I was going to post this last night, but the ship’s Internet filtering software classified my site as “p___ography” (not spelling it so I don’t compound the problem). Not R Family’s fault, by any means, nor even the ship’s—they probably bought off-the-shelf filtering software. The problem is a societal one, and the fact that no one sees the need to create software that distinguishes between “hot and h___ny lesbian moms” (if you’ve ever Googled “lesbian mom” and seen the ads, you’ll know what I mean) and “diaper-changing, soccer-coaching lesbian moms.” Looks like the ship’s technology team was quick to remedy the problem, though.
Coming to you live from the Internet Café on Deck 9 of M/S Norwegian Dawn, where I can hear a murmur of voices coming up through the atrium when the lounge band stops. We got underway at 4:00 p.m., and bid farewell to New York with a party as we sailed past Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The significance wasn’t lost on many, I’ll wager. Instead of huddled masses, however, our ship has a joyous crowd of moms, dads, kids, other relatives, and friends in variegated combinations, all hoping this week gives them a taste of the freedom for which they yearn.
My son has been in a state of permanent bounce ever since we boarded, trying to take in as many new sights and sounds in one day as he usually absorbs over several months. The ship itself is of endless fascination—everything from our stateroom to the pools to the lifeboats, not to mention the fire extinguishers and the elevators and the sea-creature pattern in the hallway carpets. He nearly hyperventilated at the lunchtime dessert buffet.
This evening we all went to a performance by “Rosie’s Broadway Belters,” emceed by Ms. O’Donnell herself. Despite the controversy that follows her like a shark after tuna (OK, enough bad seafarin’ similes), she does deliver a great comedic monologue and knows how to produce a great show. Her partner, Kelli O’Donnell, one of the two founders (with Gregg Kaminsky) of R Family Vacations, is unexpectedly absent because of a neck injury, but Rosie and Gregg assure us they’ll carry on without her.
I also had the pleasure of meeting fellow blogger Terrance, along with his partner and their son. He is as nice as I would have expected, although we haven’t had much time to sit and chat yet—meeting with four-year-olds in a cafeteria isn’t exactly conducive to lengthy conversation. I suspect he’s also focused on preparations for his wedding tomorrow, for which I wish him all the best. (Update: Terrance has now joined me in the café and we are geeking it out while our spouses and children sleep.)
Tomorrow we spend at sea, with pools, games, and live music to entertain us, seminars from Family Pride to educate us, ceaseless food to fatten nourish us, and the Kids’ Crew camp to give us parents a brief respite.
I’ll leave you for tonight with a few images of the day.
Leaving New York
Statue of Liberty
Some of the many tchotchkes for guests
The Internet Café