Report # 91 Day at Sea Enroute to St. Maarten Friday - March 18, 2022 Mostly cloudy & 77 degrees

Well, the mystery is solved……the folks that left the surprise koozies are D & J (not sure they want their names here).  They boarded the ship on Wednesday, but had no luck locating us,  so left the gifts at the front desk we were told.  Then this morning, we found their post on Cruise Critic, so once again, we say thanks.  We will surely meet you sometime soon.

It wasn't a fit day for too much, since the weather wasn't typical Caribbean……neither sunny or very hot.  Good day for lectures, games, and buying stuff though.  The shore excursion team had their work cut out for them, as the guests have an array of tours to book in the ports ahead.  Of course, these days, you can book in advance, as well as pay for them ahead of time.  That way you do not have a shock when you get your final statement. 

It was a pretty lay low day for us, but we did keep busy with walks and some movie-watching.  We spent the morning online trying to figure out a table assignment for the 23 GWV.  With the help of the Zuiderdam's dining room layout, we figured out a table that will work for five of us.  Now all we have to do is get it confirmed. 

Lunch in the Lido was a simple small salad and two grilled torpedo rolls with ham and cheese.  By 2:30pm, the Lido restaurant was only half full.   The big set-up ends at 2pm, then one side is always closed down.  After lunch, we went past the Lido pool to see many sunbathers covered with towels. Like we said, it was not a pool day. 

Since we are sailing north of the islands in the Atlantic Ocean the seas have been a bit rough.  The swells were still 6 to 8 feet, and it was windy.  It is our guess we are fighting a current going southeast.  We did see some flying fish, but without the birds hunting them, it wasn't as much fun. 

Dinner in the dining room was good with coconut crusted pork meatballs, salad nicoise, and  one parmesan- breaded veal chop and a lasagna.  We shared the entrees.  Served piping hot, we ate almost every bite, leaving room for two scoops of ice cream. 

Right before we were going to leave, a nice fellow came over to our table and introduced himself.  He was Fred (wife Mitzi), who has read our blog and was also looking for us when they boarded.  It seems that they are friends of a mutual friend, Bob (rka cruiser), who we have known for almost 20 years now.  It is always nice to meet people that have taken the time to read our blog.  Hope we have been able to be of some help along the way.

Tomorrow we will be in St. Maarten, and sure hope the weather is nicer.

Bill & Mary Ann

(no pictures)