OUR CRUISE - DAY 1.5

Well to start I should probably explain where day 1 went and how it became 1.5 instead. Our first 17 hours actually started on noon Friday. We left work around noon, and began our drive down from Wisconsin to Mobile, AL. The roads we choose to take prevented us from crossing any major cities, so we missed all the traffic and headaches that typically come with a Friday cross country drive. One thing that I had not planned however, was that because we missed all the major towns, there was also much less to do or see on the drive. It was a usual sign that next gas station was 40 miles which is a little weird when your used to seeing 3 or four every block.

We stopped on the way down at a southern Illinois town and grabbed a quick bite to eat at Applebees. Who would have known that the menu we know and love with oriental chicken rollup’s does not exist down there. But it was a little different then I expected as I felt like we were in the heart of KY, as there was country music being played everywhere (I mean everywhere, even in the bathroom), and everyone had a heavy “southern” accent.

The majority of the rest of the drive was uneventful, which all things considered is a good then when your driving for 17 hours. The negative however was that about an hour out of Mobile, It was still only 4 AM. Our cruise ship allow boarding until 12:30 so that’s just a touch early.

Due to our choice of road however, we were not on main roads and did not have access to a rest stop to stop and have a little shut eye at. We decided to pull into a small motel grass area and just park on the side of the road and try to rest. Up to now, Kristy had been loving the new car for travel. From the much more storage space, to the reclining seats and don’t forget about the ipod jack. The backseat became a full sized bed with pillow and blankets, a couch that allowed relaxing and reading and a movie theater where her laptop acted as a big screen production.

Now however, when you put John and Kristy into that same bed, it became like trying to have two people do a hula hoop at the same time. It can work, but its not comfortable, and it sure isn’t pretty.

After trying that for about an hour, we decided to continue on and just hit up a starbucks in Mobile for some pick me up juice. Good old starbucks, same old coffee, all across the nation, and free wi-fi for our phones as well. O how we’ll miss those phones. I don’t think you’ll know how much you’ll miss a smart phone until when you have it. Its sort of like DVR. Until you have it, you think, eh whatever. But as soon as you get it, its hard to image your life without it. Our iphones are the same, and when we are on our ship, there is no phone access. Wait, I shouldn’t say that. There is phone access, if your are willing to pay $.50 per text, $2.50 per minute per call, and $40 per MB of data. So If your rich, bring your phone, if not, turn it off I guess.

Starbucks, as welcome as it was, did not take us as much time as we would have hoped. It was still only early morning. We tried to go by the dock, but were turned away and told to come back later. I must say, coming from Waukesha, I am used to strange street plans, but Mobile takes the cake. It seems like every road we went on was one way. There was even a point, where I think 4 one way streets all came together and there was no way out. That’s one way to keep people from leaving I guess.

Luckily the car came to rescue again. We found a place to park, and check what was playing in our personal movie theater. BandSlam, don’t mind if I do. Tickets for two, no need for popcorn, front row seats, alright. It was a great experience. The movie was good, but just to have things going south, and yet we found a way together to have fun and pass the time. Its going to be a good trip. We also wandered around this beautiful park that we parked next to. There were fountains and the trees were absolutely amazing, they seemed to look like they came straight out of the Disney movie Tarzan all twisted and covered with moss.

After passing enough time, we went back to the docks, and now found a line waiting for us. Figured, come to early, get turned away. Come still early, just not as much, get in back of a massive line of cars. O well.

I wish I could say that was the only line we stayed in on our first day, but like Kristy says, “All good things have a line, just look at Disney.” Where is the fast pass when you need it? We had a line to get through the metal detector, a massive line to get checked in (although Kristy was kept entertained by her mom’s kindle, and John made small talk with a nice retired couple who decided to take us under their wing and help us get use to a cruise), a line to get on board, and a line for food.

I must say that the ship was pretty nice. I had heard that Fantasy was an older ship, so I had feared that it would be run down. It was not at all. It has many decks each with things to see. It has a fun workout area, a small casino, lots of food option, a theater, and a lot of people.

O, I guess I forgot to mention one of the biggest things. It has been raining all day. Not like downpour always, but never did I see the sun come out. What that means for us is two things: a lot of time inside the ship instead of out on the decks and a little more rough cruising. The time inside wouldn’t be as bad if everyone else did not have to be inside as well. It just means there is a lot less space for a lot more people to be in.

Our first meal ended up being very good. I didn’t expect a ton, as its safer to not expect much. I was pleasantly surprised as I got lasagna of some type, that was different but good, and Kristy got a steak. The service has been very good, and everyone seems nice that is cruising with us.

We ended the night with a show on the ship that was supposed to welcome us on board. It was a very fun show, full of dancing, singing, and comedians. All in all it was a full and great first day. Hopefully the weather improves and then I know it will be an amazing vacation!!!