Subject: Report #116 Sailing Towards Ft. Lauderdale, Florida April 25, 2016 Monday Partly cloudy & 70 degrees
Ads for sales filled our mailbox this morning, starting with the sale for ship DVD's…….one for about $35, four for $110, or Eight for $200. The best deal was twelve DVD's for $250. They are a mix of the voyage along with all of the destinations. We can tell you that once we bought two DVD's on a South America cruise, watched them once, and filed them on the shelf. Now for some that may never come back and do another world cruise, then they might be a nice keepsake.
The next items up for sale is a line of clothing from Jpseph Ribkoff, presented by stylist Manisha at 2pm in the Ocean Bar. If you went to the presentation today to see the exclusive collection modeled by some of the guests, you could win a prize.
The art auction continued in the Explorers Lounge, a rapid fire one. Guaranteed fast, fun, and exhilarating. They would be auctioning off 60 works in 60 minutes. And you had better be certain you know your art before you participate. Complimentary champagne was offered once again.
We're not done yet. There was a sale on future bookings for cruises. For a short time you can get a free beverage card worth $100, free gratuities, free or reduced fares for kids, along with some internet and shipboard credit. Of course, you have to pay attention to the microscopic details on the flyer. There are several exceptions to the rule.
We were invited to the first of the Mariner Club brunches today at 11am in the lower dining room. We were assigned to table 306 along with six other folks we knew, as well as Captain Mercer. Glasses of champagne were poured at each place setting so we could toast the success of another ling journey. While we dined on a seafood appetizer, a cold melon soup, and one quiche and one sliced beef entrée, we learned a few things about what's happening on the ship. The Captain confirmed that there is trouble with the tender landing platforms on the Amsterdam. The parts needed are in the process of being replaced, but not until they reach Seattle. That was the reason why every tender port had to be cancelled on the Panama Canal transit after this trip ends.
Further work will take place next year during a major retrofit. Things to be done include all stateroom upgrades, and remodeling the front desk areas in the atrium. Behind the scenes work will be done as well. A huge crew will work 24 hours for a few weeks to accomplish this task.
Anyway, the lunch finished up with a serving of delicious key lime pie and coffee or tea. Finally, a small commemorative tile was handed to each of us. We have a drawer full of these at home, enough to tile a large picnic tabletop. Maybe someday when we have nothing to do. Lunch ended by 12:30pm, but we hung around as several of our buddies came by to our table on their way out. Of course, they knew we might have some good info to share with them. And we did.
Besides taking several walks inside and outside the ship, we pretty much relaxed by watching a movie, and catching up on world news. Both ESPN channels have been gone from our TV, so the channels are limited. Sure would be nice if the retrofit included new TV's with interactive programming. Such as 200 movies on demand. Or would we be charged to watch them? That has been suggested, even though other cruise lines have adopted these newer TV's several years ago.
By accident, one of us misplaced today's newsletter, so we don't know what other activities went on today. We do seem to recall that a steel band was on the show tonight, but that's all.
Dinner for us and our tablemates was in the Pinnacle Grill tonight at 7:30pm. Martha played hostess, arranging this date a couple of months ago. Barb was not there, because she attended a birthday party for Peter, the purser. Martha invited Ellen and Aart, and Pam with the rest of us, and it worked out fine. We ordered from the regular menu, starting with a Caesar salad, a small filet mignon and one ribeye steak. Sides were mushrooms and a baked potato. Dessert was a chocolate volcano, and the berry tower with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Forgot to mention that the seas have remained rough all day. Early in the morning, we had some sun, but the afternoons brought clouds and the feel of rain. Captain Mercer confirmed that we were sailing south of our planned course in order to avoid a new storm that was brewing on our way back. He can only go so far off of the designed path, or else it will affect our arrival time in Florida. So we can expect winds, 12 foot swells, and some driving rain tomorrow, or as early as the middle of the night. Just what we need…….
For the fourth night in a row, we have set the clocks back one hour. What was 8pm a few days ago, is now four in the afternoon. And we have been wondering why we are so tired by the late afternoon.
Bill & Mary Ann
