Dec 16

With an overcrowded terminal there was a lot of waiting for the new guests embarking.  I took a walk through of the terminal and had difficulty pushing through the crowds from both Costa & MSC mega ships to get back to the dock.  By 4pm all were on board, the gangways were pulled in, the ropes released, safety drill for new guests performed and just after 5pm we sailed away.  There was a sail away party on the pool & top decks with drinks and sates passed around.  It was hazy but no cloud cover so we could see Corcovado with the Christ the Redeemer statue atop from a distance and Sugarloaf Mountain close up as we sailed around its backside.  We were too far distant Copacabana, Ipanema & Leblond beaches to have a good view as we sailed past them.  We joined Cheryl & Wolfgang in the Horizon Lounge to watch Nature's Rhythm until our dinner reservation in Prime 7 steakhouse.  There was no entertainment other than music in the lounges and we were all tired and headed off to our rooms after dinner around 9pm.