Anchors Aweigh!

January 6, 2023. Somewhere south of Cuba.

My first day on board was not what I'd expected. I thought I would hide in my stateroom for most of the day, working up the courage to go out by myself and meet random people. But it was so easy! Somewhere along the way, I forgot that I am an interesting person, and can hold my own in a conversation, and people may enjoy spending time with me. How does that happen? I think as we get older, especially since Lockdown, we get used to our routines and don't realize our world is shrinking a bit each day. It was challenging for me to get back into society after they lifted restrictions.

A smooth check-in with lots of smiling faces and I was in my stateroom within 20 minutes. The Head Porter said there were over 6,000 bags to get on board (I apologized for my part in the extra work), so my bags took a while to catch up with me.

After I dropped my carry-on and inspected the room, I headed to the buffet for some lunch. Had a lovely salad and some conversation with my tablemates. It's easy now to make conversation - where are you from? Are you on for the whole trip? - but soon I will be seeing people again and have to come up with some new patter. I guess I'll move to excursions and travel experiences next. And somehow come up with a way to remember the names that go with the faces! I am horrible at that. People I have worked with for 15 years, I would go to introduce them and blank on their name. It even happens with family members. My brain just can't connect the two.

The weather is delightful, so I took an orientation walk around the ship, checked back at my room (still no bags), met my neighbors over the railings of our balconies, then headed to the pool deck for the Sail Away party. 

I was going to try a Dirty Banana, which is apparently a ship's favorite drink, but they had no bananas on the Lido deck, so I settled for a Caribbean Island Ice Tea. Yum!

This duo was tearing up the dance floor with some smooth moves and had everyone cheering.  #couplegoals.

Did someone say, Line Dancing? I'm IN!

From there it was the Singles and Solos meet-up, where I met a whole bunch of nice people, and 6 of us went to dinner and the comedy show together. Everyone is so nice, fun, and welcoming. 

Carl Strong (the comedian) was a bit inappropriate, so he had me in stitches. He was once a Pip (as in Gladys Knight and The Pips) and treated us to some moves at the end. All agreed it was a lovely way to start our cruise.

By now it was well past my bedtime, so I took myself back to my cabin, where my five bags awaited me to unpack.

I fell asleep to the gentle rock of the waves and woke up to this sight:

I had a busy morning with a talk about Cartagena, our first stop, the "Welcome to Princess" meeting with lots of giveaways (my luck has not turned yet for winning drawings), then to a group meet & greet where I met more people and saw some familiar faces, then some line dancing lessons (what I lack in grace, I make up for with enthusiasm), then the Pop Choir rehearsal, then lunch. The Pop Choir is made up of passengers with a willingness to sing in front of strangers - talent not needed. So of course I'm down for that too!

Tonight is our first formal night, so I'm off to get fancified and sparkly. Until next time...