We explored the highest decks on the back of the ship afterwards, as we were already at the aft elevator bank. Oh, the memories came flooding back. It’s a little like returning to the house I grew up in. I bet I’ve walked thousands of laps around that upper running track over the years. I used to love to put in earphones and just do lap after lap after lap either waiting for the sun to rise (the last time in my life I’ve consistently seen it) or using as it an escape from the 100+ days of forced socialization on a cruise ship.
I saw at least one other ship in port with us today but didn’t spend even a little time worrying about which one it was. We also didn’t take a tender over to shore. We’ll have two more days here next cruise if there’s something more we want to do.
I just happened to be in the cabin late morning when the phone rang and Michelangelo Restaurant Manager Nebo invited us to come to his dining room every evening this cruise at 5pm for our very own table for two. The log jam has been broken! Hallelujah! Are we appreciative? Extremely. Should it have been this hard to make it happen? Of course not. Should we have had to deal with the dismissive rudeness of the hostesses in both the DaVinci and Michelangelo Dining Rooms the first night of this cruise? Oh hell no. We are putting it behind us, but this exact issue is why I no longer get excited about embarking a ship for a new cruise. I can be pretty sure it won’t be smooth sailing.
We enjoyed lunch on the Terrace Deck and I continue to be impressed with the World Fresh Marketplace. I made a huge salad today from the salad bar that was full of goodness, and finished with a boatload of watermelon. I know I just said I wouldn’t post food pics, but I’m allowed to change my mind.
A bowl full of healthy yumminess
Isn’t it beautiful?
Of course 😉
We changed into swimwear then and spent the remainder of the afternoon on the outside back decks, starting with the hot tub on Deck 17 aft with its wonderful views (and it was actually pretty hot, probably around 100-101°), then using that small round Oasis Pool and finally the Terrace Pool. In between we enjoyed the ample loungers. My favorite area is outside Sabatini’s next to that bubbling fountain. Very relaxing.
We returned to our cabin to get cleaned up for dinner and found a plumber on a ladder outside our cabin working in the ceiling. He told us he was fixing a burst pipe but that we still had water to (TO, not IN) our cabin and that was a relief on both counts. I’ll admit we were little nervous to come back this evening but everything was fine, the cabin was dry and both the ladder and the plumber were gone. This is not a new ship and few things are in perfect condition. Except my bed. THAT is perfect.
It was nice tonight to be able to attend the Elite Lounge together. We walked in to hear a guitarist singing Horse with No Name and had to laugh. I’ve been encouraging G to go horseback riding in one of these ports. I can’t go (fiercely allergic) but he enjoys it and hasn’t gone in years. So every port I ask him if he’s going to ride through the desert on a horse with no name and it’s become a running joke. But I sincerely do want him do to that.
At 5pm we presented ourselves at the Michelangelo Dining Room and Restaurant Manager Nebo greeted us warmly and escorted us to our table. We are in one of those usual banquettes of multiple tables for two and, though we are not by a window, we will be next cruise, and the cruise after that and the cruise after that. Go us! And props to the Emerald Princess dining management team for addressing the issue so quickly…after we asked for three days and then escalated it.
Tonight’s menu was probably the weakest so far one based on our personal tastes and I resorted to my defaults: salmon and broccoli. That’s fine; I needed a full day of sensible eating and I got it today. Tomorrow I can splurge.
We had an abundance of riches tonight entertainment-wise and thoroughly enjoyed first production show Blame it on the Boogie (can’t remember the last time we saw it), then party band Third Night Lucky performed a 70s tribute in the Piazza (everyone loved it) and then we went to O’Malleys to listen to Imperial Duo, a strings duo that plays all kinds of music. OMG they are fantastic. I’m so happy we discovered them early in the cruise. We’ll be groupies, for sure.
And then it was blog time followed by bed time. I’d like to be up to see the moon set and the sun rise tomorrow over the Sea of Cortez.
After all, I need a new goal. ☺️
Princess Port Guide for Cabo San Lucas
