Semi-Live Voyager for 33 nights beginning May 1, 2024

[mom2mybugs]

I’m enjoying your blog so much as I will be on voyager next June to Italy and Croatia!   We also have a fur baby (well 2 actually) and it’s harder to leave them than the adult kids by far.  Thanks for bringing us along!  Jane

[perfect match]

On 4/29/2024 at 7:52 AM, lovesthebeach2 said:

Sounds wonderful! I’m still trying to nudge my DH to do longer B2B cruises….so far we did 27 nights on Odyssey, one was a TA which he thinks are boring. 
I’ll be following along!

Your DH sounds like my DH. I have to keep him busy on just one sea day to keep him happy. I can’t imagine what he’d be like on a TA!

 

On 5/3/2024 at 3:35 PM, xpcdoojk said:

So far I am the oldest Flowrider. Not a good thing

 

Maybe not for the Best of the Best but if you’re getting older and still enjoying the Flowrider, I’d say that’s apretty good thing! 😀

 

 

[perfect match]

I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your Wellie. It’s never easy to lose a pet, especially one who has been with you for so long. 
 

We were docked next to you in Nassau on Saturday on Allure. We waved, did you see us? We didn’t even know you were aboard!

[xpcdoojk]

I waved at about 8 people on the Allure Helipad from my balcony, but none waved back,  😂

 

Another hour forward on Bermuda time now.  It is markedly colder outside.  Weather looks lovely though.  Hopefully the wind will shift so we are not head on into it.  Makes the FlowRider much nicer that way.

 

jc

[perfect match]

We were waving from our balcony on deck 8. 👋🏼😀

We are home now and ready to follow along with your TA adventures. 

[xpcdoojk]

Yesterday was a good day despite it being cooler hardly fell at all.  Unlike this morning, the ship is rolling and falling is a regular thing.  That sucks.  

 

Last night we went to the Michelle Murlin show, I thought of Ocean Boy when she finished her set and did her song from Cats when she was in the show.  Memories.  I know how much he loves that show. 

 

After on our balcony aft, we were wrapped in the extra blanket comforter, and a line of star link satellites went by on the western horizon, very cool. We normally see satellites, but not like that.  

 

Today at lunch they had a Greek Salad, so for the first time in the MDR for us there was a green salad that was not the Caesar on the menu.  

 

Yesterday the lunch menu was Brunch, so I had an omelet and the strangest French toast.  

 

JC

[xpcdoojk]

Sitting on our balcony after lunch is quite pleasant.  Slight breeze, full sun.  Contemplating putting my full wet suit on, knowing the wave is going to make me crash and I will be wet and cold.  The suit has been drying in the sun, but it is still going to be damp and cold to put on.  Glad I  have it.  There are huge rollers going by at about a 45 degree angle to the ships waves, I imagine this is the figure 8 rolling the ship is doing.  There are no white caps so the seas are not being churned, just this big rolling waves.  On the upside, unlike this morning, the sky is clear with no clouds.  That always helps.

 

Watched the Miami Grand Prix on my IPad, and I was happy to see someone other than Max winning and Max still running.  The photo girl from Chile gave me her favorite Pastel de Choclo recipe, she is going to tell me the next time she is taking pictures of the FlowRider what type of corn to use in the recipe.  She is from Puerto Mont.  Which is a lovely place if you ever get the chance.  

 

It is a quarter to 2, and boogie board ending in 15 and mixed starting.  Should I wait a bit?

 

Rodrhi got back to our house yesterday, and my niece-in-law said he was happy to be in his own backyard.  This weekend, Nurse Sally, who went on the RV adventure in her own trailer, is going to pick him up for 10 days and take him to her house.  He will love that and she will hate him!  🤣

 

JC

 

 

[xpcdoojk]

Perfection on the FlowRider 66 sunny no wind. 
 

Daniel and I waiting our turn

 

Edited May 8 by xpcdoojk

[xpcdoojk]

Got a card to remind us to meet in theatre on day 12 at 11:30AM to let us know how consecutive cruises works.  Apparently, they ignore the FlowRider schedule.  😂

 

Today after lunch in the WJ where I over ate, had the worst shrimp etouffee, which had a lot of mushy scallops and no flavor.  Then a piece of fried chicken breast.  Then I went into the stir fry line, which took forever, and had a fair stir fry.  Then I found the watermelon, pineapple and papaya.  The people in that line were going nuts grabbing huge chunks of papaya, as if they had never seen it before.  I to two small pieces some chocolate cake and a chocolate chip cookie.  Pineapple was good, watermelon pretty good, papaya (as it often tends to be) was horrible. Cookie and cake good.  

 

After lunch we went out on pool deck as we were walking around, I noticed on the horizon a white shape that didn’t go away on the starboard.  So, we stopped at an open window (like the infamous grandpa window) and leaned out.  Sure enough a twin sailed sailboat.  We are a long way from anywhere, so I am guessing they are doing their own TA from Europe to the Americas.  Very cool.  As it got closer the decks began to fill with people taking photos.  

 

So, it is 2:30PM, I have my swim shorts and rash guard on.  I suppose it is time to head up.

 

jc

 

 

 

 

[jmh2006]

On 5/5/2024 at 1:41 PM, dani negreanu said:

 

JC, thank you for taking time from your vacation to bring us along.

 

Following, as usual, this time even more, since we're also booked on Voyager for September (if the "situation" will be resolved by then...).

 

The main reasons for booking this particular cruise were Kotor and Split. Never been there.

 

Wishing you and Krystal a wonderful cruise 🌺

I will be on Explorer of the Seas leaving from Ravenna on May 25th and visiting Athens, Santorini, Kotor and Split and I can't wait!!!

[xpcdoojk]

Another hour forward, I am not a fan.  Woke up at 6, chose NUUK, Greenland as location and it was 7AM.  In the crown lounge finishing coffee.  Last night’s show was Levent a very funny magician.  Good show.  Room was packed.

 

On the home front, my mother-in-law had an unexplained accident where her ankle was caught between a walker and a piece of furniture and cut.  She went to the emergency room.  No idea of stitches or what they did or did not do, as she was vague with her sisters on the phone and didn’t have her hearing aids in.  I am sure Krystal will call her later today when she is awake.  Not that we will know more.  Internet on the ship in the cabin is pretty useless, but it works out on the balcony.  

 

Yesterday, the mixed wave in the afternoon was pretty crowded the first bad session.  At one point the line was about 12 long.  Which by other ship’s standards is really good.  So, this cruise is close to a Unicorn still.  The temps were really comfortable in the afternoon, no wet suit required.  The ship is still doing figure 8s as the waves are still hitting us at a 45 degree angle.  I heard the main pull was a mess yesterday afternoon with water in the pool splashing out even throwing water up to deck 12.  I was either in the room or on the FlowRider so I have only second hand information.

 

I got a notification that Biker19 mentioned me and something about the kids zone.  I am pretty sure I am the last person on earth to ask about the kid zone, but I will endeavor to find out something if I can by interrogating the kids in the mixed line this afternoon if they show up.  One boogie boarding kid, I saw him pouting in the hall leaving the FlowRider, when questioned why he didn’t show up to ride (he is pretty good and seemed to enjoy it) he just shrugged his shoulders, I then asked if he was ok, another shrug.  So, I have no idea what drama is happening in his life, but clearly not having a good day.  

 

JC

[xpcdoojk]

Yesterday was a nearly perfect sea day. Sunny, 66F no apparent wind on deck as the wind was from behind and we had following seas.  Only small rollers that rarely had much effect on the ship or FlowRider.  Dale won king of the 360s on the boogie board.  It was a crowded field as he competed against himself.  🤣  I was the only witness as I was packing up my stuff, and left my IPhone.  I saw him do his run.  Then went to the cabin.  When I returned to get my IPhone he was packing up and I asked if he won.  I announced his victory to the Pinnacles we were setting with in the crown lounge when he came in.  I got a lot of blank looks.  🤣

 

We went forward again over night so now on Ponta Delgado time.  So, no moving forward in time tonight!   Yay!

 

Surfing begins in 35 minutes.  So, I had better head back to the room and get ready.

 

jc

[xpcdoojk]

We are at the dock in the Azores.  We spent 8-10PM on lounge chairs on our aft balcony scanning the horizon wrapped in a blanket searching for whales then til about 11PM looking for satellites. Saw zero of the former and lots of the latter.  We watched the show called something like Quintessence Duo of the Sea or something.  A couple doing Cirque du Soleil type dance, ribbon swinging and strength dancing.  It was quite good.  Best of that kind of thing I have seen on a RCI ship in the main theatre.  We love Cirque so from me that is high praise.

 

Apparently, we came to the dock extra early because of a medical emergency.  So, for those who want it we have extra time here.  I am planning on heading to the wave shortly for an hour.  The unicorn nature of the ship has degraded slightly, as the few people between age 20 and 50 some have now earned their blue bands, partially my fault as I encourage them to take a lesson and how to do it.  O well.  Dale from Texas won the kind of the 360s yesterday.  He is not the best at 360s although unlike when he won the same crown for boogie, he actually had competition this time.  The true king of 360s watched with me as Dale won.  We are glad it makes him happy.  

 

Our plan is to wander thru town since it is a Saturday shop and eat.  If anyone has a lunch with excellent seafood recommendation you have about 90 minutes to let me know!

 

thanks in advance to lunch recommendations

 

jc

[sgmn]

On 5/8/2024 at 5:34 PM, xpcdoojk said:

 

After lunch we went out on pool deck as we were walking around, I noticed on the horizon a white shape that didn’t go away on the starboard.  So, we stopped at an open window (like the infamous grandpa window) and leaned out.  Sure enough a twin sailed sailboat.  We are a long way from anywhere, so I am guessing they are doing their own TA from Europe to the Americas.  Very cool.  As it got closer the decks began to fill with people taking photos.  

 

So, it is 2:30PM, I have my swim shorts and rash guard on.  I suppose it is time to head up.

 

jc

IMG_6112.mov  

 

IMG_6112.mov  

 

 

IMG_6112.mov

On a transatlantic a few years ago we came across a small boat which had run out of fuel, about a day out of The Azores.

The crew let down a boat and ferried across some drums of fuel. They did several trips. Quite impressive operation and probably a good training opportunity for the crew. 

 

I am always tempted to try the boogie boards, but never screwed up the courage at my advanced age. Did boogy boarding/ body surfing from a young child off the Cornish Atlantic coast. 

[Biker19]

2 hours ago, sgmn said:

I am always tempted to try the boogie boards, but never screwed up the courage at my advanced age.

Low chance of wiping out and getting hurt on that (until the staff starts encouraging you to make some moves). 

[little britain]

On 5/5/2024 at 5:58 PM, xpcdoojk said:

Tasted like water.  

Hiya! Following along!!

 

Wait till you get to Europe. There is a stupid (imho) new ruling whereby the cap must still be attached to the bottle so you have to drink with the bottle cap halfway up your left nostril….

[xpcdoojk]

19 hours ago, little britain said:

Hiya! Following along!!

 

Wait till you get to Europe. There is a stupid (imho) new ruling whereby the cap must still be attached to the bottle so you have to drink with the bottle cap halfway up your left nostril….

 

So, these idiotic bottles of water are the EU’s fault?  That is all I seem to be able to get from any bar or as my C&A welcome gift.  They are very bad.  What about sports drinks?

 

We ate at a very good restaurant Gastrónomo.  A bit off the beaten path, but excellent.  Had limpets, triggerfish, French fries, baked sweet and regular potatoes, tomatoes, and salad.  O, and of course, a couple of glasses of red wine from Portugal.  Yum.  The locals seemed to love Coca Cola, and they were the old fashioned type with a lid on a reusable bottle.

 

Yesterday morning, advanced hour was basically, just Peter from Frankfurt and I.  I surf goofy, So, I did half my runs surfing regular.  It is so hard, I am basically like a noob who just got their blue band on that side.  I am very tired this morning with another hour jump.  AS starts in 30 minutes and I haven’t even finished my coffee yet.  Who knows how many people who haven’t done it yet will show up in the mixed wave sessions.  

 

Other than the 83 euros and change for lunch all we bought was a tube of lip balm with sun block.  I left mine at home and my lips are getting pretty bad.  K tried on some cute Fly of London sandals, but they hurt her arch, so PDG didn’t get much income from us.  Sorry to the locals.

 

ciao

 

jc

Edited May 12 by xpcdoojk

[little britain]

On 5/11/2024 at 9:36 AM, sgmn said:

On a transatlantic a few years ago we came across a small boat which had run out of fuel, about a day out of The Azores.

The crew let down a boat and ferried across some drums of fuel. They did several trips. Quite impressive operation and probably a good training opportunity for the crew. 

 

I am always tempted to try the boogie boards, but never screwed up the courage at my advanced age. Did boogy boarding/ body surfing from a young child off the Cornish Atlantic coast. 

I was on that !Navigator TA ?  

[sgmn]

1 hour ago, little britain said:

I was on that !Navigator TA ?  

Yes !!! That's the one. 

[sgmn]

On 5/11/2024 at 12:52 PM, little britain said:

Hiya! Following along!!

 

Wait till you get to Europe. There is a stupid (imho) new ruling whereby the cap must still be attached to the bottle so you have to drink with the bottle cap halfway up your left nostril….

Yeap, all our coke bottles have it.  You can twist if off though with brute force 

[xpcdoojk]

So, still not sure if the caps are an EU thing or a UK thing, but most be the former.

 

Yesterday was the ugliest day of the cruise, as the weather has been really good.  A lot better than the May TA on the Anthem from Cape Liberty last year.  In the morning AS session, I had a bad fall (only fall) and landed maybe on the board at the bottom with the back of the head.  Fortunately, I have a very hard head, and after a moment felt fine, although it was a bell ringer.  Surfed til 11 then went to the main theatre for a discussion on consecutive cruisers.  It appears that there will be 375 people on the 11 night cruise from Barcelona to Athens, which according to the officer leading the discussion is a record.  Not sure if that is a fleet wide record or a Voyager record, or a made up record.😂  

 

We have to have our stuff if our suitcases prior to 8AM they will then take our luggage to our new cabin, which we will have for the last 18 nights.  They are providing a shuttle for us to the WTC.  We have a Sagrada Familia ticket so we will leave the ship around 10 and make our way to the basillica.  

 

Well it is 8:30 new time, last change at least while we are in Spain, so off to the room to get ready to go to the FlowRider.

 

jc

[little britain]

@xpcdoojk it’s typically EU to waste time, money and resources to solve problems that no one thinks is a problem. 
I mean, how difficult is it to keep the bottle lid in your hand whilst you drink and then screw the lid back on again 🤷‍♀️

[Ocean Boy]

3 hours ago, xpcdoojk said:

So, still not sure if the caps are an EU thing or a UK thing, but most be the former.

 

Yesterday was the ugliest day of the cruise, as the weather has been really good.  A lot better than the May TA on the Anthem from Cape Liberty last year.  In the morning AS session, I had a bad fall (only fall) and landed maybe on the board at the bottom with the back of the head.  Fortunately, I have a very hard head, and after a moment felt fine, although it was a bell ringer.  Surfed til 11 then went to the main theatre for a discussion on consecutive cruisers.  It appears that there will be 375 people on the 11 night cruise from Barcelona to Athens, which according to the officer leading the discussion is a record.  Not sure if that is a fleet wide record or a Voyager record, or a made up record.😂  

 

We have to have our stuff if our suitcases prior to 8AM they will then take our luggage to our new cabin, which we will have for the last 18 nights.  They are providing a shuttle for us to the WTC.  We have a Sagrada Familia ticket so we will leave the ship around 10 and make our way to the basillica.  

 

Well it is 8:30 new time, last change at least while we are in Spain, so off to the room to get ready to go to the FlowRider.

 

jc

Be very careful about that "bell ringer". We know a lot more about head trauma than we did years ago. Another impact to your head in the near future could bring out far more severe symptoms and a full blown concussion. Years ago I'd let a football player with a bell ringer back into a game if their symptoms resolved quickly. These days they don't stand a chance of getting back in.

 

So... be careful and be smart.

[xpcdoojk]

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Be very careful about that "bell ringer". We know a lot more about head trauma than we did years ago. Another impact to your head in the near future could bring out far more severe symptoms and a full blown concussion. Years ago I'd let a football player with a bell ringer back into a game if their symptoms resolved quickly. These days they don't stand a chance of getting back in.

 

So... be careful and be smart.

Yes sir.  I am going to continue surfing, but I will try to remember to just fall down rather than try to save it.  I have zero symptoms.  So hopefully I am fine.  First time I can ever remember falling like that.  Hopefully I will never repeat.  

 

Appreciate your concern

 

This morning was the regular four, Peter, Daniel, Dale and I I quit after about 90 minutes it was pretty cool.  Gabby showed up about an hour in.  I didn’t surf aggressively because I didn’t want to get wet.  Even with my wetsuit it is brisk.  I had a good fall only. That is helping with the lines.  I am planning on going back around 3:30 for 90 minutes.  

 

Lunch was in the WJ.  Had the stir fry for about the 4th time.  It was the first time where the line went quickly.  Dinner last night in the MDR was pretty solid.  I am not a fan of the menus, but I still think the food is not bad.  It is not awesome, but it is good.  

 

We watched the show Ana Iza Ching a violinist with an attitude.  Started off playing a Muse (one of my favorite modern rock bands) song, and I am pretty sure I was the only person in the theatre (full) who knew what I was hearing.🤣  She played a lot of Queen in her set (who wants to live forever, Bohemian Rhapsody, and We are the Champions) and a little classical music.  The royal orchestra played with her.  I probably prefer it to the singers and dancer shows, but it was not a must see.  The comedian/musician a few days ago was really good.  

 

JC

[xpcdoojk]

So, we had a port day and I am behind in updating.  Malaga is a nice cruise stop, and about a perfect one for the short stop we had yesterday.  We took the shuttle 10 euro for both from the pier to the city center parking lot.  Walked up the main shopping street and then to the west to El Cortes Ingles, the giant Spanish department store.  After we wandered thru the market where all the fresh fruits, fish, beef, and other similar delights were for sale.  We bought a bottle of water and a fruit smoothie and returned to the bus drop off for the ride back to the ship.  Krystal bought a few items, a pair of pants and a couple of little tops.  We ate in the WJ with no stir fry station.  

 

The night before the headliner was Jay Rowling (or something similar), I am not sure how to describe his show, a bit of a mixture of comedy, juggling and balancing things on his face with a small bit of magic with odd items thrown in.  Probably one of the better shows.  

 

So, with that bit added, they had mixed wave from 2 to 5PM and advanced stand-up until 6:30PM and I arrived just before 5PM.  On the wave was Jay Rowling.  The only people there were the Mexican couple from Mexico City, Jay and jc.  Shortly it was just Jay and jc for about 30minutes until Daniel and Gabby showed up.  He is not very good, but he is trying and unlike most people in the line he is motivated to get better and actually listens to coaching.  Seems like a generally good guy, and very much the same person as on stage.  

 

After surfing we dressed for the show and dinner.  Dinner in the MDR was probably the worst menu of the cruise, and I ate the very average NY Strip steak for about the 5th time.  The show was the East Coast Boys another Jersey Boys (FV) show.  They seem to love those on the TAs, as we had a different but similar group on the last years Anthem TA.  They did a good job.  The theatre was only less than half full.  

 

Post show, was the 70s party.  Krystal’s favorite part of the cruise.  She goes all out on the show, and other than a really well outfitted Elvis she was the best dressed for the part. Person on the ship.  She had fun.  I endured with a smile and an occasional dance move.  😂

 

Today is Valencia, we don’t arrive until 11AM and off the ship at 11:30 theoretically.  The AS is 8AM til 9.  I am skipping, but will head up around 8:30 to say goodbye to everyone not on the next sailing. IE Peter, Daniel and Gabby most likely.  They are closing the wave most of the day to replace the glass at the back of the ship past the FlowRider, and won’t open it until 8:30PM.  There is no way *I will be functioning well enough a that time of night to ride, so a lost day.  We have plans for Paella at Le Pepica at 1PM for lunch.  Hopefully, we can get there in time.

 

ciao