Day 49: At Sea

We were awakened by the sun shining in our room around 7:30am today, and with nothing to rush to, enjoyed breakfast in the Club Restaurant for the first time in days (orange segments and peanut butter toast). I had just dropped my clothes from last night on the chair in our cabin and they landed on top of G's clothes, also lying on the chair, so apparently he had done the same. We returned to the cabin to make sense of it all and re-organize and then I went to the Latin dance session (it's Zumba without licensing fees and certified instructors) with dancer Michael, held in the Pacific Lounge. 

I watched while G and several others played goofy golf in the Atrium, starting on Deck 5 and putting down the 'pretty stairs' to Deck 4 and then over to a literal cup on the starboard side of the Atrium. This is always good fun and provides guaranteed laughs. G ended up tied for third place but, honestly, there were golf balls ricocheting off the back of the Passenger Services Desk. And the movement of the ship made putting from the tiled Atrium floor a bit of a tackle sport. 

Surprisingly, the seas weren't anywhere near as bouncy as they had been last evening, but, in his noon announcement, Captain D explained why, and also said that the worst was yet to come. Apparently, there are currently three different cold fronts converging over the eastern Mediterranean area. We had made it through one, and then last night through the second one and at noon we were in between two of the fronts. Captain D said that what was in store for us this evening and overnight would be even worse than last night. He also made it sound like Katakolon tomorrow might be at risk (oh nos!!) but that once we reached Sicily the next day, the worst- at least of this storm- would be behind us. 

So we will have a port day tomorrow. Or possibly a rough sea day. Either one is okay by us. 

We went to the British Pub Lunch in The Grill and I had the chicken curry and it was delicious.  I love it when they offer that along with the fish and chips because both G and I find something to enjoy.  But we went to the Panorama Buffet for dessert; today featured the pastry extravaganza and I definitely hit the sugar wall after two of them (pavlova and tiramisu). G also had several items dipped in the fountain of melted dark chocolate. It was warm and pleasant enough on the Panaroma Terrace to enjoy the desserts out there, and you know that hasn't often been the case on these cruises. Still, we cast a wary eye toward the sky, looking to spot the leading edge of that next (and final) cold front. 

 

Today was the qualifying round for this cruise's slot tournament and you may recall that I received an entry this cruise because last cruise's tournament had been cancelled due to lack of participation. G cheered me on...but I didn't score in the top 5 and won't be advancing to the final round even if there is one. My glory days are over. ;-)

G decided to take advantage of the last of the decent weather and adjourned to a hot tub: I started this post and began to get ready for this evening's formal night about 3:15pm. There are enough Captains Circle members on board this cruise to warrant two Captains Circle parties, and we were being met at 4:45pm to be escorted into the first one. We had asked Company Performance Manager Heather's parents, who are onboard this cruise, to be our guests and were honored to be recognized as this cruise's second most traveled couple. 

Dinner followed (no lobster for me; I had just salmon and broccoli. I felt like all I'd done since yesterday was eat), and then production show Stardust was performed. We sat with Heather's parents and it was fun to see them watch their very talented daughter doing something she loves to do. At 10pm we are in bed with an alarm set for 6am. Tomorrow is the first of five port days in a row; our last long string of port days until we arrive in the Caribbean.  We are feeling recovered and rested and ready for this last hurrah.