The Raina Bella. A beautiful ship if ever there was one. The pride of Getaways Cruise Lines, this bright shining behemoth lumbers silently across the tranquil blue waters of the Pacific. Much louder than the ship are the 2,000 some odd people aboard her, passengers and crew. They turn the watertight hulk of steel and rivets into something much more. The Raina Bella is a self-contained city, complete with all the necessities and luxuries one would expect to find on a world-class ship.
Easily seen from the outside is the olympic-sized swimming pool, diving boards, and water slide on the bow-ward deck. On the other side of the captain's tower is a stern-side tennis court (with half-court basketball lines and a hoop) and the obligatory shuffleboard courts. Linking these two play centers is a wide boardwalk with plenty of lounge chairs perfect for sunbathing or enjoying the breeze. Below decks a small movie theater can be found, along with another dinner theatre that features the nightly performance of a magician, lounge singer, and a group of traditional polynesian dancers. Many other entertainment rooms abound, from a penny arcade to a karaoke bar. A five star restaurant supplies the dinner theater and a grand dining room where all meals are provided. And this is simply the beginning. The offerings of this Beautiful Queen truly have no end, and at times can boggle the mind.
The boat, after leaving the island of Tonga the night before, is currently between ports and is on it's way to the various islands of the American Samoa. Only 3 days out from it's home port of Auckland, New Zealand (airfare was provided for any Yanks out there), there is still much promise and wonder to be had on this wonderful girl. Various port trips are still to come, from diving in coral reef lagoons, to swimming with dolphins, to authentic feasts among the Samoan people, the fun has yet to truly begin.
Also yet to begin, is our story. The multiple protagonists of this tale will find the hour to be 5 in the evening. The perfect time to plan a dinner date, enjoy a film or show, enjoy a swim or a game of HORSE before the sun dips into the sea. The choices are open and free, just like the breeze on deck.
(Okay, let the games begin! You can start anywhere aboard the ship, and pretty much do whatever you want. I'd like somewhere around two rounds of posts to establish where everyone is, if someone knows someone else, all that jive. And have fun!! It's a cruise ship for crying out loud!)