternoon sunning, reading and writing a bit. I got in one of the many hot tubs and met a few retired teachers, (a shout out to my friend Mary Teats, the busiest K teacher) and one retired night club singer, they were great fun to talk to Mike and I spent the evening strolling the decks, cigar / humidor room for a while (interesting folks in there), two very loopie ladies who were trying to fix their daughter up with this nice kid who happened to be traveling on his own. I’m not sure where that all went.
