I was awakened last night about 11:30 pm by cramps in my legs and feet. There was more walking and probably not enough water yesterday. (I had nearly 11,000 steps.
Then a few minutes later my cabin phone rang. It was wrong number. I was able to get back to sleep a few minutes later and woke for good at 6 am.
Sea Day Morning
I got up and got dressed to go find coffee.
At this time of day it’s just at the Cafe Promenade where I had a cup before heading to the Diamond Lounge at 7. I got a latte there and an expresso (I turned into an Americano) for T and met here on 15. We chatted there until heading to breakfast at Park Cafe at 7:30. M didn’t want to go to breakfast today.
Breakfast
I got watermelon, ham, egg and cheese muffin and tried one of the burritos.
All good. Sister T had a blueberry bagel with cream cheese. After breakfast we parted ways and I went back to the cabin to clean up for the day.
Later I met up with my sisters in the Solarium Bistro where M was having breakfast. It’s a nice relaxing space.
Top Tier Event
Then we went to pool deck where they smoked and I chatted with them before heading to the top tier party. T had to go to the cabin first so M and I went by the Diamond Club so I could show her before heading to the Aqua Theater. T was waiting and we got our complimentary cocktails before finding a seat. I had a mimosa, T had rum punch and M had champagne.
Those were all; the options 😆 .
We had great seats and it opened with six vocal performances from the Mama Mia cast.
I thought they were all great except the final soloist.We also found out from Cory that the cast of last night’s aqua show was their first performance on board.
You’d never know it!
The hotel director spoke, the captain spoke (5,800 passengers according to him) and then the loyalty ambassador before the next cruise manager. The loyalty ambassador hosted the recognition of new pinnacle members and those top sailors. It was very nice and I really enjoyed being outdoors (it was in the shade!)
Afterwards we went our separate ways and I went by the photo shop and bought one of my embarkation poses. It is free with diamond benefit. Then dropped it off in my cabin before going to Giovanni’s for lunch.
Sea Day Afternoon
My sisters were already waiting and we checked in. We were seated right away. Our waiter asked us about water, brought out oil/vinegar for the bread plates but just T took him up on that. He brought butter for the other two of us. Then he brought the bread.
Then we could order. I started with split pea soup.
My sisters shared a meat plank.
My entrée was branzino.
They split the meatball entrée.
We all three had half orders of carbonara.
It was good once the cheese was added and I mixed the egg and cheese into the pasta. T skipped dessert but M and I had cannoli.
It was just okay but the rest of the meal was very good. Then it was nap time and I think I caught up on my sleep deficit.
Sea Day Evening
I met up with the other two on 15 before we went to dinner at Samba Grill (which is the solarium bistro by day).
Samba Grill
We had to wait for someone to come to the desk to seat us. Our waiter introduced himself and said he and Rob would take care of it. Rob was the meat guy!
After being asked about allergies and if we wanted tap or bottled water, I asked for a drink menu. The waiter referred me to the QR code which had a menu with only wines listed. Okay, no drink for me.
We were asked to help ourselves to the salad bar and he’d bring out hot appetizers.
The hot appetizers were fried banana (sweet and good), some kind of corn fritter, empanada and fried yucca.
I tried the first three and really liked the first two. The empanada was okay but filling was disappointing.
At one point we were asked what temperature of meat we wanted for our lamb and filet. We all decided against lamb but M and I ordered medium and T medium well. More about this later.
The waiter also brought out rolls which really looked like mini rolls from the MDR. After we finished our first course, he brought out new plates and the side dishes which was sweet potatoes and a lot of grilled veggies.
Then the meat started coming. First was our filet.
It was disappointing that it was overcooked and not one hint of pink in either M’s or my piece. However, it was flavored quite well.
Then I got one of the sirloin options and it as medium and tasty. T and I had chicken breast wrapped with bacon and it was nice and moist. At this point I was full. M also tried the brisket and she had a very fatty piece which she couldn’t eat.
We all three decided against dessert; looked like two options on the bar. After dinner I found the ice cream station on the pool deck and got a soft chocolate cone which melted quickly but was very good!
Entertainment
We went to the theater early for the 8:15 performance of DSB, a Journey tribute band and found front row seats in the upper level.
I wanted to use my diamond drinks on cans of soda for us since we didn’t use any at dinner. The bar waiter finally came and we ordered. Not only did she get M’s order wrong after being reiterated three time she said I couldn’t have cans on diamond. What? I told her I didn’t want them then and she took it to mean I didn’t want Melanie’s and brought us a can of diet coke. That’s not what we ordered. She took it back and brought a can of coke. I appreciate her trying but wasn’t happy at all with the experience.
The show was fantastic! They played so many great Journey songs and it sounded just like Steve Perry was singing.
After taking a short break on 15, M and I went to the silent disco at Blaze. It was about half way over but plenty of headphones left and we started dancing.
It was great music and I was disappointed we all got kicked out at 10 pm. I guess the clear the room and then bring out fresh headsets and reopen it in 15 minutes.
We parted and I went to the champagne bar for my fourth diamond drink and had a berry mint.
Couldn’t taste the alcohol but the drink was good.
Then on my way to the front elevator two pieces of pepperoni pizza ended up in my hands. Well okay, I waited in line for them.
They were good and I enjoyed eating them in my cabin while relaxing a bit. This dog was laying on my bed!
It was a good day at sea.
Here’s today cruise compass (Click image for full PDF).
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