Day 9: At Sea

Cruising the Caribbean Sea: First, tales from late last night, beginning with a quick video of the Enchanted Princess at sail-away on Thursday from Antigua - complete with The Love Boat theme song:

After we were away and dressed for dinner, we all gathered in the Crown Grill Lounge for cocktails. There was a reception with the Captain for guests who have taken more than five cruises with Princess. Lucile had stolen the invitation from our stateroom and walked into the party like she owned the place (we did not attend). A few minutes later she returned to us with a virgin pina colada. Too funny! As the Captain left his reception, Lucile caught his eye and he gave her a little wave. That girl!

Then she proceeded to “style” Bubba’s hair:

Dave and I had a date night Thursday night. Just the two of us for dinner. We dined in the Capri dining room only because it was the first one we stumbled across. Three dining rooms, same menu in each, and tonight was Italian Night. I had a Caesar salad and beef lasagna. Dave had minestrone and veal scallopini. We were in our cabin by 9 o’clock. Wild date night. Tonight, we get the kids and Lisa and Lenny get a date night. On the last night of the cruise we will all dine together at Rudi’s The Catch, the up-charge seafood restaurant onboard.

Dave worked out, but I was lazy and needlepointed this morning. While Lisa had a massage, Lenny brought the kids to our cabin and we all hung out together for awhile, discussing the options on the evening entertainment schedule. Too many fun options tonight, including a production show, a comedian and several games/contests the kids enjoy. They had just finished brunch and were planning to attend the afternoon tea, so were skipping lunch. Dave and I had lunch in the dining room. I tried the peach crisp for dessert. It was a deconstructed situation, with the crumbly topping baked into the cavity of a peach half, except the peach was the size of an apricot.

More excitement! The kids wanted to play DEAL OR NO DEAL, where the audience have BINGO-type cards and a contestant is chosen from the audience. The contestant first claims one square as their own, then proceeds to pick random boxes, hoping to eliminate every square except the one containing $1000… or something like that. Everyone in the audience with a BINGO card thingy also can win prizes and money. But the kicker is that after every third guess the player can decide to keep going or get a small cash (like $200-ish). DEAL OR NO DEAL!

There was more needlepointing after the game show and tonight was the second “formal night” on this cruise. In the 1990s, this meant a tuxedo or a suit and tie. These days it means basically nothing. So sad. I mean at least throw a sport coat over your golf shirt guys. But no. I wore my (red-wine infused) black dress tonight for the third time on this cruise. Same dress; different jewelry. I suggested to DT we have our photo taken tonight but quickly realized I am wearing the same damn dress in every cruise photo we have taken in the past ten years, so retracted my suggestion.

Lisa and Lenny didn’t have much of a date night. We all met for cocktails before dinner, then they went off for dinner together. We went to dinner with the children… but then we all spent the remainder of the evening together.

Leo asked me the other day if we could make Beef Wellington together. I said yes as I have only made it once, years ago, but it is not a favorite. I thought it would be a fun project for Leo and I to tackle together. Imagine our surprise when Beef Wellington was on the menu in the dining room tonight!

We did so much after dinner. First we went to a musical production show (not good), next we went to a comedy show (hilarious), and then we all went to an Elton John/Billy Joel “guess the song title” game show (super fun, as the Brazilian host, Papacita, is a hoot). Leo and Lucile really did a great job planning our activities this evening. I am exhausted. Drinks. Dinner. Musical. Comedian. Game show.

Bed!

Until my next update, I remain, your “one more day” correspondent.

NOTE: I am sending this highly-unedited post up to the internet using only my mobile phone. Excuse any errors.

LINKS:
Current position of the Enchanted Princess
Enchanted Princess bridge cam

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