Over a buffet breakfast at the Doubletree we explored alternatives for our departure for Harwich. Although Liverpool Station was within walking distance none of us were wildly enthusiastic about dragging those suitcases over busy London sidewalks and curbs. So we opted for the Big Black Cab outside the hotel entrance.
I believe Terry interrupted the driver’s breakfast. Begrudgingly he offered his services. Unable to clearly see where the luggage could be stored, the driver suggested we load two suitcases in the front, two in the back in front of the seat. The smaller pieces we carried on our laps. The two Marys and I squeezed into the only seat in back while Terry perched on the pull down seat. Cozy indeed. M&M’s legs rested on their suitcases. Our driver grumbled that we just had too much luggage. He was probably right.
Our confidence was a little shaken when he pulled into a barricaded driveway and told us to carry our luggage through the garage into the train station. First of all there was no carrying the luggage. And secondly there was a bar across the entry way that looked as if we were not supposed to be there. I had visions of whirling lights and that unique European wail of police cars. While I am enough of a mouse to do it anyway, MM and T told him we weren’t getting out of the car.
With a little more inaudible grumbling he managed to find a more suitable drop off point. The ramp to McDonalds allowed us to pass through to Liverpool Station. We followed the signs to the Eurostar and the First Class waiting area. Although there was a coffee machine, the only cups were see-through plastic that ought to melt with hot coffee in them.
There were 6 of us in first class. First class meant we had a doily on our seat that said FIRST CLASS. There was no other perks, like a food cart for instance. But since we were headed for an inexhaustible supply of it we didn’t mind.
There was no luggage storage so they rode instead in seats. We tried the overhead bins but decided if they fell someone would be in a coma.
As promised the Cruise Train chugged right into the Cruise Terminal and we were able to de-train and roll our suitcases right into Royal Caribbean’s registration area. After completing the obligatory forms which state we were disease free we boarded the ship. It was the quickest boarding ever. Our rooms were even ready.
I should back up and say that we were lured into this cruise, or rather I was lured into this cruise, by the ports of call, but more importantly (for me) a two bedroom suite located on the 8th deck aft with a wrap around deck. I had fantasies of family reunions.
Pammy, our cruise critic/travel agent warned us after booking but before boarding that she had stayed in this particular room and found it lacking. I’m not sure Terry is over his disappointment yet. Although it is exactly as she described, we both had hopes she was mistaken or at least exaggerating the defects. Consider your options carefully before booking RC cabin 8668 on Jewel of the Seas. We could have gotten the Penthouse for less.
Neither bedroom has any view of the sea. The common area is a misshapen triangle. Theoretically two people could have slept on the couch, which turns out to be smaller than most suite couches. I’d like to see this suite with 6 people in it. We’d have to like each other really well.
There is a porthole in the living area and regular size glass door to the patio (the last cheaper room we had on RC had floor to ceiling windows that spanned the length of the comparatively enormous room.) The deck is smallish and crowded with a lounge chair, 4 sitting chairs and a table. Oh well, who uses the deck? WE DO!
There were two bathrooms. One almost big enough for Terry to get into... I’m not kidding …. If you have ever ridden in a bathroom equipped sleeping car on a train it’s pretty similar.
The long and short of it is we were glad we didn’t talk our relatives into shelling out the kind of money we did for this suite. I remind myself on an hourly basis that we are darn lucky to be here at all, that it’s not an inside suite, that we have the money to do these kind of vacations etc. Life, despite the minor disappointments (and we’re talking really minor here) is good.
I’m getting used to it. Hey! I almost have my own room which I have long said married couples should have. We have a computer set up in one so it is kind of like an office. While arguing about whether or not to put egg crate on top of our mattress it dawned on us we could do one bed that way and leave the other as is. We have separate closets and more than enough drawer space.
If one of us wants to work on the computer we don’t have to worry about waking the other one up. Ditto with reading, watching TV or ranting and raving about the accommodations. Space can be a good thing.
The other mishap was that our reservations for dinner seating were wrong. MMP&T were all supposed to eat at the early seating. Instead the Marys were eating early but with someone else and we were scheduled to eat late with even more someone elses (a table of 8). We complained of course. We do that well. He had a room full of complainers, but unfortunately no resolutions.
So in protest we just boycotted the dining room. Tomorrow it’s the concierge. The next day the captain. After that if there is no resolution we’ll jump overboard and swim home. That will show them.
Our room steward, Francis, stopped by to introduce himself. Nice guy.
I decided to walk the ship – well 10 of the 13 floors. When I asked the front desk for a map I got a list by floor. It worked, but I much prefer a graphic map. I am working on my list of suggestions for RC.
I found a little café on Deck 12, the Seaview Café, which looked like it might be a promising eating alternative. Also ran across a solarium that doesn’t allow kids, several computer hot spots, a library with a book on Tom Cruise, gorgeous paintings, the suite concierge room, the stadium seating cinema, the casino, Chops Restaurant and the Coral Theater. Who spends any time in their room anyhow? WE DO!
Seaview closed at 6:30 for some unknown reason, so Windjammer (which is a come as you are and eat what you want where you want) was our choice for supper.
A side benefit of no assigned dining was that RC had somehow scheduled the first theatrical event – the Royal Caribbean dancers and singers and adult comedian John Evans at a time fairly inconvenient for either of the two dinner seatings. As suite passengers we have reserved seating in the balcony. It makes us feel special but tonight was pretty unnecessary as the crowd was pretty sparse.
Laughter heals, so we headed off for 8668 in a better mood. Exhausted and Happy are good predictors for deep sleep regardless of minor irritations. Who needs sleep? WE DO!
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