Day 48: Rhodes, Greece

I think the bow thruster under our cabin worked for nearly an hour this morning to move the Pacific Princess toward its berth and then hold it there while the lines were set. It was extremely windy, and this was probably another case where it was difficult to arrive but nearly effortless to leave.  There's no sleeping in for us in this cabin (but we still love it!) and so we were up in the Panorama Buffet seeking coffee fairly early this morning. But that was the last time we moved quickly. . 

The temps were mild but the wind stayed strong all day. We lingered over breakfast with friends and then returned to the cabin for some more rest. There's been a scratchy throat and congestion thing making the rounds in our cabin the last few days and it has been an energy zapper. Finally we saw some sun and decided the time was right to walk off the ship. It must have been the shortest visit on record; we walked down the gangway, felt the wind and turned right back around. Our day on Rhodes two weeks ago had offered nicer weather and we had already seen the sights. Because it was a Monday (again) the Grand Palace was closed, as was the Archeological Museum and the Acropolis at Lindos. We decided we had seen what we needed to see last time and spent the next few hours in the Panorama Buffet talking with friends and generally making plans for the last three ports on this cruise. 

We returned to the cabin where I actually napped (go me!) and read while G napped. It was a practice day for tomorrow's sea day but in many respects it was even nicer. The ship was stable and nearly empty, and we'll have neither of these tomorrow. 

We went to the PES Lounge before 5pm to watch as the Pacific Princess sailed from Rhodes for the last time this season. I watched as G enjoy hors doerves and then dinner in the Club Restaurant (headwaiter Antonio's penne arrabiatta!) but didn't eat anything because at 8pm this evening I was joining Passenger Relations Manager Gidea, Shore Excursions Manager Geaninina, Crew Officer Natalia and PSD Officer Nicola for a ladies night out in The Grill (the on board steakhouse). This is a tradition Gidea and I started a few years ago when we were both on the Emerald Princess. When one or the other of us would be disembarking (this time it's Gidea returning home for the holidays) we'd get together for dinner and drinks. On this small ship, it seemed that every senior person on the dining staff was aware of our plans ('cause it's that kind of ship!). 

I don't know what excited me more:  a wonderful dinner in The Grill or a few hours of completely female companionship (but I suspect it was the latter). I had the prawn starter, the grilled veggie salad and the filet mignon (with the applewood smoked salt, of course!) and then still had room for a lemon meringue tart for dessert. Add to it a wonderful merlot (in the interest of all of us, I won't say exactly how much was consumed) and it was a memorable evening. 

The seas had started getting bouncy and I didn't really realize it until I stood up. In fact, it took a bit of skill to quietly move from our cabin door to the bed when I returned "home" just before 11pm. While the night stayed bouncy, things have calmed by this morning (which is when, I confess. I am finishing this post). Captain D had told us we would be moving out of the storm that had disrupted our itinerary during the day today. And, as always, he was exactly right. :-)