First, a hearty thank-you to those of you who have posted comments on our blog. Although it’s difficult to respond directly to each one, we enjoy hearing from you.
We have commented that we enjoy the sea days immensely. That’s a good thing because there are more days when we are not in port (73) than when we are in port on this 128-day adventure. On a typical sea day, we have two meals – either a late breakfast or an early lunch and then dinner at about 5:30. There is food available all day, including snacks and sweets in the lounge for our category of cabin, which is only about 30 steps away from our cabin. Although Mary is always happy to add a few pounds, I have to watch what I eat to maintain my weight. That’s especially true when one considers that some research has shown that the average cruiser gains about four pounds on a 7-day cruise. Interpolating that to our cruise, I guess I could gain 73 pounds on this cruise at that rate! Accordingly, I weigh myself in the gym about once a week to ensure I’m staying where I want to be weight-wise.
On a typical sea day, there is an almost unlimited choice of things to do from early morning though late evening. Our day might include Mass at 8, a power walk or leisure walk, a cultural or port lecture at 10, a cooking demonstration at 11, bridge or another lecture or two in the afternoon (possibly adding a movie in the small theatre), and a show in the main theatre after dinner. The show might be a comedian, a singer, an instrumentalist, a magician or a special presentation, such as a movie related to a coming port, the energetic Holland America singers & dancers or a televised special such as the Super Bowl or the Academy Awards. Add to all of that, we read books and we work crossword and Sudoku puzzles that we brought or as provided by the ship.
Bored? Never for a moment. But we still take time to enjoy what this trip is about: togetherness and relaxation!
Just read your most recent post. Your life seems so blissful while we mortals are tormented here on the mainland. Just finished listening to the presidential debate. Will it be Bernie or Biden, senator Warren or Klobuchar, mayor Pete or mayor billionaire (Bloomberg). So many hard decisions to ponder! Meanwhile, you are so blessed to be able to float above all the commotion, seemingly oblivious to all that we common folks endure. Have fun and thanks for keeping us up to date.