Sea Day - Jan 6

Sea Day - January 6 

We did notice that we didn’t get any world cruise gifts on the bed like we have for the last 3. They did slip a letter under the door saying they would issue them after the rest of the full world cruises boarded. In the past we have gotten beach bags and backpacks. We’ll see what this one brings. We also got a free night at a specialty restaurant from our wonderful travel Agent Sharon with Cruise Vacation Outlet. She is just fabulous, and I have referred her to many friends who in turn have referred her to many of their friends. Sharon Mauras Sharon@cruisevacationoutlet.com

We spent some of the day rearranging our things in the cabin. We had breakfast at the buffet and then went to Bingo. Two us split the $150 pot so I got $75.00 They still have paper cards, but they also have the electronic ones that do everything for you. Personally, I am not a fan of them. Plus, the Bingo caller “Fortuna Luck” announces how many people are just one number away and also announces that someone has a Bingo. I prefer the suspense and quite frankly some people totally miss that they even have a Bingo. Fortuna Luck spends a lot of time “performing” and it seems there is at least 1 game less in the pack than there used to be.

After that we went to lunch in the dining room and sat with a table full of people that also are on for the full world cruise. On this first leg many are just doing the Panama Canal cruise and ending in Los Angeles. We have heard there are 400 full world cruisers on this leg and then in LA we pick up 600 more.

After lunch we spent some time in the indoor pool area reading.

It was a formal night, so we got ready for that and went to dinner. Both nights now they have put us in a table for 4 with Roy & Rondi, though both couples would like to sit at a larger table with 2 to 4 more people.

Dinner both nights have taken a long time and even though we have a very early dining time, we were almost late to the show the first night and the formal night we did miss the evening show and went to the later show. The dining room was well over half an hour opening so there was a long line to get in. So, that took a lot of time, plus just how slow the service was when we got in and ordered. (Apparently Cruise Critic people were given the dining room to play board games and cards and they didn’t leave on time so they could get the tables ready for dinner) 

While we waited for the second show, we went to the Explorer’s Lounge and sat in on the music trivia. We should have gone straight there, and we could have played along, We got there about 12 questions in, but when we played along on the recap we wouldn’t have won but would have come in second. (for a bottle of “cheap ship champagne”) 

The production Show was On the Bayou which was really good and very enjoyable. Very talented song & dance troupe. 

It was late after the show ended so we headed back to the cabin for bed. They did turn down service, but no longer put chocolates on the pillow. A few other cutbacks include no Princess paper and pens in the cabin. 

While the Medallion is supposed to expedite getting you drinks wherever you are we have yet to see that be effective. At dinner, we were well into the meal when we got them, and they were warm, and the ice had melted. While reading in the enclosed pool area, our drinks never came. Greg went to the bar and got them himself.

Tomorrow is another glorious sea day before Cartagena.