Embarkation Day

The ride to the port went so fast we almost drove past the exit from I-95. Then things slowed down. Apparently there were problems on the dock in addition to there being nine ships leaving Port Everglades at about the same time. We stood in a long line to check-in in spite of a very efficient process but everyone was happy and chatting so the time passed quickly. Then on board for our first cruise on Holland America Line’s Prisendam.

The ship is small at about 38,000 tons and there are only just over a thousand people onboard. It annoys me that the count is usually only passengers ignoring the ship’s crew and staff who make the journey possible, safe and pleasant, so that number is the total number of humans. Our cabin seemed small at first but after our cabin steward, Augustus, removed our five empty suitcases, the cabin felt larger. Everything is now put away and the room is beginning to feel like home.

We decided to try late seating for dinner this cruise since the itinerary is so port intensive. That was already a good decision because at the early seating time we were at the Sea View Bar with people from the Cruise Critic roll call and another couple and we didn’t want to leave. The weather was nice, the welcome aboard drinks were free, and I saw the green flash as the sun set.

The ship left a bit late as all of the supplies on the dock were finally aboard. We sailed past the high rises between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean with the Bon Voyage wishes of the people in the houses and condos along the way flashing lights, blowing air horns, and waving.

Now we are ready to check out the Lido for breakfast.

The most important news is that the rumors were true about the change in ports. Calls in Egypt are cancelled and are replaced with an overnight in Ashdod, Israel and a stop at Dubrovnik, Croatia.