Two Sea Days – Sanctuary – Formal Night and So Much More

I know I have not written much in the two days we are at sea. Sorry.  Part is I think “what can I write that is interesting” and then the other reason is I have just been relaxing and no real time to write and post.  Wow first world problems I know.  But many of my followers have been asking and I have run into a lot of fans (and now considered new friends) who tell me they enjoy reading whatever I write. 

So I will indulge you, for those that are interested.

One thing that is great is this new Dinning Options flyer we get each day that shows where and what  you can get and when. Then on the back is “don’t miss items”. I now know this is on a testing basis for this ship only for a few sailing to see about the feedback.  Here are the two from the 2^nd Sea Day and the St. Thomas Day.

Both days were spent in the Sanctuary.  Both days were very windy in the Retreat area.  In fact the first day after we left Nassau it got very windy.  It was windy in the Sanctuary but not as bad as the Retreat Pool.  When we left the Sanctuary the entire Retreat Pool was empty. 

while we were in Nassau

While we were in Nassau, can you spot Roy and Sandra

The Captain came on mid day to inform us all that the winds are high and will delay our arrival into St. Thomas.  Same thing happened last sailing. Our arrival is now scheduled to arrive at around 11:15am.  They have not extended our departure time (like last voyage).  Shore Excursions have been adjusted to reflect our arrival.

The ship is moving.  You definitely feel it!  But it is not horrible.  Nothing on tables is moving around like we have seen in the past.

On the second sea day we wake to very high winds! In fact I was not sure if the forward deck would even be open because of it.  So I dress and head up early to check things out.  The Retreat Pool is open but no lounge chairs have been put out (they are still tied down).  It is crazy windy.  In fact it is very very hard to just get to the Sanctuary.  I learned quickly to walk right next to the glassed in wall with railing to make it.

Irena (the manager there) lets us know the Sanctuary is in fact open.  I can see that again the winds are not as bad there. 

We both layer the sunscreen on and bathing suits and head up stairs to the Sanctuary.  We have it booked for the entire day.

When we arrive Todd and Sue are in the first cabana and have it for the whole day.  They invite us to join them.  So we leave our lounge chairs covered and join them in their cabana.  Each cabana can accommodate four people but if you have four people they each have to have a lounge chair.  So if you book it and you have four people the other two also have to pay for two lounge chairs.  Which we had so we had good intentions to enjoy our lounge chairs but we never left the cabana.

Each cabana comes with a drink package.  It was very difficult to get more exact details of what is included and the cost - I asked, but it is just not available.  But here are the pictures of the sheet that describes what you get for alcohol. 

We got two bottles of wine (as they had it for the full day).

We drank those two bottles and I ordered another bottle. 

Then we had a bottle of Prosecco.  Needless to say we were all feeling good. 

The afternoon got very very hot and being sheltered from the wind in the Cabana made it enjoyable.

Bernie has received the gift of that cold that everyone seems to have.  It is rampant all over North America and it is spreading on board too with new people coming on with new germs.  I am sure even if we would have been at home we would of gotten it too.  I am just working hard to not get it too.

So after a full day Bernie crashes in the cabin and he wakes around 6:30 pm to tell me he is not up to getting dressed and heading out.  I agree he needs to rest so he takes some cold meds. and sleeps.

Me I shower and head out for the evening. 

I arrive in the Atrium just in time to witness the Senior Officers get introduced.  I then meet up with Dylan and we go for a drink in Vines. 

After the drink we head up to the Ocean Terrace to have sushi.  It was very good! 

Dylan heads back to his cabin as he has early hours tomorrow and I then run into Sue and Todd in Vines.    We all head to the 10:15 showing of Encore.

This time we sit on the right side, second row.  Sadly the woman next to me has drips of water falling on her.  I recall this exact spot had the exact same problem two years ago.  I really wonder if it has even been fixed since then? Sure it could be an ongoing issue and I have been told it is condensation but something should be done so passengers don't have water dripping on them.  Or close off that seat permanently. 

Thankfully the woman in that seat is taking it with stride and is laughing about it.  I offer her the napkin from drink.

So don’t sit in the second row, second seat in from the aisle on the starboard side.

The show was still AMAZING.  It is a singing show.  There is some dancing but not like other shows in the past.  Instead it focuses on the stunning voices of the singers and guest Soprano with touches of dancing.

The Princess Orchestra is a big focus too. They do a few instrumental numbers that are quite powerful.

After the show I wander around a bit by myself and spend a bit of money in casino – correction donate some money in the casino. 

I walk back to the cabin via Club 6 where the dance floor is hoping.  I dance a quick song with Nathalie from the cruise staff.  Then I am back in the cabin around midnight!

What a fun night!