Charleston is a beautiful place. As a former architectural draftsman I love the homes and buildings. They are amazing. As we drove around we saw areas that reminded us of Richmond and New Orleans. The painted ladies reminded us of San Francisco. But Charleston I would say is a place to see, for itself even if you haven't been to Richmond, New Orleans or San Francisco. Because Charleston has spanish moss. Its like taking areas from other places and kicking them up a notch. I love spanish moss. Charleston was where we met our ship, now it will have to be a vacation of its own one day!
And so the next phase of our adventure began, we drove around the town and found the Cruise Terminal. Drove around some more and found the best way from the hotel. We planned to leave the car at the terminal for the week. If you know someone that lives near the terminal or you are coming from the airport there's a separate line for you and your luggage to be dropped off.
The next morning we saw signs that read "Cruise Traffic" that weren't there the day before. We had our cruise papers ready, well after Jaron jumped out and got our backpack out of the back of the truck. Best laid plans sometimes have a few glitches.
Like I've told my husband for years, vacation starts when work ends. He used to think vacation started when we got to our destination. That made for a stressful day of packing and travel. Now that it's all part of vacation it allows us to roll with the punches. (This took years of saying, "We're on vacation. It's okay!")
So when we realized the papers when in the back - we all laughed. Jaron jumped out and got the back pack and we were back on course.
As we were going along the path created with orange cones, one lady was all business, no smile, no chit chat, just here's your information. That's okay, she wasn't ugly. She was doing her job, and she kept the line moving.
The four of us were discussing if we were in the correct line to leave our truck. Kev asked the next person which made sure we were in the correct line. The truck was going to be parked in a huge building for the week. Now that was reassuring. Not that we were going to leave anything valuable in the truck but it was still reassuring.
Another person told us where to drop off our luggage before getting to the building. We dropped our luggage off at a tent. Kev and Jaron got out to unload the luggage. If you read my"Vacation Packing Checklist" Blog you know we had TRAVEL BAGS and CRUISE BAGS". This is where the guys had organized the back of the truck and knew where the CRUISE BAGS were. You may have heard, "Too many cooks in the kitchen ..." Well, in my opinion, too many people packing and unpacking a vehicle can cause much stress. Maybe in your family the wife likes to do the packing and unpacking of the vehicle "That's Okay". In my family, we let the men do it.
When we got to the building there was a person to show us where to park. We got out, took our carryon bags and papers then proceeded to the terminal. We talked to people along the way. (Because That is the Moen way! "There are no strangers, only friends we haven't met yet!" That took this shy girl from the county years to learn.)
Some groups had matching T-shirts. I loved the Bridal party that had black shirts with rhinestone words that read "Bride's Entourage". Arielle is not fond of matching T-Shirts, but I love them.
It was amazing how fast the line went.
CRUISE TIP: When two couples are traveling together - when you get to the end of the line in the terminal and the person asks, "How many in your party?" tell him two. Unless of course, you live at the same address. This will get you out at about the same time.
The person at the checkin took our papers, looked to see if we checked that we had a runny nose, scratchy throat in the last few days. Our daughter marked yes. Ragweed had bloomed and her allergies had gone crazy. The lady behind the desk walked away. When she came back she said allergies don't count. She took our pictures for our Sail and Sign cards then sent us on our way.
After leaving the checkin we were directed to the gangway. We walked up and around., we passed a few people that had stopped for a minute. And then, There it was CARNIVAL FANTASY! I love a cruise!
We put our "Sail and Sign" card into the machine. We took off our hats and sunglasses. The crew member checked to make sure we matched the picture on the card and we were on. Next step put our carryon through an X-ray machine. Our water was checked very closely. We learned later that water bottles may not be allowed much longer - the tea drinker that I am never thought about putting something stronger in my water bottles. That's okay, I can take or buy a cup w/ a lid to put water in to carry with me.
We were cleared! Now we were free to explore the ship. Lunch was ready on the Lido deck. But first we wanted to see if our rooms were ready.
One of my first jobs was working at Fort Caswell Baptist Assembly, in North Carolina. I cleaned the Driftwood Hotel, and worked in the kitchen and the Drift Inn store. Knowing just a few hours ago this ship was full of other guests amazes me how quickly they can roll over the ship.
Because we were told our room would be ready by 1:30 and it was close to that, we went to check on our rooms. They were ready and we put our carryon luggage down and proceeded to the Lido Deck.
We ate our lunch. I may have been on vacation but I decided not to blow the eating plan completely. I made a salad and had chicken. Most of the potions on the ship were small. So to get a dessert on the Lido Deck is not like an eighth of a cake it a small square, there's jello squares, tiny cupcakes, etc. There small but you can have whatever you want. And of course, ice cream all the time.
We sat on the outside deck. A man several tables down started to feed the sea gulls. Arielle said loud enough for him to hear her. PLEASE DON'T! WE ARE TRYING TO EAT AND IF YOU FEED THAT ONE IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE 50 SHOW UP! He was kind enough to stop.
After we finished lunch we took our plates in. You can leave them on the table, a crewman will clean it up shortly but that wouldn't' have been fair to those coming out after us. Seagulls are not a problem once out to sea, just at the ports. If you don't want to clean off your table, lay the cloth napkin over the leftovers. This may not stop them but it will delay the inevitable.
Next was the Emergency Evacuation Meeting at our muster station. The "Sail and Sign" cards had our location on them. This is mandatory. It is also reassuring to those like me that love the water but can't swim well. Its good to know they have a plan. Several people showed how the life vests worked. Then we went to where our life boat was. Soon a horn blew and we were on our way.
Lastly, one of our favorite things is going to the front and watching the ship leave the port. For someone that's not a great swimmer, I do LOVE a Cruise!
Have a Blessed Day,
Mama D
Hebrews 4:10 (NIRV)
God rested from His work. Those who enjoy God's rest also rest from their work.
The next morning we saw signs that read "Cruise Traffic" that weren't there the day before. We had our cruise papers ready, well after Jaron jumped out and got our backpack out of the back of the truck. Best laid plans sometimes have a few glitches.
 |
| There's the ship! Look close. |
Like I've told my husband for years, vacation starts when work ends. He used to think vacation started when we got to our destination. That made for a stressful day of packing and travel. Now that it's all part of vacation it allows us to roll with the punches. (This took years of saying, "We're on vacation. It's okay!")
So when we realized the papers when in the back - we all laughed. Jaron jumped out and got the back pack and we were back on course.
As we were going along the path created with orange cones, one lady was all business, no smile, no chit chat, just here's your information. That's okay, she wasn't ugly. She was doing her job, and she kept the line moving.
The four of us were discussing if we were in the correct line to leave our truck. Kev asked the next person which made sure we were in the correct line. The truck was going to be parked in a huge building for the week. Now that was reassuring. Not that we were going to leave anything valuable in the truck but it was still reassuring.
Another person told us where to drop off our luggage before getting to the building. We dropped our luggage off at a tent. Kev and Jaron got out to unload the luggage. If you read my"Vacation Packing Checklist" Blog you know we had TRAVEL BAGS and CRUISE BAGS". This is where the guys had organized the back of the truck and knew where the CRUISE BAGS were. You may have heard, "Too many cooks in the kitchen ..." Well, in my opinion, too many people packing and unpacking a vehicle can cause much stress. Maybe in your family the wife likes to do the packing and unpacking of the vehicle "That's Okay". In my family, we let the men do it.
When we got to the building there was a person to show us where to park. We got out, took our carryon bags and papers then proceeded to the terminal. We talked to people along the way. (Because That is the Moen way! "There are no strangers, only friends we haven't met yet!" That took this shy girl from the county years to learn.)
Some groups had matching T-shirts. I loved the Bridal party that had black shirts with rhinestone words that read "Bride's Entourage". Arielle is not fond of matching T-Shirts, but I love them.
It was amazing how fast the line went.
CRUISE TIP: When two couples are traveling together - when you get to the end of the line in the terminal and the person asks, "How many in your party?" tell him two. Unless of course, you live at the same address. This will get you out at about the same time.
The person at the checkin took our papers, looked to see if we checked that we had a runny nose, scratchy throat in the last few days. Our daughter marked yes. Ragweed had bloomed and her allergies had gone crazy. The lady behind the desk walked away. When she came back she said allergies don't count. She took our pictures for our Sail and Sign cards then sent us on our way.
After leaving the checkin we were directed to the gangway. We walked up and around., we passed a few people that had stopped for a minute. And then, There it was CARNIVAL FANTASY! I love a cruise!
We put our "Sail and Sign" card into the machine. We took off our hats and sunglasses. The crew member checked to make sure we matched the picture on the card and we were on. Next step put our carryon through an X-ray machine. Our water was checked very closely. We learned later that water bottles may not be allowed much longer - the tea drinker that I am never thought about putting something stronger in my water bottles. That's okay, I can take or buy a cup w/ a lid to put water in to carry with me.
We were cleared! Now we were free to explore the ship. Lunch was ready on the Lido deck. But first we wanted to see if our rooms were ready.
One of my first jobs was working at Fort Caswell Baptist Assembly, in North Carolina. I cleaned the Driftwood Hotel, and worked in the kitchen and the Drift Inn store. Knowing just a few hours ago this ship was full of other guests amazes me how quickly they can roll over the ship.
Because we were told our room would be ready by 1:30 and it was close to that, we went to check on our rooms. They were ready and we put our carryon luggage down and proceeded to the Lido Deck.
We ate our lunch. I may have been on vacation but I decided not to blow the eating plan completely. I made a salad and had chicken. Most of the potions on the ship were small. So to get a dessert on the Lido Deck is not like an eighth of a cake it a small square, there's jello squares, tiny cupcakes, etc. There small but you can have whatever you want. And of course, ice cream all the time.
We sat on the outside deck. A man several tables down started to feed the sea gulls. Arielle said loud enough for him to hear her. PLEASE DON'T! WE ARE TRYING TO EAT AND IF YOU FEED THAT ONE IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE 50 SHOW UP! He was kind enough to stop.
 |
| He looks so sweet but.....Please don't feed the seagulls! |
After we finished lunch we took our plates in. You can leave them on the table, a crewman will clean it up shortly but that wouldn't' have been fair to those coming out after us. Seagulls are not a problem once out to sea, just at the ports. If you don't want to clean off your table, lay the cloth napkin over the leftovers. This may not stop them but it will delay the inevitable.
Next was the Emergency Evacuation Meeting at our muster station. The "Sail and Sign" cards had our location on them. This is mandatory. It is also reassuring to those like me that love the water but can't swim well. Its good to know they have a plan. Several people showed how the life vests worked. Then we went to where our life boat was. Soon a horn blew and we were on our way.
Lastly, one of our favorite things is going to the front and watching the ship leave the port. For someone that's not a great swimmer, I do LOVE a Cruise!
 |
| This was from a cruise where we had a balcony. |
Have a Blessed Day,
Mama D
Hebrews 4:10 (NIRV)
God rested from His work. Those who enjoy God's rest also rest from their work.
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