Sea day, Mediterranean Sea – 2/5/2015 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

FEBRUARY 5, 2015 (Thursday)

Weather turned out pretty nice. The sea swells aren’t as high, the wind died down a little, and the sky is blue.

Didn’t sleep very well. Normally I sleep like a baby on a ship but the seas were so rough last night I thought I was getting sick. After about two hours, I was fine. Michael didn’t have a problem.

Today is a sea day. I had ordered room service for about 9:00 AM. They called before they brought it to us. Was nice having coffee, danish and orange juice in the room. Michael had a cup of coffee with me and then went upstairs for eggs and breakfast. After that he left for a photography class. I got up and got dressed and headed to the Cruise Critic meeting in the Le Bistro Restaurant, where I would meet up with Michael again.

Huge breakfast buffet, with omelet stations, and a huge abundance of fruits and juices. — Huge breakfast buffet, with omelette stations, and a huge abundance of fruits and juices.

Some for sale stuff, just need your room key card to buy it.

Walking past a pool, way to cool for my taste.

Hot tubs just don't call to us here. No restrooms nearby and lots of young people. — Hot tubs just don’t call to us here. No restrooms nearby and lots of young people.

Edie likes copper and admired this piece several times.

When I got to Le Bistro, the ship had a very nice arrangement going on. We all got name tags, there was coffee, orange juice, danish, tea, and water available. Michael showed up right at 11:00 AM, when the meeting started. I think about 50-75 people were there and the main people doing the tours were able to talk. They also had head staff from the ship there, who were introduced by the activities director. Made it very nice. After that everyone said their names (on line names also) and where they were from. Fun getting to know people that you had been reading and talking to online. We got to meet the people we’re doing the tours with, and got more information on tours and tips. Really enjoyed it.

Cruise critic meeting in a vacant for pay, evening restaurant. — Cruise Critic meeting in a vacant for pay, evening restaurant.

Dark suit in center of photo was top executive over the hotel and cruise staff. He showed up and spoke briefly. I liked him.

I thought the ship must not understand what cruise critic does, since it takes excursions away from the ship sales staff. Kind of a TUG for cruising. — I thought the ship must not understand what Cruise Critic does, since it takes excursions away from the ship sales staff. Kind of a TUG for cruising.

Michael and I just walked around a little bit after the meeting. He had made arrangements to play chess with Ellis (a nice man we had met the night before and who was also at the Cruise Critic meeting). I went off to the Medusa Lounge to learn some Greek, and to learn some Greek dancing. We met up in the room after everything was done. Michael was the last to arrive and was really bummed because Ellis creamed him in chess. Michael wants a re-match. We didn’t want to but we ended up taking a little nap before going to dinner.

There is so much settlement all around the Mediterranean.

I have a whole new appreciation for white caps.

Our cabin stewardess, Lenna. She was outstanding, sweet and nice. She bugged us she was so thorough. If we stepped out for 5 minutes we came back to a made bed and straightened room. If we took a nap and went out, we came back to a made bed. We started feeling guilty. We think we left her a nice tip above and beyond the $12. per day, per person that the ship collects and disburses.

Edie's greek dancing class. — Edie’s Greek dancing class.

She was taking the pictures and had a lot of fun.

This fellow is the teacher and ship magician.

Edie didn't know it at the time, but she would later be chosen to be his beautiful assistant for a lounge act. He kept her with him for almost the whole show. — Edie didn’t know it at the time, but she would later be chosen to be his beautiful assistant for a lounge act. He kept her with him for almost the whole show.

We decided to go to the Alizar Restaurant for dinner tonight. It’s one of the more formal complimentary restaurants on the ship. We had an excellent waiter, Jesus, from the Philippines. We would get to see him a lot on this cruise. He would become famous and a star on the ship. We were seated right away (around 6:00 PM) in our own table. Michael ordered a garden salad and a chicken breast. I ordered a spinach salad and steak. For dessert Michael got a chocolate cake with ice cream; I got a banana split. Everything was excellent and flavorful. While we were eating we also got to visit with the people around us, which is always fun.

Edie's salad, ranch on the side. — Edie’s salad, ranch on the side.

The salads were delicate and delicious. Mine.

Roasted chicken for me, trying to avoid a gout attack on this trip.

Edie really enjoyed her steak, onion rings and potatoes.

Edie's banana split. One of her all time favorite desserts, but this was the only one she had on the entire trip. — Edie’s banana split. One of her all time favorite desserts, but this was the only one she had on the entire trip.

We left dinner and headed straight for the Stardust Theater. The show tonight was with the “Soul Satisfaction” group that we had heard a little of last night. They were excellent and did a little Barry White, Marvin Gay, Platters, and much more. Great energy and great fun. Thoroughly enjoyed the show and hated it to end so soon. I’m hoping we’ll get to see them again during the cruise.

We got back to our room around 9:00 PM and watched TV for awhile before heading off to sleep. That was our day. Hope yours was great!