London, May 27

Flight went well. We were on United's international flight version of a Boeing 767 which is a really neat aircraft. Even in Business class there is a whole lot of leg room and the seats will recline flat for sleeping with your feet in a little niche below your private tv screen. Instead of a chintzy little blanket, we each got a nice lightweight duvet. The dinner was excellent and beautifully served. I am now quite thoroughly spoiled and hope to never see another coach seat again, although I know perfectly well that I will.

We got in to Heathrow right on time, only to ciscover that Jill's suitcases had not managed to make the transition from domestic to international at Dulles. we are still hoping that they will catch up before the ship sails. Yet one more proof of why I always go a day early for a cruise. (Her luggage arrived at the hotel about midnight.)

This evening my friend Jeff came to have a drink and dinner with us at the hotel. We had a fine time reminiscing and talking about cruising, the cruise industry etc. Jill tried to get a photo of Jeff and me, but i guess we had too much bubbly by that time...it was very blurry! He sends greetings to all and sundry, especially Connie, Mark, and Jane.

Monday, May 28

The Hilton Metropole London is an attractive property, but has rooms that are only a bit bigger than an Amtrak sleeper compartment. The hotel is one of the warmest, most airless places I've ever stayed.

On a bus at 9:30 this morning to go to Tilbury to board the ship. First we had to go pick up more people at another hotel. I don't know why the traffic was so crazy, but it took our bus 45 minutes to go less than a mile. I was fascinated to watch huge buses and trucks navigate past each other on the narrow streets with literally only inches to spare.

By 1:15 pm, we were on board, settled in, had a nice lunch on the deck, and got back to our stateroom to find that our luggage had arrived. We decided to sit out on our balcony to enjoy the nice weather before doing anything else. The plan for the rest of the day includes some leisurely unpacking, maybe a nap, and the obligatory safety drill at 4:15 before we sail around 5:00. At some point in here I will see about getting signed up for Internet access. (As you can tell, I managed it.)

Thank heavens we have a sea day tomorrow...and we plan to take full advantage of it to do not much of anything before all the sightseeing begins.