We choose to dance !

n keeping with the Mariner Appreciation Days, the fun has begun, at least for those of us that have completed at least 850 days of sailing the high seas. We were invited to a special brunch that was held in the Crows Nest at 11am. The room was converted into a dining venue with eight round tables of eight guests each, including one or more officers hosting each table.

A receving line was formed in the entryway where we met Stein Kruse and Linda, his wife, Gerald, the Mariner bossman, his assistant Sally, and Captain and Mrs. Mercer. This was our third brunch with them, and they did remember us. We do know Gerald much better, since he recently joined our travel group at our dinner in Ft. Lauderdale.

As we exited the line, a waiter escorted us to our pre-assigned seats, which we believe were selected by Kim, the Pinnacle Grill manager. She kindly seated us with Peter, the ship's purser, who we know well. Other guests joining us were Brian and Louise, who we also know, a couple from Grass Valley, California, and an elderly lady we have seen around the ship often. When she took her seat, she loudly announced that she was deaf and could only hear the people on either side of her. Despite that, we did try to include her in all of the conversations.

Now this meal was quite interesting in that everything served was original, some of it a first for most of us. Starters were crab cakes, which looked familiar when we dine in the Pinnacle Grill. One of us ordered the pate, which was served on a black slate, like a roof tile. The food consisted of one tiny slice of pate, along with 2 small pieces of toasted bread, and a dollup of cooked banana with one raspberry. Sounds weird, but it was delicious.

The next course presented to all was a bowl containing a slice of venison sausage and a bit of langostino or lobster. The waiters then poured a bean puree soup into the bowl. Since Mary Ann has a shellfish allergy, she would not taste the soup, because you never know if other fish sauces could be ijn the recipe. Best to avoid any chances of reactions, which could be sudden. She said thanks, but no thanks.

There were three choices of entrees.........a lamb dish, fish, or quiche. Bill chose the lamb, a trio of tastes, which included what appeared to be tongue, filet, and chop perhaps. That was different if in fact it was tongue. Mary Ann had the quiche to be on the safe side. Red or white wines were poured, except for us, we had sodas. Previous to coming to the brunch, we had been walking on the promenade deck, where the temperature must have reached 100 degrees, or at least it felt like it. The humidity has hit big time as we head north. Anyway, the sodas over ice were a bit of heaven for us.

Finally, one of the best desserts we have eaten was served. It consisted of two meringe cookies, filled with three raspberries and cream. Next to that was a thin layer of a nut brittle with a scoop of raspberry shebert on top. Sticking out of the shebert was a honeycomb chunk of candy. Every one of us cleaned their plates.

Right before we began eating, Stein and his group visited with each group of eight. We had the chance to mention the type of music we have had onboard like forever, when Stein brought up a story about attending a Jimmy Buffet concert with his family. We all agreed that we would love to hear those tunes at the pool, so Stein promised to have a word with the cruise director concerning the music. We only ask if they can bring it out of the 30's and 40's. If anyone can initiate a change, it should be the CEO, right? The photographer also took a picture of all of us with the bossmen and their ladies. If we call from previous cruises, we should get a copy or two complimentary in a few days from now.

The affair ended around 1pm. As we left the lounge, Kim handed us a menu as a souvenier, asking how we liked the food. Bill remarked how much he liked the lamb dish, including the tongue, and Kim seemed to be happy about that. So it was tongue after all.

The rest of the afternoon was spent at the aft pool, literally baking in the sun. There was a following wind all day, making it warmer than it should have been. Without that breeze, most folks had to be in the pool more than out of it. Our buddy Mel pulled up a chair to discuss the lunch with us. He and wife Helen had been at a different table, so he wanted to find out what we had learned. We did have some info.....the big party will be held on March 2nd, our day in Bali. Apparently, local Balinese dancers will be joining us that day, instead of flying ahead of time to Fremantle. More decorations will also come onboard that day we dock there. That may affect the participation of that celebration, since most folks will have spent the day on tours, and will be very tired from the heat and bus rides. many of the tours in Bali are over 8 hours, including the one we have booked. Perhaps it won't be as crowded, or such a wild crazy drinking fest that happened last year.

Char, the future cruise consultant joined us for dinner tonight. She informed us that she is taking deposits to hold our rooms for the 2015 world cruise, even though we do not know where it will be going yet. That should be announced by the CEO in the next couple of days at his speech in the Queens Lounge. As soon as we hear the itinerary, we'll let you all know. Will it be eastbound, or will it take us through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean? One never knows what the bosses in charge have in mind.

Bill & Mary Ann

We choose to dance !

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Our 115 day World Cruise day 53, at sea

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