We woke up to blue skies and even bluer seas. Sure looked nice outside, but how warm would it be? We went to breakfast like usual, but found most everyone had put on sweatshirts or sweaters. Perhaps they knew something we did not. It was not as crowded as it normally is, since today is Sunday Brunch at 11am once again. It would be the “shoot” glasses (accidently misspelled) with tiny servings, a three-course set menu. We’re not sure when this was added, but there was an advertised sparkling wine special as well until 1pm. Bet that enticed some new customers. Except us.
Going out for our walk was a shocker as the temperature was only 58 degrees with 51 knot winds blowing across the decks. Welcome to the Med in springtime. There was not one person sitting on their private lounges outside their lanai rooms on the lower promenade deck. Not even with the wool plaid blankets that have replaced the beach towels. We do hope that by the time we reach the next port of Naples, it will have warmed up somewhat. We did pull out the warmer outerwear that we had stored under the bed, which included arctic down jackets and warm gloves. We are prepared for anything this time.
Since we were so far behind with photo work, we spent much of the day working in our room, while catching up on port lectures and news. We think the only people at the back pool will be the smokers across from the Seaview Bar. That group will be out there no matter what the weather.
Today we sailed around the south coast of Crete, according to the Captain’s PM talk. Tomorrow, we should be approaching the Straits of Messina located between the island of Sicily and the mainland of southern Italy. We are required to have a local pilot onboard to guide us safely through this body of water. If we recall right, this sailing can be very rough and extremely windy.
There has been a major problem with the ship’s internet for the last three days. Not only slow speed, but the inability to even bring up the Navigator page has started to drive the folks nuts. Thinking that a good time to try going online during the first dinner service proved fruitless. After checking with the front desk folks, we discovered they had no internet either. Something is being done they said, but it might take changing to a different satellite before it works again. So after we listened to the Ocean Quartet playing, we went to the digital communications manager in the library. There was a line forming since she was beginning her 7 to 9pm session. Everybody had the same complaint, especially the couples that had purchased two internet packages. Some of the passengers actually work online and were quite upset with the answers they were getting. It might not be effecting the passengers, but the staff and crew as well. That might help getting this sensitive issue resolved sooner.
Dinner was fun as always, and there were some good choices on the menu. Three of us had the German-style weinerschnitzel, Barb had the beef dish, and Bill had the bread salad with breaded chicken. The salad dressing have gotten better, but the regular dressings are totally gone. Hope their delivery get to the ship in Naples, as we are noticing many missing items now. Coke Zero is one of them, and may not arrive until Barcelona. Guess we will live…..
The entertainer of the evening was Kevin DeVane, a world traveling comedian appealing to audiences from the Us to the UK and more.
Bill & Mary Ann
