Saturday, January 27 - At Sea

 Today is the first of two sea days.  We arrive in Manzanillo, Mexico at noon on Monday.  Tuesday is Puerto Vallarta, then a bunch of sea days as we head to Hawaii.  Then more sea days as we move on toward Saipan, Guam and Japan.  

I had a truckload of Future Cruise Credit (FCC) after the 2020 world cruise was canceled half-way through.  I held off using it because I prefer itineraries with lots of sea days.  The first half of this trip is perfect.  35 sea days on a 57 day cruise.  I also love repositioning cruises because of all the sea days.  And bonus, they're usually cheaper because most people cruise to see ports.  Not me.  I cruise to be on the water.

Today is typical of the routine I've come to love this voyage.  Breakfast is at 8 in the MDR with Jolanda.  Usually, the waiters rush to seat guests as they come in but since I sit at the same table they just say hello as I walk by.  Dwi has our menus and juice ready at our table.

Jolanda does crocheting with Project Linus at 9 but I hang out for another cup of tea or coffee.  And, usually, conversation with the chef, Dante.  Today he stopped by earlier, saying he was having a busy morning as the kitchen prepared for the Ice Cream Social this afternoon on the Lido.  

Next is a two mile stroll to get some exercise and enjoy the sights around the ship.  Then back to my cabin, which has usually been cleaned while I was out.  Have I mentioned how spoiled I am?

Then, time on the balcony or the loveseat, depending on the weather.  Today is about 80, with a slight breeze and ideal on the balcony.  As I type I'm listening to the birds.  They've been fishing and putting on quite the show for hours.  I went up to get an iced coffee and a woman commented on the number of boobies and frigatebirds.  I thought giant gulls but know nothing about birds.

Late mornings on sea days involve Skip Bo by the Lido pool followed by lunch.  Afternoons involve more balcony time, another walk then dinner in the MDR.  Evenings may be live music or casino but always balcony before bed.  Life on board is awesome.

Photos!

Breakfast was V-8, Constant Comment and oatmeal with brown sugar, raisins and macadamia nuts

I'm so tempted to knock every time I go past this cabin.  Who advertises that they are Captain Hasty?

What the actual f*&^?  Folks, you're on a four month HOLLAND AMERICA world cruise

Toni, the Muffin Man from New York.  I told him I'd lost two pounds so he said I deserved this one who looked like a rabbit to Jolanda and Mickey to me.  Perhaps I've lived in Orlando too long

These bird photos are awful but at least you can see our great weather.  These photos were taken from the Lido and my balcony.  The birds have been flying/fishing alongside the ship for at least five hours.  I've never seen anything quite like it.  It is like watching a 3D ballet.  They look so far away here because I couldn't get any close shots.  But they were close enough I could see them turn their heads as they hunted.  Watch their mouths open as they cawed.  And watched a couple of them pull in their wings and do a whole body shake, kind of like a dog does when they get out of water.  Kudos, HAL.  Best entertainment I've ever seen on a ship, outside of Antarctica

I was very comfy while watching bird ballet

I'm loving the special surprise corner in the Lido each sea day.  Today was Chinese noodles.  First you choose noodles, then veggies.  Then it's stir fried and choose a protein (chicken, beef, mussels, shrimp or squid)  I chose chicken because I didn't realize seafood was an option.  Then, I added a couple tablespoons of spicy sambal olek and jalapenos.  And met a man who added even more fried garlic than I did

The ice cream social on the Lido today proved two things are true.  1.  Old people love ice cream.  2.  Rich people love free stuff.

The Lido was packed.  Bless my friend Gus who was serving ice cream.  He saw me and ran over to ask what I wanted.  He was going to make it for me so I didn't have to stand in line.  I passed.  Ice cream is nice.  Cookies are better.  BTW - see the officer on the left in this photo?  He's the Lido Maitre 'd.  I had an embarrassing encounter with him on a previous cruise.  I'd had dinner in the Lido.  Got back to my cabin later, got into bed and Mr. Kindle was missing.  Crap, must have left him in the Lido.  Got dressed, went upstairs and walked up to this guy and his assistant.  I asked if someone had turned in my Kindle.  He said "No, Ma'am Nancy.  It is still on the table.  We know you ALWAYS have dessert so assumed you weren't done eating yet."  

There were fewer birds as the sun set but they were still there

Instead of app, main and dessert I opted for three apps and a cheeseplate.  The first was figs, goat cheese and greens

I was curious about the chilled banana soup so asked for a sample.  Delicious but more like dessert than an appetizer.  A maitre 'd I'd never seen before came over to explain it's a thinner version of the banana smoothie that's on the breakfast room service menu.  This "soup" would be excellent on top of oatmeal for breakfast.  It's just banana, milk and yogurt

My second small salad was one I've had before.  Grilled pears, blue cheese, peppers and greens.  Putu stopped by and told us about the Ice Cream Social.  It was packed when I got there and he said he was surprised at the HUGE turnout.  He also described the Banana Split Eating contest which involved eight contestants.  One removed his shirt, since they were eating without utensils.  Not a mental image I wanted as I began my meal, given the average age of the cruisers.  I hope we're not going to have a "Hairiest Back" contest like they had on my first cruise.  It was the first and last time I cruised on Carnival

Hard to go wrong with a cheese plate for dessert and this hit the spot of the light salads.  Plus Jodi brought me more banana soup, which I ate just because I'm a good sport.  And, it was tasty