October 21, 2015

FIFTY-EIGHTH MOVEMENT:  Caribbean Sea

Caribbean Sea

On Board the MS Royal Princess: Day One

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States of America

 

[NOTE: I’ve grown weary of writing the usual bullshit narrative; so I’ve decided to dispense with it and present the raw notes I took on my iPhone instead.]

 

On board the MS Royal Princess (which was christened by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge) and looking out at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.
On board the MS Royal Princess (which was christened by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge) and looking out at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.
The sunning decks (16, 17, 18) at the center of the ship.
The sunning decks (16, 17, 18) at the center of the ship.
Looking between the sea walk and the ship.
Looking between the sea walk and the ship.
The barrier island and Stranahan River south of Port Everglades, seen from the MS Royal Princess as she left the port and entered the Atlantic Ocean.
The barrier island and Stranahan River south of Port Everglades, seen from the MS Royal Princess as she left the port and entered the Atlantic Ocean.
The spiral staircases at the piazza on Deck 6.
The spiral staircases at the piazza on Deck 6.

-wake up at 09:30, shower, dress, pack bags, checkout of hotel, print eticket, taxi to Port Everglades

-wait in long line for Princess Cruises, check in, board MS Royal Princess just after noon

-unpack bags, make myself at home, relax in room

-watch the ship disembark from deck 18 overlooking the midship pool and festivities on deck 16

-walk around and explore ship (it’s like ‘Night of the Living Dead’ on this ship, as well as other ageist Rodney Dangerfield jokes from Caddyshack), enjoy celebratory mojito

-return to room, shower, relax

-dinner at 19:00, received pager, notified, seated at 19:30 with an American couple from Michigan, two older women who are friends from Michigan, and a younger Taiwanese woman who was the adopted daughter of one of the Michigan women

-ate Mofongo  (bacon-plantain mash with sour orange vinaigrette) with Puerto Rican Roast Pork, Fuente de Camarones al Ajillo (butterflied shrimp with Cuban garlic-citrus mojo), water, and bread

-watch ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ at 22:15 in Vista Lounge

-beer at Club 6

-bed time after 01:00

 

An open journal or an exercise in narcissism.