Essiesmom sails Seaside 8/13 and 8/17, hopefully live…

[Essiesmom]

I’ve never done a ‘live from’ on CC, although I have kept live journals on other cruise forums.  Keeping a journal helps me to remember, distinguish one cruise from another.

   A bit about me.  My non-username is Carolyn, when there are multiple Carolyn’s I can be Carolyn Jane, or CJ.  I am a little old lady, turned 79 earlier this year.  I have over 50 cruises, the earliest in 1972/73.  Then there was a gap until 1999.  I am a retired registered nurse, specialized in maternal child health.  Also retired military.  I mixed sailing solo with sailing with my sister, and after she retired we always sailed together.  I lost her early last year, so I am slowly easing back into sailing solo.

   One of the problems I have encountered is that lines are reluctant to book solos.  I also prefer to be able to drive to the port.  Living about 35 miles SW of Savannah, that means Jacksonville or Port Canaveral.   So, this morning I left my house a few minutes after 9am.  I drove the back roads until I got onto I95.  I hate the interstate and take the back roads when I can.  I have at times driven all the way to JAX on US17.  I pulled off at the Florida welcome center to check the texts that had been coming, then continued to JAX and took the east I295 bypass.  Traffic was pretty good, just one non-sensical slowdown when two Sheriff vehicles had a truck pulled over.  
     I always drive a day early (except to JAX, which is only two hours) so I had a reservation at a Hampton Inn I95 at St. Augustine.  There is a large outlet mall here.  There used to be two, but one died.  I was earlier that I had expected, so I walked the mall all the way and back.  About 1.5 miles.  In 93 degree heat.  I am in a study on atrial fib, monitoring exercise with an Apple Watch.  This walk got all 30 minutes I needed.

   I drove to the hotel, checked in, and took a nap.  Old ladies need several naps a day, and I was behind.  Then I took a bath, and headed out for dinner.  I asked at the desk for recommendations, and ended up at Ford’s Garage.  It is a restaurant in one of the service bays of the old Ford dealership…which is still there in newer buildings.  Actually it is connected to the Lincoln showroom.   I would post pics but they haven’t migrated over from my iPhone to this iPad.  But you can check it out at fordsgarageusa dot com.  Anyway, I had a patty melt with fries.  
  I am back in my room, having watched the Braves win their second game today.  Bedtime soon, not too long a drive tomorrow.  EM

[Justpackingmybags]

I’m following along as a semi-retired newly solo cruiser. I’m interested to see how this trip goes and how MSC looks after you. Bon Voyage!

[Fla Mike]

Looking forward to your review!

[Georgia_Peaches]

Yay EM!  Looking forward to following along!!

[Essiesmom]

It’s a lovely morning, and I am up way too early, but that’s normal for me.  I have arthritis in my back and don’t sleep well.  Five hours is a very good night.  Thus the naps…

Pictures finally populated, so here is Fords Garage.  The round clamp was the napkin ring.  

 

 

[Georgia_Peaches]

Looks neat!  Is Ford’s Garage in Orlando?

[Essiesmom]

I’ve had my hotel breakfast of OJ, biscuit and gravy, peach yogurt.  Took a ten minute walk around the hotel to satisfy my Fitbit, and to collect license plates.  Two GA, including me.  UTAH, CO, AL, AZ, TN, KY, NY, NJ, SC, lots of FL (imagine that…must all be rentals…), Ontario, MI(pure…),DE, and one Diplomat.  Comfortable, just 80.  
People complain about their ankles swelling when they are on a cruise.  This had never happened to me until a cruise in March.  But just the left ankle, and it swelled during the day for many years after a bad sprain.  But that stopped a few years ago when I lost weight.  Cruise in June to Bermuda on Summit and both swelled, and continued through my 3 day drive home.  So I may take daily pics as the cruise progresses.  Starting today:

 

 

[Essiesmom]

7 minutes ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Looks neat!  Is Ford’s Garage in Orlando?

It’s off I95 at the St Augustine exit where the outlet mall is.  It’s on the east side of 95, on Outlet Blvd, except that mall no longer exists.  Lots of hotels and car dealers now.  EM

 

 

[jules815]

I'll be following along.

 

Have a great cruise.  

[Stem to Stern]

Bon voyage!!

[pirate4me2]

I’ll be following along, we embark on Seaside on the 20th! Take good care of her for us 🙂

[Essiesmom]

Aarrgh,  what an exhausting day.  I was on the road from St. Augustine shortly after 9am.  Made a short stop,in a rest area to get up and walk around.  I was in the parking garage by 1130.  Got a space on the first level, so car won’t be like an oven when I get back.  Had to pay for each cruise separately.  
  It’s a long walk (in my aged opinion) from the parking garage to the terminal.  The far end of the terminal.  One problem is I am carryon only, so I was dragging a rollaboard with a backpack.  Once inside, the line to security snaked around, up the escalator.  After security I could get in the Diamond line, which was a bit faster.  Then it was a long walk to the gangway.  I was onboard before noon, with checkin time 1230.

  I went straight to my cabin, prying open the doors.  It was open, the steward not finished yet.  I dumped my bags and left.  There was a housekeeping cart in the hallway and I begged a washcloth for it…I was sweating heavily and needed something to wipe with.  
   I went up to 16 to go to the buffet there, but found I was forward, the buffet was aft, and I couldn’t get through on that level.  So up to 18, go aft, and back down.  I had some salads and a tiny sandwich and iced tea.  I really wanted ice cream, but the soft serve machine on,y had lime flavor.  My memory is fuzzy, back in 2019 I would go there for breakfast (we were on deck 14), never did lunch there, but it seems much smaller as far as food areas.  Lots of tables, though.  I went down to the Marketplace Buffet on 8 and wandered around.  It is organized a lot like Celebrity Summit, with different ethnic areas, etc.  I went down to 7 and checked out the gelato stand.  Everything costs $7!  That would be okay if they had what i wanted, but no, lots of odd flavors, no stracciatella, just two strengths of chocolate.  So no ice cream for me.  
  They finally announced we could go to our cabins at 1:30,  but they weren’t completely finished.  My stewardess had to come back and do the bathroom.  I was napping on the sofa.  
  Trying to do the muster thingy was frustrating.  You are supposed to watch the video, then call a number at the end.  But I must have watched all the way through five or six times, and no number.  Apparently the video they announced for 4pm had the code.  By then I had been down and had my card scanned.

   I went down to deck 8 to see some of the sail away, but not much to see if you are the last ship out.  And through plexiglas.  I’ve sailed from PC several times.  I came back and pretty much unpacked.  My closet only has wire hangers.  Hmmm…

   I went to dinner, My Choice dining for Aurea.  Had the chicken croquettes, lasagna, and apple crumble.  Wasn’t that hungry.

  I got the bracelet, then had to go back because it didn’t work.  Made reservation for the show Peter Punk.  After supper I wandered through the shops, stopped in the Sports Bar and watched the Braves for a time, then went to the theater to get a good seat.

  I should be there now, but I walked out before the show started.  I had a good seat until a really tall guy sat in front of me.  So I mover left a seat.  Another tall guy sat next to the first tall guy.  Plus the CD had come out to a really loud intro, and some introductory nonsense wa going on.  So I left.  Too tired.  Put in three miles today.  Nassau tomorrow.  I’m sure I am forgetting things.  I’ll tuck them in as I remember.

Pics tomorrow when they populate from my phone.  EM

 

 

[Essiesmom]

It looks like I will have to add pics from my phone. I never do forums on it because screen is so small  and typing a trial.  I get tha smallest phone I can, just upgraded my iPhone to the SE 3rd gen.  I’ll also be breaking them is as I haven’t managed to master spacing with text between.  
first, my luggage

 

[Essiesmom]

My cabin.  I posted several places that I booked this 4 day and the following 3 day separately.  Booked inside fantastica gty as I seldom use a balcony when I have it. For both bookings I was assigned fantastica balconies.  I was offered the chance to bid for upgrade on both, so I bid on Aurea balcony and YC inside. For both I got the Aurea but not the same cabin… they are four cabins apart.  This is 9029, port side.

[Essiesmom]

Yesterday there was an SUV sized scooter parked in the corner outside the HC cabin at the bend of the corridor.  Last evening there was an officer standing next to it and on his phone.  When I came back to the cabin it was gone, still gone this morning.

[Essiesmom]

Salad from lunch yesterday; chicken croquettes, lasagna and apple crumble from last night; omelet, cottage cheese and fruit from breakfast:

[Essiesmom]

The theater…it’s very cold there.  I’m tempted to take a beach towel to wrap up in. The beach towels are quite large, not like the thin, skimpy ones on Princess.

[Essiesmom]

Menu from last night.  Tiny print does say extra entree is $5

[Essiesmom]

All for now.

[Essiesmom]

The sea morning sales are setting up (we don’t get to Nassau until noon.). Maserati watches do not come with a car.

 

 

[amygutman]

Great photos...it sounds like you had an exhausting trip but I am sorry you had to leave the Peter Punk show before the dinosaur came out! it was the funniest part of the show. 

Loving your report and look forward to hearing more. 

Warmest Amy

[Georgia_Peaches]

Wow!  Nice cabins you've been assigned too!  I love the balcony set up.  Our cruise last week was in a YIC and it was sooo small.  Wouldn't be bad for a solo traveler but I'm not sure I'd do it again with DH...his piles set up throughout the space are like walking through a landmine to the bathroom in the pitch dark!

 

Loving your review!

[Tierun]

2 hours ago, Essiesmom said:

My cabin.  I posted several places that I booked this 4 day and the following 3 day separately.  Booked inside fantastica gty as I seldom use a balcony when I have it. For both bookings I was assigned fantastica balconies.  I was offered the chance to bid for upgrade on both, so I bid on Aurea balcony and YC inside. For both I got the Aurea but not the same cabin… they are four cabins apart.  This is 9029, port side.

The extended balcony on deck 9 are a hidden gem on seaside class ships. 

[Essiesmom]

I believe the aft balconies are even larger…not aft facing.  Just arrived in Nassau.  Time to get a bite before going ashore.  EM

[Essiesmom]

When I left my cabin the scooter was back. When I returned to my cabin earlier it was about to leave, with a plus size female driver with Aussie accent. And husband.  I think cabin steward was reporting it as I went by.

  Lunch again a salad.