Here We Go!: Cruise on Island Princess Day 1.

Location, Home, CA

We are back from our cruise. We actually returned home on Friday afternoon, thanks to our good friends Peg and Lee who drove to the Port of Los Angeles to pick us up.

We had company arriving Friday evening and stay until this morning. Gary and Cindy came to visit because of a baby shower for a friend’s daughter. We also went to dinner last night with a group of people who had been at the shower earlier in the day.

Now, about the cruise. It was FABOULUS!!!! Where to begin?

We flew to Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday April 28th. It took all day as we changed planes in Los Angeles and Dallas-Ft Worth. Even though our connections were tight we made each flight. However, there was barely time to go to the restroom and no time for food between flights. We knew this would a problem so took granola bars and trail mix with us and that worked out ok.

Our only glitch was the one hour wait for the hotel shuttle after arriving in Ft Lauderdale. It took 2 phone calls before they picked us up. They did make it up to us as they drove our group to and from dinner later in the evening at no cost.

Clyda witing for the shuttle. NO, the wheelchair wasn't for her. It just was convenient to sit in while we waited.

We met with 2 of the 3 couples going on the cruise for cocktails before dinner which was a nice way to start our vacation. The third couple joined us on-board ship the next afternoon.

The hotel supplied a full buffet breakfast the next morning and drove us to the ship at Port Everglades in the afternoon.

Check-in to the Island Princess was a breeze as we had completed all our requirements on-line (now a requirement for Home Land Security) before leaving home.

Walking aboard ship with our friends. Myself, Cay, Jim, Frank, and Michele

Once on board we checked into our cabin and met our room steward. The room is more than adequate with a Queen size bed and plenty of amenities such as 24 hour room service.

Our room with a refrigerator on left with bar and TV above and dressing table to the right. Balcony is behind the drapes.

Looking towards the enrty door with closet and bathroom to the left behind bedroom wall.

Closet with storage shelves behind the double doors.

Bathroom sink with shelves.

Shower on the left (small), and toilet.

Below is a view of the gangway from our balcony. We are on the 12th deck, forward on the starboard side.

Baggage waiting to be loaded aboard.

Thomas and Debbie are aboard!

We went to the Horizon Buffet on deck 14 for a snack and a celebratory drink. I haven’t been drinking alcohol for several years but did indulge in a few on this trip.

A Mojito to start the trip!

The ship left port at 5 PM and we stayed on deck until the Miami skyline faded from sight. We are headed to Aruba as our first port-of-call, 2 ½ days from now.

Leaving Port Everglades.

Miami skyline in the haze.

The two plus days at sea were filled with shows in the Princess Theatre, lectures on ports of call, reading, talking, and eating of course. The time flew by. The weather was warming up as we traveled south with temperatures in the mid 80’s and water temperature about the same. We passed the eastern edge of Cuba which could be seen about 10 miles off before heading more southerly towards Aruba.

Lido deck uncovered pool looking aft. Lots of sunburns by the time we reach Aruba.

Lido pool looking forward. There is also a covered pool forward of this called The Lotus Pool.

Basketball court, shuffle board and large chess set.

This area at the stern is called "The Sanctuary". It can be rented for $10 for 4 hours. I don't think it got much use as the smoke from the stacks drifted over this area.