Welcome aboard in Vancouver

After finding our ship it actually did take a little while to figure out how to get around and into the port.  We arrived quite a bit early, which was our intention.  We wanted to be on board eating lunch when everyone else was in line fighting the crowds.  But I had forgotten to order our luggage tags which you can order from the cruise several weeks in advance.  So we had to wait for the person in charge to show up with the proper tags.  We looked around and found chairs to relax in while we waited. 

After about a half hour the man finally showed up and my husband ran to get our tags so that we could be on our way.  He told me he needed our stateroom number in order to fill out the tags.  I went back to sit down and placed my back pack that contained all of my documents on Jason’s chair and began riffling through them.  An elderly lady walked up to me and not exactly rudely but certainly not kindly either said, “I would like to sit down,” looking at the chair that held my back pack.

Without thinking I blurted out, “This is my husband’s seat.  He’s right there getting our tags.”  She looked somewhat miffed but just turned around and began walking away.  She had only taken a step or two when I came to my senses.  By then their weren’t many unoccupied seats left and I was sure she needed the seat much more than my husband or I.  If it was my mom wanting a seat I would hope someone would give up their chair.  “Wait!” I called out.  “It’s okay.  You’re welcome to sit here anyway.” 

“No, that’s okay,” she turned away and kept walking.  She went and leaned up against a concrete post near her luggage where her husband was standing. 

I felt awful!  I couldn’t stand it.  I walked over to her and apologized, “I’m so sorry.  You and your husband are absolutely welcome to our seats.  I wasn’t thinking that the other seats were all taken.  Please come sit down!” I pleaded. 

“No, I’m fine,” she said and turned away. 

I felt so bad.  I couldn’t stop the tears that streamed down my cheeks or the sob that came next.  I don’t want to be one of those people who only look out for themselves.  I hate that about our society.  People around me stared and said things I don’t remember.  Jason came back with tags in hand and we headed to the line to board our cruise.  Red eyes, tear streaked cheeks, and makeup all washed away was not how I had envisioned boarding our much anticipated Alaskan cruise, but it is kind of funny…isn’t it?  🙂

Here is our welcome aboard photo.  They must have photo shopped it or maybe it’s just far enough away that you can’t see the red eyes and smeared makeup.  It’s actually the only photo taken by the cruise photographers that I really liked. 

And then as I had planned, we were in the first group of 25 people on board.  We were already enjoying our lunch as thousands waited in lines to get on board.  Want to do this on your next cruise?  Show up at the port an hour before the designated time they tell you to arrive.  You can thank me later.  😉  I was so excited to be there.  The old lady in the port metro all but forgotten.  🙂