We leave Cartagena, Columbia and head North to George Town, Grand Cayman.
The seas are smooth and the clouds spotty. Periodically the near full moon peaks thru the clouds and provides a shimmering glow across the sea.
The day is filled with the usual activities plus some that only occur occasionally on longer cruises.
Volunteer crew members stage a show in the theater. Singers and musicans, the crew has lots of talent. The house is packed.
For nearly two weeks guests have been building contraptions to safely allow an egg to be dropped from deck 7 to the Centrum dance floor 40 feet below. 20 of the 25 entrants are successful. One entrant earns a bottle of bubbly for his excellent efforts.
My son would be proud to see the towel folding demonstration. Along with the turtles, elephants and swans was a roasted chicken, better known to my son as a dead chicken, a skill he mastered as a youngster and introduced to ship staff 30 years ago. OK Roasted chicken is probably a better name.
The battle of the pianos featured three of the piano players on the ship. One of the pianists played blindfolded. The same as last cruise, it was declared a tie. Actually, the audience won with an hour of top piano music.
The lounge is empty at 5:30 when the first seating in the dining room begins, but quickly becomes over crowded. Reynaldo is still the best bartender. Most of this trip I have been asking him to make me "baby" drinks. It has worked, the pours are normal not triple as he would do on his own. I think it inappropriate to ask what he will do with all the $2 bills I have tipped him. From my observation this group of passengers is good about tipping. Last trip I observed a demanding guest pretend to tip, but he put nothing in the tip jar. I can't say he didn't know better, only that he was cheap.
A few passengers have begun to pack. One couple, having been on the ship sice before she left Barcelona, is particularly concerned since they bought stuff in nearly every port. They will probably buy additional luggage in George Town
It is lobster, and formal night. I am talked into joining others in the dining room. Cheese tortellini for an appetizer and prime rib for the main course. The dining room manager and the head waiters were very pleased to see me. Despite assurances to the contrary, when a guest doesn't go to the dining room they assume it is because of them. Yes, I was offered real apple pie for dessert.
Not all passengers were happy. They did not have enough lobster for the last seating. Allegedly it will be offered again to those guests.
Lobster is not the only thing in short supply. Banannas have been rationed for the last month. Skim milk is scarce, and the supply of english muffins is gone. Hot chocolate mix and potato chips are hit and miss. Somedays they are available, others not. Nobody will starve.
Motion of the ship is negligible with the seas under three feet. We should be ready to go ashore by 8:30 in the morning.
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