Жарыяланган: 11.04.2019
Today is our first day at sea. We slept very well. The mattresses are really good. The blackout is also good and there is a night light in the bathroom so you don't have to turn on extra light if you need to go to the bathroom at night.
First, we went out to our balcony and enjoyed the fresh sea air and the wide view of the sea. You can also make yourself a coffee, there is a Nespresso machine in the cabin, with 2 capsules per day included. Since we are not coffee drinkers, we did not use them. Above the table, you will also find cups and glasses, as well as a glass carafe, with which you can get water from the water dispensers in the corridors. There is also water in PET bottles, but for a fee.
Now I took some pictures of our cabin. Then we went to explore the ship. You can find your way relatively quickly and well. Sometimes it happens that when you get off the elevators, you walk in the wrong direction, but you notice it relatively quickly.
Afterwards, we went to the Schmankerl to redeem our breakfast voucher. We really liked it there, very friendly staff and a nice atmosphere. The Schmankerl is in Austrian style. The food was also very tasty there. Can really recommend it.
After that, we had the first of two forum meetings. The dates were already coordinated in advance via Facebook. Meeting point was in the bakery. It was a group of barely 10 people. It was fun, everyone talked a little... how often they had already traveled with the ship or like us first-time travelers. What excursions one had planned or what had already happened... like us with the missing luggage. A nice lady gave us two bottles of sunscreen, which we were very happy about, as they wanted 30€ for one bottle in the onboard shop.
Then we went to the photo gallery, where the meeting point was for the bug shooting. We had booked a digital photo flat in advance, where you get all your pictures on a USB stick. We were two couples, so it was very manageable. It was pretty hot at the bow. They also explained to us that we should fill out an order form with all the pictures we would like to have later. The pictures are then available plus the collages. Hand in the form there in time before the end of the trip and on the last evening you get the stick.
Afterwards we treated ourselves to a break and sat down in the Himmel & Meer Lounge. I have to say, it was our favorite place. There are nice big armchairs and couches to relax on. Soft music plays in the background and you can enjoy the beautiful view through the huge panoramic windows with a delicious cocktail with or without alcohol.
In the afternoon we had the second forum meeting of another group. This took place in the Aussenalster Bar. It was pretty hot and loud there. So you could only talk to the person next to you. After a while, the band started playing right next to our table, then the conversation was completely over.
Today we also booked an internet tariff. There was an information letter in the cabin. It explained exactly what tariffs are available and how to set it up on your phone. We booked a volume tariff with 1 GB for 19€. We both could use it, just not at the same time, but alternately. Since we could also use roaming on Guadeloupe and Martinique, which both belong to France, we thought that would be sufficient. We managed well with the 1 GB for the 14 days.
For dinner, we went to the Atlantik Klassik Restaurant. Photos were taken again by a ship photographer at the entrance. The two Atlantik Restaurants Klassik and Mediterran are table service restaurants. There is also the Anckelmann Restaurant, which is a buffet restaurant. We personally prefer the table service restaurants. It's not so busy and there is no running back and forth. You can also put together your own menu from the different menus.
After dinner, we went to the Schau Bar and had one or two cocktails. My favorite with alcohol was the BBC. It's like a Pina Colada, but instead of pineapple juice, it's with banana juice. Very tasty. The Maradona and Dolce Vita were my favorites without alcohol.
Afterwards, we went to the theater to watch the show. But my eyes were already closing... the sea air makes you tired.
In the next post, Guadeloupe.