So, you want to take a cruise on the sea for a few days?
No? Ok, sorry, I'll stop here.
Yeah right! As if any of you will get me to shut up about anything just short of chloroform...though I am sure that method has crossed a mind or two.
Indeed, my wife and I took a long-awaited cruise this past week. It was actually 8 years overdue. We were all set up in spring of 2018 to do this but we forgot some vital documents such as birth certificates. Needless to say, we were crushed. This time, however, we were prepared, especially since this year is our 20th year together and just going to get a 20 piece McNuggets meal was not going to cut it, not even with tossing in an extra hot mustard sauce!
The anticipation was growing in the final weeks, even when I was sick froma virus in the alst 2 weeks of school. Granted, part of that was from not going 8 years ago,mthe mystery of it all. Now, no more mystery and I am quite happy to say if we can pull off a bank robbery or two, I'd love to do it again, though with the sense of a seasoned veteran I did not have this time around.
So, along with my tale, I will include some tips on cruising right and frugally.
We began our true journey at the cruise port in Long Beach, California. It is a giant dome that makes you think you're at Epcot in Florida. As we had driven to San Diego late the night before to drop our daughter at my dad's place, then took a bus to Long Beach and an Uber to the port, we were quite tired.
Now, here is what those episodes of The Love Boat did not depict. There is a helluva long line of people like us waiting to get checked in. The smart and seasoned ones have passports, others like us have government IDs and birth certificates and hope there is no problem.My stuff was ok but Vickie's docs got a couple of raised eyebrows due to the lack of a raised state seal. Luckilly she also brought her social security card so all was good. Next, you go through a TSA like scanner and strip search (wait, that last part was in a nightmare, sorry). After that, it is a climb up a few ramps in that dome, constantly showing all who request it your boarding pass. Photographers are also there to seize the opportunity to make money before you're even on the ship!
Before we knew it, we were finally on the gangway to the Carnival Firenze! It was quite impressive, 14 total decks, though the top 2 were definitely smaller. Once on, we had to orient ourselves quite fast. The first order of business was to find deck 5, section C, which was our muster station.
What is mustering? Apparently whenever you're on a cruiise ship, there is a safety location in case of disaster, and you are to muster (or gather) in a certain place to hear further instructions (often involing loud and desperate prayer).
Once we "self-mustered" ("Bryan Timothy Moore, are you self mustering in there? You'll go blind!") at our assigned location, it was off to deck 10, known as the Lido deck on that particular ship. The Lido deck was where most of the informal dining options were, including a couple of buffets.
Helpful hint 1: If you desire access to soda or beer, there is a fee for the whole voyage for it. Otherwise, it is water, juice, coffee, or hot cocoa. We opted not to do this.
Helpful hint 2: If you decide you want Internet access, there is a hefty fee for that as well. We just chose the ship wi fi for access to activity choices and meal check in. I can surf at home.
As we sat for our refreshment, a jolly man with a Caribbean accent strongly suggested we try his rum punch.
Helpful hint 3: Nothing offered except bread is complimentary and this rule applies most definitely to alcoholic beverages.
The moment we grabbed the drinks, we were asked to sign our names...and before we knew it, $35 was charged to our account.
And then, finally around 1:30, we were told that we could go to our rooms. We were on deck 2, which is most definitely on the low part of the ship. That said, Vickie had upgraded us there, otherwise we would not have had a balcony to get good sea air and hear the sounds of the sea. Sadly, our luggage was not yet there. No matter. After checking out the balcony, both of us took a nap.
Helpful hint 4: The toilet paper provided is school-grade. It might be good to leave a little room in the luggage for a home roll or two.
After a little snooze, our luggage finally arrived. We unpacked a few things and then went exploring a bit. What we soon found out was that aside from the photographs, there are other sales rackets (sorry, OPPORTUNITIES) going on. To sum up a wasted hour, we decided not to pursue their little games. Besides, it was time for dinner.
We headed to the Michelangelo Dining Room, where we learned you're supposed to check in on the app. Luckily it was not crowded yet since the sales pitches were still holding other passengers hostage.
Now, anyone who knows me gets that I love a good meal and this dining room did not disapppint at any time. The service was great, every guest was treated on a first name basis, and the food was delicious! Of course, there were some menu items was were a little or a lot extra, but we generally stuck to the regular items. On the first night, I had a steak and it was as good as a regular restaurant. What helped was the general ambience and, if you were lucky (which we were often), a seat with a great view of the sea.
We were planning to see a comedy show that night but we were still tired and just went to bed.
Up Next: part 2: Catalina and Ensenada
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