ROLL CALL MEET & GREET

So… the Roll Call gang straggled in to the Lido Bar Aft, opposite the Pizza Oven at the appointed time of 3PM amid squeals and hugs and all that stuff from people who had never met you but felt like they knew you for so long from all the Roll Call Posts and one by one introduced the rest of THEIR bunch to the rest of THE Bunch etc…

Chucky had been asked to make a few copies of the Tour agenda and these were passed out to more squeals and hugs… and some plans were made to meet where and when and of course – the Pizza never got ordered and Pizza cutter was for naught… but there was some cheese and fruit from the Buffet and a good time was had by all… or some… or who cares, they showed up.

Chuck and The Ever Lovely Dragon Lady  met up with Michelle and Dan from MD, Nick and Kathleen from Western PA {he’s actually British but whatevah} and Mike and Mary from Lungeyeland {well that’s how they pronounced it} all of whom have cruised together many times in the past and who had been quite vocal on the roll call.  We were welcomed into their cozy yet just shy of rowdy group of merry travelers and it fit like a glove. 

After the usual small talk, dinner plans were made and Nick called a 5:45 meet at the Chic Dining room – he likes to dine early even thought we all were set for Any Time Dining and we headed back to the cabins to prepare for the emergency briefing and boat drill before departure.

After the Cruise director gave the usual do’s and don’ts over the PA, unlike the past, we didn’t have to wear our life vests to attend the boat drill {hooray} and our muster station was right down that handy stairwell right outside our door to the 5^th deck and… nobody was at our station. After standing around with nobody there, the crew finally moved the group that did finally straggle in - over closer to the rest of the mob on Station 6 and we proceeded to stand and melt on the airless boat deck while a Prussian Drill Mistress moved some forward, some back {two steps to the left, two steps to the right, Kick…} no wait that was the line dance class…

Anyway… we were  MELTING ovah Heahhhh.  Funny how you make friends with everyone in your misery and of course the storm trooper jokes started as we used levity to alleviate our frustration. They finallycame back to count the second time… seems like the clicker jammed the first time and they had to find another one.  Mike and Mary showed up and squeezed over to mingle until finally after more scratchy PA announcements from the delightfully British Cruise Director we’re released to go back to our cabins.  {I think the purposely recruit these slick Brits as Cruise Directors because they sound so Cool over the scratchy PA}

Of course now they hold up our crowd from moving until the rest of the Mob from the other muster stations proceed to jam the stairwells, so Chucky decides to head back up the stairwell we came down from our Aft Stateroom, only to be turned around by Security with a:

“Crew Only Sir.”

SAY WHAT…

”You were the one guiding me down… now I can’t go back up the same way?”

“Sorry -  for now… crew only”

As the Dragon Lady is snickering behind him,

“Told you not to go that way… but Nooooo…Stubborn Little Italian Man..”

Much to the amusement of the rest of our group that were about to follow him up the back stairs {which leads to – did I mention - right outside our cabin}

Sooooo, we follow the cattle call to the central stair and the trek alllll the waaaay back there… Ok, it wasn’t that far this time but -  time for another shower after melting on the boat deck and then a race to get down to the Chic DR to meet the gang who showed close to the starting time and we were seated quickly.

The usual first night fare with a cute little Blonde server from Belarus who made quick work of the menu and service.  Nothing spectacular on the menu, most prepared and presented with the usual flair and being first into the dining room, no hassle on timing etc.

The Company was good, the banter exceptionally lively and we quickly learned that these are Fun Folks and this was gonna be a Fun Trip.

We made plans to meet up later that evening after had a chance to walk off dinner, at the Alchemy Bar -a new addition on the Freedom - with a limited menu of specialty cocktails where they ply you with a little cocktail finesse using some

creative use of herbs and syrups and Premium liquors, staffed by a trio of very congenial “Mixologists” that delighted in exhibiting their talents in preparing these not quite exotic but very lovely cocktails.

After everyone straggled in and a sampling of the Fun Stuff shaken up by these cute kids, and of course the lively exchange with Chucky on What a Martini isn’t –

{too long to go into here} 

and this merry band of funsters adjourn to the Piano Bar next door to harass and enjoy Seth, the barefooted Piano Man who is quite a character and very entertaining.

Chucky was feeling a little peptic distress from something at dinner {perhaps the Gezpacho that was a bit over seasoned} and she was fading fast so our Travelin’ Wackos bid their rowdy companions a good night when Seth took his Pre 11PM –"Adults only Show" – Break.

After composing the Departure Episode, a headache set in with his Dispepsia so it was a handful of Aspirin and Mallox chewable’s and time to crash – She was already sawing wood.

Tomorrow is a Sea Day so who knows with kind of fun they’ll get into, but you'll just have to stay tuned to find out.

Ciao 4 Now,

Uncle Chuck & The One Too Many Fruity Drinks

Dragon Lady