Finally, we plan to board our cruise boat, the Veendam, today. There have been no other surprises, yet, so we guess it is all go.
We have to get rid of the rental car, and drop it back to the airport, so leave the motel at 9.30am, and look for a petrol station on the way to fill up. It is about 25 miles to the airport from where we are.
The car drop off is seamless, and we caught a cab back to the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal (only the Americans could come up with a name like that), and we dropped right out the front of the ship. The bags were whisked away, including out carry on baggage (a little about that later), and to our surprise, check in took about 5 mins and we were allowed to go straight on board. It was just before noon, and the official boarding wasn’t supposed to start until 1pm.
There are two ships in port, us ad the Queen Mary 11. We are absolutely dwarfed by her size. We are located on the inner part of the berth, so will have to squeeze out beside her to get to clear water.
A single tug has the job of pulling us past the QM11
We are on deck 11, one down from the top, as we pass Queen Mary11
Our departure time of 4pm is rapidly approaching, and we have received our two main bags, but no carry on bags. No-one seems to know where they are, but we are assured they will turn up., which they eventually did, minus the two bottles of wine we are allowed to bring on board. The bags had obviously been held up in the screening and wine removal process. Anyway, after a few words with the front desk, the bottles were quickly returned to our room.
The cabin is very comfortable, and the ship generally very well presented. By the time all of the lifeboat drills etc are over, everyone is ready for a drink, so we spent the next hour on the deck, marveling at the skill of the captain and tug driver, to get us out past the Queen Mary 11, and under our own power.
By the time we passed the lighthouse near the entrance to Boston Harbour, the sun was going down, and the outer decks were clearing.
Lighthouse at the entrance to Boston Harbour
It was an informal dinner night and we have open seating, so enjoyed a quiet dinner with Kathy and David, went to a short show that introduced the entertainers for the trip, and went to bed.
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