Subject: FW: Report # 20 Sailing Towards Nuku Hiva January 19, 2016 Tuesday Partly cloudy & 83 degrees
Report # 20 Sailing Towards Nuku Hiva January 19, 2016 Tuesday Partly cloudy & 83 degrees
Today is day eight sailing towards the Marquesas, and there are many things happening out and about to keep the folks busy. When we went to the front desk this morning, there was a line from the Wajang Theater all the way around the atrium and down the staircase. Gosh, hope this wasn't for turning in the landing forms we had to fill out. We do know that each and every form would be checked for correctness and signatures, and that would take time. Well, it turned out to be simply a grand dollar event, the million dollar golf putt with the cruise director Gene. The participation has to be due to the fact that it has been so hot and airless outside, that the passengers do not want to leave the comfort of the air-conditioning.
We had some sprinkles this morning, adding to the humidity. As long as the rain doesn't get heavier, we'll be happy. Not sure what tomorrow has in store for us in Nuku Hiva. We have been there when it was warm and sunny, but also when it rained cats and dogs.
In continuing the discussion on ship sales, we should mention an important area is Future Cruise bookings. If you zero in to a special trip, you can get some nice shipboard credit and a reduced deposit on that cruise. Usually the deposits are refundable if your plans change, but it is a win/win deal in our opinion. This year a very nice couple are the Future Cruise Consultants, Joanne and Michael. Quite often they will have a presentation in the Wajang Theater where they will preview some very interesting and diverse cruises. That is how we ended up with the idea of seeing places like Greenland, Iceland, Antarctica, and the Amazon.
The Photo Gallery is one place we seldom go. You have no idea how many photos we have collected over the years, so these days we pass on the photo shoots. The group of photographers on this particular trip are very polite and unobtrusive, which is nice. If you want a posed portrait, you can find these settings in many spots on deck five, especially on gala nights. Another promotion that generates some sales for the ship is their photo contest. You can submit photos taken from this trip for a small fee. The categories are water, sunsets, and landscapes as well as some other subjects. Not sure what the prizes will be, but we'll keep you updated. This contest will be decided February 9th.
We have not mentioned the number of bands onboard. There is Adagio, a duo of a violinist and a piano player. They perform in the Explorers Lounge from 6 to 10pm. If we are not wrong, there used to be three of them. The Neptunes are in the Ocean Bar before each dinner time, and again from 9 to 11pm. Their music is more ballroom-themed. Dance hosts are there for the ladies too. Oasis is the name of the band that plays in the Crows Nest, again before each dinner time, and again from 9 to 11pm. Finally, the Piano Bar entertainer is Debby Bacon, who plays something different every evening. She is most popular with the folks that like the sing-a-longs. Reminds us of the Mitch Miller Days, not that we remember it that well, as we were pretty young back then.
Today turned out to be a movie day for us. Two good ones were playing, The Judge (excellent story and acting) and The Intern, a fairly new movie, also good. The sun had partially come out later in the day, but since it was so hot the last few days, we thought it might be good to take a break from it. Poor Leta. She and husband Bill had visited with us a few days ago, and after spending perhaps ½ hour at the aft pool, Leta had a souvenir of a sunburn on her neck, arms, legs, and feet. Proves that a high number sunblock does work. You cannot go outside unprotected in this part of the world.
After listening to the music at the Ocean Bar, we went up to watch the sunset. There were way too many clouds on the horizon to get even a glimpse of the sun tonight. Looks like we might be in for some rain tomorrow.
There were only four of us at dinner tonight. Barb was invited to a birthday dinner for her friend Don. While eating our entrees of chicken salad and a particularly good tenderloin plate, we got to know our new guests even better. Both of them are so nice, and also so happy to be on their very first world voyage.
The show tonight was a singer and impressionist named Robbie Howard. His performance included impressions of the stars of the Las Vegas circuit. Don't recall that we have seen him on prior cruises. We can say that the shows have been diverse for this length of days being out at sea.
Tomorrow, we will be on terra firma.
Bill & Mary Ann
