The ship is secured to the pier a little after 7:00. By 7:45 passengers begin to head ashore. The temperature is in the mid 70's, the sky partially cloudy. On the 7th deck, where my cabin is, there is a light breeze.
Plans have been made to have breakfast in the dining room about 8:30. Bill calls and he is on the way. My French toast is good, but not as good as in Chops.
Lynne shares that she went to the medical facility last night because of dental pain from a dislodged crown that had been reattached by her dentist a few weeks ago. Some magic potion seemed to dull the pain for the night, but had returned by the end of breakfast. She had been instructed to come back if needed, but not until after 11 this morning as the medical staff would be busy giving all crew members flu shots.
By 10 AM the drinking party was going strong at Senor Frogs, a popular spot just off the end of the pier. If I had any inkling of wandering over for a beer and some popcorn, assuming they still have the complimentary snack to encourage more drinking, it was quickly discarded by the noise of the party.
I finally have the chance to try the pizza that has been reported to have been reformulated. The pizza is no longer in Sorrentos, but is part of the Cafe Promendade which also incorporates Ben and Jerry's and coffee service.
Thin crust, with several of the common choices such as cheese, or pepperoni. It is good, but my memory is not good enough to make a specific comparison to when I had it several years ago.
Back in my cabin for a few minutes, there is a knock at the door. It is the housekeeping manager making an inspection of cabins. Basically checking up on the cabin steward. I assure him that everything is in order and after checking some boxes on his form he moves on to the next cabin. I know this is often done, but this is the first time I remember being in the cabin at the right moment.
Speaking of injuries and the medical facility, while in the Windjammer yesterday one of the staff severly burned his hand while reaching to serve a passenger. He claimed he was OK, but a supervisor had him go to the medical facility for evaluation. I wish him the best.
The sun is out about 20% of the day. Most of the rest of the time it is cloudy except for a brief period mid afternoon when the heavens open up for about 30 minutes. Many passengers get an extra cooling off on the walk back to the ship. From the balcony I felt the rain was cold, but I do live in Florida so now anything below 75 is cold.
Just as the rain started an ambulance arrives at the gangway. The EMT's start to get out, but seeing the rain approaching they get back inside where they wait until the rain stops. Once they won't get wet they board the ship and return with a young man that looks like he could be a crew member. based on his dress.
I have no idea how much I walk everyday and decide to see if a phone app will tell me. With my first attempt I am unable to get the app to register any steps. I am sure it is operator error of some sort so I move on to the Samsung app that is built into my phone. It just needed configuring and updating. Success. It works.
I deliberately take a walk outside on deck 5 to see what it says. 24 steps. Impossible, but I didn't count them. I walk a short distance, counting every step. 40. I look at my phone. It has added over 250 to the previous count. I am unimpressed. Maybe the other pocket. Still no where near a reasonable count. This sounded like a good idea, but my phone is not accurate enough to be meaningful. Before cell phones were so prevalent I had a mechanical pedometer. It was no better. Probably it is just me.
Back to listening to my book. For years I used some cheap earbuds that you keep after taking a tour and listening to the recorded audio in your choice of languages. I can't imaging they cost more than $1.00 for the tour operator. I splurged and bought an expensive $15 set from Amazon. They do work much better.
I look off the balcony just in time to see a group of passengers returning form shore. One young female passenger is so drunk she gets back to the ship in a wheelchair. Her comrades carry her onto the ship. More what I expect to see on Carnival than Royal.
While in the Schooner bar I run into George, a fellow passenger I met years ago but haven't seen in probably five. He has sold his home and is now planning to live exclusively on a cruise ship. He currently is booked on the Mariner until June when he moves to another ship because the entire ship has been chartered by a group. Royal is transfering him to a ship sailing out of Tampa until he can return to the Mariner. If I were to consider such a move, it wouldn't be on a ship that does 4 and 5 day turns.
The show tonight is the first performance for a new cast of the show entitled "Gallery of Dreams". They do a good job and the lower level of the theater is 80% full. I can see no one in the balcony which is reserved for the unvaccinated.
As we head north from Cozumel the seas slowly build. Initially ship motion is barely perceptable, but eventually reaches the point that most passengers probably can feel it.
Tomorrow will be as a sea day as we head back to Port Canaveral.