Day 2 - Floating Resort , 21st Dec 2016

It's true. So many family members and friends mentioned the cruise ship will blow your mind. The shear magnitude, the glitz, the glamour, the room, balcony, food , service, activities, shopping, restaurants , bars, people , people, more people and the list goes on.

It truly is a floating resort and taking it all in has set us chasing the medi kit to dose up on Panadol to ease the pain. We are all overloaded and need a rest. My brain hurts and I know it's beyond the meningitis.

Art Deco being the prominent theme throughout the boat is unbelievable. The detail in the design is jaw dropping. The ship has a mall!!! Yes, the Royal Promenade which spans across the centre of the ship filled with boutique stores including jewellery, leather goods, cosmetics and more. A mini Chadstone comes to mind. There is even a bar and cafe to rest your weary feet if it's all too much. 

Clear glass elevators are soaring overhead carting the masses across the 15 floors of ship staterooms, suites, pools, restaurants and entertainment levels. 

This first day on the ship leaves us absorbing whats ahead and if we will ever be able to explain what we are witnessing or experiencing. 

.    Someone get me a Mojito, yes from the Tavern will be fine thanks.

Yes there is a Casino too!

I did do some damage in this Promenade  

Set Sail

We left Melbourne on an early flight to Sydney as the excitement was too much to wait for an afternoon boarding time to set sail. We didn't want to miss a thing...after all Sydney's harbour is not something you tire of easily when the sun is shining creating the mood for sailing right?

Oh man, when that maxi taxi takes the final corner of the back streets of the Rocks, delivering us to Circular Quay, the Voyager of the Seas comes into view, the heart skips a beat and the adrenalin kicks in. Gina , Andrew , Graeme and Erma are about to set sail. 

Noone is speaking and the smiles tell the story of what lies ahead.  Cruising here we come......

    

I made it ...just !

 The Stateroom, mid ship , Level 7 please

Not what I expected?

I'd planned in having a huge countdown until we set sail on that big ship. Posting daily, boring you to tears with every detail in preparation of the big event. Talking you through the steamers and balloons (Love Boat style) I'd planned to be ready to wave at the millions of  fans sending their goodbye's and Bon Voyage wishes at the port. 

Commencing the countdown for the cruise has not gone to plan. Surprised??

Yes, of course you are surprised and possibly shocked. Internally your asking yourself how could this be?, why would the Tanti's not be ready for a trip, they always travel, they have plans down pat, this is a walk in the park for them!!

Yeah, well trust me when I say no countdown. Its more like I'm gonna make it out of bed, I'm gonna get on that plane, I'm gonna fly to Sydney, I'm gonna get to that port at Circular Quay and finally I'm gonna get on that ship.

I never planned 2 trips to the hospital this week to deal with my 4th week of ill health. Come ON!!!! Not cool guys ....

Whats with the health issues? Pneumonia, meningitis, black outs WTF???

So I'm changing my approach and rather than a countdown for the set sail , its more like  -  Get me out of here I need massive R'N'R.

Receiving the papers

Okay this is becoming real now. The travel or "set sail" documents arrived today so let the countdown begin - 19 days till we hit the high seas. Eeeek.....excitement or fear?

A few concerns to share. Firstly, it's our first cruise dudes!!!! Confined to a ship for 8 days with the occasional Sth Pacific island stop to stretch the legs or find our legs? Secondly, .....

Sounding very dramatic I know, but it's a fear and what we're told by many who cruised before us. I digress, secondly the sea! Scary man.... I can't swim. There done. Fears are out and the countdown continues.