Day 57 – At Sea

Day 57 – At Sea – Mar 2

Temperature Checks

One common inspection as you transit certain airports around the world are body temperature inspections using infrared cameras.  These are used to detect anyone with a fever who may be afflicted with some contagious illness.  The 2002-2003 SARS epidemic  had a serious impact to the economy of many countries and the airline industry.  I have never seen these used aboard ships until today.

We received a note, along with a health questionnaire from the Philippine government, that we must complete the form and return it to officials in the Explorers lounge today between 10 and Noon.  At the time we received the note we weren’t sure how they would measure everyone’s temperature.  There was a lot of joking that they may use more invasive techniques, but most people speculated that they would use some sort of body temperature scanner or something they may stick in your ear.  I was concerned that this may result in long queues, but when I wandered over to the Explorers Lounge to check out the situation, I was relieved to see that there wasn’t any line at all.  The steady stream of people only stopped briefly to allow staff to scan their cruise card near the Merabella Jewelry store.  After their attendance was recorded, they walked aft alongside the Explorers Lounge where an Philippines Immigration official was seating, facing the oncoming people, monitoring infrared images displayed on a camera mounted on a tripod.  The official was quite friendly, and he would chat with any passerby and explain the camera and what he was looking for.

RFID Wallets

We must not have been the only ones unsure as to how to work the RFID credit card holders as we received a copy of the instructions in our mail slots this morning.

Casino

I won one Texas Hold’em and lost 2 tournaments today.  During our first game, around 11 AM, they announced over the public-address system that there was a sperm whale visible off the side of the ship.  A few people almost conceded their games as they raced to the open decks once they were knocked out.  They came back a little later and reported that the whales were barely breaking the surface and not much to look at.

The slot machine final was this afternoon.  By the end of the third qualifying day, I was knocked off the board and the minimum score required to crack into the top six was 700,000.  The game is 100% luck and you don’t make any decisions – simply press the REPLAY button as fast as you can.  I watched the finals, along with a group of about 20 casino regulars, and the winner came from behind with less than 30 seconds to go when she hit a Jackpot worth 300,000 tournament dollars.  She won $500 USD – with the other six getting Club 21 Ball Caps as consolation prizes.

Dinner

Zack, the bass player from the HAL house band, joined our table for dinner this evening.  He will be leaving the ship in Hong Kong as he will be starting a new gig with a group called Postmodern Jukebox.  They have several groups touring around the world – They achieved their initial success on You Tube and play popular tunes with new and interesting arrangements using a piano as a central instrument.  Find out more about them HERE

Queen’s Lounge

Scott Harris was the headliner in the Queen’s Lounge this evening.  Scott is one of the best comedians we have ever seen on a cruise ship – ever.  His delivery was fresh, and he worked in some funny lines based on current events around the ship – in this case the temperature checks this morning.  Scott’s major theme was comparing life events from the older generations with younger generations.  Not a new theme, but his insight was outstanding and very funny.  He closed his show with a serious rendition of the Simon and Garfunkel hit:  Sounds of Silence.  At first, I thought he would sing the song as a parody with funny lyrics, but he sung it straight all the way thru and was very good.

• Scott Harris