For those of you still with me I sure do appreciate the company.
Last night I guess we hit open sea, the Atlantic Ocean to be exact. I do not use or own a GPS, nor am I a ship navigator, or do I play one on TV. I am pretty sure we are in open ocean due to several things. The first hint was a Celebrity Today left on our bed, along with two pillow chocolates, an ad for fourteen dollar watches and a partridge on a cold, hard, unripe pear.(rather than one IN a pear tree) Bringing up the age-old question: why put whole fruit out in a public area? Don’t you want to pick up and squeeze an apple, orange, and especially a pear before taking it? I do, and I know a great secret for finding ripe pears, however, I leave them alone for fear of grabbing one that’s not yet ripe. I don’t want to get "stuck" and maybe waste something, so I leave it be.
I would like to see nothing but ripe, ready to eat fruit left out in public areas. Also, one morning I watched a man’s blood pressure go up almost to stroke mode. Please, put out the frozen berries after they have thawed. It is truly amazing what bothers and annoys some people; a frozen berry can ruin an entire morning.
I love walking in our cabin before bedtime. We have been at dinner and whatever else has caught our fancy and now it’s time to retire. Isn’t it just great seeing the place all straightened up, something to read on the bed, and the toilet paper in that little point?
Oh, I was writing about the ocean, sorry. The other couple of reasons I knew we were in open water? The little map ship thing on the TV was pointed at Newfoundland and we had been rocking, rolling, and bumping around since dinner. I loved it.
There are always a number of people concerned about getting seasick A few minutes ago I read a question about waters between San Francisco and Mexico for October of next year. There may be some areas that have a better chance of being rough but there is really no way to tell. I think it’s a pretty good bet if someone is susceptible to motion sickness they may have a problem. If you think you do have an issue, talk to your doctor and get some medication. Or try sea bands or something over the counter. Don’t pass on a cruise because of something that MAY happen. Go, have fun, just be prepared like the boy scouts say.
Some people like sea days and others, days exploring ports. I have no preference. The cruise lines and Celebrity have many interesting activities all day. There is a nice comfortable library, a card room, a casino, and lots of shops on the ship. I love to read but rarely pick up a book, as I am afraid I may miss something. I love looking out on the water; it is so hypnotic it’s no wonder I fall asleep so easily. I know most of you readers have sailed many times but for the benefit of those that haven’t, there is no right or wrong, you can do whatever you like.
I will never understand the husband who tells his wife, "I’ve gone on one cruise, why would I go again?" Well, the fact that his wife might like to go should be enough. I will admit though, I am not a therapist, nor do I play on one on TV. The thing about a cruise, any cruise? There is always something, or nothing, to do.
At 10am Thursday, our first day at sea we went to our Cruise Critic get together. Other reviews mention the issue with several things scheduled at the same time. This was one thing that would be a shame to miss. Over the past year many of the folks on this cruise got to know one another on web sites. There is something that immediately clicks with people that love to cruise; can you guess what that is? Wanda and I have cruised with many friends who were part of this meeting. There was no way we could expect to remember and know the majority of the two hundred fifty plus people who received invitations. The cruise director told us this was the largest group he had yet seen, or for that matter heard about. It’s so nice to see familiar friendly faces around the ship. Many close relationships have developed because of the Internet, an added plus for something we love.
Everyone has different reasons for going on their first cruise. Ours was the death of a friend. Wanda and I talked about sailing to Alaska many times and never went further than that. When Penny passed away at 54 we decided to do, not just talk, about these things we wanted. We realize how lucky we are and wake up each day thankful.
One of the late mornings of a sea day we had the TV on the bow web cam. Wanda noticed a couple of figures taking down the railings around the helicopter pad. She wondered out loud if a craft would be landing. Sometime later it became obvious an evacuation was going to take place. First a large airplane flew over the ship followed by a Coast Guard helicopter. The craft did not land but repelled two men down onto the deck, then a stretcher. By this time we were at a large gathering in a friends cabin. As that stretcher was lowered the cabin became very still, very quiet. I was thinking about someone I didn’t know, how I hoped they would be OK. To be honest, I was also thinking about us, how lucky we were.
Over the course of the next three days we followed my advice above. Wanda did many different things and I examined the insides of my eyelids regularly. Each day, actually each hour up to at least 6pm there were things one could participate in. Wanda went to many of the trivia games held. A very popular one is the ongoing "Battle of the Sexes" which continues throughout the cruise. The game is played with a team of men against the ladies. The daily point total is compounded with each session, crowning a group "Winner of the Cruise." The game is played with each team getting a question that is deemed more slanted to the other side. If the question is answered correctly that team gets a point, if missed, the question then goes to the other team, theoretically the ones that should know the answer. I’ve never played but have observed and these folks are much too good for me!
Yes, there is still Bingo, and napkin folding, and flower demonstrations. For the active person there are sports activities, dance lessons, and fitness seminars. Celebrity has a good "Enrichment Series" with many different topics. On this cruise we had a maritime historian who spoke to standing room only in the Celebrity Theater. You can spend time (and money) in the casino games or play in different tournaments. There are slots and blackjack, the very popular Texas Hold ‘Em had a fifty and a one hundred-dollar tourney each sea day. There are also art auctions, wine tasting, drink mixology and movies every day. Bridge is popular and there are always games going. The ship has a very nice bright game room with monopoly; scrabble, chess, checkers or backgammon and almost all the pieces are intact.
If all else fails, if nothing appeals to you, there’s food, glorious food. If you have done many cruises you may still be on a diet from the last one. Go ahead, you have my permission to skip this entire section. From the time most reasonable people wake until they go to bed the ship has food, glorious food. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner and snacks in between. You can go to the buffet, go to the restaurant, or stay in your cabin. You can find pizza, salads, pasta and ice cream. Among many cruisers there is the nagging debate, is the food good and has it gone downhill? Wanda and I have never walked away from a table unhappy or disappointed. If you don’t care for something all you need to do is ask for something else. The staff is there to help you enjoy your cruise; all you need do is remember that.
I mentioned the cruise lines all have some sort of lecture series’. Ours had the maritime expert; an artist who gave classes and a vocal coach who did the same.
Also on the lecture circuit was a "Space Expert" who had, among other things, photographs from every space shot and moon landing. I have seen computer classes, digital photography, and all sorts of health and fitness lectures. Heck, you can have you finger, and toenails clipped and polished. How about a hair cut or shave (just the guys, please) various types of message and body manipulations. You can make an appointment for acupuncture treatments and get your teeth whitened. If you can think of it, you can probably watch it, listen to it, do it, or have it done to you while on a cruise ship.
For us, days at sea are a chance to relax, the evenings a chance to see the entertainment. The first evening, Thursday, Wanda and I went to the theater after dinner. Usually sea days have a late show at 10:45, port days you need to go before dinner, at 7. This evening we saw Scott Record, a singer, comedian, impressionist. He was terrific! We both thought Scott was THE most talanted guy of this style we had seen on a ship (and just about everywhere else). Really, let’s face it, some of the acts are schmaltzy. It was very easy to picture Scott on a big stage in ‘Vegas.
Over the evenings the many choices included: The Celebrity Singers and Dancers with the production show "Rhythm of the Night" I have to give a lot of credit to these kids just being out on stage. The ship was moving lots by this time. It may have been the motion; however, we didn’t care for this show. The costumes were scary, the arrangements stale. Honestly, please, no more "Man of La Mancha."
The theater also presented Michael James a comic we didn’t see. The smaller bars, clubs, and public areas showcased performers Perry Grant, a piano singer and all around Liberace type guy. "The Tonics." A very good acapela group, as well as various singers and bands. For the young and young at heart the Disco was a pit stop. For the brave, Karakoe.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were well spent and a perfect bridge between two worlds. We left Europe behind, each hour moving us closer to Newfoundland. Each evening we discovered our "turned down bed" chocolates on the pillows and toilet paper points. Each night we turned our clocks back, one hour both Thursday and Friday and thirty minutes Saturday. All of these "extra" hours were very nice indeed. We went to bed Saturday night, rocked to sleep, not with thoughts of sugarplums but St. John’s in our heads.
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