I booked another cruise for next fall, Singapore to Sydney on the Diamond Princess, which would be back to back with the circumnavigation of Australia. Will we do either one? I have no idea, but, if we're even contemplating it (and we are), it's best to get our favorite cabin booked for both itineraries.
We attended our first non-officer lecture of the winter today at 11:15am, entitled "Inside the White House" and offered by passenger Harry Obst, an interpreter working under seven presidents. It was interesting to learn the difference between a translator (text) and an interpreter (speech), and about the different types of interpreters. Given that Princess has abandoned using outside lecturers except on sea day intensive cruises, it was obvious that Mr. Obst was doing this gratis. Oh, and he just happened to have several copies of a book he's written about his experiences for sale, too. ;-) We all came out winners.
Captain Stenzel's noon update provided the much anticipated news that all six thrusters are now operational. There had been much speculation since last night, as, for awhile, the Emerald Princess webcam had shown the ship en route directly to Port Everglades, and not Princess Cays as scheduled. That was eventually corrected, which made us feel slightly better about the thruster prognosis; Captain Stenzel's announcement made us heave a sigh of relief.
We returned to the DaVinci Dining Room for lunch with Alex and Luis. We were both trying to avoid the sun today; yesterday's uncovered ferry rides provided enough sun for a couple of days.
The afternoon highlight was the Grapevine Wine Tasting, and G did sneak into a hot tub (that he swore was totally shaded) for a quick soak while I showered for dinner. We took a bottle of Veuve Cliquot, true French champagne and a gift from most traveled passengers Mr. and Mrs. Kerridan to dinner with us, and then to the Promenade Deck, where we finished it while watching the sunset. It was a perfect orange ball sunset, the kind that can sometimes spark a green flash (but didn't), but which are never quite as interesting as sunsets surrounded by clouds.
There's a metaphor for life in there somewhere!
We listened to steel drum duo Sugar Cane in the Explorers Lounge for awhile, and G was staying for vocal impressionist Michael Wilson's 8pm show. I...just couldn't. I have already suffered enough "comedians" this winter. Also showing: production show Boogie Shoes in the Princess Theater.
And, finally, I was surprised by the amount of green clothing and St. Patricks Day festive wear I saw today, even more than Halloween costumes last fall. Of course, we had nothing to offer. One doesn't plan for St. Patricks Day when one is packing in October (nor Christmas, nor New Years Eve, nor Super Bowl). If it can't be worn for over four months, it just doesn't make the cut. ;-)