Day 22 –  At Sea

It was nice to have a sea day after 4 straight port days.  This was the longest stretch of port days for the entire cruise.  For the remainder of the cruise, our longest stretch will be 3 in a row.

If you have any inkling that you may be bored on sea days during a world cruise – fugetaboutit.  Grand Voyages, and particularly Grand World Voyages are chock full of activities from dawn till midnight.  Check out the daily programs, which you can find on my blog, and then compare them to daily programs from my normal cruises (also on the blog) and you will see what I mean.

Morning Activities

Our routines by now are well established, but I will try to sample each activity at least once during the cruise.

Judy’s Morning Tai Chi class has progressed to step 10 – ‘Wave Hands in the Clouds’.

I stopped by the Lido Dome at 9 AM for the class on how to weave an Island Treasure.  The tables were full, but not overflowing.  Here is a picture of the “Island Treasure”.

Mary making a bracelet

Texas Hold’em continues to be very popular, with the time people start to queue getting earlier and earlier.  I won’t go down any earlier than 10 minutes prior to sign-up and am willing to take whatever sessions may be remaining.  Most people are only signing up for one of the two daily tournaments so that most everyone gets to play in at least one game.

Since I didn’t make the Texas Hold’em cut, I was able to spend more time with the knitting group.

I am starting to learn the 2 x 2 rib.  Progress remains slow, but steady.

Margaret showing off her first project

Hyperion Knight

We wanted to watch Hyperion Knight practice at 10 AM in the Explorers lounge.  When we went down there at 10 AM we were disappointed to find that he was just wrapping up as he moved his starting time to 9AM to deconflict with another activity in the Explorers lounge at 10:30.  Susan, from our table, arrived early and was able to listen to his practice.  Hyperion cheerfully took requests from the audience and provided interesting commentary as he practiced.  He is a marvelous performer and an all around nice guy.  Don’t miss his show if he is playing in your area.  He does play with a variety of Orchestras around the country so check out his website HERE if you are interested.   Here are his future performances

FEBRUARY 14 CONCERT IN HOBE SOUND, FLORIDA

FEBRUARY 25 CONCERT IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND
RECITAL AT THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF AMERICA AT 2PM

MARCH 18 CONCERT IN MAUI, HAWAII AT 3:00
GERSHWIN CONCERTO IN F WITH THE MAUI POPS ORCHESTRA

Afternoon Activities

Judy’s drawing class today was sketching from a slide of Michelangelo’s David from several vantage points.

The craft project today was a drop earring that had a flower shape with 2 beads.  Attendance at crafts has stabilized to around 100 guests.  Judy get’s there about 10 minutes before the scheduled starting time and is usually one of the last to arrive.

During the Captain’s noon navigational update, he discussed the current sea state and that it was not looking good for tendering into Cook’s Island tomorrow.  This port has a reputation for getting cancelled due to strong wave conditions affecting tendering operations.  I don’t think anyone will be too surprised if we aren’t able to get ashore.

We had lunch by the pool today and I tried the Lido Market salad bar.  You are not allowed to make your own selections and must tell the attendant what you would like.  They have several people waiting on guests, so the line moves quickly.  The salad bowels are huge – about the size of a volleyball cut in half.

Texas Hold’em

I suffered a “bad beat” today which knocked me out in third place.  I had an A 6 with the flop being A 4 2.  We were both “all in” and had our cards face up after the flop.  My opponent showed a Q 7 and I was felling pretty good when the Ace appeared and he had nothing.  My joy was short lived when the next two cards were Queens giving him Three of a Kind.  I have had my share of being on the other side of these, so it all sorta works out in the end.

Pub Trivia

Our march to mediocrity continues at Pub Trivia.  We learned that Hyperion Knight, the virtuoso pianist, is an avid trivia player.  We have spotted him at Pub Trivia and I think he also participates in the morning trivia edition as well.

Ben Sacks

Our dinner guest this evening was the drawing instructor, Ben Sacks.  Ben is from Leesburg VA.  He discussed the cruise mural he is working on that will be five feet high by seven feet wide when complete.

Judy, Ben and Bob sharing a light moment

Table 303 always has a great time at dinner

Rick was designated an honorary Scotsman on Robert Burns Day

The Queens Room

We enjoyed a wonderful show this evening by three male vocalists called “The Knights”.  They featured the music from the various British “Knights” of the music industry; Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Tom Jones among many others.  Their show was high energy from start to finish.  The fabulous Amsterdam Orchestra accompanied them and had the opportunity for solo performances from each band member.  The show opened with music from Elton John: Crocodile Rock and Circle of Life, and continued to the Beatles with a beautiful rendition of the Les Misérables favorite “One Day More” along the way.

Simon, Andy and Sam

Sam

Simon, Pete, Sam, Judy and Andy