Upon arriving at the Port of Mobile we were accosted by the baggage handlers before we were even parked and handed a single sheet of paper with the instructions to be sure we read it, then we hurried to find a parking place (I stuck the paper in my purse and forgot it). We checked in at 11:30 a.m. and waited in the seating area for about an hour and 15 minutes. It was only while waiting to board that we learned from our fellow seat mates that we were not going to Cozumel. They said you got the letter? I remembered it vaguely. They said 'but you didn't actually read it.' I dug the paper out of my purse and .....something happened to the ship's thrusters on the way to or from the last cruise and they were not sure the ship would make it to Cozumel and back in the alloted amount of time. We were to go to Progresso which is a shorter distance from Mobile. Our friends were from Greers Ferry, Arkansas. He was an Assembly of God minister. Super nice family.
We boarded the ship at 1 p.m. and after a little exploring we made our way to the Lido deck where we ate lunch in the Wharf dining room. After a bit more exploring we wondered down to the 4th deck to see if our room was ready and we sat on the stairs and chatted with several others who were also waiting to get rid of carry-on items then about 4 p.m. we were allowed to take posession of what would be our home for the next 4 days and 4 nights. We did not leave the port of Mobile until 8:30 PM! By that time we were seated in the Four Winds dining room enjoying the first of many wonderful meals on board.
We had the favorite 'Towel Creatures" greeting us each night.
Just arriving on board and still getting used to the fact that we are not going on the Passion Island tour! Maybe next time!
The bus is sealed shut so we couldn't get pics of us hanging out the windows!
We took the Segway tour in the city of Merida on our stop at Progresso, Mexico. Heather laughed at this picture. I can't imagine why! We had a ball. They were so much fun to ride.
Me hangin' out with the ship's Captain. Ha, Ha!
Earl with the ship-on-a-stick we won playing bean bag toss.
Our cozy acommadations. The most comfortable sleep I've had in years. Nope, the windows fake.
We had a great time and can't wait to go again! 
What does the future hold?
The End of an Era
