First Full Day On Board

Our first full day onboard starts with heavy winds and rolling seas. The decks are closed, so I can't walk outside. The gym is usually packed, so I head up to deck 17. They have the observation deck up there, and you can walk around in a circle. I do 5 laps, but it is not the same. It is a great place to have a morning coffee and watch the ocean though. I think this is going to be my morning place to have a coffee and write this blog. It is reasonably quiet, plenty of coffee and nice comfy chairs with tables.

Ken and Gabi find me up here (I gave them a call), and we enjoy another coffee. We have breakfast in the Hudson restaurant today. The buffet is usually crowded, and I'm a big fan of quiet. If you eat in one of the restaurants, you get a great menu to select from, personalized service, and a great view of the ocean. I choose the spinach omelet and tomato juice. Gabi does oatmeal and Ken gets the breakfast special. All of us are full and happy. It is actually around 11 AM when are done.

Ken is smoker (no judgement here) and since the decks are closed, so is his smoking spot. Therefore, the only place left is the Casino which has a smoking area. So off we trot down there. Ken enjoys himself, and I lose $20.00, not really a fair exchange. We decide to go check out the different food places. They have a food area called Indulge. This area is all different food venues. You have a fry truck, a sushi area, a tex mex area and so on. This area is just a cool place eat. After this, we all head down to a lounge to find a quiet place to chat. No pool or hot tub today due to weather.

We are traveling during March break, so there are plenty of children onboard. It is interesting to sit back and people watch. Times have changed since my children were small. I can't see it being much of a vacation when you are dealing with a baby or toddler whose schedule has been thrown out of whack, in a different environment and without the conveniences that you have at home. So far, the children have been behaved, but we have a few that are running the halls and stairs. We haven't ventured to the pool area, so we'll see about that later.

We have lunch up at the buffet, and the choices are great. I have my salad, and Ken and Gabi have whatever they like as well. It is crowded but we manage to find a table. After lunch, we head back to our rooms for nap time.

We meet up for dinner at Hudson again. Ken has a very good-looking steak that might just be my dinner tomorrow. Gabi has the shrimp pasta, which was also very nice looking. I did the pork chop, which was excellent. Desert was just decadent. I did the After Eight Chocolate Mouse and inadvertently had also ordered the Warm Apple Strudel with ice cream. Yes, I ate both. Waste not, want not.

After dinner we wanted to see a show but it was booked. So, we had to find a bar that had a blender so Gabi can have a Pina Colada. Mission accomplished, and all was good. Then we head off to bed.Read more