harryfat1

They showed a video about the crew on the ship

At 10:15, there was a Captain’s Corner event at 270 so we made our way there. Somewhat similar info was provided in the “welcome back” event on day 2 as we got to know a little bit about the captain and cruise director’s background. They also introduced the various department heads. I was surprised (or I shouldn’t be) that there’s a Finance person onboard that handles each person’s paycheck. I originally thought corporate payroll in Miami would handle that but with ships not always in the US and the movement of workers between ships, it makes more sense to have each ship handle its payroll as they know who is working in their respective ships.

Santa came out as we were leaving Cruise ship toilet paper. I talked about it in my previous trip report. Someone mentioned it may be thin due to the ship’s sewage system getting clogged up if the TP is too dense

They still have salmon out. No secret password is needed to request for them. Saw two ships sailing next to us. One of them is an RCI ship

Today is another Saturday on this cruise. Typically Saturday is a happy day back at home but on this sailing, it’s less so since it’s the last day of the cruise Santa was still sleeping in at 9 AM. We had to sit way in the back of the windjammer as it was very crowded that morning Food from different members of the family, so no, this isn’t all my food My wife likes Asian-style breakfast more so she always gravitates toward congee with ginger slices I got my typical omelet from the station via the handy dandy pager. So much nicer to not have to stand in line to get an omelet.

Looking outside of the balcony at 8:40, we see a lot more clouds and it would rain later in the day as the captain went on the PA system to give his daily updates. In the past cruises, the captain typically makes his daily announcements at noon but for this cruise, the captain likes to make it at 10 AM instead. We have the return of the one-eye monster attacking the ship (aka North Star in operation for the high-paying folks since today is a sea day and it’s not free). Zooming in we see it’s empty inside at 8:45 so they must be running a safety measure with an empty cart to make sure everything is in order before they allow real passengers inside – similar to what Disneyland would do for their rides Here’s a view of the inside connecting door when it’s partially closed. When it’s fully opened, you can’t use the full-length mirror as the door blocks it

Day 8 – Sea Day (Time to Say Goodbye) Since I didn’t go to sleep until around 1 AM the night before, I slept in this morning. I didn’t make it to café 270 until 8:15

Thanks for the link. I will check out her channel

Yes, those shining things are glow rings. If you stand close to the stage, your odds of getting one will be higher than if you are far back. My son got one years ago on the Allure when they were throwing them out to the crowd I also bought a set of Christmas glow rings online and brought them to the cruise parties but they aren’t as bright as the RCI ones Since I was looking back at the photo archives, here’s a picture of the 70’s party on the Allure or the Navigator from last August. Originally, I wasn’t convinced/used to the 70s party being away from the Promenade is a good thing. Still, given how narrow the Esplanade is and the presence of all the sales tables, it’s better to have the party at 270 so it doesn’t clog up traffic in the middle of the ship.

At 11:45, the dance party was officially over and they were supposed to have a virtual firework show immediately afterward but after waiting for 15 minutes, they announced that due to technical difficulties, they couldn’t run the software. Oh, well, time to go back to the cabin via the secret door. The last picture of the night shows that at 12:48 AM, we are sailing 17 knots heading back to Florida. Since we had a lot of loud dancing songs tonight. Let’s wrap up the evening with some calm classical music with the famous River Flow In You piano piece. For some unknown reason, I have been a fan of classical piano music lately on YouTube…🤪 This concludes day 7 of the trip report. ++++++++++ Many thanks to those still hanging around. We are coming down to the home stretch. Almost done here as the Fat Lady is getting ready to come onto the stage. ++++++++++

Earth, Wind and Fire 20231229_232414.mp4 20231229_232528.mp4 My older son moved to the front stage Here's the last video (you thought I would never end, huh?) 20231229_233155.mp4

Ricky started the Love Train: 20231229_232124.mp4 I spotted my younger son in the train (white arrow) but don't know where my older one is 20231229_232303.mp4 20231229_232407.mp4

20231229_231939.mp4 20231229_232027.mp4

Speaking of YMCA, here’s the granddaddy of all the dance songs. It’s the most popular because it’s the easiest to do so even your average non-dancer can follow along. In my video, pay attention to the 30-second mark where all of sudden, the big dude sitting in front of me jumped up like he got jolted by an electrical charge and started doing the YMCA. And his wife next to him was all in as well. The entire dance party up to that point, this middle-aged couple was just sitting there enjoying their drinks and not moving much but when the Village Epopple played this song, they were up and dancing like a 20-year-old down on the dance floor. Glad I wasn’t sitting next to him as he’s a pretty big dude, he would have easily crushed me…😜 20231229_231437.mp4

Years ago on my first cruise with Holland America cruise, the cruise line known for catering to old people and their parents, at the main theater entertainment, when the music conductor asked if the audience loved the “big band” era, a thunderous applause responded. Big band era? Really? The Beatles is as far as my music history goes back – not cunting classic music. The big band is way before my time. I just chalk it up as that cruise line is just for senior citizens and they don’t play my type of music. Fast forward to the present day with RCI having the 70s and 80s dance parties on their sailings. Which is more in line with my musical taste – but does that mean I have gotten old enough that the cruise lines are playing my era of music? Is that considered to be a good thing? Will the current generation of cruisers think of the 70s and 80s music as “my parents' music”? Judging from the large number of younger cruises, it’s not just old folks on the dance floor. RCI is certainly a lot more lively than the Princess cruise dances at their promenade area where their version of the 70s and 80s dances meant the people dancing were in their 70s and 80s. Maybe in another 10+ years, would I end up being on the Princess cruise dance floor? I doubt it, as when I get older, I will just have my grandkids push in a wheelchair to the edge of the dance floor and when they do the YMCA song, I will just keep my arms up at the Y position as by then arthritis will have set in and my arms will lock up at the upper motion part. So my version of the song will be Y-Y-Y-Y as I will just remain in the Y position until the song comes back and everyone else is doing the Y again. Similar to a broken clock is right some of the time…🤪

Everyone loves Ricky and his energy. My boys rate him the best cruise director they have sailed with.

Yeah, I figured something must have happened to him during the first show such that he can’t perform in the later show. The magician guy offered to do a day show on day 8 as a makeup for people that didn’t have a show on day 7 but since we had already seen his previous show, we didn’t feel compelled to go again.

OK. My wife and the boys finally were able to squeeze onto the dance floor: Look how fit Ricky is The boys on the left

20231229_231007.mp4 Village People: 20231229_231125.mp4 The Simpsons Version:

Ricky is all into it - you must give a ton of credit to all these cruise directors as they have these 70s dance parties weekly and the energy they display is incredible They could fill the stage twice the size as you see many people standing by the side but can't get on the dance floor. Donna Summer: 20231229_230735.mp4

As with the other dances, my wife and the boys were on the dance floor while I was upstairs so y'all get 2 perspectives again: 20231229_230138.mp4 KC telling people how he likes things: 20231229_230404.mp4

OK, the dance party started with the classic Bee Gees song that was at the beginning scene of the Iconic Disco movie. Oh, by the way, Capital One brought back Travolta this past Christmas to reprise his famous movie opening with a modern-day twist. Pay special attention to the gal in the video as she was from the original movie What's in your wallet/vacation?

OK, at 10:45, time to go to our favorite place – you guessed it, back to 270 for the biggest dance party on RCI, the 70s’ Dance Party. We have never missed this event since we have been sailing with RCI. The whole family loves this event. If you don’t like the '70s dance party, come back in 2 days as I have tons of videos and pictures from this event since it’s our favorite event on any sailing next to the belly flop. 20231229_230042.mp4

There was supposed to be a guest performer at 10 PM tonight for the late seating. However, at dinner time, the cruise director made an unusual announcement over the PA system saying the 10 PM show had been canceled (no explanation given) but apparently, he performed for the earlier seating so something must have happened to him during/after the first show that he couldn’t perform for the second show. OK, no formal entertainment so we just walked around and took some pictures. As tonight was the lifeboat drill, they still had the green lights all over the hallway as if there was an actual emergency. I have never seen these lights lid up before