The unicorn waitress levitated the platter over to our table in my Equestria dreamscape. My household was seated at an outdoor bistro down near the docks where the steamships came into port. Along with the platter she unfolded a lightweight stand and set it on the ground and placed the platter on that. With that accomplished she turned and addressed us.
 
“Okay. I’ve got a slice of ginger spice cake with vanilla ice cream?”
 
“That’s mine please.” Said Carousel.
 
The waitress smiled and passed it over to the palomino earth pony. She levitated the next plate.
 
“Alright. Who’s got the cheesecake with fresh berries and whipped cream?”
 
Petina smiles. “Over here please.”
 
The plate floated over to the white unicorn. The waitress levitated the final plate. “And the triple chocolate cake with raspberry syrup must be yours dear.”
 
“That would be correct.” I said.
 
Along with the desserts glasses of iced tea were passed out. With that accomplished she took a moment and adjusted her glasses. Then smiled at us. “Well enjoy your sweets dear. Are you sailing today on the Sea Stallion?”
 
Petina grinned. “Yep! We board in 2 hours. Have you been on Sea Stallion yourself?”
 
The pale pink, middle-aged mare nodded her head. “Yes I have! Took it down Sapphire Bay years ago. It was fun.”
 
Carousel swallowed her mouthful of cake. “Ah. Well. We’re only taking it down to Ft. Trotterdale.”
 
The waitress smiled. “Well enjoy your journey dears!” Then she trotted away to help the next table.
 
We’d finished our meal and were enjoying the scenery when a series of horn blasts from steamship offices announced the boarding of customers for the Sea Stallion. Earlier in the day we’d dropped our luggage at the office.
 
Now we sauntered down to the boarding area. A large crowd of ponies was gathering. One of the boilers on the paddle wheeler was already running and slowly the others appeared to be coming up to steam.
 
15 years ago the Sea Stallion had been a packet ship that ran the route from Equestria to the southern kingdoms of the zebras. About 3 years ago it had been retired from that line and now it plied route down to Sapphire Bay. It made many stops along the way; including one at Ft. Trotterdale which was the most southern large city of a Equestria.
 
In the steamship office there was model of a new ship that would eventually replace the paddle wheel steamer. It would be called the Sea Stallion II, and it would be one of new, screw propeller liner. Although like the existing steamer it too would have extensive array of masts and sails. These were used for emergency propulsion in the event of a engine failure, to extend the ships range, or provide additional for speed.
 
We would sail at 2pm. But in the meantime we had our tickets stamped and then made our way up one of the boarding ramps. As we stepped on to the deck we were met by a deck hand who led us to our cabin. It was modest but well furnished room. One modern addition to the ship that caught our eye was the addition of electrical lighting. 2 lamps mounted on the wall provided illumination for the room.
 
4 bunk beds were mounted on the walls. 2 on each side of the main room. The cabin had its own small washroom with a flushing ceramic toilet, porcelain sink, and a small shower. Mounted on door to the washroom was a printed sign reminding passengers to use water sparingly. A small writing desk was located under the one porthole in cabin. We were traveling 2nd Class. Our cabin was located on the 3rd deck of the ship.
 
Our luggage had already been delivered to the cabin, and soon we had unpacked what we would need for our time on the ship. We were finishing up when there was a series of notes from a trumpet on the main deck. We’d been informed that this would signal the beginning of departure ceremony for the Sea Stallion. Trotting up to the main deck we found dozens of ponies gathered on port side of the ship waving goodbye to the ponies down on the dock. A small band employed by steamship line was assembled on the dock as well. They started playing a jaunty little tune. Ponies down on the deck started waving goodbye at us as the Sea Stallion let loose a series of blasts from some of its steam horns. Then the lines were cast off.
 
Smoke was now rising from all 4 of the funnels. With the aid of a couple of tugs the ship slowly moved away from the dock and began to swing out into the harbor. A few minutes later the Sea Stallion let loose deafening burst from all of its steam horns. Then we felt deck shiver as the great paddle wheels on the side of the ship slowly began churning the water. With growing authority the ship began to move under its own power. We were on the final leg of our journey.
 
To be continued.