Like most travel companies, Carnival Cruise Lines has a loyalty program of its own--VIFP--meaning Very Important Fun Person. The second highest level in the VIFP program is Platinum. Today, I board my first cruise on the Platinum level.
The day started like most of my cruise vacations: Get up super early, in this case 2:30 AM, leave the house around 3:00, and head to the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. Boarding my Southwest Airlines flight at 5:30, I take off at 6:00, and land, just over an hour later, at BWI Baltimore.
Here's the thing about this trip: There is no cruise line shuttle in Baltimore. Many homeports have shuttle service from the airport, but not here. Here's the other thing about this trip: My check in appointment at the ship doesn't start until 12:30. So, I grab my breakfast of milk, a blueberry muffin, and Apple Jacks from the Hudson News in baggage claim, grab a bench looking out the windows between the elevators, and look out at the taxi stand.
Thus, with almost 4 hours to kill, the birth of this blog.
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I've decided that around 11:30, I'll grab one of the cabs outside, or take an Uber (which, per my research is about $5.00 cheaper) to the cruise port. One of the benefits of Platinum status is priority check in, and sometimes check in starts early. Worst case scenario, then, is that I stand in line until the regular appointed time. At least I'd be at the port.
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Well, forget that idea. I just got text from Carnival. Checking in has been delayed by an hour, so now my appointment time starts at 1:30. Ugh. So here I still remain. I wonder if there's any where to go near the port. But then again, I have my bags, which I would have to schlep around with me anyway. So forget it.
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It's now just after Noon, one more hour to go. Since I've decided on Uber, I look for a sign directing me where to go. It informs me Upper Level, anywhere between Doors 5 and 12, Outer Curb. Taking the elevator upstairs, I seek out the appropriate area. In the process, I find a food court which is available outside security. Maybe it's my own fault, but this is information I could have used FOUR HOURS AGO! (Or is it 5 hours? Who knows at this point!) Well, honestly, I'm tired and I don't want to play anymore. All I can think about is getting on that damn ship and chowing down on a Guy's (as in Guy Fieri) burger--the most delicious cheeseburger on the high seas. In the meantime, I have snacks I brought with me.
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1:10 PM. My Uber driver has picked me up and I am finally on the way to the ship. No real traffic to speak of. That is, until we got to within about half a mile of the port entrance. Then, much traffic. Which makes sense because the delays in boarding cuts the time available. Everyone trying to get in at once.
I finally get dropped off at around 2:00. Now, let's see if priority boarding is still a thing. It is (once everything is passed by the DEA dogs), but this is only for check-in. There's only one line to actually get on board. This I achieve at 2:45. I head right to the muster station, drop my carry-on in my room, then get my Guys. I am, at last, past the work part of Embarkation Day. Real vacation finally begins.
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The rest of the day went relatively well. We got underway just after 5:00 PM, sailing away from Cruise Maryland-Port of Baltimore. Cruising past Fort McHenry, past the entrance to Inner Harbor, and under the bridge brings us closer and closer to the open sea.
As I finish up today's edition, we've been under way for about 2 hours now. Like most nights, there's much happening on the ship: shows, music, trivia. But after this crazy day, I'm hanging out on my balcony for a while, get a good nights sleep, and tomorrow, start fresh.
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