We had breakfast at the hotel and then drove just down the road to turn the car in at Enterprise. (The car rental was free because of all the Enterprise points I have accumulated on our car rentals in Ireland!) We walked back to our hotel (fifteen minute walk max) to kill time at the hotel until our limo pickup at 12:15 PM to transport us to the cruise terminal and our ship.
The limo was on-time. We were to Port Everglades in fifteen minutes. Viking took our luggage and we had a seat inside the terminal to await boarding (which was slightly delayed because of a Coast Guard ship inspection). We were aboard and in our stateroom by 1:00 PM. The luggage arrived shortly thereafter. We had a quick lunch in the World Cafe and then proceeded to get unpacked.
At 5:00 PM we were at the Living Room bar for cocktails and chit chat. We sat at the bar. The woman to our left, travelling solo, was from Tucson and loves Dingle in Ireland. The couple to our right are on their first sea cruise and quite a cruise it will be – they are onboard for 120 days of the Viking World Cruise. After Los Angeles they will be off to Hawaii, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, Java, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, the Seychelles, a bunch of stops in Africa, Spain, France, and ending in London. Yikes.
Dinner was quiet in the World Cafe. After dinner drinks were in the Explorer Lounge where we met more interesting people. And then it was off to bed. No pictures today.
Saturday Morning
It’s Saturday morning as I post this. Smooth sailing last night and a good night’s sleep. Breakfast was grand. Here’s a potpourri of pictures from around the ship this morning. The first group is from our (messy) stateroom including two from the balcony looking forward and back.
Then random shots from my morning walkabout after breakfast. Elaine’s in there in one of them.
Today is a sea day in the Gulf of Mexico, so probably not a lot more pictures for tomorrow’s blog.
Have a great trip. Another bucket list adventure going through the Panama Canal. Wow! Keep up the good work!
Hi Joe, looks like a very nice ship. You told us where the world cruise is going but didn’t say where you are going. We know you are going through the Panama Canal but are there any stops? It’s a fascinating ride through the canal. I’m sure you will find it very interesting. We did it with the Lees and the Murphys, but only had three stops in Mexico between Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles.
Cruise map in next post.
Glad you are on the ship and beginning your cruise. Spotted Elaine, she is enjoying her quiet spot! Take care ….