Subject: Report # 26 Sailing Towards Rarotonga, Cook Islands January 25, 2016 Monday Partly cloudy & 83 degrees
Report # 26 Sailing Towards Rarotonga, Cook Islands January 25, 2016 Monday Partly cloudy & 83 degrees
It came as a bit of a surprise to us, but it actually cooled down today. No way was it going to be 83 degrees. The stiff breeze had a chill to it, and the seas had white caps. Although it was a relief from yesterday's heat and humidity, we had a sinking feeling that if the swells keep up, we will miss our port of call tomorrow in the Cook Islands. Just a guess, but we have had to bypass this port on past trips, as recent as last year, in fact.
At breakfast, we were pleased to find that fresh berries were back on the menu. We both ordered bowls of sliced strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries. They were jumbo size. Bananas are back onboard, thanks to the delivery of the containers in Papeete. The only problem is that they are still too green to serve. Sure glad we bought those little bananas while in Nuku Hiva.
For a change, we decided to go to the dining room for lunch, with hopes of meeting Barb, who eats in there every sea day. We went directly to our table, and within 10 minutes, Barb came. She was pleasantly surprised. We had some catching up to do, since we had missed dinner last night with everyone. Seems like every time we make reservations for the Pinnacle Grill, the dining room serves prime rib. On our last trip in the fall, that entrée wasn't that great. But the time we had it on this trip, the quality was far better. The food has been a step or two higher than a regular short cruise.
The normal activities were taking place today. It appears that a new Location Team has joined, as we noticed a group of four Maori on the stairwell early this morning. One of the fellows was sporting a tattooed head and face. You cannot help but do a double-take when you see someone decorated so differently. We are sure that they will do the same type of activities that the Polynesian team did.
During lunch, the Captain delivered his regular PM talk. All three of us knew what was coming. He said that if these waves do not subside, it will be highly unlikely that we would be able to tender the boats to shore tomorrow. The contact they made with the port master also included the message that it might be impossible to tender to shore. We thought the seas were getting rougher as the day wore on. If it gets much worse, then we will not be able to use the tenderboats. Our safety and the safety of the crew comes first, so we will understand if it is a no go. And we'll get a shipboard credit, a refund of the port charges. And if we are lucky, then we will get a flute of champagne at dinnertime.
Thought this might be a good time to explain the photo department. They are selling the DVD's that are made from the very beginning of this cruise. You can buy up to 12 DVD collections. Guess they have had fewer folks buying their individual discs. The price is $35 for one glimpse of the ship going through the locks, and a 12 DVD collection for $250. Then they are pushing the deal with 5 activity photos plus digital film for $99.95. The price gets even higher at $749., but it includes all of your photo plus digital files. Pretty rich……..
Disney had the better idea with their photos. There were banks of photo kiosks where you could see all of your own photos, then pick out the ones you really want. Your account would be charged, and the photos delivered to your room. By far, much easier.
There was a special dinner held in the Pinnacle Grill this evening. It was a Polynesian Hula Hula Themed Dinner. This is more of a wine pairing menu, with each course having a different type of wine. The cost is $79 each. And this is the first time we noticed that the 3, 4, and 5 star Mariners get their discounts applied to this meal. We had intended to make a pass by the Pinnacle, but we got waylaid, and forgot to check.
Dinner time found all of us back at our table. The choices were limited for our tastes, but we both found something good. One of us had the prune-stuffed pork loin, and the other had the tuna steak entrée. We also split the vegetarian lasagna, also tasty.
The show this evening was called Strings Alive, a mix of guitars, piano, violin, and vocals promising to be electrifying. Afraid it would have to be really electrifying to keep us awake. Yesterday's port really wore us out. Must have been the heat.
As we write this, the ship is really rolling and pitching, so we will be surprised if the landing in Rarotonga will happen.
Bill & Mary Ann
