Internet is sparse on a cruise ship, so updates may become quite sporadic for the next two weeks.

The check in process for this cruise was quite a bit less streamlined than American cruise lines, which worries me about what is to come. However, our oceanview cabin was quite a bit larger than what we are used to.

Our cruise tickets come with a “WATERUSA” package that entitles us to unlimited glasses of mineral water in the dining room. This is quite a relief as the crew in the boarding area strongly suggested that we shouldn’t drink the water from the tap in our cabin. (One even [jokingly?] suggested that it could cause ebola.) I guess Americans just expect free potable water with dinner.