Getting Ready

Ann & I are looking forward to our "re-positioning" cruise on the MSC POESIA which embarks from Ft Lauderdale, Florida on Sunday, March 6. We were on the same ship last year when we sailed from Florida to Hamburg, Germany, then returned through Copenhagen and Iceland. (Here's a link to our photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveinottawa/sets/72157624315881942/ ).

With only 48 hours before we will arrive in Ft. Lauderdale on a direct flight from Ottawa, it's time to get our suitcases out! I'm expecting the weather on this year's transatlantic cruise to be different than last year's, which took a more northerly route. This year, our cruise will take us to 3 Caribbean islands (Puerto Rico, Antigua & St Lucia), before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to Funchal, Madeira. Then we sail through the Strait of Gibraltor and spend a day in Malaga, Spain and another day in Alicante. After sailing overnight, we arrive in Barcelona on March 22 where we disembark. See the following link for cruise details: http://www.msccruisesusa.com/us_en/Cruise-Departures/Cruise-Details-MSC-Poesia-Rates.aspx?cruise_id=PO110306FB&ship_code=PO

Now that our flight out of Ottawa to Ft Lauderdale is only 48 hours away, I'm now having to get my suitcase out and start the decision process to chose the clothes to take. The weather in the Caribbean will be warm, so summer clothes are needed. Crossing the Atlantic will, I expect, be warm at the beginning, then get a bit cooler as we sail east and north to Madeira. On board the ship, there will be 4 formal dinners, so I am taking a dark suit, as well as a sports jacket for other events.

This is the first time I've tried a blog so bear with me as I figure out the best way to do this. I wonder if I can add photos? I'll have to do some research about that.