Not that I'm counting or anything...
I was aboard the Symphony of the Seas on Sunday, taking a ship tour as part of a training event in Galveston. It was my first non-NCL ship visit. I'll review it separately soon, on CruiseMadeEasy.
But the thing that surprised me, with all the differences, is how quickly my body and spirit shifted back into ship mode! It was actually difficult to walk back down the gantry a few hours later...the letdown of disembarkation day really even though I'd been aboard a very short time!
Logistically, things are coming into place for the trip in a couple of months. I got confirmation of the time and place for the Cruise Critic Meet & Mingle event onboard our first sea day, late last week. Roxan and I worked on our list of items for the concierge and butler (we're in an aft Penthouse suite, so we have those benefits) about a week ago. Our private excursions have filled up except in one port. So for 60 days out, things are right where they should be in preparation for the trip.
Here's the general shape of it:
- Leave from Newton on September 24 on Amtrak
- Arrive in Philadelphia on September 25
- Board Norwegian Jewel on September 26
- Sail Away Toast, 4 pm
- Meet & Mingle, 11 am on September 27
- Portland, Bar Harbor, St. Johns, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, La Baie, Quebec City
- Board Via Rail for home on October 7
- Arrive in Newton early morning on October 10
We have excursions planned except for Portland, La Baie, and Quebec City. Quebec City is actually an overnight, so we have plenty of time to figure out what to do. I feel like it gives us the right balance of planned and unplanned time on shore, along with plenty of sea time to relax.
So that's the preview...looking forward to sharing the trip as it plays out!