A day at sea was just what we needed this fine Tuesday. A nice breakfast, then a walk around promenade deck was in order. As we travel south in the Pacific Ocean, we noticed that the higher heat and humidity of Colombia and Panama had decreased ever so slightly. That was fine with us. The intensity of the sun? Well that is another issue. This evening, we will enter into the Southern Hemisphere when we cross the Equator. The rays of the sun are the most intense here from what we have always understood. Anyway, there will be no King Neptune Ceremony until we cross back over the line in March. So we hope we are gracefully pardoned until we celebrate in the spring.
Today was also one of those “invites”, such as the Mariner Society sommelier suite package wine tasting in the Crow’s Nest at 1pm. We really do not care for wine, so we seldom attend. And if the sun is out, we are out with it. Barb did go and enjoyed testing the varieties that are available. With the invitation, it is free. Without the invite, it was $25.
For those with January birthdays, there was another invite to attend a Merabella Luxury Boutique jewelry unveiling. The draw was a complimentary glass of an unforgettable sparkling wine. Nice, but we passed on that one too.
The highlight of the afternoon was the several sightings of dolphins. If we were not on the lookout for them, we never would have seen the pods go by. Luckily, we did think to take the small camera with us just in case. The Captain was keeping the ship’s speed at 20 knots, and the dolphins were going the opposite way, so the display was brief, but so rewarding.
A Lido lunch included a Caesar salad and a shared roast beef sandwich. We kept it simple and small, because the final invitation was for the Captain’s Dinner, which would begin at 6pm. We did take the time to make a stop at the future cruise consultant’s desk to arrange a deposit on the 2021 Grand World Voyage, even though there is no itinerary out yet. They have not even announced the ship that will be doing it, although, the vessel has been the Amsterdam for several years now. However, the deposit is reasonable, possibly transferable or refundable if we change our minds. A no brainer. There are two ladies taking over the job of bookings this year, and even though we had not signed the appointment book, one of them took us in between clients, taking 10 minutes to complete the simple form. The desk that used to be Barbara H’s, our port lecturer, has been made for two consultants now….more convenient for handling the guests quicker.
Had a minute left to pick up a library book, which does not require checking out anymore. A sign on the desk says keep it, read it, and return it anytime. Then we had to head back to our room to get ready for dinner. We are masters at quick-change, and seldom spend much time deciding what to wear. A gala night, the dress suggestion was black and silver for the Black and Silver Masked Ball in the Mainstage at 10pm tonight. With our meal beginning after 6pm, most everyone will still be able to attend the first ball.
Back to the dinner, the best part of the evening has always been spending it with our buddies, Barb and Don. Peter, the purser, a friend to all, was always the hosting officer of our table. Peter retired after last year’s voyage, and he is missed. However, his replacement, a nice young lady from Romania was our hostess this evening. She was quite talkative and at ease with us. The biggest problem with having a crowd in the Pinnacle Grill is the noise. Conversations get louder the more wine they serve, and soon, it is almost impossible to hear the people at your table.
The menu was creative, but recognizable. Textures of baby beets was the starter, perhaps three tiny bites. Pretty, but meager. A single dinner roll was placed at each setting. Next was a roasted butternut squash puree, poured from teapots over a dollop of hazelnut puree. It was tasty. A small portion of marinated cured salmon was served next. That also was good. The main was a rolled strip of steak with prosciutto and some unknown herbs rolled in the middle. Green mashed potatoes and a few baby vegetables accompanied the beef. Dessert was a passion fruit mousse, covered with white chocolate, dotted with 2 meringue drops, sprinkled with ginger crumbles, and served with a scoop of orange sorbet. It was so warm in the room, that no one at our table had coffee.
We were each gifted with a round box of dessert-sized plates….four of them with HAL designs. They are nice, but not Delft. A few years ago, we were given the same type of plates, so these will go well with them. The meal was completed by 8pm, after Captain Mercer wished everyone a lovely evening, thanking the staff that prepared this special meal for all. According to a reliable source, there will be 14 more of these occasions to accommodate all of the full world cruisers. Lucky for the officers and staff that host each table, Tina, the manager, will change the menu often.
Since we took in a lot of sun today, waiting two hours for the ball was not on our list tonight. Sometimes we peek our noses in the lounge, but we will surely hear all about it tomorrow. Good enough for us. And Slam, our waiter, promised to save us the masks that are given at the dining room tables at dinnertime.
Bill & Mary Ann
