Here I am sending hugs your way! So far we're off to such a good start! The party at the St. Regis was phenominal. Ngaire was so right....they really pull out the stops for that! All the big brass from Radisson was there. I finally met Mark Conroy. It was nice seeing Christian again. The theme was "old Hollywood" and they had a guy dressed up as Clark Gable (when he was probably about 35) and a gal was a perfect Marilyn Monroe, Laurel and Hardy waiters even, nice Orchestra which played nice dinner music and lots of dancing before and after dinner! VERY First class!! Yes, our room at the St. Regis was gorgeous....28th floor and a wonderful panoramic view from our "Lanai" (yes, that's what they called it). The lanai had a table and 2 chairs so it was nice to sit and relax 28 floors high. It was wonderful meeting Paul, Betty and Al in the afternoon and Irving and Maria at the cocktail party before dinner. Of course Paul has been on for so many days with Colleen on the pre-cruise that he has all the "scoop" on all the passengers. LOTS of characters on board....this would be great for a book for Donna to write!
Yesterday we arrived in San Pedro via a stretch limo with dark tinted windows to insure that we weren't recognized... LOL. Our luggage was all delivered just fine. I guess I got carried away with the "shoes". I must have kept throwing in more and more and my final count was 17!! Tom has 6 I think.
In the afternoon my sister, brother-in-law, Nephew and Jill came on board for a couple of hours! Great way to send us off...We all went to Paul's room and bless his heart if he didn't have a stuffed kitty cat for me!! He thought it would be nice if I could be a surogate Mom and ease my separation anxiety from my own furry kids! Now how nice was that!!! Paul's cabin looks great....he still had his XMAS tree up, he's been writing a journal, has great photos (he has his computer and color printer in the cabin). He's done a wondeful job!
OK...moving along. Got everything unpacked before dinner!! We were way ahead of schedule and proud of ourselves! (Paul brought 11 pieces of luggage and even has 41 long sleved shirts....guess we packed light in comparison to most!) Had a nice dinner in Compass Rose then debated whether we wanted to go in the disco for some dancing and Sambucca or go to the Casino. Decided on the Disco. Bellyed up to the bar and started talking to new friends. I had met 2 gals the night before so spent some time with them. It's so funny....some of the "older" ladies are all hitting on Tom (in a nice way!). He's danced with some and been "charming" and a good sport! I just laugh and he gives me that "come and rescue me" look. A wonderful lady named Abby (she's been on 50 cruises!) said that she wants to find an 81 year old millionaire! I assured her that Tom is no where close to 81 and he certainly isn't a millionaire. She said "Oh, no...Tom is just my playmate and we like to flirt with each other, he belongs to you!!" I think she wants me to help her on this mission she has! Anyway...lots of very nice, young at heart folks. Some that are quite elderly (Jill doesn't think some will make it to Ft. Lauderdale---spoken by a "true" 24 year old) but for the most part, good healthy active passengers. We've made friends with another couple in their 40's (this in considered young here) from New York. NICE people and also their first world cruise.
Colleen, thank you so much for your sweet note. No problem getting the door name tags! Today I want to meet Sandy (sandracruiser). I put her door tag up this morning. Also this morning Tom and I went to the gym and worked out and went to a "stretching" class. We are really going to try to stay in shape so decided to start right on day 1. Later today we'll go to Trivia and Bingo. I'm so happy we have these sea days to relax and get to know fellow passengers. As you can see, we sure are having a great time!! I just love this life and thankful I have 108 more days of it!! LIFE IS GOOD!!
Hugs to all....
(sorry this is so rambling... Hopefully, Paul will write more! He's so good at this. I'm sure Betty will post too!!
