First Day at Sea Aboard "Celebrity Summit"

24 December 2006 – at Sea

We survived embarkation, always the busiest day for crew, and a potential source of tension for even the most traveled traveler. I suppose with a rent-a-car at our beck I thought we could relive some of the stories our friend Joe used to tell about driving down to the Manhattan docks of the 1930s’ "Bremen," leaving the car at the quay and then dashing aboard for a “bon voyage” party in his cabin: champagne and caviar chilling in his ice-filled stateroom tub. Or, perhaps I thought it would be fun to recreate that scene in “Titanic” when Rose arrives, smartly dressed in an equally smart coupe, at the White Star docks. Whatever, the motivation ( including my real one of keeping our luggage as wrinkle-free as possible ‘til we sailed) the concept of driving to the “World Cruise Terminal” was greater than its execution.

We arrived early, just a bit after the earliest-boarding time of 11:30am, and already the lines were something out of “Last Plane from Lisbon.” However, we parked and did get onboard early: securing in the midst of holiday hectic-ness, the all important reservation in “Normandie” restaurant for Christmas Eve and New Year’s. Then, we checked in with the Maitre d’ and with the Cruise Director to find out my schedule of lectures. As I always advise: First thing you do when you get onboard – sort out your Dining Room assignment and make your reservations at the a la carte restaurant.

However, this is where the plan went wrong. We still had to return the rent-a-car. And, although it was at the nearby Long Beach Airport, a detour to check out the docked “Queen Mary” ( still gorgeous) and difficulty in finding the almost-too-quaint-to-believe-in-this-day-and-age air terminal almost did us in. Nonetheless, it was nice to not have bags with us when we returned to the ship, and the very efficient key-card system got us on and beveraged pronto. Two out of our three bags found their way to our room by sailing ( the third later that night), so all was well. A note however: wouldn't it be a dandy idea to have a rental car drop-off location actually AT the "World Cruise Terminal." Something for the powers-that-be to think on.

Generally, Alfredo and I prefer martinis at 7pm ( our glorious shipboard excess) and then late-sitting dinner. However, even with our early-onboard efforts, being fully-booked for this traditional “Christmas Cruise”, tables for two at the late seating ( actually ANY tables at the late seating ) were not to had. We settled in for a congratulatory drink at precisely 5pm ( very James Bond) and secured a wonderful table for two overlooking the statue of “Normandie” in the Dining Room ( yes, THE one from the late-great French Line grande dame). A re-union with our old friend, Martin, serving as Dining Room Maitre d’, and a lovely white wine from near our Russian River home completed our departure experience. Later, I met with Lisa, our charming activities director for a meeting with the other onboard lecturers and clergy followed by our TV interview for onboard viewing. This last is a nice touch: a really great way for those of us who Sail-By-Talking to meet the other passengers.

Today – free to roam and get back our sea legs. Then, tweak our first lecture, “The Titanic Now and Then” – the first of our three “LinerLore” talks.

From somewhere off the California Coast, that’s all for now. More anon ( including of course, pictures with “Drunky” and “Coonsky” ( our raccoon traveling companions) from around the ship.