We had another lovely day at sea as the ship headed towards Curacao. If there is a problem with an Azipod, you would never know it. The seas have been relatively smooth, accompanied with a strong breeze blowing across the decks. It has remained quite comfortable as far as the temperature goes.
This morning at breakfast, we had a different waiter, as they have been rotating every couple of weeks. Our original waiter, Tanto, has remained close because he knows what we will order. It took a while before the restaurant filled up, so we feel that many people go to the Lido and some to the dining room. It has become quite obvious that there are only 700 guests onboard. Decks 2 and 3 were virtually empty of people as we made our way to Club Orange at 8am.
Walking the promenade deck, we have finally located the automatic doors, which are mid-ship on both port and starboard sides. It is far easier to use these to get in and out, especially when it is windy. And besides, you do not have to touch the door handles. We have said for years now that the Amsterdam and similar ships in that class should have ADA approved doors. Of course, the ships are not registered in the USA. But it never happened, as four of those ships were sold after the pandemic hit in 2020.
A few of the boobys were back, but a different variety. The only flying fish we saw were tiny ones. And are they fast or what? It is survival of the fittest out here. It appears that we are in a shipping channel, as we spotted some tankers and a container ship going the opposite way.
While one of us was down-loading photos, the other was testing the power on the Kindle, still refusing to give up on it. Lo and behold, by pushing down all of the top buttons, and holding them for 30 seconds, the word FIRE came up on the screen. It was actually re-booting, something that has seldom occurred before this. I put it down, did not touch it, for fear it would stop. But it continued and the page came up like always. In my mind, it was a miracle. What had caused the Kindle to shut down, is still a mystery, but I am happy my little buddy is back to life.
We are still in the process of getting our shipboard account straightened out. Both the offices of HAL and our travel agency were closed for the long holiday weekend, so we had to wait until today to see if the credits were posted. Thankfully, they were posted, and a statement of our account was printed showing every debit and credit since we boarded in mid- December.
Thought we would check out the Seaview Pool and figure out how to access the lounge area above that deck. We walked past the outside of the Tamarind Restaurant, and found the deck that way. Later, we saw a stairway on each side that went down to the Seaview Pool. There were only two people up there, so we went way to the back, and relaxed in the sun for an hour. The only problem today was the wind. You will surely lose your hat and anything not lashed down. We could feel the motion of the ship more so back here. While in our room, we barely feel the movement. That is the difference with this bigger size ship compared to the Amsterdam.
Time for lunch, we did our usual salad and sandwich in the Lido. At 3pm, we were the only ones on the starboard side, with the exception of the waiters. Now the Lido Pool area had many more people lounging there. They had less wind and also the chance to watch a movie, Back to the Future, once again. This evening, the Texas Bowl: LSU Tigers at Kansas State Wildcats was playing at 9pm.
Back in our room, we resumed watching an HBO series that we have not seen before. It is a mystery show and it hooked us with the first episode. The beauty of the TV is that we can pause the movie, and resume whenever we wish.
We joined Barb once again at our table in the aft alcove. Since this is still anytime dining from 5:15pm to 9pm, the majority of folks had already eaten and left the room. It was quiet with just a few tables filled near us. Once again, besides one other table of guests, we were the last to leave. Entrees of lamb shank, sirloin steak, and beef brisket were served hot in heated bowls. None of us really likes the bowl plate, but we have learned how not to drop our cutlery in them. Fredy, our head waiter, checked on us frequently to make sure we were happy. Then another waiter arrived and said he remembered all of us from the 2019 world cruise. He was the Lido salad maker then. For us it is difficult to place the face with the name due to the dreaded masks. Anyway, this same scenario has been occurring often since we boarded.
Back in our room, we planned on resuming the series on TV, but it would not go on. Oh, come on…….It was working fine when we left, we know there are some buttons that will make it work. Unsuccessful, we will have to wait for tomorrow and ask our room stewards for help.
Oh yes, the clocks went forward one hour tonight. We do not like that direction, because we lose an hour.
Bill & Mary Ann
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Report #18 Day at Sea Tuesday - January 4, 2022 Sunny & 75 degrees
