Still sailin'....

Saturday – At Sea, closer to Florida....

Up for breakfast, and then no plans at all... just relaxing. There are so many lovely places to just relax here- inside and outside. All the lounges, the promenade for the people watching, the lobby, etc. I'm sure I didn't see half the places where people can go on this ship!

You can tell we are getting closer to Florida. The temperatures are dropping (to high 20s Celsius/ 70s F) and the clouds are increasing. The pools are empty again, and there are lots of chairs available on the decks … perfect weather for me! Was nice just walking around. We had a quick lunch and indulged in the once-a-cruise chocolate extravaganza … Well, Cathie, the chocoholic, indulged, and I nibbled a bit. It was quite overwhelming, but delicious.

We ended up on the mostly deserted Serenity (adults only) deck and enjoyed a few hours of peaceful relaxing. We both brought our e-readers, but ended up reading a bit, and then dozing. It was not exactly chilly, but it was not hot. It had been too hot for me to spend much time on deck prior to this, so it was nice to spend the last day this way.

I ran into Davie inside, on the Promenade (Leslie was napping) when I went for sushi (another afternoon food tradition!). We sat and chatted for a while, and enjoyed the people walking by … including the dozen or so seniors in togas. We never did find out why … but it was pretty funny. I hit some of the shops to stock up on last minute deals on Tshirts, etc., and ran into the 2 ladies from Louisiana.  They were so excited to see me, and couldn't wait to tell me that their meal at the Steakhouse was the best one they ever had!  I'm so glad they went and that they enjoyed it - it's always a bit nerve wracking to recommend something to others.

Then back to the cabin to pack.   The bags needed to be outside the cabin by midnight (they are taken off the ship before we debark) so we just need to keep out a bare minimum of things that will stay in our carryon bags.  And then our last meal in the Chic dining room.  Sigh.  We really liked our wait team – head waiter JR, shy Jose with the silly puzzles, and funny Dewa. We had a small tip for them in an envelope and got hugs from them all when we left for the last time. Davie and Cathi - chocoholics both- usually ordered the warm chocolate melting cake for dessert each night. For some reason, Davie ordered apple pie tonight. Everyone, including the wait staff, stopped and stared at him in shock. Jose brought him his apple pie, as requested, but also brought him the chocolate cake … just because it wasn't right, otherwise! Hahaha! (Yes, he ate them both.)

The show in the Victoriana tonight was a talent impression show by cruise passengers. It was really good- they had been practicing for days. The guy who did James Brown was great, as was the Elvis. Cruise Director Jacques was a hysterical Dolly Parton, and his 2 assistants were a very bad Sonny and Cher duo – we were in stitches.

And then, it was all over. We went to the lobby to listen to the live music there for a while, but debarking was going to start very early, so we turned in. Hard to believe, but it's all done...

Food frenzy:

Breakfast : scrambled eggs, bacon, keilbasa, fruit

Lunch : tacos

             Dessert : Chocolate extravaganza

Supper : fettucine with mushrooms (appetizer)

               Mac 'n' cheese with apple smoked bacon and chicken breast

               Dessert : Grand Marnier souffle

Cat capers :

No problems. Daily email reports all fine on the eastern front.