I Love The Nightlife Lyrics
Please don't talk about love tonight.
Please don't talk about sweet love.
Please don't talk about being true
and all the trouble we've been through.
Ah, please don't talk about all of the plans
we had for fixin' this broken romance.
I want to go where the people dance.
I want some action ... I want to live!
Action ... I got so much to give.
I want to give it. I want to get some too.
Oh, I ... Ohhh I ... I love the nightlife,
I got to boogie on the disco 'round, oh yea.
Oh, I love the night life,
I got to boogie on the disco 'round, oh yea.
And I thought the art of song writing was dead.
The first afternoon and evening of a cruise is time to acclimate yourself to the ship. The direction and location of cabins and public venues are really very simple. And if you should find yourself somewhat lost you can check THE POCKET MAP GUIDE YOU GOT AT CHECK-IN. When you realize you don't have it in your pocket, there are maps and signs all over the ship. A lot of them have a little red dot; YOU ARE HERE.
Port is left and the cabin numbers are even. It's easy to remember even, port and left all have four letters.
Starboard is right and the cabin numbers are odd. Starboard has eight letters and odd has three, it's too confusing. Just remember port isn't your side.
Cabin numbers go from low to high and forward to aft. They start at 102 in the bow (front) and go to the 700's (aft).
The buffet is on the Lido deck, number 14. It's the big deck with the pools. It's easy to find, just look and see where all the elevators are at meal times.
I'm describing Princess Grand Class ships. Other lines use different numbering systems for their cabins but the nautical terms are always the same. Getting around a cruise ship is not that difficult. So I can't help but wonder why I see couples arguing about which way to go on the last day of the cruise. "I told you our cabin was this way," she says and gives her husband a little push. I've come to a distinct conclusion. Women have a much better sense of direction as they are almost always right.
When Wanda and I sail together I simply follow her. That way I don't have to think much. Although I was alone on this one I did quite well. I had my name and cabin number written on a note pinned to my shirt. "If found wandering please direct me to my cabin."
The first afternoon and evening is the time to acquire your "sea legs." I've never, ever, ever had a problem with rocking seas. I've experienced them a couple of times but haven't been bothered. This entire cruise the ocean and coastal waters were like sheets of glass. The ships are very stable and low decks a mid-ship even more so. And if you are prone to motion there are lots of options for prevention's and cures.
Granted, I am a bit prejudiced as I love a cruise vacation but I feel people who don't at least try one because they are concerned about what MAY happen are missing a most enjoyable slice of life.
This was my twelfth sail out under the Golden Gate Bridge. It never gets old and is always exciting. There are always people up there yelling and waving as the stacks clear the underside of the bridge. It was 89 when we set sail which is incredibly warm for San Francisco. The average temperature this time of year is 65. People were out on deck in shirtsleeves which was a sail-a-way first for me. The weather the entire cruise was glorious.
I packed light but still over packed. With each cruise I'm getting more proficient with my clothing allocation. I have accumulated enough credits to qualify for (among other things) free laundry on the next cruise, Wanda too if she goes with me. I'm going to pack enough for half the cruise and send it out for washing mid-week. I'm working on the day I'll be naked while waiting for clean clothing but I'll come up with something.
Our next scheduled cruise is in October, a celebration of 25 years of marriage and no jail time.
It takes about an hour to clear the bridge and begin the journey. After the deck party ended and people started scattering I went back to my cabin and unpacked. I brought a pair of Dockers for the dining room. I didn't need them as I never ate there. The first night I went to the buffet and the food and selections were outstanding and hands down the best I've ever had. I hope this is going to be the norm and not the exception.
Buffet food is subjective. It's never terrible and I can always find something I like, but some are better than others. I'm not Emeril or Guy or Wolfgang, why would anyone use the name Wolf-gang? Wolfgang Puck...it sounds like a hockey team. I'm relatively easy to please.
There were many entree' choices each evening, one night I counted a dozen. Maryland Crab Cakes, Beef Wellington, grilled salmon made to order, Black Forest Ham in a maple brown sugar glaze, fish and chips, fresh pasta made to order, pork chops, prime rib and lots more. They had sides and salads, appetizers, fruit, cheese selections and desserts, lots of desserts. Each evening had a dozen or more selections including cakes, pie and cookies, warm cobblers, crisps, bread puddings, Bananas Foster and Cherries Jubilee.
One evening I was waiting for my grilled to order salmon when I overheard a woman say, "I can't find anything I like."
On one of our Alaskan cruises about six days in we were on a tender going ashore and someone said, "Oh great, they have a McDonald's. I've been craving one all week."
Food is very subjective. I haven't eaten a fast food anything in fifteen or twenty years. I'm sure there are people that can't live without it. I guess it's whatever floats your boat. I've said it before and I'll say it again, just because it's there doesn't mean you have to eat it. But if you want something nourishing or a decedent dessert or even a little "junk food" you can find it on a cruise ship.
In addition to the buffet Princess offers Traditional Dining which is same people, same table, same wait staff. Times are early 5:30 and late 7:45. Or you can choose Anytime Dining. It's like a land based restaurant where you can sit alone or with others, it's your choice. One dining room is open from 5:30 to 9:00 and a second from 7:30 to 10:00.
Or you can go to the Trident Grill for pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs and sausage from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you would like one of several very good made to order hand thrown pizza's Alfredo's is open from 11:30 a.m. to late, and they mean late. I ate there after a show around 11 p.m. and the place was still packed at mid-night. The International Cafe is open 24 hours for coffee, pastries, soup, salads and sandwiches.
Some people think spending money to eat on a cruise ship is foolish, they say "Why pay for something you can get for free?" Princess has the Crown Grill (steaks and seafood), Sabatini's (Italian cuisine), and the new Crab Shack. For $20-$25 per person you get an excellent meal that would cost you at least twice that on land.
The ship also has eleven bars just in case you want a drink.
Each morning I went to the International Cafe for a latte and wandered up to the Horizon Court buffet for breakfast at 6 a.m. I ate oatmeal, yogurt, one strip of bacon, a small scoop of scrambled eggs, coffee and one pancake or a small waffle, no butter but a little maple syrup At home I drink coffee and this was a big breakfast but I walked miles each day so I burned it off.
One of my favorite things on A Princess ship is MUTS or Movies Under the Stars. When Princess first rolled out the idea of a giant pool area movie screen the traditionalists were livid. "I like it quiet they bellowed (get that pun) this will be an affront to cruising." Well it's not and people love it. One afternoon hundreds gathered to watch and tap their feet to "Dirty Dancing" and "Mama Mia" had them singing and dancing in the aisles. Not really isles but rows between deck chairs, people had fun. We should take more time for fun.
One evening I watched the first half hour of "Saving Mr. Banks" on the big screen then went down to the Vista Lounge and watched "American Hustle" then back to MUTS and came in where I left to finish Mr. Banks.
One day, three meals, two movies and a comfortable room. I had oatmeal, yogurt and coffee in my Portland Hotel dining room and the bill was $17.50. If you haven't figured out what a bargain a cruise vacation is, you need a new calculator.
Next time: I'll wrap up the cruise and my time in Portland. Thanks for reading the blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment