It was nice to sleep in later this morning, since we got that extra hour back last night. We have not done this since we we on our way to Durban at the end of March. So it's about time we do this.
The dining room was much busier at 9am, because many folks decided to try the cuisine in here, instead of the Lido for a change. Our morning waiter, Arisnov, was off this morning, which was unusual. Hoping he was not ill or something, we asked Presti. He told us that every waiter will get a chance to sleep later on the evenings when the clocks go back. They will substitute a different waiter in that same section. That was nice to hear. Perhaps that helps to keep the staff healthy In fact, we were recently remarking that despite the cold virus that went around and around, this trip has been pretty free of the gastro-intestinal bugs that have plagued the world voyages in the past. The staff has been going the distance with spraying and wiping surfaces with disinfectant, and it appears to be working.
We spent most of the day doing homework. It is getting harder to do this, because the warmer weather has been calling us outside. The weather is definitely getting warmer, and the seas have been improving...less rolling.
It was a fairly lay low day on the ship. The morning speaker was out of this world with his talk on the skies of the southern hemisphere. And the afternoon speaker spoke about the top 10 marine animals, a very interesting subject. But we think the more interesting conversations revolved around the new itinerary and the sudden cancellations of ports and tours. Rumors are about saying that many longtime cruisers have sent messages to the Seattle office about missing these ports. Of course no one wants to chance getting the ebola virus, so the ports of Gambia and Senegel are understandable. They are not thrilled about Ascension Island, or the addition of an extra day in Mindelo. We have never been to this city or the new stop at Praia. So it will be all new to us. It is what it is.
Room service lunch was in order this afternoon, and we had swiss cheeseburgers and chips. We had added two chocolate chip cookies to the order, but never got them. But then, our order has only been completely correct only once on this trip. Something is always missing. When we give the order, it is repeated back to us word for word. But when the food arrives, it has been short of something. We have never complained, but made do with what we got.
Dinner was formal tonight, with only two more formal nights left on this trip. The theme was Great Gadsby, followed with a ball of the same name at 9:30pm. We did not even have our dessert by 9:30pm....how do they expect all of us at the late seating to attend this affair on time? Bottom line, is they do not care, because the majority of folks like this earlier time for the ball. By the time we all finished dinner, and ran through the trivia questions and answers, half of the dance was over. No one seemed to care if they missed part of it. Anyway, the decorations in the dining room were black and gold with black top hats for the fellows and black feather boa headbands for the ladies. We did see some of the gals wearing the men's hats, and they really looked better on the ladies. A small size, most of the guys could not wear them. Oh well, it was the thought that counted.
One of the entrees was beyond excellent this evening. We both ordered the Bronx-style veal chop, and found that it was the best piece of beef we have had on this trip. And that includes the rib eye, filet mignon, and New York cut steaks we have eaten in the Pinnacle Grill Restaurant. The veal was so tender, we used a regular knife to cut it. Needless to say, the bones were about clean-as-a-whistle when we were done.
We had notes on the bed telling us to put the clocks back another hour tonight. We sure don't have to be told twice.
