Embark day is always crazy, and some are crazier than most. This morning the ship was boarded by USPH (as I’ve said before, you don’t mess with US Public Health), and USCG (and you really don’t mess with US Coast Guard!), and Immigration and border control for those who had only joined this past FLL….
And then on top of all that, the immigration process was delayed because several guests decided not to attend – how one can somehow miss the fact that this was a mandatory immigration inspection for all passengers, when we tell them by every means possible (letters to each cabin, PA announcements, reminders on the TV etc etc) that it is occurring is beyond me. And then on top of that crew shore leave was denied for nearly an hour and a half because of one solitary crew member who somehow missed his memo to go to Immigration. Now, with the passengers management is very kind over the PA reminders, no matter how frustrated they may be – when it’s a crew member holding up ship’s clearance? Well, let’s just say that’s a different story.
Sadly, by the time shore leave was granted it was far too late for me to make my way next door to the Maritime Museum, so the towering masts of the Tall Ships that reside there are now teasingly out of reach, visible just outside my office window (the museum is about a ten minute walk from where we dock), but they may as well be on Mars for all the chance I have of reaching them today…too bad so sad.
Thankfully, as far as work itself goes, this is a remarkably quiet embark day. The delay in debarking led to a delay in embarking which means that just when the place would normally be overflooded with guests it’s lovely and peaceful and and there is very little for me to do except make sure the last of the returns are checked through and that the shelves are straight for the hordes when they do arrive.
Heeere we go again!