Good morning from the Straits of Florida!

After a long absence, we return to the blog for the purpose of blogging.

The blog, that is.

The Monarch of the Sea, surveying his domain.

It’s the first full day of our 14-day cruise to the Caribbean aboard the MSC World America. We left the kitties in the comforting care of our great niece Cheyanne and flew to Miami two days ago. Got up yesterday for a very substandard hotel buffet, then the Radiant Queen Diane and I got on the shuttle to take us to the cruise harbor. Met a very nice family that was headed to the Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas. Huge family.

The idea of traveling with a huge family makes me itchy, somehow.

Enjoying a pina colada while The Queen returns from a quick vape.

Since we are Yacht Club passengers (and the fact I’m using a motorized scooter), embarkation was swift and easy. Our butler (yes, we have a butler) escorted us to the Top Sail Lounge on deck 19. I had a tasty piña colada while the Radiant Queen ducked out to the smoking deck for a quick vape. After a short time, we were informed that our cabin was ready and we went there unto.

We tried to sit in the smoking area right outside of the TopSail Lounge, but the sun was too hot and there was no shade, so we migrated to the aft end of the ship to sit in a shaded area near the fantail.

Meet Dennis. My new best friend. He brings the drinks on the fantail.

Soon it was time for chow. We went to the La Brassierie (with our butler leading the way). It was family-style dining, so we shared some braised Korean beef short ribs, a baked spaghetti casserole, Then for dessert, a hot chocolate chip cookie with a scoop of vanilla gelato.

The Radiant Queen prepares to dine at La Brasserie.

After dinner, we hunted around for some kind of adaptor that the Queen thinks she needs. Failing that, we went back to the smoking area outside of the TopSail Lounge. We were the only people there.

Here’s the thing about the Yacht Club. There are nearly 5,000 passengers on the ship at large in the various other categories. Our butler (yes, we have a butler) told us there are only 350 in the Yacht Club. Quiet. No crowds. Yay.

By that time, our suitcase should have arrived. It hadn’t. Our butler (yes, we have a butler) went out to track it down. But it was the Radiant Queen who found it, leaning on a wall right next to the glass sliding door that you need a Yacht Club card to get through.

Went to bed, slept like lords and ladies, got up at about 630 this morning, which believe it or not is late for us. The radiant queen just returned from the smoking deck. We’ll chill until we’re hungry enough to get some breakfast, and then the first full day of Caribbean trek gets underway.