Friday, November 29; Saturday, November 30; Sunday December 1, 2024
Dates will be a little confusing because I’m writing about several
different days! Thursday 11/28 was our first full day at sea and Thanksgiving
as well (and yes, we had a delicious turkey dinner for Thanksgiving, but I’m
already missing leftovers!).
We are re-learning our way around the ship (we did spend 14
days on board Quest in September and October this year, so we sort of know our
way around) and actually learning a few new things. For instance, we thought
there was only one place (Seabourn Square) to get coffee before 8am. Nope, at
the Observation Bar (which is MUCH closer to our “suite”) they have coffee
available from 6am to 8am.
We had the distinct pleasure of dining with Milena Kotinska
(the Learning & Development Manager) for our first (of five, I believe)
“formal nights.” She remembered dining with us on our Montreal Quest trip and
asked us to join her again on this cruise. She is part of the “Hosts” for
dinners. Senior staff invite Quest guests to have dinner with them and
somewhere between two and six other guests. This was our first Hosted dinner on
this cruise, but we had three on our 14–day cruise. A very interesting experience!
Our waiter was also on our previous cruise, so it was nice
to see another familiar face! Our room stewards, Jennifer and Donnard, are new
to us but delightful people.
Randy has already been immersing himself in the talks being
given in the Grand Salon. Friday was The Peoples of Polynesia and—I have no
idea what this means—Zane Grey, Fishing, and Social Change. Yesterday (11/30) is
the 1st and 2nd voyages of Captain James Cook and today is The 3rd and Final Voyage of Captain Cook.
Tonight (11/29) was our first “formal” night, which has
the following rules: “Tuxedo, suit or slacks and jacket for gentlemen. Evening
gown [!] or other formal apparel for ladies [in The Restaurant].” Randy used to
bring a tux on our cruises, but we’ve relaxed a bit and he only brings a
jacket. I don’t own an “evening gown” so I’ll make do with a long skirt and
flowy top. I imagine there will be some truly dressed-to-the-nines folk in
attendance.
Meanwhile I have to figure out how to solve a computer
problem: I need to keep up with our financial records but when I went to
sign-on to our credit card company, it had to “validate” my sign-on. The ONLY
way, apparently to do that is to send a text to my cell phone. I have turned
off my phone so I don’t get international roaming charges (quite expensive).
So, they can’t validate me. Most places will use an authenticator app or will
send a code to my email. Not Chase and not Citi. Only a text will do.
Willie and I are
going to take some photos around the ship today and I will ponder the
validation problem.
Willie and I did take some photos. Unfortunately, I
neglected to bring either a card reader (XQD or SD) or the specific cable I
need to connect my camera, a Nikon D500, to my computer. Damn. So, I must wait
until Hawaii to get one or both of those! And yes, I asked the Seabourn Square
if they had any. Nope.
