002 - At Sea

DAY AT SEA

DATE:  January 8, 2012                                                              

DAY #: 002

I.                   LOCATION:  CRUISING WHERE?

Our second day at sea cruising the Caribbean.

II.               ACTIVITIES

A.                 MORNING

Up early and breakfast at the Lido Restaurant (the buffet, casual area with “stations” for each item – fruits, hot cereals, eggs cooked to order, meats, pancakes, cold cereals and yogurt; around the corner are the muffins and pastries).  There is so much food!  For the first 48 hours of the voyage, the servers will put all items on your plate (health regulations and to keep “sick people” from passing on germs) – after that, we can serve ourselves, the cold items at least. The stewards will bring coffee and juice to the table; and if your hands are full, will bring your plates as well.  One fellow who brings around the coffee cart has a “Chico Marx” horn.   Beep, beep.  The stewards are very helpful, always smiling, always quick to please.

A quick break from unpacking at 10 am to meet the other folks who have posted regularly on the Cruise Critic website.  There are many of us there in the Crow’s Nest – the bar at the top of the ship with the amazing views.  But, it is one of the smoking-allowed places around the bar, so it’s a short visit for me.

B.                 AFTERNOON

Back to unpacking, organizing the desk, nightstand, and bathroom.  Will it never end????

C.                 DRESS CODE/THEME FOR THE DAY

Tonight is our first formal night, a traditional event with on-stage staff introductions by the Captain.  I will wear the brown dress from Fiori Bridal in Essex Jct., paired with a gold sequined scarf.

D.                NOTABLE MEALS

The Dining Room is decorated with large Earth balloons, white covers on the chairs, and flags of many countries.  Very nice very festive.  I chose the caviar appetizer, filet mignon and Maine Lobster tail.

E.                 NOTABLE ENTERTAINMENT

The entertainer tonight is Melissa Manchester, who sang her famous songs.  Her daughter accompanied her on several songs, and she had video from her grammy-award winning song (back in the 1980s) and video of other performers she knows where they were singing along with her.  Interesting.

Am very glad to get out of the dress and shoes at bedtime!