| A solo cruise on the Atlantic in December was just | | | | her way to America with her second husband Ken |
| what I needed - no phones, no emails, and just many | | | | and her then teenage daughter. |
| days of lazing around, doing whatever I liked on a | | | | Day 3. I slept so late that I missed breakfast. I went |
| brand new ship.. Just perfect! | | | | to the gym, but with a massive headache, I felt sick |
| Launched: 2007 Passengers: 2,384 Registry: Bahamas | | | | and lasted there only a few minutes. I walked by the |
| Tonnage: 93,000 Crew: 1,154 Decks: 15 | | | | outdoor pool, and the sunshine was warm, even |
| Since I was traveling solo, I was determined to be | | | | though we were now in the Atlantic. Bingo for 40 |
| outgoing, although that is not my nature. When we | | | | minutes, and I left $35 poorer. A VERY L O NG art |
| arrived at Barcelona Airport, I talked to anyone who | | | | auction brought a second free print, but not much |
| looked like a likely prospect for the same cruise. I | | | | else. |
| met Pat and Mike, a nice couple from Connecticut, | | | | Day 4 Funchal our only port of call. Madeira is a jewel |
| who had spent the prior week in India, at their son's | | | | rising from the Atlantic with poinsettias on TREES, |
| wedding. They did not like India, and were pleased to | | | | beautiful orange cone like flowers - aloe. And |
| be back in civilization. I met another fellow, and then | | | | bougainvillea. The island features a long steep climb to |
| a very proper looking American fellow, none of | | | | top with volcanic peaks, and Nuns Valley below. It |
| whom wanted to share a cab to the ship. (Too much | | | | was a beautiful day. At the top of the toboggan run, |
| luggage, I was told). 20 euros later (with tip), I was | | | | an accordion player in a white outfit with a Madeira |
| at the docks of the sparkling Norwegian Gem. The | | | | hat entertained us while we waited a few seconds |
| decoration that look from afar to be flowers on the | | | | for our sledge to arrive - a two seater flanked by |
| hull, were gems. I should have guessed that. No | | | | two men in white with jaunty straw hats. The |
| fanfare, no lines, and within 5 minutes I was through | | | | toboggans or sledges were fun, When the slowed or |
| the duty free area and on board.. The decor was | | | | stopped, the men added wax to make them run |
| more subdued than most NCL ships, thankfully. Still all | | | | over slow spots. The photo taken en route showed |
| turquoise, blue, melon and burgundy was everywhere. | | | | two large sized women, crammed into the sledge |
| The carpet pattern in the hallways is ocean like, and I | | | | with mouths open. I bought a brightly colored Madeira |
| was later told, the carpet dolphins swim towards the | | | | hat and football jerseys featuring the local hero, who |
| front of the ship to aid in finding your way. | | | | apparently plays for Man United. We returned to the |
| It was 5PM by the time I boarded. I met with our | | | | ship just before it left. |
| Cruise Critics in the Star Bar at 6PM. A nice bunch of | | | | Day 5 I was scheduled for a bowling tournament, but |
| people, but I had the good fortune to sit at a table | | | | arrived ½ hour after it started. What a |
| with two English couples, Wendy and Mike, and Ken | | | | concept, bowling at sea. The waves did nothing to |
| and Jean. They were friendly and welcoming. I | | | | help my score. We each threw a ball, and the next |
| discovered that Wendy and Mike now lived in Florida, | | | | person finished the frame. My team was easily |
| and the other couple in California. After an hour or | | | | eliminated on the first try. The highlight of the day |
| pleasant conversation, they invited me to dinner, but | | | | was the murder mystery dinners. We were assigned |
| I declined. I was still dressed in jeans, the one outfit | | | | to teams of 6, each with the same story, and led to |
| that is not allowed in the fancier dining rooms. They | | | | the Grand Pacific dining room, where we acted out |
| recommended the Blue Lagoon, and I had some | | | | our parts. I played Holly Day, a billionaire's wife on |
| good Tex-mex food there. The evening | | | | vacation in Hawaii. It certainly kept the conversation |
| entertainment in the Stardust Theatre was a singer- | | | | going during dinner. |
| dancer replica of Sammy Davis Jr, whom I did even | | | | Day 6. Today's evening entertainment, a comedy |
| like when he was alive. I stayed for the whole show, | | | | troupe from Second City were excellent. Ship - |
| though and won $54 in an instant win game (Like | | | | excellent, spacious, always being touched up, even |
| Lotto scratch off cards) . | | | | only 6 weeks after 1st sailing. |
| Day 2 I really wanted to sleep all day, but with a | | | | The rest of the journey was blur. I read 3 ½ |
| meet and greet party at 1030, that wasn't possible. | | | | books. I slept well. The weather on board out on |
| All 103 Cruise Critic people were there, and we met | | | | open deck was warm enough to just wear a long |
| some of the staff. I met a few more people whose | | | | sleeved shirt - no coat or vest needed. My overall |
| names I knew from the board. Always nice to | | | | impression: Food excellent Specialty restaurants |
| associate a face with a name. An art lecture (and | | | | Teppenyaki very good (like a Benehana) and the |
| one free print later), a Red Hat Lady meeting where | | | | Italian La Cucina was excellent. Do it yourself laundry |
| I seemed to be the only participant the dinner with | | | | on board. Entertainment varied, some just okay, |
| Ken and Jean. Ken excused himself and Jean told me | | | | some excellent. Room stewards efficient and made |
| her very interesting life story until the wee hours of | | | | fun towel animals nightly. |
| the morning. Mine is not an eighth as interesting! | | | | I would definitely travel on the Norwegian Gem again, |
| Everything from the daughter of a chip shop owner, | | | | and would not hesitate to do a trans-atlantic cruise, |
| to a single mother after a failed marriage to finding | | | | even in the dead of winter. |