Day 2 - HMC

A beautiful warm welcomed us to the most tranquil little island, Half Moon Cay. We stayed aboard and hung out by the pool.

The 4:00 Hold'em Tournament had 6 people signed up. One of the managers said there were not enough; wait for more. 3 left because of dinner rez. At our insistence, the game finally started at 4:30 w/4 people. Jim won, but nobody cared... no announcement, no t-shirt. We planned to talk to the Casino Manager later.

The Screening Room offered "Star Trek"; CA Center had Fruit and Vegetable Art and Create your own Greeting Cards.

Tonight we were seated up on Deck 3 at Table 3 (table for 2), near the service bar. We found this table to be uncomfortably noisy and left before dessert.

Too tired for Jeff Taveggia's juggling show or "Game Show Mania", I went to bed early while Jim went to casino. Curiously, there were no poker players.

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Day 3 - at Sea

This morning I was proud to host the CruiseCritic Meet & Greet; 22 CCers were treated to introductions, overviews and Q&As by the Captain, Hotel Manager (who graciously provided Mimosas and Bloody Marys), Guest Relations Manager and Cruise Director. We were ably served by bartender Michael and stewards Zenni, Belle and a few others.

Our Formal Dinner at table 128 on the wake (one of my favorite locations) was poorly illuminated but nice. We were seated with two friendly couples. The menu, water and bread service was slow but the meal service was more timely. My Filet Mignon was 1/2", shrimp jumbo, mashed potatoes very good. The Chocolate Soufflé was yummy!

At the Casino, the Craps table very slow and closed by midnight. We started the Hold’Em table with an older lady who outplayed me. Jim later overheard her talking to her 'daughter', saying she didn't think 'the guy in the red tie' (Jim) 'bought it' (her feeble old-lady act). We'll watch her tomorrow.

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Day 4 - Aruba

A Bright Star alert had us hurrying to Aruba, arriving 3 hours early for a patient to be transported. We had room service early, then slept 'til 2:00. After lunch at Lido, we suntanned at aft pool. As sun was sporadic, I went ashore for trinkets.

For dinner we first tried Lido (closed) then went to MDR & had the most AWESOME pot roast! We had table 132 on the wake (my FAVORITE) 4 topper by ourselves. Bedtime came early (no naps today).

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Day 5 - Curacao

I ventured ashore, passing the kiosks at the pier, through the new Condo/Hotel upscale shopping area. It looked like a pretty far walk to the bridge, and even though I knew there were lots of great shops there, the heat and humidity turned me away.

After our Lido lunch, I spent some time at the aft pool, leaving every hour or so to connect Jimmy to the internet to get his fantasy football scores. I unfortunately misplaced the invitation to the Captain's cocktail party - I would not have deliberately missed it, as this is a more intimate way of interacting with the officers, and the food is first class.

In the MDR We had table 109 for two, and very good waiters.

As there was no one at the Hold'em table, and only 2 at the craps table, WE decided to watch a football game.

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Day 6 - at Sea

If not for the daily announcements on TV, I would have missed the 'Good Morning, Zuiderdam" show. CD Shane Michael interviewed Captain Turner in an SRO Crow's Nest crowd. Questions from the audience ranged anywhere from the World Cup to his worst storm. The interview was very interesting, and I hope they televise it so everyone can enjoy it.

This morning also had the Mariners' luncheon. I had a seafood cocktail, poached salmon and apple pastry dessert. We also received our Mariner Tiles.

At dinnertime, we arrived at the MDR about 7:45 and were given a beeper with an estimated time of 15-20 minutes. Five minutes later we were seated at one of my favorite tables, 136 on the wake, with two couples, one of which were from our CC group.

A visit to the Signature shops (sorry, no Winstons) was followed by a trip to the Casino. We cannot understand why there is no action at the Hold'em table! Only one side of the craps table was open, so we left to 'enjoy' Monday Night Football. I went to bed, so I can get up early for the PanCanal transit.

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Day 7 - Gatun Lake

Slept late, missed the transit, and the Panama Rolls! Lucky for me they were available at the Neptune for lunch (Thank you, Jerry). We went to the Lido Pool to take advantage of the 2 for $20 T-Shirt sale, but were not impressed. They had mostly the same T/Ss with different Panama Canal decals and a very small HAL decal. They also had handmade shirts, purses and pillow sleeves, hand-carved pieces and some Club 21 things that were not ON sale, just FOR sale.

Just a few miles from the last lock, we stopped at Cristobal, where the gangway led to the interior of a giant straw market. I'd been there before, and I must say the merchandise hasn't changed. There's a nice taverna with several tables and a bar offering refreshments. Many passengers returning from their arduous excursions seemed more interested in a shower than shopping, and the lines to board the ship was long, but moving at a decent pace. I did manage to find a few hematite necklaces I didn't already have.

Mr. Chandra remembered our preferences and seated us at table 136 for dinner, and service was very good. We timed dinner to be certain to be on time for James Cielen's show... he has added his beautiful wife and her aerial performance, and has brought back the now 5-year-old poodle puppy Shadow, and their new poodle, Koda (both of them talented and cute as they can be).

After the show, STILL NO ACTION on the poker or craps tables!

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Day 8 - Costa Rica

We were woken at about 9:00 am with an announcement from the bridge. It seems there was a stevedore strike at the dock, and even though they had originally exempted cruise ships from this service, they now would not allow us to dock. We were temporarily admitted alongside the dock to offload a passenger needing medical assistance, and Captain Turner, who met with the officials at the dock. Unfortunately they were not able to come to an agreement, and the Captain and Security Officer pulled in the gangway. From our veranda we could see the posturing of the angry stevedores, and to be perfectly honest, even if were allowed to go ashore, I would not.

The Daily Program was rearranged and reprinted, and CD Shane Michael provided us with a number of fun new options for the day.

Lunch in the Lido was nice... when my favorite avocado salad was gone, Ms. Melissa was nice enough to get me a few before the next batch was brought out.

After lunch, Kelly held a 'Make Your Own Bath & Beauty Products" seminar which proved to be interesting and fun. Jim was in the Casino, too late, unfortunately, to enter the Hold'em contest, There were so many prospective entrants that they started a second tournament that Jimmy won. Still no T-shirt, no announcement.

Dinner was very nice; table 137 on the wake. We had the Short Ribs and Veal Cordon Bleu, and I ate both (!) chocolate crème brulees. I gave up waiting for a crowd at the dice table and played with only 2 other players, which was a mistake, since I had to give back some of my previous winnings. I left Jim at the poker table and retired early.

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Day 9 - At Sea

We awoke to a beautiful sunshiny day, and when Jim left for the Hold'em tournament (which he won 2nd place) I took up residence on the aft pool deck for some serious sun tanning. I managed to escape Shane's invitation to join the pool games, and retired to my cocoon for a nap.

Formal night in the MDR was very nice; Mr. Chandra again found us a great table (136 on the wake). Filet Mignon and a HUGE lobster tail (no need to order two) was delicious.

In the casino I found the craps table to be closed, so I helped Jim open the poker table. It took me over 2 hours to lose $30!

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Day 10 - At Sea

I can't believe we overslept and missed the Captain & Hotel Manager's Indonesian Lunch in the Pinnacle. That's the 2nd event we missed. Maybe this comfy bedding was a mistake?

I picked up some photos at the gallery and ordered the DVD combo; the Future Cruise guy had two eager pax waiting, so I put that off until later. Unfortunately for me, later never came, and I have no future cruise bookings to show for it. I'll have to wait until March!