Day 50, Sailing towards Semarang, Indonesia

Early this morning we continued our transit northwest thru the Bali Sea, enroute to the Java Sea before turning west toward Semarang. With partly cloudy skies, land was visible just a few miles off our port side when we woke up this morning. As is typical for us following a big port day, we didn’t do a whole lot as we simply wanted to rest and get ready for our very early tour tomorrow. We’ll need to meet in the Queens Lounge at 6:15 for our tour to Borobudur.

Our room service breakfast was delivered promptly at 8:00 as has become our routine.   If I walk on the promenade before breakfast I will occasionally wander thru the Lido to see what fresh pastries may be available or anything else that may look too tempting to pass.

Today was the first day in a long time – maybe ever – that I didn’t venture outside at all.   I recall when serving on aircraft carriers, always in an inside cabin, we would sometimes go an entire week without going above decks for fresh air. When you live under an airport, and the flight deck is filled with jet aircraft, hot exhaust and danger everywhere we sorta had an excuse for not spending too much time above decks. What’s my excuse now? Well, don’t really have one – but we will be off the ship the next two days for make up for today.

Emily Yates and Martin Lawson were the guests on Good Morning Amsterdam that was hosted solo by Donna, the Culinary Arts Center Manager, since Gene was called to the Bridge so he could take part in the Ships Emergency Drill which was scheduled at the same time. The drills are usually at 9:30 and Gene normally schedules Good Morning Amsterdam for 9:00 start so he will finish prior to the drill.

Donna did a fabulous job interviewing the two singers who discussed the challenges and opportunities, highs and lows of working as a cast member for cruise ships. Emily and Martin are both leaving the ship in Hong Kong to head back to their homes for some time off before taking on new adventures. They both aspire to be guest entertainers with their own gigs but remarked that getting these jobs is extremely competitive and require that they develop a unique and distinctive show.

Martin and Emily share a lighter moment

Melvyn presented another entertaining and informative lecture entitled: Lore and Legends of the Seven Seas. He expanded on some interesting stories about several of female pirates that I previously knew nothing about.

Waiting for us in our mail slot after we returned to our cabin was a nice note along with our 4 Star Mariner pins. One of the perks of an Grand World Voyage is they will upgrade your Mariner status mid cruise. Now that we are 4 star mariners we will get free laundry and priority tenders. We also get additional discounts on mini-bar purchases and certain coffee drinks.

We passed by a few oil drilling platforms this afternoon and the occasional fishing boat as we remained fairly close to land all day.

Indonesian food was the theme for dinner this evening and dining room was decorated appropriately while the wait staff was wearing colorful Indonesian clothing. I chose all the Indonesian items on the menu: Soto Ayam – Chicken and Vegetable Soup, Ikan Pepes – Tilapia Baked in Banana Leaves and Rijstafel – Beef Sumatra, spicy shrimp, babi kecap and a chicken drumstick. They were all spicy but very good.

Paul Cutler, who sang in Les Miserables for two years on London’s West End, was tonight’s guest entertainer. Based on his Les Miserables background we were all expecting many musical numbers, but instead he performed a variety of hits including a Chuck Berry song and tossed in a little tap dancing along the way. He demonstrated his vocal chops on his only Les Miz number, Empty Chairs and Empty Tables, and followed up with an exciting rendition of New York, New York for the finale.

Early to bed as we have to be up before the crack of dawn for our tour tomorrow.

• Peter Cutler