After 7 ports in a row we looked forward to a day at sea. We had a late dinner last night after the volcano and then went to bed close to midnight. We also lost an hour because of a time zone change. We slept in until after 9 am.
Even though the ship is 2/3 full, it feels empty. On the positive side there is no wait for anything. The staff quickly learns your name and what you require for breakfast or what kind of drink you want when you sit in your favorite spot on deck. You can’t but help but feel like you are a special customer when the staff recognizes you by name. Part of the training but still very nice.
This is the first day we hit the gym since we departed from Barcelona last week. If felt good to move some iron after a week off. Lunch followed and it is nice to see things getting back to normal. You can serve yourself again at the drink station and at some of the food stations. The captain usually speaks on the PA system at noon or so. He gives location, weather data and port information. He always encourages everyone to put a mask on, wash your hands and stay 6 ft apart. I can’t believe he buys into any of that. Very few passengers wear a mask. Warnings about each country are given before we come in to port but no country has enforced any kind of mask rule. Thank you.
We sat around the pool on the Lido deck and enjoyed the afternoon. We were interrupted by an announcement from the Captain that we were changing course to assist a sailboat that had given out a distress call. Those aboard were low on water and food and we would be sending out a small rescue boat to assist. Crowds of passengers came out on the promenade deck to watch. The small rescue craft did meet with the vessel and then the ship had to wait for the Italian coast guard to arrive. We did find out later that the sailboat was being towed to shore.
Dinner in the main dining room again. Almost completely empty. Lots of staff, few customers.
The show on the main stage was a group from London called Unity. The four met on the set of the West End production of Momma Mia. There were more or less a “Man Band” and did do some Backstreet Boys hits as well as some theater tunes and some hits from the Four Seasons. Well done. One of them played the piano for some of the tunes. They would have really shined if there was a house band backing them up. No such thing post pandemic thing yet. We did enjoy the show even with the canned music back up. Harmony was spot on!
After the show we played some rummy. Terri must be letting me win. I am up three games to one.…