Trip date April 5, 2014
  This morning we woke early and took a walk to the beach. I have always wanted to walk the beach while the sun was rising. Well, this vacation again we missed it. it's tougher to get the kids moving. There's a Starbucks in the Hotel so I filled them with some sugary caffeine drink to entice them to the beach.
 The tide was out at the beach so you could walk along the denser wet sand. Easier for flip flops. We hoped to find some interesting shells on the beach, but did not find much.
 We also opted out of breakfast this morning. Knowing that as soon as we get on the ship and for the next 9 days it will be food galore.
 Back at the room we re-packed all of our stuff and headed to the Cocoa Beach Budget car rental place. There were people getting off their shuttle to pick up cars and a few dropping off. One of the people dropping off was on our ship. We had met them yesterday at Fishlips. In thirty minutes we were headed to our ship! I was so excited I was almost in tears!
 There is nothing like seeing your ship for the first time. Incredible is a good word to describe it. This ship was Huge! It's also nice knowing I'm going on that ship. Months of planning has led us to this point.
 Next is the worst part! Checking in. I like to get there early. The lines get very long and I'm not the most patient person when it comes to lines. Just to get through the door was an ordeal. They check your documents and then bottle neck the line toward security. That was confusing and not well run. They only had one security scanner and about 400 people trying to get on to the check in area. Once past that point I felt like I could breath a little again.

 NO real line for check-in. Hmm what happened to all the people was was crammed with 5 minutes ago? We got our sail and sign cards and headed to a seat to wait. We were seated in the priority boarding area by accident. We just sat there and no one directed us to anywhere or asked us any questions. So later a couple wanted to sit in the area and they were stopped and told they had to go sit somewhere else because they were not priority passengers. Woops! Neither are we! My guilt was building so I asked a guy where we were supposed to sit, that we sat here not knowing where to go. He said to us just stay where you are, I put you there. Nice! Thanks Guy!
   About 11:30 we got to board...tears threatened again! I'm an excitable person I think. We got our cheesy picture taken as a group before we boarded, then off we go. Its an amazing experience to board the ship for the first time. Its kind of confusing. Cabins are not ready until about 1pm so for an hour and a half we we wander the ship taking pictures while its still people free. We grab our lunch at the burger joint.
 They don't have Guy's Burgers yet. But, its still good. I head to the Tandoor for some vegetarian dishes that I love so much. Indian food is the best. The flavors are incredible.
 At 1 we drop off our carry on bags in our room and go exploring the ship some more. This ship is so big. If you walk the lap on deck 5 outside it only takes 2.5 times to make a mile.
 The Safety Drill was at 3:30. Ugh I hate them. You wait and wait for it to start because there are always people that try to hide and not go to them. Trust me they know if you hide they search the entire ship including staterooms to make sure everyone goes, and there are people on guard everywhere. Once the drill starts it goes by fast. We all meet in the Crimson Dining room as our muster station. Years ago we used to have to line up on the deck next to the lifeboats, that was hot and claustrophobic. This way is better, and more comfortable.

  I hate to miss sail away. So after the muster drill we head up to deck 10 Lido deck aft for sail away. Our cruise critic people were going to be there too for a get together. Now usually it rains for sail away, today it was sunny and beautiful out...perfect!
   A Disney ship sailed out before us and another smaller Carnival ship sailed out behind us.
   The seas were calm and it looked like smooth sailing ahead.


I had my first "Kiss on the lips" drink. Oh my, they are delicious! You can't drink them too fast or you'll get brain freeze..lesson learned ;o) White drink is a pina colada(virgin) for the kid and my Kiss on the lips mmmmm!






   We chose an early dining option for this cruise. So at 6pm we headed for dinner. Our luggage had not yet arrived to our cabin so we had to go in what we had on.

   I had the sweet and sour shrimp for dinner. That was very very good. I also had a spring roll that I shared with my daughter for an appetizer. For dessert I had Creme brulee. One of my favorites except I can only eat half as the sugar crust is so sweet.
 After dinner our luggage was waiting for us outside our door. So we made a mad dash to get all unpacked and stow the luggage under the bed.
   We headed to Karaoke up in the comedy lounge but it was dead in there. Boring. So, we got our swimsuits on and headed to the hot tubs on the aft lido deck. It was not crowded and was very relaxing.
  We later had a midnight snack of pizza slice and headed to bed. Tomorrow is a relaxing Sea day, and I could no longer keep my eyes open so off to bed we went. The seas were still calm so sleep was nice and comfy.
  All I can say about this day is I'm so glad it finally here, after my months of planning and dreaming.