Another day at sea for me

Tuesday March 29th. At Sea

One of the niceties of small ship travel is that when you meet someone, you are very likely to see them around the ship from time to time. Unlike the modern day 3000 pax plus  vessels where you may meet someone and never see them again.

This morning there was no rush to get up so while Dorothy was out doing her laps and gym-nastics, I languished beneath the covers till 8.00am. Did what a mans gotta do then left her a note saying I'd be sipping on some hot water, honey and lemon, aft somewhere until she was ready for breakfast. My throat is even more scratchy today giving me my "radio voice" I'm feeling okay though except for the burning sensation in my shoulder and right arm :(

I sat down with Charleen and Ray who were with us on yesterdays tour, they hale from Falmouth Ma. We bent each others  ears for a bit, then Dorothy arrived and we had breakfast. Met up with Ruth and Clive from Grand Island NY. Went out and found a shady spot by the pool and read   until it was time for our CC meeting at 11.00 am.

Out of the group of 56, 45  showed up along with Peter our cruise director, and 3 officers whom I would name except that Dorothy has thrown out the list of "who's who at the zoo" Arturo, who's been at sea since before Sitmar was gobbled up by Princess, He is the hotel general manager, sings like a bird and loves it when the ladies say he looks like George Clooney. He was even part of last nights show, but I was up in our cabin pounding on the keys (computer) and losing Dorothy's photo's. As we were entering the cabaret lounge glad handing with the captain and his entourage, I commented to Arturo that yes, he did look like George Foreman, this went down well with his associates.

Everyone introduced themselves and because we're only 600 pax, we'd seen many faces out and about but didn't know they were a part of our group, but do now. It was great putting faces to computer names and finding out for instance why Ray's computer name is "AlldayRay" !!!

After a light lunch I went up for a nap and now it's 5.00pm. And time for a welcome aboard drink with Captain Jerman. I promised Dorothy I would "go to the show" I'm desperately doing my best to start building brownie points again after using them all up and then some by losing all her photos last night.

I have made a decision to forget about posting photos, it's been way to much frustration and we are here for fun in the sun, not stress. Sooooo, when we get home I will make a final post and include some photos then…

Dinner is done, again, I seem to have lost my appetite, our wait staff are so concerned that something is wrong and I have to emphasize that it's me not the food. I now have laryngitis, due I believe too really cool air conditioning in some parts of the ship, and too much heat in other parts, I don't feel ill, but my voice is shot, No karaoke for me tonight.

Hmmmm, I didn't stay long in the show lounge, way too hot for me, I slipped on up to the buffet and had some hot water with honey and lemon, very soothing for a sore throat. The laryngitis has really kicked in now, all I can get out is clicks and squeaks, much like dolphin and whale speak. I can't remember if I've had Laryngitis  ever, in Canada, It's lovely and cool in the cabin, so here I'll stay for the rest of the evening. I walked across pool deck earlier, it's hot and humid, a sure sign that we're heading South to the equator.

I shall put this away for today and continue tomorrow.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 30th. AT SEA.

Time is flying by, it's hard to believe we are into our 6th. Day already, that's mid cruise for many aboard. I beat Dorothy out of bed this morning, I'd had a restless night, with my froggy throat so read for much of the night, sucking on lozenges... She went off to the gym, I took my time getting ready to face the day which looks like a hot one.

Out of our whole group, only two are Pollywogs, meaning this will be their 1st. time crossing the equator. They're in for a fun time for us and a messy sticky time for themselves. King Neptune will board some time on Thursday, any and all Pollywogs will be summoned to appear before him to learn of their fate. 

After the court hearings, they will with out a doubt be found guilty and partake in a ceremony that goes back centuries. It involves lying on a table and having things dumped on them, things such as jelly, spaghetti, honey, eggs, flour and a plethora of other messy stuff. Then they'll be dumped in the pool. To the merriment of we Shellbacks who've had this treatment ourselves. It's a great spectator sport. I always feel bad for the staff who have to clean up the pool.

Captain Jerman's noon update from the bridge suggested that we will cross the equator at 8.00pm. Tomorrow evening., I'm thinking that the ceremony may be earlier or perhaps on Friday, we'll find out in the "Princess Patter" this evening.

I know things change and evolve, nothing stays as it was and so it is with dress codes aboard ships. There was a time when formal meant what it said, gradually though, over the years it has come to mean tux or suit and tie, still a special evening but a little more relaxed I succumbed to wearing a suit this trip, as most of our CC group had discussed this for a few weeks before we left and due to luggage restrictions, most were going to leave their formal wear at home.

Last night I noted less formal wear and more suits and ties, as the first part is a 12 day cruise  I was not too surprised at this. What did surprise me was that people were admitted to the dining room in the shorts and shirts  they'd been wearing all day, not cool IMO but who am I say. It is a shame though that some folk had gone to so much trouble to look glamorous for the evening and some didn't give a rats rear end!

Another lazy day at sea tomorrow:) see you all then.