The day started in the usual pattern. Ellie was dropped off soon after 7:00 and we swung into the usual process - complete with reading practise - before dropping her off at school.
Home again and breakfast complete we clicked into gear to get the final bits of packing finished and the suitcases closed up (not an easy feat). With 45 minutes to spare, everything was ready, the kitchen was cleaned within an inch of its life, and we could sit down and await the taxi.
The smart, new 7-series BMW arrived and we loaded the luggage into the boot. We set off for Southampton and 55 minutes later we were at the cruise terminal, handing the cases to a porter. The next time we saw them, they were outside our stateroom. Seeing the luggage disappear, we made our way to join the huge queue at check-in. We had to show our boarding passes and immediately shown past the queue and directly to a check-in desk. Five minutes later we were sitting with Jane and Trevor waiting to board.
We were soon called and climbed the escalator and ramps to board on deck 3. First stop was our Muster Station (so we knew where to gather in case of an emergency). We were then shown into the restaurant for a delicious lunch with Prosecco and wine. I chose the salted, crispy squid as a starter and followed it with barramundi and crushed potatoes. Trevor did the same. Diane had duck as a starter, followed by the lamb cutlet. If this is the standard we can expect for the next couple of weeks, I am delighted.
After lunch, we made our way to our stateroom. This was on the aft quarter of deck 5. It is a lovely room with a good sized bathroom with a spa bath and separate walk-in shower. Being on the after quarter we also have a large wrap-around sun deck. I took some videos and photos before we set about unpacking.
Whilst Di finished unpacking, I found my way along to Reception. I had booked an Internet package, but received no details of how to access or use it. I now have the basic information and it seems to be working.
When everything was squared away, we went for a walk to get our bearings and to get Di’s blood test booked for Monday morning. The Medical Centre is as far from our cabin as you could get, without swimming. It is right at the bow of the ship, down on Deck 1. They were very accommodating and we were soon booked for 8:00 on Monday.
With that sorted, we continued to explore on the upper decks. Somehow, we managed to stop for a beer by one of the swimming pools and were then invited to join Jane and Trevor in their cabin to split some champagne during the sail away. As the bubbles sprang free, Arcadia silently broke free of the dock and made headway down the Solent. We stood and chatted and watched scenery until we were free of the Isle of Wight and in sight of Portsmouth. It was quite an experience.
We were booked for an early sitting for dinner. The menu was enticing and I enjoyed a Caesar Salad to start, followed by pork loin (in fact I think we all had the pork loin - which was delicious).
We were in no particular hurry and decided, as we left the table, to go to the Palladium Theatre to see the comedian’s show. We settled at the back (so we couldn’t be picked on) and enjoyed a very good hour of stand-up. By this time it was 21:30 and we decided that a walk would be a good thing before bed. We wandered out onto the Promenade deck and started a circuit of the ship (this is one third of a mile). It was still quite warm, but the breeze from the ship’s motion cooled us as we tried to make out the lights of Eastbourne and France. It was a perfect end to an exciting day. From there, it was straight back to our suite and off to bed.
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