11-5 thru 11-11 Crossing the Atlantic

Nov. 5th

First sea day was a busy one.  At 9 a.m. I went to the cooking demonstration on how to make cinnamon buns.  And of course, the sampling was the best!  During that time, Doug went to the Techspert to learn about editing our cruise photos.  We both went to the Exploration Speakers Series to hear Dick Magaldi discuss “Diving for Dollars: Worth the Dangers Involved?” at 10 a.m.  He was just OK. 

Lunch was great – met two fun couples.  One of the women was a high school Spanish teacher who had taken lots of students on trips.  Now she and her husband travel to Mexico and stay there for months at a time.  She told us about it so we can explore it when we get home – but not to live for months! 

In the afternoon I went on a tour of the ship’s art.  They just recently changed their collection so they did not have the standard I-Pod do-it-yourself tour.  It was interesting, but it was done from a script, and the art director couldn’t answer any extra questions.  This picture from the pool area is the heaviest piece of art on the ship weighing in at over 3,000 pounds.  We all wondered why it was on the 2nd highest deck (given its weight)?!?!

We had an early dinner and then went to the captain’s cocktail party on the Lido deck.  It was pleasant (two glasses of champagne would make anything pleasant!)   

Nov. 6th

Our ship is on Code Orange alert – which means everything has to be served to you.  On the sister ship, the new Amsterdam, a virus broke out that put them on red alert – everyone quarantined to their cabins.  Since they had been to the same ports just a few days ahead of us, our ship was taking extra precautions. 

I went to the lecture again this morning, and decided it was the last for me.  There were a few interesting facts, but overall he just isn’t worth the time. 

There was a Mariner’s brunch at 11 a.m. that was very good.  We met some people from New York who were interesting.  The one lady had been married to New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg’s cousin, so it was an interesting conversation.

The rest of the day and evening, I spent in bed sleeping.  Turned out I wasn’t feeling so great. (But it wasn’t the virus deal going around the ship.)  Doug went to another computer class and then had pizza in the Lido (it was formal night, but I wasn’t up to it at all.)  He then went to hear the clarinetist , Larry “Link” Linkin who was pretty good – an elderly gentleman who had great talent, but was a bit past his prime. 

Nov. 7th

We had a relaxing morning and were up around 8:30 a.m. since we had such a good night’s sleep.  When we went up to the Lido, we realized we had moved into a Code Red.  Not only is everything now being served from the buffet line, there is nothing on the tables – i.e. sugar, salt & pepper, or napkins with silverware wrapped inside.  EVERYTHING is given to you by the staff.  They have even closed the library to open shelves.  Now the librarian gives you a book by request – no more browsing.  Same with movies from the front desk – no more for now since germs can be passed from people handling them.  The odd thing is – the Casino is open.  Now, don’t those little germs stay on the slot handles and poker chips?  Funny that the money making attraction is still running as usual!

At lunch, Peggy and Linda joined us.  We had a nice time and ice cream afterwards.  Back to the cabin to enjoy some down time – reading on the balcony.  Then I went to hear the Adagio string quartet that plays evenings on the ship.  They had a special concert for us in the Vista lounge.  It was very enjoyable. 

The captain announced we are in the Sargossa Sea – which is the only sea on earth without land around it.  It gets its name from the algae that grows in this part of the ocean.  The water here is a wonderful deep blue and is clear to 60 feet down (which was not possible for us to see from the ship.)  I keep hoping for dolphins, but nothing yet!

A special dinner in the Pinnacle tonight!  We enjoyed great soup, salad and steaks – but we were too full for their signature desserts!  Afterwards we went to the ship’s show – the comedy and magic of John Lenahan.  Actually, this was the best magician we’ve seen on the ship.  He did more comedy than magic, and was very entertaining.  Glad we went. 

It was another good day at sea!

Nov. 8th

Doug was up at 5:30 to try to connect to the Internet – and actually had success. 

Code Red is now over, so life will be simpler for everyone – especially the staff who had to work extra hard. 

I went to hear the talk with the magician from last night.  It was a good discussion.  I talked to him afterwards for about 30 minutes – of course telling him about the best magician in the Midwest – our very own Ted!  He had great stories, and it was an enjoyable time.

We visited with the Hotel Manager before lunch and expressed our concerns about the Internet service (or lack thereof!) on the ship.  We also did share positive comments about many of the staff.

Had lunch with Sandy and Jim – a couple we have met – and had a great time sharing travel stories.  Now I want to go to Egypt!

Afternoon was relaxing – naps and reading.  Dinner was an impromptu meeting with two other couples we had formerly dined with up in the Lido.  Afterwards went to the show to see the Unexpected Boys.  Two of them were the same ones from the Amsterdam, and their show was almost the same as on the World Cruise.  I enjoyed it more than Doug – and remembered enjoying it on the Amsterdam as well!  A stroll around the deck and back to the cabin. 

Nov. 9th

We are really rocking on this ship – have seen some really big waves!  I actually had to take a sea sick pill today – more as a preventative when I felt just the slightest bit woozy! 

Doug and I had breakfast in the Lido – and were surprised when the magician on board came and asked to join us.  I was glad Doug was able to hear some of his fun stories.  We must have talked for almost an hour and a half.

With all there was on the activities sheet for today, there was not one thing I really wanted to do.  So, I read and relaxed again.  We had a great lunch with Sandy and Jim, a couple we met on an excursion, and enjoyed a great conversation again. Took a long afternoon nap, watched a little TV (feel like such a slug – but it’s great!), and then got ready for dinner with Peggy and Linda.  Once again, fun time with interesting conversations with them. 

We then went to the show to see the magician do his final performance (a bit on the weak side) and then Roman & Svetlana do ballroom dancing.  Well, that is what we thought they were going to do – but indeed, they did a whole lot more.  They did the routine of changing clothes in five seconds or less behind a curtain on stage.  We’ve seen a similar routine before in magic shows, but never one that included some really good dancing!  So, it was a fun show.  Came back to the room and tried to watch the movie, Wall-E, but ended up falling asleep – not the movie we thought it would be.  I’m trying to catch a cold, so sleep is good right now!

Nov. 10th

Doug got up early to send E-mails, but had a hard time getting them sent – we’ll be so glad to be home for our Internet. 

We had breakfast and sat with another couple we’ve met who are very nice – and had an interesting political discussion.  We are on the other side of the fence from them, but it was a rational discussion with rational folks!  A pleasant surprise!

Had time to get cleaned up and read a bit before lunch time rolled around again – and we met the two couples we had met for lunch.  Very enjoyable time.  After lunch, I finally completed the last of my Blog entries – so glad to have that task finished!

Huge surprise for dinner! Last night as we were leaving the Vista dining room, we were handed an invitation for cocktails and dinner with the captain for formal night (tonight.)  We didn’t think too much of it until we went to the Pinnacle Bar for the 6:15 cocktails before dinner.  There were only 8 passengers, the captain, and the ship’s art director.  We were stunned.  After drinks and appetizers, we were then led to the captain’s table in the Vista dining room – which is on its own little platform between the 2nd and 3rd floors.  We had assigned seating and all couples were mixed. 

We were given a scroll menu (which was later signed by the captain) with the following menu:

Selected fruits and berries “Swan Lake” style 

or

Captain’s selection of Mediterranean Antipasto

                ***********

Cream of Chablis Soup

                ************

Grilled Beef Filet a la Wellington

            or

Basted Broiled Lobster Tails

               ************

Our Pastry Chef’s Grand Finale

             Friandises

(iced chocolate pralines filled with sorbet, served in a box of almond croquante)

            Wines

Laudum Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Spain

Errazuriz Merlot, Central Valley Chile

         Coffee and Tea 

 

Needless to say, it was a VERY special evening and dinner.  Not only was the food delicious and the best we’ve had on any ship, the presentation was spectacular.  I only wish I could have taken pictures of each course – but that would have been a bit tacky! 

It lasted until after 9:30 p.m.  The Black and White formal ball was next where the officers and passengers have a chance to socialize and dance.  After a few dances, Doug and I decided it was time for the ball to end for us!  A perfect ending for a wonderful cruise. 

(Not bad given we were taking this picture of ourselves back in the cabin!)

Nov. 11th (Last day of cruise)

After a later night than normal for us, Doug was up and out of the room to retrieve and send the last of the e-mails before we get home.

I watched on TV the movie Knight and Day that Doug had seen at the movie theater on the ship earlier on.  Very lazy morning.

Since Doug had breakfast early when he was doing the Internet, I went to the Vista for my last real breakfast.  We had not been there the whole trip.  I sat with two other couples I had not met before.

10 a.m. was the standard disembarkation talk with all the staff coming to the stage at the end. I always enjoy that, and our room steward, Toto, was among them and we shared a big wave!  It is fun to see lots of the staff gathered together on stage as they sing a farewell song to all of us leaving.

Doug spent most of the last day or two in “ship withdrawal” – hating the thought of leaving the ship!  He could have continued on longer, but for the first time in our travels, I was ready to get home.

We completed our questionnaires, wrote all the great comments about the wonderful staff, and then had our last lunch in the Lido.  Instead of packing (which we should have done), we opted for a nap.  I went up by the pool for a bit to soak in the warm sunny weather and listen to one of the bands play as well.

Dinner was in the Lido and was a special one not like others we had been to on other ships – the “Master Chef’s Dinner.”  It was the dining staff not only serving the food, but before each of the courses, they paraded into the dining room and “performed!” It was great.  Their first act was the napkin ballet where they danced around with all the napkins and then gently tossed them to each of us.  The next act was the “salad toss.”  There was a special menu as well – and ended with baked Alaska, but not the regular parade as done on most other ships.  Our wait staff sang and danced before offering up our final course!  It was great fun.

We barely made it to the one 9:30 p.m. show where the ballroom dancers performed again for the first half of the show.  There were no costume changes, but very dramatic ball room dancing.  Then the clarinet player returned to the stage – so I did get to see him after all.  And everything Doug had told me about him was correct – good, but a bit past his prime!

Now, at almost 10:30 we began the big job of packing up.  At least this time we did not have to worry about weight or packing liquids, etc.  It was almost midnight before we were able to put our bags outside our door.  We went to bed knowing that the next night, someone else would be sleeping in cabin 6123! 

Nov. 12th

Up early to be ready to disembark when our group was called.  It was still dark, but when the sun came up, we were able to step out on our balcony and see the port area of Ft. Lauderdale.  It felt good to be back in the USA! 

Doug’s favorite little gal in the Lido made him his last omelet!  She always served him with the greatest smile.  He will miss that when he has to start pouring his own cereal into a bowl from now on!

I went out on the back of the ship after I ate and saw and heard the most wonderful thing.  There was a US marine ship docked behind ours, and as I stood looking at it, they started playing “Anchors Away” while the captain did a calling of all marines on board.  They ran in a single straight line from the nearby building and then up onto their ship.  It made my heart feel proud to be an American!

As we stood on our balcony for the last time we saw other ships come and go, as well as airplanes overhead.  It was goodbye to everyone!