As the days roll by, we are seeing more and more of deep cleaning going on all around the ship. Specifically, the brass is being polished, even where you cannot see it, the walls are being washed, and all of the windows are spotless. Just a guess on our part, but we think this will be in preparation for the CDC inspection when the ship arrives to Puerto Rico. We understand that when a ship enters a US port, inspections can take place. And on a long voyage such as this one, it is almost guaranteed we will be thoroughly inspected. Even in the dining room, we have seen the head waiters using flashlights in all of the serving station drawers and in every corner under the tables and chairs. Water and wine glasses are checking for spotting as are every knife, spoon and fork. It's never too early to start this process as the days are getting fewer and fewer. In order to keep their CDC scores high, this extra-duty scouring is a must.
We had been invited to a kitchen tour this morning at 10:30am, but we missed it mainly because we simply forgot to put it on the calendar. While on the Volendam last fall, we had the best kitchen tour ever, and doubt it could have been topped today. With one exception, we spotted one gentleman getting out of the elevator with a flute of sparkling wine. Another guest we know asked where that came from, and he said it was handed out after the kitchen tour. Now that was a nice touch. At the time we received the invite, we had a public health questionnaire to complete stating we were not ill. It came with a warning that if any questions were answered dishonestly, there may be serious health implications. We never had to do this last fall, but it makes sense, because we feel there are many people with colds or something similar.
Today was called International Dance Day. We wonder who comes up with these things? Anyway there were three dance classes, which happen every sea day we think. One was for beginners, one for experienced dancers, and the last one was dancing with the Zuiderdam dancers. Of course, the ballroom dancing is on the itinerary every day at 4pm.
Kimberly's lecture on Banjul, The Gambia took place at 10am in the World Stage. We watched it on TV later in the day to take notes, even though we were just there last year. One thing we can say is that her pictures make the port city look a lot better than it actually is. And that makes going out of the city look even better, thus selling more excursions.
Captain Friso spoke at noon and repeated some of the same adverse conditions upon entering the approach to Banjul in a couple of days. It was very difficult to hear his talk from the Seaview Pool speakers, but we think he said the way to the port was shallow and it may possibly be very windy. We sure do not recall any problems the last two times we were here, but then the tides and winds may have been in our favor. The weather today was still hot and humid with a slight breeze. And according to the Captain, it will not change until we head towards Mindelo, Cape Verde and eventually trans- Atlantic. So it is to be seen if we do make it to The Gambia.
This evening was a formal one, though in this heat and humidity, we doubt people really felt like dressing up. And it was "A Night in Hollywood", inviting the guests to gussy-up and dress the part for a night of red-carpet style fun. Not sure what this is all about, but the fun would begin at 8pm in the Rolling Stone Lounge (right in the middle of our dinner). And only the lounges, all four of them, would have entertainment and music. The World Stage was showing the movie Elvis at 8pm, which we can always watch on the TV. Actually, we already did on our last cruise in the fall.
Tomorrow will be another day at sea as the ship heads northwest towards another West African country.
Bill & Mary Ann
No Pictures
