It’s the first full day of the cruise and I’m lagging behind already. Yesterday I was picked up at noon and driven to the cruise terminal. There, no fault of Seabourn, there were a couple of long lines. Portuguese customs and immigration were doing their thing. Since I’d been through that stuff at the airport I wondered why a repeat was necessary. As it turned out here at the cruise terminal we had to go through the new ETIAS system for the EU. When I eventually got to the window where two of the grumpiest looking fellows I’ve seen in a while were doing their thing, I found that my fingerprints had to be scanned and a photo taken. Evidently it’s good for three years so I shouldn’t have to do this again in the EU.
Waiting in line was okay though, because I met some old friends including one of my Australian dancing partners and I met some lovely new people. What is it they say in New Orleans, “laissez les bons temps rouler!”
The cabins were ready so I plopped my carry-on down and then headed to the Patio Grill for lunch. As I walked to the salad station eager to have them make me an excellent salad, I ran into Orrin, a man I met and dined with on my last cruise. We had lunch together and caught up on news of mutual friends. My luggage came by the time I got back to my home away from home and I unpacked.
Just before sailaway there was a little party up by the pool. I went because the cruise director was introducing the entertainment staff and since that’s part of my reason for cruising I had to see who would be playing the music I love to hear. One band was on one of my more recent cruises and I enjoy their style. The other is new to me but sounded good too. I sat at a table with new friends from England and along came another couple I’ve sailed with a couple of years ago and who were on the same trivia team (we did very well that time). I think we have enough for a new team already. In addition to fellow passengers, there are so many staff members I’ve sailed with before. I am always bowled over by how they remember our names, considering that they see hundreds of new people all the time.
Dinner was at the cruise director Nick’s table. I last sailed with him when he was an assistant. I went to the show which was performed by a great singer originally from Portugal. I’ve heard him before and he’s very good. Then as usual I went to the club and stayed until they shut down talking to more new friends from Switzerland and Belgian (but they live and work in Thailand), LA and Mexico.
This morning we arrived in Leixões, the port for Oporto. I’ve been here a few times, both with Al and alone, and I had a tour planned, but I didn’t go. I had a bad night with lots of leg cramps so I slept poorly. I called to Guest Services to let them know I wasn’t coming so they wouldn’t wait for me. Instead I slept until nearly ten once I fell asleep and am now enjoying my first sea day in port.
The central gathering place on Seabourn ships is Seabourn Square. It’s here where they have a coffee bar which is better than any land-based coffee place I’ve been to and which has snacks and light fare. It has recently been expanded with more of a selection. For my late breakfast I had a cappuccino and a delicious puff pastry filled with almond cream. I’m using the time to try to catch up, check mail and take care of any business. It’s formal night tonight so at some point I’ll have to go and get gussied up. For now though I’m going to close this and check out the gym. TTFN!
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| Just look at this beautiful coffee they made for me. |
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| Hard to see, but some of the snacks and light fare available |
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