More Days at Sea…

Tue, July 23

Saturday and Sunday we had rough seas with waves about 4-5 metres which we enjoyed, especially at night – it’s a nice way to go to sleep feeling the motion of the seas. However the stabilizers do their work very well most of the time. Yesterday the sea was calmer but we were in dense fog. At 11.30am we passed within 14 nautical miles of the Titanic.

We are still enjoying our days at sea and as we venture further into the Atlantic, the weather has improved and the fog has cleared. Today the sea is a steel blue/grey colour and the waves would be about 1 metre high. Very smooth on board. Plenty of activities are available, and I am now a very confident line dancer … although my latest goal has just been to finish the book I was reading!

Yesterday morning we went on the Ultimate Ship Tour, with 12 other passengers. During this 3-hour tour, we were taken to the ship’s engine control room, medical centre, print shop, laundry facilities, photo lab, bridge, galley, medical centre and other areas reserved for the crew. Staff, including the captain, took time to speak to us and explain the workings of the ship which was a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the Sea Princess.

We were not allowed to take cameras with us, but we were accompanied by the ship’s photographer, who took several photos, and this afternoon we had a bag delivered to our stateroom, containing 4 photos, photo frame and a ship apron and two towelling robes embroidered with “Sea Princess”. The print shop gave us each some personal stationery as well, so we had some “show and tell” to take with us to dinner last night!

At Sea

Thur, June 6

We have now had four sea days since leaving Langkawi and it is quite scary how one day leads into another when we are not really doing much!

Still keeping to some sort of exercise regime with the excellent gym as well as line dancing and Zumba. Alex is in a trivia team and we try to get the day started with a visit to the pool and walk the stairs as much as possible instead of taking the lift.

Craft activities are on every day which I have enjoyed very much as well. So far I have done origami and have made gift boxes, bags and baskets, a bookmark and dimensional art. I would never have thought of using pistachio shells to make a flower for decoration, so I am getting lots of new ideas.

The lady who does all these wonderful projects is an American lady, Shirley and her husband, Dale. They have been teaching craft on ships for the past 20 years! She had to bring all her own supplies and manages to teach us something new in about an hour or so. A couple of the projects have been carried over to Day 2. A great concept and they do such a wonderful job.

I think I have only had two cocktails and one breakfast of pancakes, maple syrup and bacon so doing well so far. The food is excellent.

Yesterday we had a piracy drill which basically meant that we had to all go to our cabins when we heard the ship’s bell, and wait there with the door propped open and curtains closed until instructed. I have noticed extra security around the decks and the fire hoses and LRAD (long range audio device I think) at the ready in case any unknown craft approaches us.

Last night we passed Cape Comorin on the southern most point of India. Today we continue up the west coast of India and tonight we will pass the coast line of Goa as we make our way to Mumbai.

Calling all Pollywogs!

Thurs, May 30

Pollywogs we are not, as we have crossed the Equator before; however we did go to the Crossing of the Equator ceremony to see King Neptune passing sentence on the ‘’accused”. They were then suitably covered in flour and pasta by the staff and one unlucky passenger was ‘’operated’’ on behind towels to remove his ‘’funny bone’’.

Lots of fun and received yet another personalised Crossing of the Equator certificate as proof that King Neptune has sanctioned our safe passage and we are allowed to continue our journey.