Everyone gathered at our house at 1:30 on Friday to start our next family vacation onboard the Athem of the Seas leaving on Saturday, Feb 15 from Bayonne, New Jersey.

Stephanie, who we were supposed to pick up in Brockville at 3:00 PM on Friday, arrived in Ottawa on Thursday night thanks to Jacob coming to the rescue after we learned that VIA rail had cancelled all train rides. Al arrived Friday around 12:30, after dropping Penelope and Jayna off at his parents, and Megan and Brian arrived around 1:00, after finishing a half morning at work. Katie was already at home and was working really hard to get a last assignment handed in before we left.

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We arrived at the hotel in Pennsylvania around 7:00 PM and went to the Fairview Mall for a quick bite to eat and some walking, forgetting it was Valentine’s Day and that restaurants would be busy. After a short time and a walk around the mall we found a little restaurant at the back of the mall which was not busy – not sure this was a good sign – but went in. The food was quite good.

Bellies full we went back to the hotel for the night with a plan to meet at the breakfast area at 8:15 the next morning.

A quick stop at the Wines and Spirits store to pick up our wine for the cruise we were once again on our way. The drive the ship was nice and boarding was easy.