Despite the fact that Captain Jonathon has mentioned the possibility of rain in the forecast these last three sea days, the only rain that may have fallen was during the night. If we remain lucky, it will stay that way. On the distant horizon, we can see that showers are falling, but not here. The only sea life we have spotted have been a few flying fish. Also, there has been some floating clumps of seaweed or algae. We are so far away from any land, we are not sure what the source is.
After breakfast, we went to the front desk to collect our passports. Then a letter was delivered explaining the process we will all need to do on the day we arrive to Puerto Rico. An immigration inspection will take place in the terminal ashore. This will be our face-to-face inspection with the US Border Protection Inspection. It is mandatory and everyone onboard the ship will have to attend, whether you plan to stay ashore or go on a tour.
When the announcement begins, those of us with the letter “S” will be called first. This will be a zero count inspection, meaning that all of the passengers and crew will need to go off the ship, and not return for a few hours. At least we will not have to repeat this same process in Ft. Lauderdale.
According to Henk M, we will have to fill out our customs form in Ft. Lauderdale, and take it through the gates with our luggage. If all goes well, it should be a breeze.
Our day for seeing the Fed Ex rep, Sarah, was today. This has worked much better, as most everyone would be fighting to get to the head of the lines. Things like this are a test for politeness in regular folks like most of us. We decided to go see her this afternoon, when most people would be getting ready for the pre-dinner cocktails in the Queen’s Lounge. More about that later.
But first, we met Barb for lunch in the dining room. She had beat us there, and was waiting to order. This hour or two has to be the most sane part of the day for us. All the things we discuss stays at that table, since that’s what good friends are for.
We had another job to do today, and that was to figure out what we can do with five bottles of champagne and wine, gifts along the way. Since the beverage team seemed to be missing in action, we went to see Christel instead. She can fix anything. Last year, some of these gifts could be credited to our shipboard account , but that has been stopped we understand. It’s 11pm right now, and we still don’t know the decision on this. We only have ourselves to blame for this, since we could have followed up with it during the last four months. But we had shoved the bottles in the back of the closet, and out of sight.
Around 3pm, we went to Sarah’s desk and found only one couple was waiting to be seen. A couple of gals that we know had a few questions like we did. The forms that had been sent with the Fed Ex labels were self-explanatory, but not everything was explained clearly. Sarah is an expert on this service, so all of their questions were clarified easily. Adding one more suitcase, we were issued new shipping tags and we were on our way. Easy.
The first pre-dinner cocktail party was scheduled to begin at 4:15pm. Since we often sit in the atrium deck five near the Ocean Bar, we thought we might as well go see how early the folks would show up. Of course, 4pm was not too early for many. The invitation we had received usually gave directions for our President’s Club group to enter on the left side of the Queen’s Lounge. However, the invite failed to say this. It did say that seating was reserved for us. Asking Cynthia at the front desk, she confirmed that the process had been amended, and the left side door was closed to everyone. So there were three lines of guests merging together to enter on the right side only. Now, it was not important to us that we had to be singled out like we used to be, but someone should have explained that to all of us ahead of time.
With the early seating crowd plugging the elevator area as well as lining up well past the Wajang Theater, they kindly opened the door to the lounge earlier, and cleared the people. There was a receiving line with the Captain, Henk, and Hamish, but most folks simply pushed their way past them, so no photos were being taken, thank goodness. We did hear later that the change in this process was because too any people would bypass the receiving line in order to reserve front row seats for their friends. And that did cause many fights. Crazy, huh? This whole thing was repeated for the later cocktail reception.
So after this melee, when the ceremony was starting, we went into the back of deck five to watch and listen for a few minutes. The usually beverages were being passed around with several trays of hot and cold appetizers. Twenty minutes after the doors opened, the awards were being given, with each awardee posing for photos with the Captain and Henk. There were 249 medal recipients at the early party, making this ceremony go overtime. The biggest disappointment for the new inductees to the President’s Club was that they were not singled out for a photo with the Captain and hotel director. They felt that the one to five star members were recognized better than them. At least they had a photo taken today. Those who had dinner at 5:15pm and 5:30pm, left early, as it went 25 minutes overtime.
Going back to our atrium chairs, we spoke to many of our buddies as they left the lounge. This is one evening that those who dine exclusively in the Lido every evening, will attend the dining room dinner instead. Yes, there are folks that choose to go entirely casual for four months, leaving all of the “gala” clothing at home. It is a nice choice for them, and totally fine.
We went to our party before 6:30pm, and did find a line forming already for the opening at 6:45pm. Unless you got to the entrance right after the first ceremony, you could not avoid some confrontation. Had we all been informed earlier, this could have been avoided. As a group, we were seated with escorts, if you could find them, when the door opened early once again, which happened to be the raised section on the right hand side of the lower show lounge. One negative was there was no handicapped entrance here. The folks with wheelchairs or walkers had to sit outside this section against the wall.
What else was missing compared to previous Mariner Society parties? Remember, we are simply posting what we see as changes. The “corral” that had been sectioned off in the center of the lower lounge was gone. Even though we all joked we were “the best in show” (referring to the dog show), this spot was the best for easy access to everyone, and the best place to watch the medal awards ceremony. In the old spot, we were served Dom Perignon (really good champagne) and a three-level tray of appetizers, which always included the best caviar. This was gone completely. And we always had one waiter taking care of this section, but he was gone, and so were the roaming bartenders. Some of the late-comers were not offered anything, since there was no one in attendance. One of the longest-time PC members resorted to flagging down the head sommelier to get beverages for all that came late and were ignored. To make things worse, when the beverages arrived, they were watered down. Even the house wines. Trays of nice appetizers (minus the caviar) did arrive, but the waiters had one heck of a time maneuvering between the tight couches and chairs. Unless we were receiving a new level with a medal award, we would re-consider even attending this affair. OK, lastly, we were always invited up individually or by couples, to have our photo taken with the Captain and Henk, and gifted with this picture later on. That did not happen. In no particular order, we were introduced by name (no mention of days racked up – good thing), and asked to wave or stand up.
The medals awarded at this late ceremony numbered over 300, so the rest of the party was used for this. Unfortunately, the cruise director had trouble pronouncing the names, and the order of medals given. At least each awardee had a photo taken. With four medal levels, it was a long time before the party ended. We exited immediately after it was over. We would hear volumes about this tomorrow…..
The final gala dinner was this evening, and we had a guest officer join us. As he was seated between two rather quiet men tablemates, we never did get to hear any of his stories or even his name. That can be a problem when the table size is for ten guests. Or perhaps, one of us is definitely having issues with hearing. The more tables that are occupied surrounding us is also problematic. Something to keep in mind when choosing a future table.
The menus are different on these nights with a limited selection, but always special. Surf and turf, a fish entrée, and a vegetarian meal are the normal. The poultry or meat dinners included goose or a veal chop. We both ordered the veal, which Slam, our waiter, said was exceptionally good tonight. He was SO correct. Dessert for us was even better…..the cappachino bombe, chocolate-covered coffee ice cream. But tonight the ice cream was chocolate. Can’t win them all. The final formal entertainers were the dancers and singers with a production labeled Bellissima. It was classical, pop, and opera classics, and most enjoyable way to end the day.
An hour back on the clock, and two final gifts of Goedewaggen (Delft) plates with the GWV itinerary printed on it were waiting for us in our room. They were almost correct, but Madagascar was still on them, and Reunion was not. Obviously already made, there was no time to get them correct.
Only a few more days left on this trip, and happily, one of them is a port.
Bill & Mary Ann
Final 2018 Grand Word Voyage gifts
Royal Goedewaagen Delft tile designed into a platter
