Post #17: Boarding day

After our first dinner on Millennium

The pictures are in reverse order, but with expensive and (slow internet) I'm not going to worry about it.

Self portrai

The indoor spa area (no kids!) Not that we don't love kids (of course) ;-)

Our deck...oops, I mean balcony

And to be consistent, our room...oops, I mean 'cabin'.

Making out the baggage tags on the dock.

On the ship at last!

The water taxi dropping us off at the dock (Millennium in the back left)


Actually slept until 6:25am…could have gone longer…but that was enough
Sorted pictures and wrote blog while JB slept…
She had been up reading in the middle of the night...bummer for her
Finally couldn’t wait any longer and got up and made coffee,
Logged into the internet to read about the Cal game.
Thanks Susie for the emails…45-27 and a mad coach…great combination
Ordered water taxi to pick up us and then to Antiche Figure
Picked up Rich, Lynn, Gerry and Marcia
It was great standing in back of taxi going down Canal Gran
Driver got upset because we had so much luggage…
No big deal, we just paid him more money (I think he is a good actor)
Arrived at that dock in front of the ship and filled out baggage tags
Had to go to an ‘out building’ to check in.
After some confusion and question-asking found the right place.
Got checked in, went through security, got on a bus
The bus went around the corner and dropped us off…funny.
Had to fill out a form saying we had not been sick…
Hand wipe dispenser right as we got off bus.
NOROVIRIUS…Stay Away!!!
Boarded and got ‘small’ glass of champagne…thank you Celebrity
Had to wait approx. one hour before cabins ready
Hung out at pool area, took pictures, then had lunch
We must have had 6 guys come by to see if we needed wine.
I asked if they were on commission…no, just wanted to give good service!
I guess they don’t assign stations…oh well, just say no, and no, and no….
Announced cabins ready…off we went.
Just as the Dr. ordered…then had to wait for luggage…not too long.
Unpacked while drinking bottle of champagne, took nap, and went to spa
Steve did, Janna stayed in room…oops, CABIN.
Great salt water heated pool with built-in Jacuzzi jet therapy benches…
Plus two hot salt water ‘hot tubs’…all in a large atrium-type glass room
Worked on getting flexibility back in neck
It is feeling great (neck), but range of motion is quite reduced…just for now!
Showered with fresh water then took a sauna…NOW maybe I can relax
Oh, so you don’t think so either? Not in my vocabulary!!!
Talked with R/L several times
They have already walked the entire ship, floor to floor
And have gone ‘on line’ (on the TV) to check out the wine list
At least 4 ships sailed by us heading to sea…very impressive
Our turn tomorrow…sad (to leave Venice) but fun to get to see other great places.
Our deck over-looks Venice, fun to watch all the vaporettos, water taxis,
and changes in light/colors as the sun is setting.
Major construction project on our side of ship…lots of extra things to look at
We are also over the baggage loading/unloading area so VERY noisy…oh well.
We had ‘do not disturb’ sign out so had to go ask for canapés (a concierge cabin treat)
Binocular case (a bonus of our cabin type) empty, had to ask for a ‘refill’.
Empty used wine glass ‘hidden’ behind the fresh flowers…how was THAT missed.
I do hear the loud squeal outside our room. Forgot others complained about that.
Hopefully will get used to it (it must from the spa equip. just right above us)
The window washer platform is also in front of cabin next to ours.
About 15 feet away, but only visible from our deck, not from cabin.
Minor blemishes on carpet, and slightly corroded lamp stand…very small
Small signs of age. Generally the initial thought is that the ship looks GREAT.
After happy hour walked around for while
Met Rich and Lynn for dinner at 8:30
Just the four of us for dinner…3 prime rib and one fish (Lynn)
Walked around a little then back to cabin and bed.

Approacing the Millennium

Rich and Marcia enjoying the water taxi ride.

Standing up in the back of the water taxi (a 'speed boat' like the one in the left of this picture) on the way to pick up Rich, Lynn, Gerry and Marcia.

We are still having a great time, with NO SIGNS of a let-down!!!!