Today was one of invites and packing. It was breakfast as usual for us, but we have been going a little later, but well before closing time. As far as the weather was concerned, it was a dismal day with overcast skies and temperatures in the 60's. It was far from warm due to the high winds blowing across the decks. As we recall, this is expected during this time of year as we venture further west crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
We were not able to walk the promenade during the day because we found every exit roped off. We have had much more severe winds on previous cruises, but they must be using extreme precautions with this group pf passengers. Later in the day, it began to rain, and did not let up. Depressing.
But there were invites to brighten the day. The first was a combined President's Club Members and Pinnacle and Neptune Suite Guests invitation to an Indonesian "Rijsttafel" lunch at 11am in the upper dining room. During breakfast, we spotted the table decorations of specially-folded napkins resembling birds. The word Rijsttafel itself is really Dutch and means "rice table". The meal includes many side dishes in little portions, but including rice of some sort. We have been to a special private occasion on a cruise years ago that included over 26 side dishes. The wait staff dressed in Indonesian garb, really making it special. However, we did not attend today due to the fact one of us is sensitive to the slightest shellfish ingredient that is often used in the cooking of this dish. Even alerting them to this problem, one of us is not certain the message always gets to the right cook. Better to be safe than sorry.
The other invitation was a farewell reception for President's Club members in the Gallery Bar at 6:30pm. It was attended by the Captain and some of the officers and staff. And we heard they served some nice canapies and beverages of your choice. Guess we shall say our goodbyes sometime during the last few days we have onboard. And we don't need a drink to do it.
We had a phone call from the front desk folks reminding us we have money to spend. Hopefully we are not alone with non-refundable credit, and more folks are in the Shops looking to spend it. That way the salespeople will not be on our heels so much as they have been recently. If we need help, we will gladly ask for it.
Dinner found most of us there. The only one missing was Barb, who is always…we mean always there first. It was nearing 8pm when she came into the dining room after attending the party in the Gallery Bar. And she was really upset with us because we did not go. She did not accept the excuse that one of us had to re-arrange the sock drawer. She did have friends she knew there, including Woody who has been doing everything on his own since Susie went home on a medical debark. He will certainly be busy packing for the next week as they come prepared for the world cruise with everything except the kitchen sink.
Anyway, it has been two days since we saw our tablemates and we discussed the two islands of the Azores we saw and enjoyed. Apparently, none of us have been to the last port before this trip. Sometimes smaller in size can be more rewarding.
The entertainer this evening was Lisa Harman, a vocalist and pianist performing some of the music from the greatest vocalists and pianists worldwide.
So much for day one at sea. Five more to go, and as this is being written, it is getting rougher outside.
Bill & Mary Ann
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