Day 9 Galveston/Cruise 3 Jan

Our taxi driver in Galveston that had taken us downtown, Willis, said that he would take us to the pier for our cruise and would pick us up between 12 and 12:30 am. We were packed and checked out at 11am and waited and waited. He didn't turn up so we grabbed another cab, which was lucky because there are several thousand passangers all making their way to the pier. 

The porter grabbed our bags as soon as we pulled up and we jumped in the queue. It took about an hour and a half before we were on board and the queue was moving most of the time. 

Our room is fabulous. When we booked a balcony room I expected a balcony of a meter depth. But it would be more like 2 meters deep and 4 meters wide with two chairs and a table. Our room is spacious for a ship and of course has all of the space saving storage spaces. We have a couch, coffee table and desk area. We are very happy. 

As the ship pulled away we were escorted by a wee pod of dolphins. Magic. 

The ship appears to have mainly Americans and Mexican people. They may be loud but have impeccable manners. 

We dumped our hand luggage, of which there was plenty, and explored the ship. There are 13 levels and I don't know how many bars and restaurants. We chose to dine at Boticelli and were pleasantly surprised. After reading loads off reviews written by people who had been on this cruise I was prepared to be eating pretty ordinary fare but so far everything has been great. Even our buffet breakfast at Windjammers was okay, although I wouldn't go there for dinner unless I had to. Anyway back to Botecelli, Lance had lobster and I had Atlantic salmon. Both were great, we did have to pay for the lobster but it wasn't astronomical. And of course they had Kim Crawford Sav Blanc. NZ wine again. The staff are all extremely attentive and there seems to be heaps of staff everywhere you look. 

After dinner it was time to check out the bars. I thought everything would be crowded but most bars were empty, maybe we were too early. Our first bar was the Olive and Twist set right up above the ship like a UFO hovering. I asked for a wine list and he said he would have to ask his supervisor? This was a pretty upmarket looking bar so I was surprised, so I said "never mind, what Sav Blanc do you have?" He was still confused "red or white ma'am?"  Anyway he got a bottle out of the chiller, I don't know what it was but it was French and nice enough.

 Our next stop was at the Vintages a lovely little wine bar along the promenade. The promenade is a street in the centre of the boat that is just like walking In a mall with shops cafes and bars. He didn't sell beer but went out the back and found a Heineken for Lance and of course I had a choice of NZ wine. 

There was a comedian starting at 9:45, so we went along and thoroughly enjoyed him. Then it was back to our cabin to sleep soundly with barely a sway of the sea.