Cruise Day 11 At Sea, Nov 6

 We started the day's activities with "The Dream of the South Pacific" in the Red Room with the architectural historian. I wish her name was on the day planner. It was an interesting lecture. Not an area of architecture I knew much about. I took architectural drafting throughout high school and considered it for a career but the science and math stuff took me out. 

I did go to the Knit Happens group. It was nice but I did feel a bit awkward because they had all been coming regularly. Chris, "The Charmer" was the host. He didn't knit or crochet, but he did make puppets! This was his first time cruising. He was really enjoying it and I wish we had seen more of his acts/events.

The weather was getting nicer, but it was still not Caribbean warm. We saw a ship!

It looks like we should be so close to Florida, doesn't it? LOL. 

It got closer! 

There was a crew drill at 10am and it was the weirdest thing. I don't think we saw this one happen since we were in the theater, but on another day I came out to the elevators from our hall, and there were crew in their gear, standing silently at the stairs, and then throughout deck 6 and 7.  It was kind of creepy.

We went to the Galley for lunch and I got a Paloma which wasn't quite as I was expecting. The outside area at the aft behind the Galley is a nice spot to eat, however, sometimes the service takes forever. I needed a spoon for something and I was waiting a long time. I thought they had a little stand with that type of thing out there, but guess not. The other totally weird thing is that one door going out is button operated, but the second one isn't!! You have to go through both! Who thought of this nonsense?! Carrying a plate of food (no trays) and you have to PULL the door towards you! 

Also, sometimes the Galley was s-l-o-w.  One day (I think this day), I ordered a Cuban at the panini counter and it took forever. They weren't working slow or anything, poor girls was non-stop, but considering the ship was half full (or less!), I don't understand why it was so slow. The potato chips there are worth it though! That was one thing I missed on our Royal cruise, and I was NOT paying tuck shop prices for a bag of chips. You could get them in some of the grab and go sandwiches that are in a couple places but they'll be cold (and sometimes a bit moist feeling), or here at Hot Off the Press. Ripples, taste exactly like Ruffles but they're a European brand. Salty goodness LOL.

I dragged Rob to the Around the World in 80 Minutes with The Diva. I knew he wouldn't like it LOL.

Part game show, part cabaret show, it was optimal cheeze. Again, it ended in a tie for each round. I did not think The Diva has the greatest voice but it's supposed to be fun, and it was entertaining. Might do better on the shorter Caribbean cruises with a younger crowd.

In the afternoon I was going by the Social Club and saw they had peanut brittle again. Rob had really liked it, so I picked up some to take back to the room. Well....it broke a crown!! We had no way to call the dentist, but he was able to communicate through email with a bit of investigating/help from the kids. This put a bit of a downer on things, but what can you do? It wasn't hurting so that was good.

Looking nice. We actually started going in the round pool in the afternoon. Not bad, once you get in. One day it was so rough we sloshed around and had a good laugh. However, there were too many things to bang myself on, it wasn't like a lazy river! 

Dinner was at Pink Agave (funky lights!).  Rob didn't really want to go back. He only liked the corn dish; I don't even have pictures or notes on what we ate. I did order a drink that took forever. Turns out the server took it to the wrong table. We saw Paul and Sandra again but they were seated in a different area. 

We made sure to be waiting at the Manor really early for Lola's Library. I might have also gotten the time wrong so we were there extra early. We were waiting just where the hall enters the casino, behind a solo man, younger than us, maybe in his late 30s. Suddenly, he turns to me and says "Those glasses frames really look good on you". I was so caught off guard! I thanked him and said that I get so many compliments on them that these were actually my second pair. He acknowledge that and turned back. Kind of strange, but very appreciated!!

Lola's Library was really, really good! I was under the misconception that The Happenings Cast (particularly The Hostess and The Diva) were all the entertainment crew.  I didn't realize there was a totally separate cast of dancers and singers!!  Rob always says he doesn't like the big shows on Royal (but also, finds a lot of the other shows cheesey...there's no pleasing him).  This show was very unique, a musical, great effects, use of space, cast...everything. Not knowing the story, or the music, kept me riveted! It IS a very risqué show though! A lot of sexual humour, so beware. But wow, I was impressed!! 

Late night walk around on the jogging track. You can't walk very far on the deck above the pools because the bow is closed off if you're not a "Rock Star".  The jogging deck doesn't get you to the bow either. This is a huge downside on this ship design I think. At the back, it's hard to get a good view from the aft because of the giant day bed and catamaran net. You can go down to the outside eating area at the Galley, or the Dock House, but then you're pretty low. It's like the ship designers didn't realize people like to stand at the railings and look at the places they're docked or going! Anyway, the jogging track was nice and quiet most nights. A little breezy, but the breeze was starting to get warm.