Beth's Cruise Day 1 - 2

I have left my journal downstairs while I journeyed to the 7th deck lobby to find a better internet connection but I will try and do my best to remember all the important events and maybe update later.

Jan 4
We woke early to get a in a nice breakfast before embarking on the cruise. There was a slight mix up with taxis as Gwen saw what she thought was our taxi and went to hail it while the taxi driver that the hotel had actually called for us was at the front desk. By the time I had found where I wanted to go and communicated it to the receptionist to tell the driver, Gwen was having her stuff loaded in to the second taxi! An argument ensued between the two driver's about whose fare it was and then I believe the original driver over charged us by quite a bit! This was all forgotten as we boarded to cheers, music and free champagne. We found our "stateroom" (actually quite cozy!) and grabbed lunch on board. After reading and relaxing for a couple hours we sought out dinner and then made our way to the "Welcome Aboard" show which was quite interesting. We finished off the night with a round of drinks at the "young" bar where we bumped into an amazing crewman (Hencel Hill) who gave us tips on ports, drinks etc. and even bought us a round!

Jan 5
Waking early to get breakfast and make the 10am "Secrets to a Flatter Stomach" seminar, we had time to check out the library as well on our way to the gym. Though their fiction section leaves something to be desired (mainly Cussler novels), their guide books gave us some ideas for how we plan to spend our time in Greece. We watched the lecture and then had a work out. On the way out we passed the spa whose prices we had already deemed extravagant. A massage runs about $165. However, we noticed an advert for "Ladies Night" for $109 you get an hour long back, shoulders, neck and arms massage, a facial, a "luxuriant aromatherapy" bath, sauna and steam room time and complimentary champagne. We signed up immediately. That will happen in the evening after our second day in Egypt. Hencel warned us that we might not be able to handle very long in Alexandria on our own that second day.

We caught lunch and then showers before checking out a second health seminar on detoxification before heading upstairs for the dance lessons. We were taught the basic merenge and a couple steps and are looking forward to salsa tomorrow! It was Dress Up (or not) night, so we got dressed up and went to dinner in the formal dining room where we ate with two very nice couples. Deciding we were tired and had to get up early, we stopped at the room for a refresher and then checked out the comedy troupe and the dancing before calling it a night.

** I realize today is the 6th, but it's not over yet and we had an INCREDIBLE day in Rome which could not possibly be squeezed into this post. We will post on it later!