Embarkation Day.

Following several communications about moving embarkation forward because of a potential storm which could keep us in port for several days, we were told to be at the port by 9.30am. We had an early cup of tea and at 7 o’clock said goodbye to *** and left for port. It was slightly stressful, we weren’t sure where the car drop off was, but we found the port and the boat and asked if we could leave our luggage while we took the car back. In retrospect, it would have been easier to take the car back to the airport and catch the shuttle that MSC had arranged for cruise people. I turned my data back on and, using Google maps we found the drop off fairly easily, first filling up with fuel. We asked if it was possible for someone to drive us to the port, which they agreed and we managed a very complicated route but at least we got dropped off in the port. The checkin & test procedures were very impressive and remarkably quick. The final lateral flow test was negative and we were on. We found our cabins, and had a look round while waiting for our luggage to arrive. The balcony was great and I’m so glad we got an upgrade. We left harbour early and anchored just off-shore while they sent four shuttle boats back for 49 passengers to board who had not managed to change their travel arrangements. We were just opposite Robin Island and there was plenty to look at, with Swift Terns and Humpbacks while waiting. It was very warm. We went through the mandatory safety briefing, rang down to confirm we had watched the video, collected life jackets and ‘proceeded to our muster stations’ by which time the missing passengers had had an interesting time boarding the boat and we could set off.  

We tried both sides on deck seven, as well as looking at the bow, but it was a bit crowded so we returned to deck seven. There were Common, Swift, and Sandwich Terns and Hartlaub’s, Kelp and Sabine’s Gulls as well left and we enjoyed seeing the Cape Fur Seals hauled out on the buoys as we left.

dinner with Helen/Richard +