We awoke the next morning and had a light breakfast at the hotel cafe knowing that for the next 7 days, food and drink would be plentiful. After our previous encounter with a Boston Taxi driver, we were a bit shy to call for another. So we had the desk clerk do it for us. A short wait later and we were on our way to the Black Falcon Cruise terminal. The driver was much more pleasant and drove much better.
With our bags checked and passports at the ready, we made our way to the check-in counter.
After checking in, and receiving our room card that is you identification, currency and key to your room for the week, we made our way on board where the buffet was open and waiting.
As you approach the vessel is when you realize just how huge these things really are. This particular one( The Carnival Glory) is 925 feet long, 116 feet wide and 13 decks high. It has the capacity of 2974 passengers and 1150 crew. It is not the biggest, but it is not a small ship.
Here's a shot from one of the top decks with Boston in the background.
A 214 foot water slide empties into one of 4 pools. There are seven whirlpools, duty-free shopping, night clubs, quiet corners, several dining options and food available, all inclusive 24 hours a day.
I don't like to waste money on things I'm not going to use, so I booked an inside room and picked one kinda out of the way for quiet sake. I don't plan on spending much time there and enjoy the darkness for an afternoon nap.
I was delighted to find that this inside room was bigger than the outside room with a view that I've had before.
There was more than enough room for the two of us to stretch out and relax when we'd taken on too much excitement up top.
A quick tour of the ship revealed the comedy club.
A comfy chair to watch the people parade by.
People in the pool before we even left the port....
Those people know how to vacation.
We love to watch as the ship departs the port. It's amazing how much control the captain has over such a large vessel.
The Pilot boat makes sure that we stay between the buoys and don't run over the other boats.
A last look at Boston.
We passed by several light houses as we left the Boston Harbor.
With the phone shut off and the whole world behind us, it was time to relax for the rest of the day and evening.
The next morning we found ourselves in Portland Maine. I'd booked us on a lobster pull expedition early in the morning with plenty of time to explore the city afterward before we left this new port.
Ed considers lobster to be slimy sea-living spiders and doesn't want to touch them. But I was looking forward to the adventure.
But we were informed that we were the only ones booked for this excursion and it had to be canceled.
So, we spent the entire day exploring Portland and I was able to at least get Ed to hold this plastic lobster in a gift shop.
We enjoyed spending the day walking around this very quaint city. Ed picked up another pair of shoes to go with the other six pair that he packed for the trip. We relaxed in a local coffee shop and watched the people go by.
We'd heard of a mansion that you can tour and walked ourselves in that direction discovering quaint architecture along the way.
The Victoria Mansion was very nice, but they don't allow photography inside. So this exterior shot is all that I was able to get. Many of the rooms were adorn with very detailed painting that was being restored to the best of their ability. The dining room looks as though it is paneled with birds-eye maple. But upon close inspection, you can see that it is all painted.
Absolutely stunning work that gives me something to strive for.
Coming up: excitement, mystery and more of the ship for you to enjoy. Stay tuned.
With our bags checked and passports at the ready, we made our way to the check-in counter.
As you approach the vessel is when you realize just how huge these things really are. This particular one( The Carnival Glory) is 925 feet long, 116 feet wide and 13 decks high. It has the capacity of 2974 passengers and 1150 crew. It is not the biggest, but it is not a small ship.
8 comments:
Looks amazing. I have never done a cruise but always thought I'd enjoy it. The cabin is much more luxurious than I imagined. Portland looks how I remember Portsmouth NH. (We went whale watching there. Have you spotted much wildlife? )
Since we went whale watching off Cape Cod a few years ago, we were looking for new adventures and I was looking forward to the lobster pull.
We did spot the random dolphin and even whale from the ship but they were gone before the camera could be accessed.
I'm with Ed when it comes to lobster--mostly I'm opposed to the terrible things they do to lobsters. It sickens me when I see live lobsters for sale in the grocery store. Live things should never be sold like that! So what exactly is "pulling" a lobster anyway?
It all looks very glamorous! The inside cabin looks much better than I would imagine. How did you feel that you "fitted in" with middle aged straight America on the cruise?
That's always put me off and yet friends who took a Mediterranean cruise reported that their fellow diners were very welcoming to them.
Times are changing indeed.
A lobster pull is when you actually pull the pots or traps right out of the ocean and see what you get
We actually met and hung out with a group of about 30 men and women ranging in age from 25 to 70 and we were all gay.
I'd say that all the rooms are nice regardless of what deck or if they have a balcony. This definitely was not the Titanic with it's 3rd class passengers.
Now THAT is a huge ship, Stew! And I concur with Craig that the rooms are very nice and roomy....considering the amount of time spent in them.
Great shot of Boston in the background.
Portland is a lovely city too. We have spent some time there to and from Cape Cod. It has a little of everything much like Halifax.
Must seem like ages ago now, does it?
I haven't had time to think about it since we got back but that's the problem with looking forward to something for so long, once it's over, it's just a memory. A memory that we can carry with us until the end.
Post a Comment