GOODBYE TO VENICE, HELLO TO THE SEA!

It's time to say goodbye to Venice. As much as we have enjoyed our visit here this time, we are looking forward to many new adventures around every corner for the next few weeks.

We got up early this morning, finished packing, and had a light breakfast on the veranda.

We then checked out of our lovely hotel and went to the canal to get a water taxi which would take us to the ship. I waited in the lobby for Frank to check out and took a final look at the Murano glass and the beautiful art objects that surrounded us here at the Londra Palace.

On our way to the water taxi we took one last "land look" at our wonderful Venice. These are memories that we will hold in our hearts for a very long time.

The water taxi's were a little difficult for me to get off and on, but thanks to the help of our "taxi drivers", I was able to manage pretty well.

When we arrived at the dock, the people there ordered me a wheelchair as it was a VERY long walk to the ship ... a little over a mile. I'd like to interject here that they take very good care of the handicapped in Europe. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case in the states.

As I mentioned to you earlier, we had ordered a wheelchair for me 2 days in advance at DFW and after waiting nearly an hour, it never arrived, so we walked to our destination. The woman with American Airlines who was supposed to be in charge seemed very put out that Frank asked her several times during that hour if she had any idea when the chair would arrive. It was a real mess. Now back to Venice!

Once the wheelchair arrived, we went straight to the check-in counter for the ship where they collected our passports and gave us our boarding cards. You are nor allowed on or off of the ship without this card, so we always take very good care of ours! We were then taken immediately to the ship and to our suite ... no waiting and no lines! They allowed us to board early and that was really nice.

Our suite is very nice - quite large with 3 closets, a large double balcony, lots of drawers and storage space, a flat screen TV, both a tub with a jacuzzi in the bathroom along with a separate shower. The ship holds 1848 passengers and is sold out.

This was the first time in a long time that we were able to unpack together in our suite. Usually the suites are smaller but we opted for a larger one this time and it's really going to be nice.

Speaking of nice, my darling husband unpacked for me so I wouldn't put too much strain on my back. I'm so blessed to have such a precious man who takes such good care of me!

Our veranda is much larger than the ones that we have had in the past. Can't wait to set sail so we can have a different view every hour! I think we just might have breakfast out there tomorrow morning so so can say a proper goodbye to Venice from our ship.

After we got settled, we attended the life jacket drill. We were told which tender was ours and were shown what to do in case of an emergency.

Once that was over, we went to the bar and had a welcome to our home at sea drink to celebrate the beginning of a new adventure.

After dinner we went to the show in the Vista Lounge and were back in our suite and in bed by 11:00.

It has been a good day. We will sail all night and wake up in Croatia. We have a shore excursion tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it.

XOXO, Pcasso