A Day at Sea

Friday, October 23, 2015  Pictures later when we have better WiFi

This morning we were up and ready for breakfast by 8:00 am.  Because it is a sea day the numbers in the Horizon Court buffet were not large meaning there were plenty of places to sit.  We went outside but decided against that as the winds are very brisk.

After breakfast we went up to the track and did a mile plus a lap and tried out some of the exercise equipment spaced out along the track.  The winds were brisk, the ship rolling a bit so it was more of an effort to walk without looking like drunken sailors J  There were a few dark clouds in the sky and we could see some rain in the distance but appeared we were steering away from that.  After the walk I went down to the morning Zumba class but found that was a bit much after what I’d just done so didn’t stay and do it for very long.

It felt good to simply kick back and do some reading and a bit of writing on the computer till it was time to go to the first gathering of the Pop Choir Sound of Music rehearsal.  We met in the TV studio – a great place to be as corridor sounds didn’t reach us and we could gather closely to hear each other well.  There were probably close to 50 people there – the best turnout we’ve ever seen for a first rehearsal.  It was great fun singing music we love and hearing the harmony.  We will have 3 more rehearsals before the final presentation at the end of our cruise and one more before we can gather to sing Edelweiss for those attending the Beerfest happening in a couple of days.

We went directly from that to the Traditional British Pub Lunch held in the very British looking Wheelhouse Bar.  Both of us enjoyed some very good fish and chips followed by the Bread and Butter pudding. 

Almost immediately after that we were back in the Princess Live! Studio for a presentation by Marin Graf on what it is like to come face to face with a Great White Shark.  He has had 15 years of diving experience working with a marine lab and had some fantastic super close up  pictures .

I decided to attend an art auction just to see what happens at one of those.  This is our fifteenth cruise with Princess and we’ve noticed huge quantities of art posted in galleries on the ship and always wondered who would come on a cruise to buy art work from the masters.  I found out today there are a fair number of people who do and they get some fantastic deals IF they are really interested.  Meanwhile the auctioneer gives a good deal of information about the work he is auctioning and a story about the artist so it is informative to attend.   One thing about cruises, you can dabble in many things just to find out about them or discover a new interest.

Ken went up on the track to put in more laps of walking in the afternoon while I worked on the computer and got cleaned up for the formal dinner and evening.  This usually happens on at least one of the sea days.  Our cruise will offer another such night at the end of the cruise.  In fact, that is probably when the Princess Pop Choir will provide entertainment in the Piazza – at least that has been our past experience.

We were able to get down to the pre-dinner music being offered by the Liberty String Quartet and not only enjoy their music but have the fun of watching many of the passengers strolling by in their formal wear.  It is fun to see how everyone dresses up for these formal nights.  While there are the few who simply won’t participate, most do and the variety of clothing styles is amazing.

Following dinner, we joined many others in the Piazza to watch people pouring champagne on the fountain of glasses while others were enjoying their glasses of champagne and special treats that were being passed out to all who desired them.  The senior officers of the various ship departments were introduced including our ships captain, Dino Sagani, who welcomed everyone.

Since we weren’t interested in the comedian who was providing the main show, we got our books and just settled down in the Vista Lounge for a relaxing hour while waiting for the magician, David Cats, we’d seen last night to perform one last show – all slight of hands tricks with playing cards and interlocking hoops.  He really was amazing.