Breakfast at 8am in the upper dining room was really good. Since there are so few of us that have participated, the service is over the top. We have the undivided attention of the best waiters. There has never been a very long wait for our order to arrive. Today that was important because we had a "date" with a self-administered Covid test in our rooms between 9 and 9:30am.
Last night, we all had a letter describing the need to perform the rapid antigen test, and a 13-step set of directions to complete it. Our room steward had an envelope with two tests, although they were missing the cap for the liquid vial. Going out into the hallway, everyone was outside asking where's the cap. Apparently none of us had one. Perhaps HAL got a good deal on these almost complete test kits! The cap would have been easier to drip the drops of the liquid into the test strip, but we did the best we could. Those with problems with their eyesight may have had trouble seeing the drops go into the small hole. Once the tests were completed, we waited the required 10 minutes for them to develop. Hurray….they were both negative.
In the letter, they said to take a photo of the results with a mobile device. Well, we don't have one, so we were ready to take a picture with the camera when our room steward came inside our room, checked the results, and collected the used test components in a trash bag. Never got a photo. We would hear later in the day whether or not we would need to continue masking for a longer period. In the meantime, the mask requirement remained in place until we reach Puerto Limon. Fine with us.
Shortly after that, we took a hike for 2 miles outside, until it began to drizzle. Good time to come back and take some photos of the masked boobys that had suddenly appeared. Joining them was a lone female frigate, who was dive-bombing them as they fished the surf. Best entertainment on the ship for us. While we were on the veranda, the missing bottle of rum had been delivered. Our dinner buddies have not received theirs yet, but should get them soon. We also received a very pretty flower arrangement for our President's Club every two week perk. The flowers designs are nowhere near the artistic quality we got from Eddy and Calista, but they were really talented. So much so, they opened their own business in the Nederland's after they left the employment of HAL. By the way, Greg pointed out that there were no more flower decorations on each dining room table. Doubt there are orchids in the Lido, but we need to check that out. There are many hidden cutbacks like this that we haven't even begun to see as of yet. When we do, we will mention it.
We did stop at the future cruise consultant's desk just to inquire about a few trips we were interested in for 2024. There is a one-time 28 day cruise in Alaska that just came out before we left home. The deposit was quite steep booking it at home, so we waited until we were onboard where they offer a reasonable deposit. So we ended up putting down a refundable deposit and got the perks that went with the booking. Another one that caught our eye was a round trip San Diego voyage to the South Pacific, New Zealand, and Australia. That would take place during the same time as the 2024 Grand World Voyage, and we are not sure we want to do. Too much China for one of us. We will have plenty of time to think about it.
The Daily Program was full of activities all day which included a watercolor class, Project Linus (knit and needlework), arts and crafts, and bridge class as well as trivia. There are no more dance instructors or dance hosts, which we are sure does not sit well with the ladies. Oh well, another cutback.
Tonight's attire was "dressy", which most folks were. Although we were prepared for different types of dressier evenings, the suit had to be pressed, and the sport jacket had to be repaired. So it was the tux tonight and not too flashy clothes for me. No glitter yet. The Captain's welcome in the Mainstage happened at 7pm. Only Greg and Heo attended and said it was packed. And that was one of the reasons we did not go. Same with Barb, Susie and Woody. The first performance of the singers and dancers was at 7:00pm, so the welcome had to be very short and sweet.
Dinner items were the Culinary Council picks, which included more shrimp on a bed of greens, crabcakes, and other special appetizers. Most all of us had the crabcakes, which they raved about. There was one large one, but Greg said he would have increased that number and had that for his entrée. If it appears on the menu again, he will know to order it that way. We had one order of prime rib and one entrée of cod, which was plated nicely and excellent according to Bill. A puff pastry filled with chocolate was really nice and something new. Frozen yogurt is always my stand-by, as anything dark chocolate keeps me up most of the night and not worth it.
Since some of us wished to attend the show, we ended our meal by 9:20pm. And an added perk was turning our clocks back one hour, the first one of many on this cruise.
During the late afternoon, Captain Friso came on the speakers to announce that the numbers of people that tested positive for Covid were acceptable, but he wants to be on the cautious side, and continue the mask-wearing for a bit longer. Some of the captains will give the actual number of infected people, but Captain Friso has never revealed that information. And like we said, we will keep the masks on and glad to do it.
We still do get a card with a reminder to set the clocks back along with a quote of the day compliments of the Captain and Crew wishing us many happy adventures. And although we told our room steward we passed on the towel animals, there was one left on our bed anyway….along with two pillow chocolates. The chocolates have been re-instated for a daily delivery every evening.
Bill & Mary Ann
