It didn't start off well, mainly because my brain was already in "total relaxed" mode when we got to the docks and found our ship--the m/s Maasdam--was moored elsewhere. The Holland America team loaded us into vans and transported us to the right dock. Trouble was, they also had a truck to put our luggage on so we wouldn't have to carry it. We put our two suitcases and our two carry-on bags on the truck and hopped on the van. It was only when we got to the ship that I realized I had left my passport and our boarding documents in my carry-on bag. Patty had her passport in her purse. Fortunately, there was a wonderful Holland America lady working the luggage end of the cruise terminal, and she said she'd get it for me once the truck arrived-- which it finally did about 30 minutes later. She got on and helped unload all the luggage (I'm sure that wasn't her normal job) and found my bag after almost the entire truck had been unloaded. At that point, I with a sigh of relief and Patty with a roll of her eyes, we hopped in the boarding line, and about 30 minutes later, having been through all the boarding stages (passport check, boarding pass check, photos, distribution of room card/keys, etc.), we boarded the ship.
We did a little unpacking and some quick exploring, but soon had to join our fellow passengers for the lifeboat drill. Once that was accomplished to the satisfaction of the ship's captain and crew, we began our journey. Here are some pics as we left Montreal.
