Day 5 -- All Aboard!

We had to be checked out of our room by Noon, but the “official” check in for the ship was 2PM (there were indications we might get on much earlier).  So, we had about a 90 minute gap.  It turned out well, because by the time the blog was written, posted, and proof-read, it was about 1:30.  Now, there might be discrepancies about WHY the blog was so late, but as there is not consensus, we’ll just leave it that the final step was Theresa’s and therefore…

Currently in First Place (maybe)

Anyway, we gathered our many bags and called an Uber.  This might be the time to point out B&T and M&MA all enjoy the show Amazing Race, and M&MA actually won it once as a cruise port activity.  Since it was unlikely we would find an Uber that would accommodate 12 bags and four people short of an airport shuttle or a moving van, we split up.  And the race began!!  M&MA’s driver arrived first.  But of course, the “taxi” can be a make or break.  Theirs showed arriving at 1:47, and we were on track to arrive at 1:42, so we had hopes!  Those hopes were as smooth as our driver who was unaware of brakes having a “gradual” feature—she was only aware of 0%-100%.  And then she kind of got lost.  Well, M&MA’s driver did too, but…  Anyway, we arrived, grabbed all of our bags, and a young man showed up with a dolly, and offered to take our bags (he was wearing a uniform and a name tag that said “Staff” so it must have been legit).  We took a “bragging” selfie claiming to be “Currently in First Place”, and then turned to see them already in line with 2-4 people behind them.  Pride faded, yielding to humility like a sand castle to a jeep.

It was (not) a foot race!!!

We wended through the check in process, trying to stay ahead of our competition, who got stuck filling out paperwork slightly slower than we did.  We got to the final competition:  Immigration!  They asked Theresa a few stock questions.  They looked at Bill’s passport like something MUST be wrong, if he could only find it…page by page he turned looking for that discrepancy.  Finally, he asked “What ship are you on?” (as there were two in dock).  I thought that was very unfair as details like “where are we going”, “how are we getting there”, and other general listening skills are Theresa’s strong suit.  But I pulled through and answered “Silver Ray??”.  STAMP!!  And out I went behind MaryAnne, but in front of Mike.  Didn’t matter, the team has to hit the mat together!  We claimed the victory.  (We could have had the foot race along the dock, but it would have alerted many eyes of people less inclined to find the humor in our self-made Amazing Race!

The Silversea Silver Ray

Let the Cruise Begin!!!

Once on board with our welcome drinks, we headed to the room and dropped our back packs and found 3 of the 4 bags had made it to the room before us (must have had easier questions!).  Then we hurried to the grill to grab a really light lunch before 3PM when it closed. 

We all unpacked and…these rooms…they have SO much storage.  This was a newer ship and the outlets have USB, USB-C, and North American and European outlets, in addition to a lot of NICETIES.  Anyway, a few tasks like safety briefings and changing clothes and it was time for dinner.  Hurry Hurry because it started at 6 and sail away was 7, and Theresa was NOT going to miss it being on the deck!  So, we ordered starter and main quickly and hurried along the servers to make sure we finished.  At 6:58 we were heading up to the deck to see us pushing away.

First glimpse of our room.  Our bags beat us there!

Nice closet!

A workspace...

Fancy bathroom!

Our balcony.

Lunch at the grill.

Ice Cream!

U Scream?

Lisbon from the River Tagus

We had a drink in the forward lounge while popping in and out taking pictures in the dark.  However, at the bar, Bill was about to order drinks for three of them, including a Laphroaig, when he noticed…on the top shelf…almost out of eyesight…Ardbeg!!  An Oa!!  (Pronounced “On Oh”, (or On Oooooooohhhhh!) Ardbeg An Oa is not just an Islay Scotch, but a GOOOOD one!!)  Afterwards, since we didn't have dessert at dinner, we went down for some sweets at the “Art Café”, which had simple treats, but included hot chocolate, Chai, and truffles (and more).  Theresa and MaryAnne headed off to sign up for something, and then they all went to see a show of singing and dancing.  Bill enjoyed his remaining An Oa, and started this saga.  Meanwhile the Butler came by to offer two options for Scotch in the room, one was Kilchoman, which I’ve never had or even heard of, but it’s an Islay, so we’re going to find out!  (another night!)

Cruise Facts:  560(ish) passengers (out of 725) with 530 crew (nearly 1:1).  US:  350, UK:  60ish; Canadian:  40ish.  5 Lecturers from Broadway to US Government to Spies/Deception to Whales.  

The Queen Anne

The square by the waterfront

Christ the Redeemer

Explorers' Monument