A couple of days ago we received an invitation to a Mariner Recognition Event held in the World Stage at 10:45am. This is the first event we have been asked to attend since we boarded. Apparently, if there are no passengers receiving the medallions, then there is no reason for a gathering.
It happened to be one of those days that my back was acting up, so we almost did not go. However, we learned there were only 20 people getting silver and gold medallions, so we changed our minds knowing the event would not be too long.
There were eight chairs reserved for the President's Club members, and we were escorted to the last two. Unknown to us, there were two couples that we did not know who got inducted recently. Louise and Brian are long-time members, and we have sailed with them on past cruises. We were served drinks of our choice (one mimosa and one poinsettia) then the show began around 11am.
The audience consisted of 5-star members, we were told. Enough to fill part of the lower seating. Compared to the recent event we attended on the Volendam's world cruise, this one was low-key. Back then, Florin, the hotel manager, incorporated some live music and a bit of entertainment from the singers and dancers as well as our travel guide, Josh, who surprised all with his terrific voice. It was obvious that the medallions were delivered to the guests prior to this event as they came wearing them. Better idea, we think, and it saves time. The recipients were announced by the cruise director, Theresa, who we have not met yet. At the end, she thanked the five-star folks and introduced the President's Club members one couple at a time according to pure sea days sailed. You could hear the "ooos and the ahhs" as our days were announced. Each couple posed with the Captain and hotel manager for a photo before everyone was invited to the Mariner for lunch that followed. Since we had already eaten a hardy breakfast, we passed on the lunch.
The Captain left the room with just enough time to make his noontime talk. The temperature was a brisk 50 degrees, with 89% humidity and 15.6 mph winds. And we had light rain most of the day ever since leaving Anchorage. We had traveled 187 nautical miles and still had 489 nautical miles to reach Glacier Bay in two days. He expected higher waves as we transit the Gulf of Alaska, which turned out to be correct. Not as bad as getting here but still rolling enough to keep some of us unsteady.
The rest of the day was used for reading and online work in hopes of giving the back a rest. With tonight's "dressy" attire suggested, it was a good evening for an exclusive dinner for the President's Club members to join the Captain and hotel manager for dinner in the King's Room. Knowing these meals can be drawn out far too long to comfortably sit , we gave our regrets and did not attend. It began at 5pm with no cocktail hour before the dinner. The menu choices were the same as the Pinnacle Grill, we heard.
Hoping for a simple dinner in the dining room, the service seemed slow tonight. We ordered salads, soup, a shrimp cocktail and mains of filet mignon. It was good although our waiter forgot the L&P which one of us really likes. Dessert was one little flourless chocolate cake and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. From watching our waiters and surrounding tables, it appeared that they were waiting in line in the kitchen for the food. That was where the hold-up may have been. That tells us that we do not have a full crew, especially if the guest numbers are lower than usual.
Tonight the World Stage was turned into an Ice Ball for an enchanting evening of music and dancing with the Dam Band performing. By the way, there was no live music in the dining room tonight and we missed having it.
Another day at sea is going to be nice.
Bill & Mary Ann
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