A Most Unusual and Memorable Day at Sea

This is Michael blogging as I had all of the “excitement” today.  As you recall from Beverly’s blog of a few days ago, one of my bridge players, and a man for whom I had the utmost of respect and fondness, passed away right at the bridge table.  The ship’s medical personnel made a Herculean effort to revive him but failed. 

Today was the first scheduled bridge game since Jack passed away, and I wanted to (needed to) verbalize my feelings.  We organized a small memorial, and the Cruise Director and some other passengers joined me, and I think we did OK.  I have not had much experience in this department!  Jack’s wife, Jennifer, someone I wished I lived next door to, was there and actually played bridge.  She came in third, which again confirmed just how remarkable this woman is.

Beyond the memorial, it was another day at sea on this remarkable ship.  I did two lessons in the morning, followed by a BBQ spare rib lunch.  The memorial and bridge game was next.  After a brief rest we joined friends on Deck 8 for some chat and cocktails.  This was followed by a South American dinner in the Colonnade.  Don’t be jealous but dinner was a jumbo shrimp ceviche, followed by spicy queso blanco empanadas, followed by pan seared pompano.  The wine of the evening was a wonderful Stags Leap Chardonnay.  Am I spoiled?

I am writing this as Beverly and I are trying to stay awake to attend the show tonight.  .  The entertainer is Marty Brill.  You might remember him from “All in the Family.” I know Beverly blogged about him the other day and he is hilarious.  Tomorrow we are in Fiji, and hope to get out to see the fire walkers, or at least the sites of Lautoka City where we will be moored.

Beverly is back:

Tonight is another time change.  We gain another hour.  I have no idea what day of the month it is, what day of the week it is, and most of the time, I have no idea what time it is.  I must look at the day-of-the-week pill container to remind myself of the day.  But then again, I could just read the Herald (the ship’s newsletter) and get the information I need.  That is just too simple – duh!  The only reason to know the day is to remember who you made a dinner reservation with or the nights we host a dinner table.  This is silly, I know.

We have fallen into our shipboard routine.  Get up and get dressed, eat, bridge lessons, eat, bridge game, cocktails, eat, blog or stay awake and go to the show.  Things are a bit different on port days, but you get the drift that a vast majority of our time is taken up with EATING.  Michael is being real picky about the desserts; I still love the cookies.  I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich the other day!!!!  They actually did a pretty good job of making it.  Now if only I could get them to make a Philly cheesesteak sandwich….