Perhaps not! I awoke after another decent sleep, to be reninded over the ship’s P.A. system that the ship’s crew would be undertaking their regular safety drill, and that the Promenade Deck should be avoided. I would take some exercise on the open upper decks instead, except that outside, it was raining cats and dogs. I ventured down to the Carinthia Lounge and, after a fruit salad for breakfast, and enjoyed convivial conversation with a couple I had met previously when my Lumix camera was misbehaving. (It seems OK now.) So engrossed was I in the conversation that, apart from the small dish of exotic fruit salad, I skipped breakfast, no bad thing perhaps, although rarely do I need to indulge in the varied cooked cuisine always available.
There is a disappointing slight deterioration in the weather, with heavy rain this morning. However, 23 degrees Celsius is still a vast improvement on what’s on offer in North Derbyshire. Apparently, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, our next port of call, is sporting temperatures of 18 Celsius.
Lunch in the Britannia Restaurant with good sea views starboard side is, again tranquil and relaxed with “Mozart-esque” music piped gently through the restaurant’s sound system. I tried the spiced rice pudding as a dessert, assured of its low sugar content. In just over an hour, I anticipate losing at whist for a second day! A mini afternoon tea afterwards should keep me “sustained” until dinner from 19.45hrs. I now have regular table companions at their chosen table 404, between the Captain’s Table and the Grand Staircase to the Upper Britannia Restaurant on Deck 3.
This afternoon, I have an “appointment” with the Future Cruise people. I remain not quite decided whether to indulge in a re-run of what continues to be a fine and relaxing voyage, with day after day of wonderful fresh sea air. An unplanned second helping of Caribbean sunshine remains a most appealing prospect. Also, calls at New York in both directions (even in February) are an attractiveprospect.
I did slightly better at whist this afternoon but didn’t come anywhere near the top scorers. I think twelve joined the whist session this afternoon, as ever, in the little used, but attractive Atlantic Room.
At afternoon tea, this afternoon, the resident harpist entertained gently in the Queen’s Room. I then kept my appointment with the Future Cruise people. Yes, I have decided (perhaps impulsively) to do this all over again, this time calling at New York, St. Thomas, and St. Lucia. We also revisit Philipsburg-St. Maarten, Roseau-Dominica, Bridgetown-Barbados, and Basseterre-St. Kitts. A former work colleague has secured a slightly better deal than that available on board. Thankfully, therefore, arrival at Southampton on February 11th isn’t the end of the story. I plan to leave most of my stuff on board, taking home just enough to get through the four days before setting off again.
After visiting the Future Cruise Office, and texting friends back at home, I continued my quest to achieve 300,000 steps during this 28 day voyage. Tonight, the famous 2nd February 2022, the night is still balmy. I am well fed and entertained. Perhaps, time for nocturnal walkies. Because of attending tonight’s show in the Royal Court Theatre, two virtuoso cellists from Poland, who were quite extraordinary, I missed the 22.22hrs time of sending this blog, (2/2/22, 22.22hrs) My phone still tells me it’s 22.14 hrs.
The sea breeze, while admittedly cooler, is still warm enough to enjoy in summer attire. Day 2 at sea was most pleasant throughout. I shall write further tomorrow and will do a couple of laps right now, before getting my head down.
Many thanks for reading, David 23.22hrs, 2/2/22 (22.22hrs on my ‘phone)
David's Cruise 