Cruising the Caribbean, Part X
December 15, 2011 - at sea
12:36
So, the cruise is now effectively over. We've left the last port of call, and are well on our way back to Ft. Lauderdale. Now that we're back in Atlantic waters, the swells are much higher and more noticable.
On the plus side, it meant that I got to sleep in a bit today. Something I haven't gotten to enjoy in most of the last two weeks. But I'm still tired. Guh.
This morning breakfast was crowded. I suspect because a lot of other people did the same thing we did. Pretty much immediately afterwards, dad and I went to a presentation given by the captain on navigation of the ship, followed by a Q and A session with basically the entire set of head honchos on board - one apiece from the entertainment, engineering, environmental, hotel, food, safety, and staffing divisions, and the captain.
It was pretty interesting. Hard to summarise, though. I took some pictures and video.
From there it was back to the cabin, since there isn't much to do at sea besides sunbathe, and it's raining.
17:10
We spent the last hour or so hunting flying fish, but only had limited success. Dad netted some not completely focused photos, I got none, and we saw some dolphins that were gone before we could take any pictures.
Diner tonight is formal, and it has been decreed that I must wear my pearls and pose for at least one picture. I hate photos, so how that turns out... well, we shall see. Meh.
22:36
Mmmmmmm. Fruit appetizer, an absolutely fabulous tomato soup, and sesame covered tuna steak. And baked alaska for dessert. Nom.
I think the little black cocktail dress is a keeper, for that matter. I got a number of approving looks as we were escorted to our table. Heh.
_______________________
December 16, 2011 - at sea
08:37
Aaaaand we're back in the eastern time zone. As of sometime last night. Breakfast didn't really do much for me today, so I'll have to snack at lunch. My omelet tasted a bit off -- I think the guy may have added a little much oil, or someone before me in line asked for something that left a little bit of odd aftertaste. I dunno. Ah well.
11:57
Blah. Today is boring. There were a few flying fish jumping, but not at the right moment for a photo. No sighting of dolphins, either. And the menu for dinner seems a bit sparse for our tastes. Lots of pork. I suppose we shall see. For the time being, I'm tired but not sleepy, and hungry sans appetite. A bit annoying, really.
21:11
Dinner was a little disappointing. We got seated somewhere way out of the way, far enough away from our usual spot that it was jarring. And our jokers, Vinod and Ticho, were halfway across the enormous dining room. Vinod came by to say hello a couple of times, but overall, it felt rather a bit dull. The food was a bit lackluster, too. The gnocchi, mushroom broth, and coconut shrimp were all ... odd. The gnocchi needed a little more cheese, or salt, or both. The mushroom soup had more veggies in it than necessary (in my opinion, anyhow). And the coconut shrimp were just weird. Not sweet, not spicy, not salty... but somewhere in between all of them.
Dessert was a flaky pastry turnover thing that crumbled if you so much as touched it. It wasn't the best I've ever tried, but not bad.
We stopped by to give Vinod and Ticho our tips and say our goodbyes. And got invited back for March. And hell if I'm not tempted. Just for them. Heh.
Not that it's at all likely to happen.
Afterwards, it was time to pack, and soon it will be time to crash. It's hard to believe it has already been two weeks...
_______________________
December 17, 2011 - arrive Ft. Lauderdale, 07:00
12:43
Ugh. Ugh ugh ugh. It figures that I would get sick in the last few minutes. I think I must have eaten something at breakfast that disagreed with me rather violently. I had to run to the restroom to throw up while we were in line to pick up our bags and get through customs. And now I have a hell of a migraine and attempting to find a half comfortable position to lie down in the car is proving futile. Lovely.
Ugh.
Now, since I forgot to add these to the previous few posts:
(Panoramas of St Maarten)
(Panoramas of St Thomas and the Cartanza dive)
And, for the last set of photos...
(The sea days)
12:36
So, the cruise is now effectively over. We've left the last port of call, and are well on our way back to Ft. Lauderdale. Now that we're back in Atlantic waters, the swells are much higher and more noticable.
On the plus side, it meant that I got to sleep in a bit today. Something I haven't gotten to enjoy in most of the last two weeks. But I'm still tired. Guh.
This morning breakfast was crowded. I suspect because a lot of other people did the same thing we did. Pretty much immediately afterwards, dad and I went to a presentation given by the captain on navigation of the ship, followed by a Q and A session with basically the entire set of head honchos on board - one apiece from the entertainment, engineering, environmental, hotel, food, safety, and staffing divisions, and the captain.
It was pretty interesting. Hard to summarise, though. I took some pictures and video.
From there it was back to the cabin, since there isn't much to do at sea besides sunbathe, and it's raining.
17:10
We spent the last hour or so hunting flying fish, but only had limited success. Dad netted some not completely focused photos, I got none, and we saw some dolphins that were gone before we could take any pictures.
Diner tonight is formal, and it has been decreed that I must wear my pearls and pose for at least one picture. I hate photos, so how that turns out... well, we shall see. Meh.
22:36
Mmmmmmm. Fruit appetizer, an absolutely fabulous tomato soup, and sesame covered tuna steak. And baked alaska for dessert. Nom.
I think the little black cocktail dress is a keeper, for that matter. I got a number of approving looks as we were escorted to our table. Heh.
_______________________
December 16, 2011 - at sea
08:37
Aaaaand we're back in the eastern time zone. As of sometime last night. Breakfast didn't really do much for me today, so I'll have to snack at lunch. My omelet tasted a bit off -- I think the guy may have added a little much oil, or someone before me in line asked for something that left a little bit of odd aftertaste. I dunno. Ah well.
11:57
Blah. Today is boring. There were a few flying fish jumping, but not at the right moment for a photo. No sighting of dolphins, either. And the menu for dinner seems a bit sparse for our tastes. Lots of pork. I suppose we shall see. For the time being, I'm tired but not sleepy, and hungry sans appetite. A bit annoying, really.
21:11
Dinner was a little disappointing. We got seated somewhere way out of the way, far enough away from our usual spot that it was jarring. And our jokers, Vinod and Ticho, were halfway across the enormous dining room. Vinod came by to say hello a couple of times, but overall, it felt rather a bit dull. The food was a bit lackluster, too. The gnocchi, mushroom broth, and coconut shrimp were all ... odd. The gnocchi needed a little more cheese, or salt, or both. The mushroom soup had more veggies in it than necessary (in my opinion, anyhow). And the coconut shrimp were just weird. Not sweet, not spicy, not salty... but somewhere in between all of them.
Dessert was a flaky pastry turnover thing that crumbled if you so much as touched it. It wasn't the best I've ever tried, but not bad.
We stopped by to give Vinod and Ticho our tips and say our goodbyes. And got invited back for March. And hell if I'm not tempted. Just for them. Heh.
Not that it's at all likely to happen.
Afterwards, it was time to pack, and soon it will be time to crash. It's hard to believe it has already been two weeks...
_______________________
December 17, 2011 - arrive Ft. Lauderdale, 07:00
12:43
Ugh. Ugh ugh ugh. It figures that I would get sick in the last few minutes. I think I must have eaten something at breakfast that disagreed with me rather violently. I had to run to the restroom to throw up while we were in line to pick up our bags and get through customs. And now I have a hell of a migraine and attempting to find a half comfortable position to lie down in the car is proving futile. Lovely.
Ugh.
Now, since I forgot to add these to the previous few posts:
(Panoramas of St Maarten)
(Panoramas of St Thomas and the Cartanza dive)
And, for the last set of photos...
(The sea days)