A day at sea was what we all needed today. Expecting the weather to be cooler on this side of the Pacific Ocean proved to be incorrect. It was actually hotter and every bit as humid as it was on the Atlantic side. It would prove to be a suitable pool day.
After breakfast, we had a few jobs to do. First was filling out the required Canadian Custom Form for our visit to Victoria at the end of next week. Then we had to provide our flight info and choose a debark time for the 27th of May. Also we decided to get the ship’s transfer to the airport for $29 per person. It’s a good way to use some of our “use it, or lose it” shipboard credit. Now when we booked this re-positioning cruise, we assumed we would be able to use the Port Valet service, where once you put your luggage outside your door the night before we arrive to Seattle, it would not be seen by us until we arrive in the San Francisco airport. For some unknown reason, this service is not available on this cruise, or the first Alaskan cruise. Makes no sense to us, but we will deal with it one way or another.
While we were enjoying the sun, clouds, and eventually…rain at the Seaview Pool, life onboard continued to keep the passengers busy. The shore excursion gal gave a talk on the upcoming ports of Cabo San Lucas, San Francisco, Victoria, and Seattle. The test kitchen had two classes….one on tapas, and the other on chilies. By the way, we inquired about the “hands on” cooking classes on this trip. We were told that they cannot do the actual hands on cooking on this ship anymore. We had thought it was only on the world cruise that this activity had been suspended. Guess we were incorrect. Makes us wonder if any of the HAL ships are continuing with the actual classes?
Also on this trip, there is sit, knit, and needlework, casino tournaments, and bridge games. There were six different times for Microsoft digital classes. And of course, two sessions of trivia. Pretty close to a grand voyage we think. The biggest activities missing are watercolors, arts and craft classes, dance teachers, and dance hosts.
During his afternoon talk, Captain Eversen had an announcement for everyone. Seems that due to the continuing violence in Nicaragua in recent months, the US State Department has advised that travel to that country should be re-considered. Some protests as recent as this weekend has resulted in injury and death. So it came as no surprise to us that the visit has been cancelled. Unfortunately, there was no time to schedule a replacement port, so we will have a day at sea tomorrow. All of the taxes, fees, and port charges will be refunded, which probably will not be significant. Those that booked HAL shore excursions will get refunds as well. Better safe than sorry, we say.
Lunch was through room service for us today. We split a club sandwich, and had a bowl of chicken noodle soup, and a Caesar chicken salad. Perfect and quick delivery too.
While eating, we got caught up in the documentary about the Panama Canal that was shown in the Wajang Theater yesterday. What a fabulous documentary, and narrated by the author of the Path Between the Oceans. It sure was a reminder of the price not only in money, but also in human loss, in constructing one of the wonders of the modern world.
Today pianist Joel played solely in the Ocean Bar from 4 to 11 pm. The regular group was off for the evening. We got the last hour of his concert, enjoying every minute. We turned in a comment card today recommending this fellow for a place on next year’s world cruise. Hope he is available, and we certainly hope someone is listening in Seattle.
Back in the dining room tonight, we had satay skewers with beef and chicken, and one entrée of spaghetti Bolognese, and one alternate chicken dinner. Both were excellent. Chocolate cake and macadamia nut ice cream with a chocolate drizzle finished our meal. Service from our waiters has been more than excellent.
Shades of Buble’, the three man group, were back on stage with an all new show. They sure did fill the Mainstage at the early 8pm show. Folks began arriving to get seats well before 7am. During the world cruise, there was a problem with folks saving seats for this show time. So they were kept out of the lounge until 7:15pm. So far as we know, this has not become a problem on this trip.
With some further work from our son, he seems to have found a way around the google situation with the restricted number of photos. Although we have not changed how the photos are shrunk and down-loaded, something has gone awry at the source. The glitch has popped up with others as well as us. But now if those who want to see all of the pictures, you can click on the PDF file to get them.
And on a side note, concerning the Mainstage seating, we will check out the couch and chair heights to see if any changes were made. The biggest change we saw was that the dance floor in the center of deck 4 has been removed, and seating has been installed all the way to the foot of the stage.
Bill & Mary Ann
