Tony and Samantha walked up the boarding plank, greeted warmly by the crew, all wearing wide smiles and too-tight uniforms.
"Hello and welcome aboard," said a small woman, whose name tag read, "Julie". She stuck her hand out for the tickets, checking the names against her list. "Okay, room 316, just follow me, and I'll take you to your room." She handed the clipboard with the passenger manifest to a young man, and motioned for them to follow.
"Okay, I just want to let you guys know how things are done around here," she stated in a cheerful, yet businesslike tone," I'm assuming you've probably done a lot of this sort of thing before, but I just want to lay ground rules."
"Not a problem," replied Tony.
"First off, no photographs are permitted anywhere on the ship. Secondly, you shouldn't tell anyone you find their views or fetishes disgusting or wrong. Thirdly, refrain from sexual contact with other guests until we hit international waters. You'll know when that happens, you'll hear an announcement from our captain. Any questions?" Julie seemed to have the timing of the speech down; as she uttered her last word, they'd arrived at their room.
"No, thanks," said Samantha, "But when do we depart?"
"Actually, right about now," said Julie with a smile, an almost childlike glee in her tone of voice. A low hum could be heard as the engines started, and a vibration began to run through the floor. "And...we're...off," Julie said, a mock drama in her voice. "Oh, before I forget, there's a meet-and-greet buffet in the deck one dining room, why don't you folks put your things away and head up there?"
"We'll be sure to, Julie," replied Tony.
Julie smiled again, heading briskly away. Tony and Samantha tossed their bags in the stateroom, not bothering to unpack. "We can unpack later, let's get to the dining room," Tony told her, trying to hold his excitement in check.
"I was hoping you'd say that," his wife replied, gripping his hand as they headed towards the stairs.