DAY 3-AT SEA

Red circle with yellow arrow indicates our noon position today.  The noon temperature was 79F.  It is very windy on upper deck as wind speed is 19 kts out of the east and ship is basically heading into the wind at 20 kts so that makes the relative wind speed on deck of 39 kts.  The swimming pool is closed today.

The Captain said over PA during his noon report that as of now, we WILL only be half hour late arriving at St Barts.  BUT, the swell there may be too big for safely tendering us ashore.  There is no dock there so we will have to use the ship's lifeboats (tenders) to get from ship to shore.  You will hear this term several times during our trip as several of the smaller ports do not have docking facilities for our cruise ship.

What We Are Doing Today:
Last night we had to move our clocks ahead an hour so we had breakfast from room service at 8:30. They got the correct cereal for me today.  I had some nice blueberries with the cereal.  Rebecca always has scrambled eggs (protein diet).  We went to the fitness center a little later today to avoid morning rush hour there.  Worked out good.  I asked Vefa, the fitness director, about the broken treadmill.  He said that the ship's maintenance men could not fix it so they will remove it from center tonight.  Out of sight out of mind!  Since they have very limited equipment available to begin with I believe they should have back up machines to replace any that become inop while away from US ports.  There is an aerobics room that could accommodate more equipment and still allow for aerobics classes.  Ok, I'm not the boss.  Just my two cents worth, Jason!!

At lunch today across from the pool grill outside they were grilling fresh fish and had seafood buffet set up.  So lunch options were:  1) Dine more formally down in Compass Rose, 2)  Dine at the La Veranda buffet, 3)  Dine at the seafood buffet on pool deck, OR 4) Get a burger, hotdog, or other sandwich at the pool grill.  We got a table inside at La Veranda.  Rebecca made a nice salad.  I went out to the seafood buffet and brought mine inside.  The cioppino (fish & shell fish stew) was very yummy so I had two bowls.  I also got a piece of grilled salmon and piece of corvina which we shared.

Above are photos of the seafood buffet.  Below is photo of the pool grill.

Let me go back now to talk some about last night.  As always, the "block party" was a huge hit.  We have a super nice couple of London on one side of us and two sisters from south Texas on the other.  Unfortunately, both couples will be leaving in Lima, Peru (end of the first segment of this cruise).  We both had the veal osso buco as entrees in Compass Rose.  We asked to be seated with the waiter, Dennis, whom we know for several years.  He will be leaving on his vacation in a week or so after working on Mariner for the past 8 months.  I was at the theater door when it opened at 8:00pm so I could grab front row seats.  We really enjoy all the production shows.  Last night's was great.

Ok, on tap for tonight is the Captain's Welcome Aboard reception and dinner.  As it is formal optional dress, I will be wearing my tux, and Rebecca, one of her St John's outfits.  The reception is from 6:00 to 6:45 in the theater.  At 7:00 we will be dining with Jamie and Dana. (cruise director and assistant cruise director, his wife).  Tonight's showtime in the theater features vocalist, Alberto Sanchez.  He is a tenor and has performed in numerous opera houses in the US and Canada.

****As a reminder, you can click on the photos to enlarge them.