Learning the Ins & Outs

Steve and I boarded the Emerald Princess last Thursday for the sunny shores of lands south of La Crescenta. This trip, which will culminate with passing through the Panama Canal, has been more than a year in the planning and execution. We were hoping to take this voyage last year – same time of year – but COVID still wasn’t at a level with which we were comfortable. Consequently, we postponed our trip by a year. Turned out to be a good idea – at least for us.

Mask wearing is at a minimum, providing a more relaxing experience, and with a renewed sense of appreciation for our fellow passengers Steve and I boarded the Emerald. It didn’t take long for us to settle right in. Our stateroom – which features a generous sized balcony – was a temptation to just park ourselves there and order in. But there was a ship – a big one at that – to explore.

And exploring is what we’ve done since we boarded. We’ve discovered outdoor movies “Under the Stars,” secret-like decks that have plenty of lounge chairs that haven’t (yet) been discovered by other passengers. One of the first places I found was the Lotus Spa – where I have already booked a healing seaweed wrap and massage to help with my recovering knee (remember I had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in December? I deserve this massage). Bars are just about everywhere we look yet I haven’t encountered anyone who appears to have been “over served.” And the food! Every wonderful thing is true that you’ve heard about the variety and abundance of food on a ship. Main dining rooms, specialized dining, a renowned buffet – all are available. Hungering for a snack? Ice cream, pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers and more are at the ready. Thankfully the fitness center also has extended hours.

But for me the ability to quickly wind down and just relax has been awesome. For that, I’m eternally grateful to the crew back home that is keeping up the high standards of the paper – writing, proofing, editing, building, etc. I couldn’t leave without being confident in their abilities. And I’m happy to report, Steve seems to be getting into the relaxation groove, too.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m in need of an ice cream cone.