ALL ABOARD FOR NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND!

 

Saturday, September 24, 2022

New York City/At Sea

 Saturday, September 24, 2022

New York City/At Sea

 As I write, we are sailing toward Newport, Rhode Island.  We left our hotel at 5:00 a.m. to drive to Globe Airport Parking, not far.  Soon we were on the way to the airport to catch our 7:30 a.m. flight on American Air to NYC.  After a very long wait at Starbucks for a coffee run in the airport, we boarded the plane.  After an incident on the flight from Charlotte to Erie in April (where I learned what “under the seat” baggage REALLY meant on a small plane), I unloaded my big camera and laptop into a “string” backpack—there is no way I am leaving them to luggage handlers at the gate. They took my now empty carryon, and I boarded the plane without incident.  The backpack idea was not bad at all, and I can certainly do that from the airport gate area onto the plane and off again.

We were told by the pilot that there was turbulence and so we were going to land at LaGuardia early. What that really meant I do not know, but by 8:40 a.m. we were off the plane.

TK makes these travel arrangements, and he is VERY good at it.  We knew we needed to go to “K” level to meet our driver—TK had received a text.  We arrived at “K,” saw the black Toyota Sienna. The driver asked if I was Mary, reply-yes, even though I don’t like being called that. Bags were loaded into the van, and we were headed out of the area when TK got a phone call from a driver who asked where we were. Turned out, we were in the wrong Toyota Sienna.  The current van was taking us to a Carnival ship!  He turned around, and we found our driver and “Mary” and her husband waiting for us.  I don’t know, maybe “Mary” had a better stateroom on the Carnival ship, but I am glad this mini almost fiasco ended well.

 We were surprised there were no security checks as we drove into the port area-in the Florida ports we must show photo ID at a gate to enter the port area.  Soon we were at the Enchanted Princess with just a little wait time to board.

a glorious sunrise in Pittsburgh

Manhattan from the Enchanted Princess

The Statue of Liberty watches over our ship!

 

Cruise Terminal: entry to Women's Restroom

On this cruise, we are in an inside stateroom (Baha 411), because it was an inexpensive way to have one more cruise before our November travels and now we will be “Elite” class passengers. That means we will have free Wi-fi, laundry, and other amenities that TK wants.  TK picked this specific room based on its size and layout. It is much better that the inside cabin on the Norwegian Epic, with more than enough storage space, great lighting, and a comfy bed. 

the bed

across from the bed, ample space

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closet

across from the closet--there is another set of shelves right next to these

sink

It did not take long to unpack, giving us plenty of time to reacquaint ourselves with the Enchanted, a ship we were just on in April.  We decided to take 2 Bonine tablets a piece because we were apprehensive about the effects of the hurricane.

lemon cream pie

raspberry something

After dinner of fried chicken and the best sugar free lemon cheese pie, we went to the evening’s show in the Princess Theater, Travis Turpin, vocal impressionist with skills on the guitar. He was a great performer.  On our cruise in April we did not go to one show, so I was impressed that TK wanted to go.

By this time, I could barely stay awake, and we immediately went back to the cabin and to bed.   

TK's Takes: The flight was smooth, as well as boarding the ship. No waves. The Internet lounge personnel were helpful in seeting up our "medallions" and Internet