I am typing this while we are traversing the Panama Canal. It is very hot today but I spent some time in the shade aft where there is a good breeze. This is my fourth time through the canal.
We were at Cartagena, Columbia yesterday and I did do a walk about but didn’t try to get to the old walled city since all aboard was 1:30 pm and it was quite hot. I did keep up the tradition of the local beer.
Monday we will be in Puntarenas, Costa Rica, then Corinto, Nicaragua which is a new port and I have a tour planned. After that we hit Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, then San Diego, Vancouver and off in Seattle. Rich and Jo Ann are scheduled to visit me and the ship in San Diego and I am quite excited about seeing them.
It was very bad on our formal night at least in the Queen’s Lounge. A man sat next to me in Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt and I looked across and there was another man in a T shirt with some sort of logo. There were a lot of people who did not dress for a formal occasion.
The average weight of the people on board; men 250 and women 200. It is also very crowded even though I don’t believe there are that many more but how they use their time. On the World Cruise many more are taking their time in their cabins or going to the lectures and reading not all milling around at the same time. I had problems getting a seat at the Lido for breakfast at 7:00.
These are not just my sentiments but others who are remaining on board agree with me. It is amazing how the officers are becoming my best friends as they also feel the vacuum of seeing known faces. I have actually taken Barbie’s place in the Crow’s Nest talking to Peter the Purser. At the Captain’s cocktail party I had an officer chat with me for several minutes who I recognized but hadn’t chatted with before and I don’t even know his name. I think with these observations you will get a feel for what I and other holdovers are feeling.
I probably will never do a transition like this again. I am sure it is ok for couples but there is not much for a single to do. All the staff try their best to fill the void and I do enjoy special benefits. Made, Robby, Rex, Larry, Jerry, Renado and all the rest keep me company.
Iam sure you'll be most happy to get to San Diego to see Rich and Jo Ann! And back to Seattle! The majority of the crowd on board seems overfed and over-pampered. T-Shirts and Shorts at a Formal Dinner is out of bounds, and they should have been told to leave. LOL. You are certainly a high-maintenance lady, of course, and I regret you are without your Swarovski necklace at this time. Enjoy the Crow's Nest whilst you can. Don.
ReplyDeleteYay! You're almost home :-) Are you going to see Mark & the kids while you are in San Diego? Bummer you lost your voice. Too much parting in the Crow's Nest? No need for key chains in Mex. I have one from each place. Thank you though. Enjoy this time on board. You are still going to meet new & exciting people along this last lag of your journey.
ReplyDeleteLots of Love,
Rach
Hi Judi,
ReplyDeleteSounds like you will be glad to get home. When Susan S. and I did the Panama Canal trip on the Statendam a couple years ago we found the same thing about shipboard life. I think it is the nature of the cruise itself. Very diffent from the longer cruises that venture further afield. I still think you need to try the Voyage of the Vikings sometimes. Those ports in Iceland and Greenland and Norway are wonderful.
Enjoy your visit with Jo-Ann and Rich.
Susan
Hi, Judi --
ReplyDeleteCartegena turned out to be one of our favorite places--it was so unexpected. The old city was lovely and we had a terrific tour guide and taxi driver. It was the only place we ventured out with a private guide.
Please tell Jo-Ann and Rich that John and I said hello. Sure wish that we could be coming by to visit too.
Grace
I just finished my world cruise on the Queen Elizabeth and it was just perfect. Sounds like yours was sensational too. Aren't we very lucky to be able to do this!!!!
ReplyDelete