Glory Days: Embarkation

By
Saint Greg

October 3, 2019

I stayed at the Sheraton Four Points on Bourbon Street the night before embarkation day. In the morning I walked over to Cafe Du Monde for beignets and a cafe au lait.

This breakfast comes to around $8. Make sure you bring cash if you come here. There is also a Cafe Du Monde in the riverwalk mall that is more convenient to the port. You can use debit and credit cards at that location.

After checking out of the hotel I caught an $8 Uber to Fulton garage where I had left my car two days earlier.

I retrieved my suitcase from the car and headed downstairs to meet the shuttle.

I was the first to board the shuttle at 10:45. We departed at 10:52 and arrived at the port at 10:57.

I mistakenly thought I had an 11am arrival appointment at the port. When we arrived, I realized it was actually 11:30.

The port went back to having an early and on time arrival entrance. That’s what they were doing a year ago but in December they had everyone together.

I went to the early arrival entrance which had no line. I went right upstairs to security where there was a line.

The lady running the security line was telling people to put their phones away or step out of line. I put mine away.

Priority and people who purchased FFTF (faster to the fun) did not have to wait in this line. They were directed to the front of the line.

If you’ve read my previous reviews you know I’ve had problems with security going through my backpack. One time they thought a hard case wallet was a clip for a gun. Another time they though my cologne was a grenade. Last time they thought my shaving kit was a bladder containing alcohol.

I had no problems with them this time.

After security I walked right in and boarded. The time was 11:20.

The ramp was backed up pretty bad. I was actually on the ship about 11:25 and I was eating BBQ on deck 10 at 11:35.

I left the BBQ place around noon and headed down to the atrium bar on deck three for a funship special or three.

The bar was full.

I remembered I needed to stop by the excursions desk to book my Atlantis Submarine excursion in Cozumel. That was quick and easy.

By the time I finished booking my excursion, two spots had opened up at the bar.

I noticed they still have straws at the bar. I packed 500 I ordered on amazon just in case they eliminated straws as they announced they would.

At 1pm I headed upstairs to my room. I had forgotten rooms aren’t ready for non-priority until 1:30. I have another 30 minutes to kill and I’m up on lido deck. I decide to hit the Red Frog Rum bar and grab another funship special.

The weather has taken a turn for the worse. We have a wet Glory. I guess that’s not as funny as when I was on the Dream.

1:30 it’s time to check out my room. I have a lido inside as usual.

I noticed they have a new soap container without instructions on how to use the soap the after I made fun of the “just add water” on the last review. Coincidence?

They have the upgraded lamps with USB plugs in this room. Those will come in very handy when charging my phone at night.

Time to disinfect the room. Not that I don’t think the stewards do a fabulous job cleaning the place.

I’m a little nervous about the dining situation. If you read my Freedom article. That’s the last time I ate in the Main Dining Room on this class of ship. After checking into my room I went down to the dining room to scout out the tables. The crew doesn’t seem to appreciate this at all. While doing that I missed the cutoff for another drink before the muster drill/safety briefing.

This should be one of those outdoor muster drills which are the best–especially in August–in New Orleans. Hopefully it’s cool outside after the rain.

My suitcase arrived just before the muster drill.

The muster drill wasn’t too bad. I was on the front row right by one of the crew members who happens to be a dealer in the casino. Since I play a little table games we talked a lot while waiting for the muster drill to begin.

Once the muster drill was over I headed to the Alchemy Bar. I happen to have knowledge of a facebook group that has a shot glass exchange planned at the alchemy 30 minutes after they open. I’m a little concerned they could take up all of the seats so I decide to get there when they open.

Well I got a surprise. Milan from Vista is here. His break was right after I left Vista and he just came on this ship today. He said Mark from Vista is on break for another 20 days then he’s on Horizon.

My first Alchemy drink is usually the spicy chipotle pineapple martini.

Next I went with a basil drop.

It doesn’t look like anyone showed up for that facebook shot glass exchange I was concerned about.

And we’re off!

One more drink and then I need to get ready for dinner. I booked the steakhouse for tonight. Milan is working on memorizing my folio number so I don’t have to give him my card each time.

This is the perfect storm.

Algiers point ferry terminal.

Here is the Fun Times for day 1.

Here is the entertainment schedule for the week.

Here’s a look at the steakhouse menu.

If you book the Steakhouse on the first night you have a choice of a free bottle of their house wine or 50% off of any bottle from their wine list. Since I’m not a wine drinker and I’m on the cheers program I offered my bottle to the table behind me.

The server said she had to open the bottle at the table and pour a glass. I had her pour a small amount into a glass. I then gave that glass and the remainder of the bottle to the table behind mine.

I ordered my favorite steakhouse bar drink: The watermelon martini.

Compliments of the chef.

Here are the bread options. I like the round one the most.

Stuffed mushrooms

Lobster bisque

Cowboy Steak, Baked Potato, Mac n Cheese

Cheesecake

Here’s a look at what they were having in the Main Dining Room.

After that dinner I returned to my cabin to finish unpacking then I headed to the comedy club.

I noticed people were already sitting in the club for the show that starts in 25 minutes.

I’m not a fan of the bar in the comedy club of this class (conquest) of ship. They have these mini bar stools.

They make me feel like I’m sitting on a hamburger.

I went ahead and secured a seat at a table.

The seats were mostly full when the show started. But only two people in the standing area and four by the door.

More people came in during the show. The standing room only numbers rose to 10 in standing area and 10 at the door by the end of the show.

I locked my room key in my room and had to wait 20 minutes at guest services to get a replacement after the show.

Then I stopped by the main lounge to catch some of the “welcome aboard show.” The playlist dancers are performing. The next comedy show starts in 45 minutes.