| I decided to grab something from the Park Cafe then have a lazy day. Park Cafe replaced the Solarium Cafe and is just two decks up so not far to walk. I have had balconies in the past but not used it as much as this. Even in 2008 we barely went onto it. A little nap until I was woken by 5.30pm by maintenance wanting to change a lightbulb above the bed! It had been reported by my steward the night before but they took their time. Then I went to the Shore Excursions desk and had to shout over the music in the Centrum. That's one major gripe with these ships (plus Radiance class and NCL). The Mexican and Aregentian blokes behind the counter were funny. Dinner was interesting. I ended up with two main courses despite ordering one! The fish was pre-ordered and I had just discussed the potato curry with José, as it was on the old menu. I hadn't expected to get one. But I had to pop to Park Cafe before bed. Be rude not to! |
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| I woke up early, intending to go around the ship photographing the changes as it was quiet only saw the sunrise then watched As Good As It Gets on the TV before going back to sleep. The same films repeated daily were annoying me. At least on Radiance it was different daily for two weeks. Lunch in the Windjammer then I thought I'd try a chicken salad from Park Cafe. For some daft reason they have red bell peppers in their egg mayonnaise sandwiches so that ruled one of those out. It was Halloween and the ship was decorated in some areas for it and they did a very good job. I had a wander, finding the new Diamond Club to one side of the Some Enchanted Evening lounge, and it's a very small room. The Park West art auction had just finished and I saw Signe coming out. They gave away a free print to everyone who attended. I got one even though I hadn't. I went with her to the casino, where she was planning to take part in the Blackjack tournament then I carried on taking some photos and booked Giovanni's Table for the 2nd. The comedian was introduced by Anthony and was good until he started talking about when his kid was born then it fell flat and never recovered. No idea what it was like at his second show. I had another off menu potato curry for dinner. At 10.30pm there would be a Halloween party in the Centrum which started with Thriller and was really good. Back to the cabin after a detour via the Park Cafe and I noticed in tomorrows Compass it had ice carving at 10.30pm instead of am. Maybe I would be up in time to see how many went. |
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| Another hour gained as we entered November and it was hard to believe in just two months it would be 2014! The weather was warming fast and 24c. Saw cruise director Anthony outside the theatre and he remembered me asking him and Topi questions about the refit during the previous cruise. He told me she too missed the stairs in the Centrum and she was given the biggest ducktail. Lazy day after the lecture about piracy. I was first in the theatre and overheard an American tech bod say, "It's a bugger..." He probably picked that up from a Brit colleague. The lecture was good but I wish Americans would pronounce Leicester properly. It's not "Lie-cester" but "Lester". The only problem with this lecturer was he would race ahead of the stuff in his presentation, meaning he would end up rushing the end because he got behind flicking through what we'd already been told. My balcony was completely shaded by 2pm so I sat out there reading until the light faded. I can honestly say, despite her enforced disfigurement, she still lived up to the Ducky nickname we gave her in 2008 as she waddled away. I have never felt it in other rooms or cabins on the ship, just that one. I've never been a big reader but this book I'd begun on Indy in November 2012 and only read about 60 pages. I managed to finish it this time. We had a stowaway who had boarded in Lisbon and he or she would fly around the ship, possibly looking for land. It was the first time I noticed one of the glass panes on my balcony was cracked and another not put in properly. It was Chops Grille night and I went down for 7pm. They'd booked me as a table for four. My waiter was Iuri (and I hope I spelled that correctly!) from Ukraine who was lovely. He remembered me from the Park Cafe the day before asking if there were bell peppers in the chicken salad. As it was opening this cruise the price was only $25 instead of $30. I hadn't dined in there since 2009 on Jewel and the menu choice was vastly reduced but it was still good. It was also easy to forget the room used to be the Showboat Lounge. Back to the cabin and I noticed Vision had a slight cough as there was some soot on the balcony. |
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| More lovely weather and another after 11am start The acrobatics people were rehearsing again. Janet and Paul plus Jill were on the pool deck enjoying it. I reported my balcony glass and when I returned to the cabin, found Marlon on the phone doing the same thing. Half an hour later, a bloke came and just looked at it. Another book was most read until sundown, taking a break to get refreshments from the Park Cafe. Iuri sort of talked me into the beef sandwich, which actually was very nice. It was our second formal night only I'd forgotten. It was fine as my black sundress with black cardie passed. I was booked in Giovanni's Table for 7pm. This replaced Portofino (or Fartofino as we called it on Jewel for obvious reasons). The menu was very disappointing after Portofino so I ended up having another steak. I don't like seafood except fish, don't eat pork and there should be more pasta choice. If I was vegetarian, I would have a choice of risotto or ricotta. Service was fast serving the food but despite the place mostly being empty, I had to wait twenty minutes before anyone asked if I wanted anything else after dessert. Only the bill! Despite it being four years apart, Portofino was better. I finished my book then went to sleep. |
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