MSC Divina; Day 3 at Sea – 12/15/2014

December 15, 2014 (Monday)

Got up to the knock on our door that our breakfast had arrived. We had our coffee and ate our croissant out on the balcony. So warm and wonderful. Love it. Could easily live on a ship.

Breakfast via room service.  Modest, but pretty good.
Breakfast via room service. Modest, but pretty good.

We left our room around 10:30 AM and went as high up on the ship as we could. We ended up in the Galaxy Lounge. We sat at the windows overlooking the pool area and just people watched for quite awhile. We also saw the library and cyber cafe . We had wanted to check our email but it cost $6.00 just to sign in and then 60 cents a minute. Yuck to that, especially since it’s satellite and very slow.

Strolling topside.
Strolling topside.
As high as we could go.
As high as we could go.
So many lounges, so easy to get lost, turned around, confused, and missing our GPS.
So many lounges, so easy to get lost, turned around, confused, and missing our GPS.
The library.
The library.
A little used and expensive restaurant on board.
A little used and expensive restaurant on board.
Hard to remember Christmas is near.
Hard to remember Christmas is near.
I wondered at the physics that made some clouds white and fluffy and others dark, all under the same sky and sun.
I wondered at the physics that made some clouds white and fluffy and others dark, all under the same sky and sun.

We went down to The Black Crab to have lunch. They seated us at our own two person table. Pretty boring with just Michael and I. We so much prefer having new people to talk to. Michael had chicken salad and I had a gnocchi. Pretty good. For dessert we each had apple pie with ice cream. The portions here are very small (good thing).

Our head waiter, again.  He liked having his picture taken.
Our head waiter, again. He liked having his picture taken.
Edie's shrimp appetizer.
Edie’s shrimp appetizer.
These were mine, A rice ball, mixed with seasonings and mushrooms, breaded and fried.  So delicious.
These were mine, A rice ball, mixed with seasonings and mushrooms, breaded and fried. So delicious.
My chicken salad.
My chicken salad.
Edie had gnocchi, she liked it.
Edie had gnocchi, she liked it.
We both had Apple pie with ice cream.
We both had apple pie with ice cream.

After lunch we went to the casino. They were having a special today where they gave everyone of gambling age $5.00 to use in the casino. Michael and I used their money to enjoy about two minutes worth of gambling. Didn’t want to waste any more money so we left and went into the Pantheon Theater. They were having a precious gems speaker. He talked about diamonds, tanzanite, and other fine gems.

A presentation for who to see in San Maarten to buy diamonds, tanzanite, emeralds, etc.  Did not realize that it was such a bargain in the Caribbean.
A presentation for who to see in St. Maarten to buy diamonds, tanzanite, emeralds, etc. Did not realize that it was such a bargain in the Caribbean.
Edie liked this part of the presentation.
Edie liked this part of the presentation.

 

We walked upstairs and took a short nap before we went back to the Pantheon Theater to see their newest production called “Love Me,”  showing at 4:00 PM.  It was a shortened version of an Italian opera. Michael and I didn’t enjoy it but many people did. I enjoyed the male voice but the female sounded like a screeching cat to me and I just wanted her to stop.

Opera, oh yea!  Not really my cup of tea.
Opera, oh yea! Not really my cup of tea.

 

After that we headed upstairs again before going down to dinner. Tonight is Italian nite. Many Italian choices and the servers parade around with the tiramisu dessert. The napkins were green, red, and white; the servers wore Italian colored vests; and there was an Italian flag runner on the table. Fun. All the people assigned to our table showed up and it was nice talking to them again. Michael ordered a calamari appetizer, a small salad, and chicken scallopini with marsella sauce. I had antipasta appetizer; wonderful bean and pasta soup; and the chicken scallopini with marsella sauce. Very flavorful and very good. For dessert we had a warm brownie with ice cream. Excellent. We are full but not overly so.

 

Our assigned table, Ron in the corner view.
Our assigned table, Ron in the corner view.
Ron and Shirley, a delightful couple.  It seemed whatever woman sat next to Ron, they felt comfortable slapping his shoulder and arm on one side while Shirley would hit him on the other.  Good thing he is a big guy with strong shoulders.
Ron and Shirley, a delightful couple. It seemed whatever woman sat next to Ron, they felt comfortable slapping his shoulder and arm on one side while Shirley would hit him on the other. Good thing he is a big guy with strong shoulders.
Denise and Danie, from Quebec, mother and daughter, so nice and fun, especially with the french accent.
Denise and Danie, from Quebec, mother and daughter.  So nice and fun, especially with the French accent.
Edie's antipasta.  She couldn't touch the red meat.
Edie’s antipasta. She couldn’t touch the red meat.
Mary and Zoe, Florida residents, former California neighbors, lived much of their lives next door and saw each other's kids into adult hood.  Very nice and fun.
Mary and Zoe, former California neighbors, lived much of their lives next door and saw each other’s kids into adult hood. Very nice and fun.
I had calamari, it was light in flavor.
I had calamari, it was light in flavor.
Edie had a bean soup, which she thought was excellent.
Edie had a bean soup, which she thought was excellent.
They had us wave our napkins around as they paraded dessert.
They had us wave our napkins around as they paraded dessert.
I had a warm brownie with ice cream.
I had a warm brownie with ice cream.
Edie had the same.  We really enjoyed it.
Edie had the same. We really enjoyed it.

 

We talked yesterday after taking the steps up after we ate and decided we would give ourselves a break and use the elevator after eating dinner. We took the elevator and looked for our free picture that was taken at dinner tonight. We were told it wouldn’t show up on the board until tomorrow.

We have opted not to go to the show tonight (more Italian singing). It’s only about 8:30 PM but we’re tired and ready for bed. Such party animals we are. That was our day. Hope yours was great!