Happenings Aboard Ship


 Randy and Paula gave us a ride to the Cruise Terminal; we arrived with hours to spare.

Celebrity Cruises has a good pre-boarding Registration system on the Internet. drill
You can fill out all the forms days before leaving, then just walk up, pass through a security checkpoint, show your Passport, give your Credit card to swipe and you are done. 

Severe Local Thunderstorms at Houston Intercontinental delayed many passengers who were flying in for the Cruise.

Nevertheless, there were 1800 passengers, and their Luggage to process, so there was a 20 minute wait in line. It seems everyone wanted to get there early.

The late arrivees delayed the ships departure about 2 hours, and postponed the mandatory Lifeboat drill to the following Morning when we were at sea.

We had plenty of time to unpack, get a late lunch and begin to explore the ship. We would spend two days getting to Key West.

Our first Formal Dinner would be on the second night.

It is time to make Introductions of our Dining Companions at the late seating.
sam.charlotte

Charlotte and Sam Pakenham-Walsh
West Columbia, Texas
Ed.Marion

Marion and Ed Herndon
Seabrook, TX
snady.sylvia

Sandra Woods and Sylvia Lohkamp
Baytown, TX
 cm
Maureen and Colin Brown
Washington, England
Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2006 19:46:33 -0500
Subject:  Hi from Baytown

Ed & Marion,
 
I figure you all are cruisin' but wanted you to know how much I enjoyed getting to know you and how much fun I had dining with you.  Sylvia finally gave me "Mistress in Training" but I have not had time to read it.  It might not be wise for me to read it. Ha.
 
I was home a few days and had to go to Austin to welcome my new granddaughter, Klaire Leigh Woods, 6  lbs. 1 oz., 18 inches born after only 3 hours of labor on June 7. She is very small but sleeps 4 hrs at a time so she is doing quite well.  I returned home today to another ton of mail. 
 
Sylvia left this morning for the summer in Wisconsin.  I will visit her sometime in July.
 
I hope to see you at the end of the summer when Sylvia returns.  Take Care and have fun.
 
Best Wishes,
Sandra Woods


Date: Thu, 08 Jun 2006 16:59:48 -0500
Subject:  wonderful cruise and great new friends

Hi!  Just wanted to touch base with you both before I leave on the 11th for the northern woods of Wisconsin. Plan to stay there until the 29th of August. I wanted to tell you both what an addition you made to the enjoyment of my cruise. So enjoyed all the laughs. Can't wait until we all can get together again. Sandra and I had a total blast in the lake district of Italy. We took Allan along and he was a great traveling companion--easy going and so much fun. And it was a plus having a guy along to carry packages, go grocery shopping for the wine and cheese, help us over rocky walkways, hold the door, and what ever else we so desired!! In Milan, we were so.so lucky as we got tickets for LaScala and sat in a box. What a thrill. Got all dressed up and had a fabulous time.

                                                               Take care--thinking of you, Sylvia

 Date: Thu, 08 Jun 2006 17:42:04 +0000

Dear Ed & Marion,

Well we are back into the routine of everyday life minding the grandchildren and Colin is back at work.  We are going up to see our new granddaughter on Monday, they live on an island in the inner Hebridies, Tiree, so we will have quite a journey, but we are looking forward to seeing Helen, and we are taking another granddaughter with us as she wants to see the new baby of Aunty Katy and Uncle Neil.  We enjoyed your company and hope you will keep in touch and if you are ever in England you will be welcome to come up and see Washington,  England.

Maureen & Colin




ra

Roquefort and Andre
Our Dinner Waiters

wayneThere are Plenty of things to do aboard the ship...

Our routine for days at sea included Breakfast in the cabin, Exercise in the fitness center or three miles around the track.

Clean up for a Buffet Lunch in the Deck 11 Oasis Cafe'.

Duplicate bridge in the afternoon, That's Wayne Merkel Our Bridge director.

He gave great Tutorials in the Morning... In the afternoon he directed the tournaments.
I am an Occasional party Bridge player... Marion Ofter plays on her computer against the Bridge Baron. We were up against some of the best and did acceptably well. We were particularly surprised at being first out of 14 tables on one afternoon. Most of the time we were in the lower middle of the pack.

After Bridge there was  Reading/relaxing poolside until time to dress for cocktail hour and dinner. 

Evenings there were shows in the Theater... Several Song and Dance Extravanganzas.. a Magician,  an Operatic Tenor,  Marionette Show, Stand up Comedians, Piano Entertainer.

                                    Wayne Merlel

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