NCL Norwegian Jewel left port at exactly 4:00 p.m. Fog skimmed over the Mississippi and shrouded the banks as we turned a 180 in the middle of the river and headed out to sea. Soon a white nothingness pressed in around us. Ghostly ships anchored in the river appeared briefly and disappeared into the mist. It took us six hours before the bow of the ship was in the sea. Jewel's movement changed only slightly as we felt the gently swells underneath us.
After dinner, Super Bowl viewing, and live entertainment (a preview of the week's performances) We sat on our deck in the warm humid air and eventually went to bed with the sound of sea. It was bliss enjoying a glass of wine which we never drank while sailing our own boat, and retiring without worrying about sail changes, navigation, squalls, night watch, or anchor alarms. Oil drilling platforms lit up like Christmas trees and became crystal clear the farther we sailed from the shore.
Monday. First Day at Sea.
Now that we are cruising at sea, we will have to wait to post photos. The satellite connection is slow and doesn't want to upload the photos. I ll take care of the photos when we return to New Orleans, next Sunday.
We arose early and made our way to the fitness center for a workout before breakfast. The ship's staff is very conscientious about spraying everyone's hands with disinfectant before entering the dining rooms and the fitness center. Given the incidence of Noro virus on cruise ships, we are pleased with their diligence in preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses. Every entrance to a public meeting area has hand disinfectant dispensers.
After breakfast, we decided it would be fun to do a little golf practice in the cage. We were disappointed with the ship's golf equipment for the cage. We could select from one battered driver...for lefties. Seriously? and no pitching wedges. There is only one cage on board and we could each have only one club. Russ chose a 7 and I found a 5 iron. When we inquired about balls, the young man at the desk gave us each one. Really, be a sport, could we have a few more? Okay, we each got two, and not out of stinginess, but that exhausted the supply. Then we had to sign some paperwork for the precious equipment. After hitting our four balls a several dozen times, we returned the equipment. Not sure we'll do this often.
Off to play BINGO....or so we thought, until we found a comfy looking lounge chair for two in the morning sun. Russ read, and moi, I took a wonderful little power nap. So much for BINGO. It was time for lunch, a stroll around the deck and an afternoon of playing cards with some folks from Minnesota. They taught us how to play Hand and Foot which has many similarities to Baja Rummy. The sea has been calm, gentle swells, and no white caps. We spent a pleasant afternoon relaxing and playing cards.
We met the Master (Captain) of the ship tonight. He politely bowed to people and gave them fist bumps instead of handshakes. Guess he doesn't want to catch or spread gems by shaking hands either. We talked with one of the officers today about the water system on the boat. They desalinate seawater and the ship's gray water, producing 60 tons of water an hour! We were happy if we got 14 gallons an hour aboard Worrall wind. Amazing.
Our first day at sea was capped off by some champaign, dinner in the elegant dining room, and a Seventies music and dance performance in the Stardust Theater. It's been an exhausting day. ;-). Tomorrow, we will be in Cozumel exploring Mayan ruins.
Cheers from the Worrall Travel R's
After dinner, Super Bowl viewing, and live entertainment (a preview of the week's performances) We sat on our deck in the warm humid air and eventually went to bed with the sound of sea. It was bliss enjoying a glass of wine which we never drank while sailing our own boat, and retiring without worrying about sail changes, navigation, squalls, night watch, or anchor alarms. Oil drilling platforms lit up like Christmas trees and became crystal clear the farther we sailed from the shore.
Monday. First Day at Sea.
Now that we are cruising at sea, we will have to wait to post photos. The satellite connection is slow and doesn't want to upload the photos. I ll take care of the photos when we return to New Orleans, next Sunday.
We arose early and made our way to the fitness center for a workout before breakfast. The ship's staff is very conscientious about spraying everyone's hands with disinfectant before entering the dining rooms and the fitness center. Given the incidence of Noro virus on cruise ships, we are pleased with their diligence in preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses. Every entrance to a public meeting area has hand disinfectant dispensers.
After breakfast, we decided it would be fun to do a little golf practice in the cage. We were disappointed with the ship's golf equipment for the cage. We could select from one battered driver...for lefties. Seriously? and no pitching wedges. There is only one cage on board and we could each have only one club. Russ chose a 7 and I found a 5 iron. When we inquired about balls, the young man at the desk gave us each one. Really, be a sport, could we have a few more? Okay, we each got two, and not out of stinginess, but that exhausted the supply. Then we had to sign some paperwork for the precious equipment. After hitting our four balls a several dozen times, we returned the equipment. Not sure we'll do this often.
Off to play BINGO....or so we thought, until we found a comfy looking lounge chair for two in the morning sun. Russ read, and moi, I took a wonderful little power nap. So much for BINGO. It was time for lunch, a stroll around the deck and an afternoon of playing cards with some folks from Minnesota. They taught us how to play Hand and Foot which has many similarities to Baja Rummy. The sea has been calm, gentle swells, and no white caps. We spent a pleasant afternoon relaxing and playing cards.
We met the Master (Captain) of the ship tonight. He politely bowed to people and gave them fist bumps instead of handshakes. Guess he doesn't want to catch or spread gems by shaking hands either. We talked with one of the officers today about the water system on the boat. They desalinate seawater and the ship's gray water, producing 60 tons of water an hour! We were happy if we got 14 gallons an hour aboard Worrall wind. Amazing.
Our first day at sea was capped off by some champaign, dinner in the elegant dining room, and a Seventies music and dance performance in the Stardust Theater. It's been an exhausting day. ;-). Tomorrow, we will be in Cozumel exploring Mayan ruins.
Cheers from the Worrall Travel R's
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