A quick shower so that we can head to the mall for the tanzanite sale. We didn't win a piece of tanzanite but my partner knew which to guess was the fake gem and could handle drinking blue champagne at 10 a.m. I'm certainly more educated as I didn't even know tanzanite existed before this. The gem was discovered and marketed in the 1960s and apparently is a good investment as there is only one functioning mine in the world in South Africa now. The jewelry store manager is very knowledgeable about the products but also about life aboard the ship as she says "this is fantasy not reality so you can only do it for a few years" when discussing her future plans.Off to check out Portofino's (oh, guess we'll have to dress up a bit for Wednesday evening) and then off to sun seek - oh I hate that sunscreen! Great Caribbean music and those deck chairs are a fine place to plan our shore excursions. It's decided - we'll snorkel in Belize at a private island, see the Mayan ruins in Costa Maya, shop in Cozumel and hit Stingray City in Grand Cayman. Have to book them through the TV before 3 p.m. (which turns out to be a two person operation) but first some self serve low fat frozen yogurt and t-shirt shopping.
Must be time to eat again as it's been a couple of hours so we investigate the Windjammer Grill which has amazing views of the ship's wake and two cruise ships following us, great staff and delicious food. The infection control practices are strict - you don't get into the place without sanitizing your hands first. The food is from every country in the world, fast food, carved pork, noodles tossed - you name it! The dessert bar is so hard to choose from but someone has to do it.
A quick trip to the pool deck, a dip to cool off, a visit to the solarium to try the hot tub and then it's time to get ready for the Captain's reception as this is the first formal night. We get all gussied up and head down to the Promenade for some people watching and champagne, mimosas or champagne cocktails while the Captain introduces the officers and highlights the trip telling us the ship is 1034 ft. long and the staff are from 46 countries. There are formal portraits being taken as we head to supper. Lobster bisque, cesear salad, beef filet, potatoes, asparagus and mushrooms, tea and cherries jubilee for dessert. Where is that hoist to get us out of our chairs? A great evening of conversation and laughter.
A wardrobe change and we head for one of the lounges but although the Bahama Mamas were great the karaoke sucked so we headed for the latin music. We decided that our dinner table should get the 'most entertaining' award as one couple sang and played an instrument and the both couples danced the night away while my room mate continued with merengue lessons. Fun this is, a beach holiday where you can read 4 or 5 novels a week it isn't!
