Today we began our eight-day run towards Guam. Even Captain Frank said this will be the longest stretch of sea days he has done, at least on a cruise ship. The morning began with sunny skies, but later it turned overcast and almost cool. After our morning walk, we headed to the Sea View Pool for some fresh air and sun. We noticed that once again, the round tables and chairs were stacked under the overhang. The bar area and the smoking section had places to sit, but not out around the pool. We took chairs and brought them over to the pool railing, then asked the next available crew member why all of these tables and chairs were not out. He said they needed permission to bring them out from the navigation officers. Perhaps last night, it may have been a bit rocky, but not enough to send tables and chairs flying. Today, it was back to normal.
After the lunch service began in the Lido, many folks walked outside with their plates to find a table, but there were none out. And the deck crew made no attempt to set some up around the back of the pool. The way we see it, if there are no places to sit, it forces folks to go indoors. It is not a welcoming feeling. All we could do is share our thoughts with one of the crew members, and perhaps he will pass it along. By the way, he did offer to bring us a table, but we said no thanks. Another thing missing were the bar waiters asking guests if they would like beverages. It sure is not that way in the Lido Pool area. You can sit down at any one of their tables, and be offered drinks within minutes. Something is missing back here.
We still had reports and pictures to work on from yesterday, so we did that after the cloud cover cooled everything off. A Dive-In lunch was sufficient, and spending time on the clean veranda took the rest of the time. It appears that a small flock of masked boobies have decided to tag along. Since we have not spotted any flying fish, we have no idea what they are hunting. They are still fun to watch.
At 4pm, the Block Party began. This was a repeat of the first one we had after boarding in Ft. Lauderdale, and we suspect it will not be the last of them. Music was blasted in the hallways, and the ding-dong of the PA system kept going off. Complimentary wine was served as the officers and crew ran down each and every passenger hallway. We went towards the end of the soiree, but went left this time to the front set of elevators. Only a few guests were there finishing up the last of their wine. It is quite possible that at 4pm, some guests may have been in the middle of a nap due to so many clock changes recently.
We know one thing for sure, there were very few folks taking a walk at 5pm. The sea swells had picked up, and the winds were blowing pretty good. Just a guess, but we believe being in open waters like this leaves us vulnerable to high seas. Sure hope it does not get worse.
The menu was a little better tonight with new appetizers of pork spring rolls with sweet and sour sauce. They sure are stingy with the sauce though. Had we known there was ¼ teaspoon of sauce, we would have asked for more. That's the best part. Mains were spaghetti and meatballs and Hawaiian-style kalbi pork ribs. They also had a sweet and sour sauce on them. Dessert was a little chocolate cupcake with caramel popcorn on the frosting. One of us had a sliced banana, which had just arrived yesterday. Tasted even better with the frosting of the cupcake on top. Kind of defeated the purpose, but it was good.
Surprise, surprise……there was another hour back on the clock tonight. This will put us at UTC-12/International Date Line West. It sounds good on paper that we get an extra hour, but too many in a row really upsets your body's clock.
Bill & Mary Ann
