Report #120 Day at Sea March 6, 2020 Friday Showers & 69 degrees

For a while this morning, it seemed that the seas had decided to calm down a bit.  But that did not last very long, because as the day progressed, so did the swells.  And it was heavily overcast and sure looked like rain.  The lounges had been set up once again on the lower promenade deck, but there were few takers.  It was not cold, but slightly warm and humid.  Good walking weather if you could maintain a straight line.

 

At breakfast, we heard some interesting stories about last night's Captain's Dinner.  We knew that the doors on deck 5 had been closed until almost 8pm, but what we did not know was that someone had taken ill, and the medical staff had been called.  It might have been due to the fact so much alcohol had been available with the meal.  Starting with the vodka/sparkling wine cocktail, then copious wine that was poured, a few guests may have over done it.  We figured that since this was the first Captain's Dinner that was done this way, we were sort of the "guinea pigs", like a test run.  The next time, the staff will have worked the kinks out of the affair.  And perhaps, back off on the amount of the booze served.   And we are sure not everyone would agree with that.

 

There are two new speakers that joined the ship.  One is Captain Thomas Anderson, who spoke about the Southern Sky, and Andy Fletcher who lectured on the theories of Isaac Newton.   Also new to the Amsterdam was a guest chef by the name of Scott Webster.  Bet he specializes in Aussie cuisine.

 

With the addition of the new Australian ports, the shore ex group gave a talk on the upcoming ports.  There will be plenty to see and do with more tours added. With all of the recent changes in the itinerary, we are certain that the shore excursion folks have been extremely busy with refunds and re-bookings.  And we have a feeling that this is not the end of the changes.  Watching the news, it has been almost shocking with the cruise ships being refused docking or turned away in many places around the world.  Wonder how long our luck will hold out?

 

By our lunchtime, the rain had gotten heavier, and the decks wetter.  We spent most of the afternoon not doing much, but relaxing for two hopefully busy days in Sydney.  At dinner time, we all discussed our plans for tomorrow, which will depend on the weather.  But first we all have to go through the Australian passport check in the cruise terminal at White Bay by 10am.  It will be a zero count, where everyone, including crew and staff, will go off of the ship, get cleared, then wait to go back onboard or go to town.  And this afternoon, we got a message concerning the African Swine Fever that the locals want to keep out of Australia.  This means that we have to be truthful with the declaration cards we filled out to be turned in tomorrow.  This warning specifically refers to all pork products that are not allowed anyway to be brought off of the ship.  This also includes any shoes or clothing that has been in contact with farms, farm animals, or even soil in our shoes.  Penalties will apply for any infractions.

 

We went to get some Aussie dollars after dinner, but we did not know that they stopped selling foreign currency after 8pm.  Will either do that in the morning, or do it somewhere in Sydney. Then we did take a peek into the show lounge to see Brett Cave, with a show that blends Elton John and Billy Joel's high energy.  Expecting a piano concert, all we heard was a whole lot of talking, so we did not stay.  And by now, the promenade deck doors were lashed closed and the rolling and rain continued going strong.

 

Bill & Mary Ann