The condition of the seas should have been taken into consideration with the new Grand Dollar activity: Marathon to Hawaii held at 6:30am. It is a super good idea that has brought out many crew and passengers for the challenge. However, this morning we heard reports that some eager-beavers are racing around the slower-going folks, making the walk dangerous. It can be an accident waiting to happen, and it did. Rounding the corner, one man lost his footing and went right into the wall, hitting his head. He will be sporting a welt for sure. This is not supposed to be a race, so some monitoring will be needed. Gosh, what some people will do for Grand Dollars is remarkable. As for us, we always participated in the "Walk a Mile" hike on AM and PM sea days, which was discontinued several years ago. We got $1 Dam Dollar for each mile. The most fun we had was watching some guests that came out one door, collected the dollar, and ducked back inside the next door. At that time, we saved enough dollars to get rather nice zippered HAL sweatshirts at the end of the world cruise. Now the prizes are more in the electronic category, we have been told.
Since the weather was not the greatest for being outside, it was a perfect day for football. Both the morning and afternoon games were shown on TV in the Sports Bar and also on channel 33 in our rooms. For all the dedicated fans, and even those who are not, they can look forward to the Falcons and Patriots game on Super Bowl Sunday in a few weeks. As long as we have a good connection, the game will be televised in the Queen's Lounge along with special food and drinks. Always a fun day.
We tried the brunch/lunch in the dining room around 12:30pm. The menu offers many breakfast entrees, and an equal amount of lunch choices. We noticed there were no sandwiches on this menu. So we ordered the soup (always good and hot), and one breaded pork filet with marinara sauce and mashed potatoes, and one quiche with rice. Splitting one key lime pie was perfect. Since the beginning of this cruise, we have become acquainted with a nice couple we recognized from previous trips. Now they occasionally share some special-made treats with us. Today's treat were butter cookies with white chocolate bits. Hard to resist.
Good time for a walk to burn off the cookie calories. Guess what we saw? Three albatrosses gliding over the turbulent wake the ship was leaving behind. Sailor's fables say that sightings of albatrosses are good luck for us to see, as they are supposed to guide us through the seas safely. Speaking of fables, Captain Jonathon announced today that he has been requested to continue his "idioms" or sea-related terms that have made their way into history……ancient and modern-day. Even though some may be repeats, we always look forward to hearing them.
After completing our PM walk, we found a response letter from hotel director, Henk. He had requested our growing list of changes we have noticed since day one, January 4th. He had taken the time to address each and every statement, putting it in writing. Most were explained with fleet-wide changes, or somethings they are working on. Bottom line: continued discussions will be defining the "grand" in the grand voyages, and how can the company keep them a step above all of their other cruises. We are in favor of that.
While we are on the subject, here are a couple more changes we have noticed. Think we mentioned the new pads that are on the teak lounges on the lower promenade deck. Although the blue/grey more solid color may show soil sooner than the dark-striped pattern, they are a welcomed addition. However, on past cruises, they were gathered every evening, stacked, and stored in a large closet in the forward area. This has not happened daily, but occasionally. The teak deck scrubbing seems to be less often as well. Henk M thanked us for this observation, and promised to check into it.
Access to much more detailed daily activities by utilizing the free HAL internet page, the "Mobile Navigator", works now on all mobile devices, tablets, or laptops. Not exactly new, it is helpful to those who have cell phones. Guess the fact that we do not own one, is our problem. We do appreciate the fact that we can check our shipboard account on our laptop, without having to stand in line at the front desk. You can still get a copy of your shipboard account at the desk. And the crew there still does it with a smile.
One very controversial subject is the small amount of dance hosts…….down in half from the six or seven fellows that are normally onboard. Rumors have been flying that this world cruise will be the last time they will be provided for the ladies (single or not) at happy hour and dance classes. This is not set in stone as of yet. Perhaps the "grand" voyages will still have hosts? TBA as it is a company brand decision.
We learned at dinner tonight that five of us were missing-in-action last night. Three out of five came down with the same head cold. It has been circulating since day one, making it's rounds through the crew and guests as well. Could be worse, as it is not the dreaded Noro virus. Originally, we had planned our second evening in the Pinnacle Grill, but opted for the comfort food of turkey and salisbary steak (really hamburger). Denali brownie cake and green jello finished the meal just fine. Poor Ruud, he is still absent, so he must not be feeling well.
The singers and dancers of the Amsterdam performed Take A Bow on stage tonight. A miracle, since the rest of us are walking around like drunken sailors getting from point A to point B.
Two more days at sea, and we will be in Hilo, Hawaii. Sure hope the weather improves when we arrive. Reports of heavy rain, mudslides, and several feet of snow in the Sierras keep us from complaining.
Bill & Mary Ann
