2/9 First day at sea

Our hotel offered a small breakfast, which was enough since we are planning on hitting the ship's buffet soon. After breakfast Randy and I went for a small walk. We went into one of those cigar shops; no ladies rolling cigars on their thighs but lots of quality cigars, including Davidoff, which we first encountered year ago in Europe. 

Further on we found a craft sale set up.  They had some great quality items but nothing we wanted to carry on a cruise.

The roosters had apparently cuddled together overnight in the shrubs because now they were waking up, ready to start their day as protected ambassadors for Ybor.

It was here that I saw the perfect representation of Ybor: a cigar smoking rooster!

Nearby was the James Joyce Irish Pub. It wasn't properly open for the day yet but we were welcomed inside to look around. It looks very good and has the requirements of an authentic Irish pub: a cheery fireplace, tv for sports, and lots of beer on tab.

This one also had a Christmas tree/tower of whiskey.

Too early for whiskey so back to hotel to play cards with Aaron and Glenda.

Randy and Krissy joined us to wait for the bus that would take us to the port. And the bus picked us up on time but then it had to turn around and go back to pick up someone who wasn't ready on time. They added lots of luggage in an already full luggage area. When we got to the cruise line we found that the back door wouldn't open because the excess luggage had slid around and jammed the lock. The driver spent 5 minutes or more trying to get it open; at one point Glenda slide her slender self through the narrow open area near the door to try to clear the lock from the inside. Eventually a nearby cab guy told our driver how to do it.

We are once again surprised how easy it is to get onto the cruise - just go through a couple of lines, then up to the 9th floor and the Windjammer for lunch. We can't get a regular dinner seating until 7:15 which is a bit later than we wanted, but it will work.

We all went to find our cabins even though the luggage wasn't there yet. Randy put on the swim shorts and went out. I went out later, couldn't find him, and enjoyed the hot tub for awhile by myself. 

We all met up in Schooners for trivia.  Didn't win, but it was fun. 

Later we joined Randy R and Aaron on the front of the ship, dolphin-spotting and bridge-watching.

Ahead was the Sky Bridge - a bridge that was build extra tall in the center so ships could go under it. But there won't be much clearance. 

It's a pretty bridge, too. 

Closer and closer...

Until we were directly under it. 

I am sure the man on the right was looking up with binoculars, but it really looks like he is gesturing in horror at how close they are!

As expected, the ship sailed under the bridge and out into the gulf. Now it was time for dinner! Everyone's dinner was pretty good, I just didn't care for mine.  

We had talked about going to the movie tonight but it started before we finished dinner. It was really windy outside so we stayed inside, shopping for lanyards to hold our sea cards, since we need to carry those at all times. 

Then we watched them light the tall, tall Christmas tree.

Everyone except me went to watch karaoke; I went to bed and was rocked asleep.