A buffet meal was served upon embarkation. Mora ug gafiesta. Daghan tawo. We were able to get to our stateroom by 1:30 PM. The cabin is small but cozy. 3:30 PM. A simulated evacuation drill. No phones, no cameras. Plenty of Filipino crew met. A baby was delivered during the drill! 4:59 PM Ship's departure delayed by a thunderstorm. Free snacks but drinks are for sale. Finally departed at 5:15 PM. Still raining.

Dinner was 5:45 PM. All fifteen of us were seated in one long table. The waiters were mostly Filipinos. Mga kababayan. We exchanged stories and were eventually pampered. We will have the same table arrangement for the whole trip. The first night had a comedy show, bingo, lotto, parlor games, karaoke, casino - enough for everyone to enjoy.

It rains every afternoon in Orlando since we came here last Thursday. Attended mass this noon and had unlimited pizza and drinks from Cici's in Orlando. It's only $5 per person. i returned early to Kissimmee to borrow my coat for the cruise. The girls had some last minute wardrobe shopping to do.

Had another belly bursting dinner at Golden Corral Buffet and Grill. This three week trip weight gain will take twice that long to shed off. At least I have some buddies to compete with in working out - Kym and Boi2.

Did my second early morning run in Florida. 5:30 and it's still dark. We moved out for Universal Orlando Resort rat 8:30 AM with Kuya Rod, Chuch, Marlene, Gigz, Nonoy, April, Melissa, Joanna, Kelsey and Emily. Entrance to the park was $128 and $29.95 eat all day pass (without drinks). We were all treated by Kuya Rod and Joanna. She now works for a big engineering company in NY. We also had our official photographer who took hundreds of shots. Chuch and her ...