Day 32, At Sea – Super Bowl Monday 5 Feb 2018
The main event today was the Super Bowl and it would dominate today’s schedule. They moved up some of Barbara’s lectures to 9 AM which caused Tai Chi to be canceled. Tai Chi usually has an informal class in the Crow’s Nest when they must cancel the Queen’s Lounge Class. Judy forgot to check the Crow’s Nest to see if there was a class there. She heard later that there were only 10 people who went to the Crow’s Nest for the class.
There were several Super Bowl specials advertised in the bars. Reserved seating with butler service and unlimited drinks was $49.95. If you only wanted unlimited drinks – that was available for $34.95. Six bottle beer buckets were available from $29 to $34 depending on the brand.
Coffee Chat
Rock Rhapsody was the guest at Coffee Chat this morning. John, Alinta and Maddie discussed their backgrounds and how they came to be with the Rock Rhapsody group. Their background is in musical theater. Maddie was one of the finalist in a recent season of “Australia’s Got Talent “. They commented that every Australian performer has to perfect their American accent if they want to get any work outside of Australia.
Alinta
Maddie, Alinta and John
The Big Game
Super Bowl frenzy swept thru the Queens Lounge for the big game. Green “Game Day” pennants were displayed on the tables and hanging from the walls. A plastic football shaped noisemaker was placed on every table, but one women decided to scoop up an entire row’s worth of the noise makers to take back to her group. I arrived about 30 minutes early anticipating a large crowd, but it never materialized as there were plenty of choice seats available right up until kickoff.
The first few rows were cordoned off for guests who paid $49 per person for unlimited beverages and butler service. The rest of us enjoyed a nice selection of tail-gate food set up buffet style in the two entry hallways leading to the seating area on Deck 4. The culinary staff did a great job with the food. They prepared miniature Philly Cheese steaks and New England style lobster rolls. Also on the menu were Mini Ham and Cheese Sandwiches, Philly Fried Cheese Bits, Empanadas and New England Mini Corn Dogs.
Reserved seats like this went for $49 per person
Super Bowl noise maker
Entrance to the Queen’s Lounge
Queen’s Lounge before kickoff
Buffet line with tailgate food
New England Lobster Rolls
As the game progressed, the Queen’s lounge filled up, but enough people were leaving so you could always find a seat. The sports bar near the casino was another good spot to enjoy the game.
The game was projected on 3 large screens. Waiters roamed the area wearing Turkey Hats. I couldn’t make the connection between turkey hats and the Super Bowl. Maybe they were left over from Thanksgiving.
Captain Jonathan slipped into the Queens Room’s upper level right before kickoff. I couldn’t tell who he was rooting for.
The game was shown from an international feed thru Australia – so we got some Australian color commentary instead of the USA commercials. We were able to see the half time show and the cruise director staff hosted some trivia and other lounge games.
Texas Hold’em
I stepped out to play a couple of Texas Hold’em games and won both tournaments. Today was a day where I simply couldn’t lose. A few examples – I was the small blind and was dealt pocket 7’s. The flop produced 2 more 7’s giving me 4 of a kind. Fortunately for me, someone else had a straight so it turned out to be a nice pot. During the second game, I had a big blind special, a 2 and a 4 and since no one raised I could see the flop for free. The flop was A, 3, 5 giving me a straight while someone else had 2 pair which once again produced a nice win. Great days like these are rare, so I enjoy them when I can.
We were able to catch the end of the Super Bowl in the sports bar next to the Casino. What a great game – close and high scoring. The ship did a marvelous job with the Super Bowl. The food, service and atmosphere in the Queen’s lounge was first rate.
Not everything was about the SuperBowl – This Maori Dance class went on as scheduled in the Crow’s Nest
Ben held his class on perspective during the game
Dinner
Tonight’s dinner was delightful. I went with the lamb theme – ordering the grilled lamb appetizers and along with the lamb chops for the entrée. I joked with our server, Deden, that I wish they had lamb ice-cream so I could complete the trifecta. I always hesitate to mention any type of special request, even in jest, as the marvelous crew will often surprise you with their resourcefulness.
Queen’s Lounge
Ruben Vilagrand was the headliner in the Queens Lounge. He advertises his show as one featuring: “Mime, Magic and Comedy”. Ruben never speaks but puts on a marvelous show featuring sleight of hand and other illusions. He manages to skillfully include an audience member’s participation – all without saying a word.
