I smiled up at the ship, moored to what must have been Nine at North Harbor, and struggled to understand how something huge could float. I knew it was a simple matter of displacing water, but I was amazed anyway. The sheer size of the ship entranced me. Anyone who saw me staring would think this was my first time, but it wasn't. I was in the Navy, stationed on an aircraft carrier. Every day, I requested permission to come...

I walked around the ship and explored. I had already found three gyms, two conference rooms, and several dining rooms that served as ballrooms and event rooms. There were also several bars, each sporting a unique name that fit the theme of the cruise, like The Secret Spot, Hushed Whispers, and my personal favorite, Entwined. None of them were open until after seven. There was an upper deck with three spas and a vast pool,...

Tonight was the night of the first introduction dinner, where all the Californian dommes and subs could meet. We were directed into the dining hall via two doors: one for domes and one for subs. I entered the room and found a single-person table. Looking at the domme side of the room revealed men and women alike, each with their table. Each table was supplied with a folded plastic card and a Sharpie. I picked mine up, wro...