Day 17… we made it!

 

Well, they have embarkation/debarkation down to a science.  Luggage here, people there, sign here, walk there… and you’re in your room.  I have to say that, logistically speaking, when traveling with more than just a few people (and 12 DEFINITELY counts as more than a few) cruising is easier than most other travel options.  Room & Board are taken care of… everybody can “do their own thing” and not get (too) lost … and you still get to lots of different places without having to pack/unpack haul luggage through cities over ancient cobblestone streets.

 

 

 

Of course, gluttony can be a huge problem, too (though this photo is just a 4-year-old being a normal 4-year-old).  I have a “4 floor” rule when it comes to waiting for the elevators, so we get more exercise than some… making that 2^nd ice cream cone not as bad for you – LOL!  More and more people are traveling from a greater variety of places it seems… so the early announcements are made not only in English, but in Spanish, Italian & German… and then the Captain’s Welcome Announcement was made, by HIM, in all of those AND Japanese.  It certainly takes up air time filling the hallways, but it’s fun to figure out what you can understand… and what just sounds Greek – LOL!

Getting ready for supper

The 4 kids all have to be formally registered for the Children’s Programs… and since Boo Boo’s birthday was yesterday, he now qualifies to be in the Teen Room.  He’s BEYOND thrilled!  The girls are technically in the same room, but there is a 6-9 y.o. group of leaders, and a 10-12 group of leaders… and while they do a LOT of things together, sometimes the girls do different things.  DN is in his own 3-5 y.o. room and they have an entire program just for them.  Cruising companies are DEFINITELY taking an interest in families that travel b/c even in this “off season” time of year, there are 287 kids on board, and 84 teens.  Not all will take advantage of the kids programs… but they certainly are a lot of fun.

NCL does a “Freestyle” type of cruising that certainly has some advantages if you have a very flexible, highly variable sort of day… and that can certainly happen with vacations.  Others still do the “Seating times” for breakfast and dinner… which also has some advantages.  Regardless, the food abounds from multiple places on the ship, and that doesn’t even include the “upcharge” restaurants here on board.

Unpacking, getting organized, and taking a walk around the ship to get oriented takes a bit of time… and the kids clearly made some new friends at their “Intro Night” tonight… this will be fabulous. 

 

Oh... and some things never change. :)