Wednesday January 10 at Sea and into the Amazon

 I've been on board for one week today. Feeling so proud that I finally figured out which switches in my cabin control which lights. 

When Rony and Mario came to clean this morning they warned me that we're expecting rough seas this afternoon. Luckily, I don't keep much stuff out on counters
so no need to put things away. I love some rough seas! (Later, the Captain announced that the ship might rock because he was pulling in the stabilizers because of shallow water).

While I was enjoying breakfast in the dining room, four of the chefs came over to chat. Which is unusual. The crew on HAL ships have a reputation for their friendliness. In my experience, officers and staff have been polite but stand-offish. Except Denise, on the Westerdam, who became a regular when we played cards. 

On Celebrity, officers play pool volleyball with passengers on sea days. In 2001 on my first world cruise on HAL, I felt privileged if an officer acknowledged my existence. I appreciate the effort to interact more but am happy to just have chefs, engineers, finance guys, etc just do their jobs. I suspect they feel the same.  I'm curious if the current emphasis on being more visible and interacting more is direction from the Captain or headquarters. 

I was happy to be able to tell the chefs that the food on this ship is the best I've had on a cruise in terms of both quality and variety.  

After breakfast I did my daily walk, got an ice coffee and took some photos. 

I tried something different for breakfast and it will now be part of my regular rotation. Wild rice, quinoa and a poached egg with an excellent miso sauce 

Walking into my freshly cleaned cabin never gets old

Cabins with "UP"numbers are for contractors...entertainers, priest, craft lady, speakers, etc

Somebody has been going to the origami classes 

Door decorations aren't as popular on long voyages, it seems, but there are some

One of the many bars onboard. Most have great views

I'm too cheap to be much of a gambler but there is a good sized casino 

Note to self... there is a bit of a dip in the floor between the Gallery Bar and the casino. I've tripped every time I've walked through there. Slow learner 

I hear people say they don't cruise because of the crowds. I've always found quiet places to chill

The Gallery Bar

I enjoy the way they disguise functional areas with art

I miss the olden days of fresh flowers on all the tables but they still do a nice job of large arrangements in public areas

No matter how elegant a ship, leaks happen 

Some prices. Tips are $16 per day. I get a discount on beverages, as a 4 star Mariner. These charges are for a virgin Bloody Mary and an iced coffee 

These are the TV channels available in my cabin 

There are two schools of thought. Those who love decorating their cabin doors and those of us who don't. Someone once asked me how i could find my cabin if I didn't decorate. "The cabin number?" This is just a random, undecorated door

Three times around the deck is a mile. Since I broke my leg walking outside on an MSC cruise, I avoid wet decks

The main stage has two levels. These folks are enjoying one of the daily lectures. Videos of the lectures are also available in our cabins which is how I prefer to enjoy them

I love to watch the water on lower decks. This is deck 2

Shopping!

The Main Dining Room where I've enjoyed breakfast and lunch each day

It is rare not to see Josephine and others standing behind the desk, waiting to assign tables to guests 

I'm fond of this lamp but can't figure out how to steal it and it is actually huge and too big for my house

People are out and about but there is always a quiet place to relax

Outside the small theater she the string trip performs several times a day

The stage

Comfortable seating. HAL made a controversial decision recently to do away with the classical performances on their ships. They listened to feedback and brought them back for the longer Grand Voyages. Since most performances are SRO, I'm hoping they'll bring them back for all cruises. The chamber music and afternoon high tea are two of the things that I love

There's a large variety of types of free tea. They charge for Tazo

In addition to free dining they offer a variety of other options 

At the Pinnacle Bar they charge for specialty coffee but the pastries are free

Blown glass on display

this is the Pinnacle Grill. Dinner is $49. I get a 50% discount as a 4 star Mariner 

We are currently an hour from entering the Amazon River. I've been to all seven continents. Now I'm working on major rivers. The Captain just announced that a we enter the shallow mouth of the river well be taking in the stabilizers which will cause the ship to roll. I can't wait but think I'll get lunch first

Lectures,  dancing, arts and crafts, pickleball, basketball and more. I prefer to read and watch the water but there are plenty of activities

Live rock and roll music every night.  Since the majority of passengers are older, you'll hear more music from the 60's and 70's than current stuff

Dang, I ordered a burger before I realized it was Indian day in the Lido

I thought it felt great but most people were in the air conditioning, not by the pool

I took my burger and eclair back to my cabin for lunch. Advice: I took my backpack to the bar during happy hour one day to buy soda 1/2 off to stock my fridge.  That's 1/2 off the already discounted Mariner price 

Notice the whipped cream? They always use a dab of something to keep the desserts from sliding off the plate. They also have a puddle of Hersheys syrup on every single  dessert plate

Heading into the Amazon bar. Which is what they call the mouth on other rivers

It is rainy season.  Here the waters of the Atlantic are mixing with the fresh water. This is one of the shallowest parts of the river 

83 degrees and 80% humidity. Feels like home

My dinner appetizer was coconut crusted scallops with a mango salsa

For my main I chose sauteed plaice with vegetables and a pea risotto. It was my first time trying plaice which is an Atlantic white fish. Very mild but a short of mushy texture 

Dessert was a perfectly smooth and creamy Dulce de Leche flan, which I couldn't wait to eat