lepidoptera

Yesterday we were in Aruba. I woke up with a chronic complaint bothering me. Went to breakfast planning to get off the ship and wander the town and then go to a beach. I realised I was trying to sych myself up to get off the ship and I didn’t have to. Ended up spending the day in the spa and in the pool deck. It was very cool watching planes land from the spa. Had an early dinner and then went to bed. Ready for my day in Curaçao.

Have beaten the odds and have an atrium seat listening to the Manhattan Band. Had a very nice dinner in Taste.

Had a quiet sea day today. I got sunburned yesterday. I wasn’t expecting the ride to be outside so I didn’t reapply sunscreen before getting on. I didn’t end up sleeping well. But in exciting news the ship is starting to be decorated for Christmas.

@Buford T Justiice the included drinks are in the first photo in the green section.

Coconut beach was fun. The description called the ride to the beach bumpy. It was an understatement, but almost like getting 2 excursions for one. We rode a truck with open air seating to the beach, but drove by some really scenic spots. Then had a decent beach with beautiful weather. Food and drinks were just okay, they definitely wanted you to upgrade to the non-included. Not for anyone with mobility problems. We met in the manhattan room which is aft, and the ship pulled in. So everyone had to walk the length of the ship, plus the rest of the pier then find the meeting spot. Waited there for about 10 minutes with no seating. Then had another walk to the trucks. At the beach there is a large staircase to climb to get down to the beach. When we retunrned to port, we had 20 minutes to all aboard. The dropped us off at the far end of the port so had to walk pass the lazy river etc, then the length of the pier. I was fine but people were struggling.

Just watched the sail in to the Dominican Republic from the Waterfront. We are next to Celebrity Reflection. Was pretty cool watching the docking. I am doing a NCL excursion-Coconut Cove and Authentic Beach Break. Currently waiting in the Manhattan room for our excursion to be called.

lol!

Savor was just okay last night. I got there at about 8:40 and they closed at 10:00 but I feel like they were so focused on closing that I didn’t get great service. Most concerning was I got the cannoli for dessert, but when it came there was fruit chopped up on the sauce. I asked 2 different severs what it was but no one knew. They got a third guy, who had taken some of my orders, who said it was fruit. I told him I was allergic to mango, which I had told the first person taking my orders. He seemed surprised to learn I had an allergy. That is when he told me it wasn’t mango but cantaloupe 😂

After lunch went back to my room. At this point it was almost 4. Sat on my balcony for a little bit but was nodding off. Took a cat nap inside for a little bit, then cleaned up before my booking for Six. I ended up standing in the standby line for a while because there were no signs. Ended up not getting a great seat. Even though my seat wasn’t great and the lady sitting next to me was manspreading, I really enjoyed the show. I think I will try and see it again this sailing. It is a shame they are taking the show away. Now I just sat down in Sabor for dinner.

Breakfast was oatmeal and berries again forgot to grab a photo. After breakfast I walked a little on the waterfront. Then read my book and knitted. Went inside checked the lunch menu in Savor, decided to go to O’Sheehans. Which was a mistake. Got the Cesare salad with chicken and it was horrible, didn’t eat it. Ended up staying and playing tribond trivia. Ended up getting all 20. So I am travelling solo but on Thanksgiving my parents realised that my Mom’s cousins wife and her mom were on the same sailing. They spotted me upstairs and I went down after Tribond and sat with them while they played progressive trivia. Went up stairs to the buffet for a second try at lunch. The sweat and sour shrimp and the peach cobbler were good everything else was just okay.

@HowardK Boarding day was cold. Yesterday was chilly-that was at least partially the wind. Today you could spend time outside. There were a few people in the pool today. I spent about 2 hours out on the waterfront today. I did wear light pants and long sleeve shirt, but I did see people wearing shorts.

That sounds really good, I will have to add that to my list.

Dinner was good at La Cucina last night. My reservation was at 8 and did not finish until 10pm. Wish I had eaten less of the pasta and had more room for the Oooo Bucco.

Beautiful day today. Feels like it will be warm enough to spend some time outside.

Lavender Patch. Had a singer at Shakers as well. Had to take it to go to make my reservation.

Those photos loaded in the opposite order I both selected and ate them so 🤷‍♀️

I had the scallops (lovely as usual), Ceaser salad and the Monte Cristo. I’ve had better Monte Cristo on NCL but over all enjoyed it. Finished with the chocolate orange cheesecake. Afterwards I spent about 2.5 hours in the thermal suite. Lots of saving of loungers. After I was done in the saunas and tubs I got a longer for the last hour and the whole time I was there the only occupants of the loungers around me were towels and books 😂. No photos of the spa this time went, phone was in the locker. Since I forgot my conditioner, I rinsed off in the Spa and planned to take a real shower back in the cabin. But when I got there my steward had just started servicing my room. Ended up just getting dry shoes and taking off for a while and reading my book. Just got back to the cabin a bit ago and had to charge my phone. Decided not to shower, since didn’t want to go to dinner with wet hair. Have reservations at La Cucina. Plan to get a drink before dinner.

Lunch was yummy. There was a small line to get in. While waiting a lady in front of me was insistent that the menu they had posted was breakfast. Readers, this is “all breakfast” to her:

That’s funny about the Santa Clause, I will think of that in the future. I am a huge Christmas person, but am not decorating this year what with being in this cruise. Not sure when I will be able to get my shopping done or my baking.

Did some knitting in Shakers bar. Managed to finish a repeat of my chart. Now off to lunch in the MDR.

Slept well, but woke up a few times. Decided to get up a little bit before 8. I’m not a huge breakfast person. Had oatmeal with some berries and bacon. Afterwards I went to the Meet in Greer in Cagney’s. Had a very nice time chatting with several people. Bill and his team of helpers did a very good job running it. There was a large batch of officers attending including Errol. Apparently the precipitating event for the delays yesterday was an IT issue on the government’s side delaying the full crew immigration check.