Cruise Part 3

The people are the best part of the cruise. The first night, we're all strangers, but by the end of the 10 days, we know each other well. Nadine and I sat at a table toward the back of the dining room and were joined by two women and then a couple. As we enjoyed introducing ourselves, we found out that we had an amazing amount of commonalities, and by the end of the cruise, felt more like friends than strangers who found themselves randomly seated together. Before we disembarked, we shared names, addresses, phone numbers and email contacts. We have already discussed an anniversary cruise in another couple of years.

But one cannot mention a cruise without raving about the food! The day began with an endless variety of breakfast options, including an omelet station that also made amazing eggs Benedict; a wide variety of fresh fruit; a never-ending selection of bread products; and every kind of beverage one could want for breakfast, including freshly-squeezed options. The lunch meals were a repeat of breakfast, with five different options every day, beginning with appetizers, then including the main dish, and followed by dessert. Ice cream was a favorite because it was delicious, both at lunch and at dinner.

Dinner was amazing, with a wide variety of appetizers, followed by a good assortment of main dishes, and then ended with desserts. Each dinner featured a variety of wines, as well as other drink options to meet anyone's taste. The food was so delicious and so varied that no one could complain. And, of course, it was served by a professional wait-staff anxious to make a good impression so s/he could earn extra tips.

After dinner, there was a lounge area with a bar that became the central gathering place for the party people. And boy, did they party. The entertainment was low-key, but my two favorite offerings included classical music night (an opera singer accompanied by a French horn and a pianist), and the "dance" night, when all the favorites from the 60s, 70s, and 80s were played by the pianist. The guests, divided into teams, had to first dance the appropriate dance to the music, then answer 2 questions about the time period/events. My team, the Spice Girls, came in second after tying for first in 2 elimination rounds. We were exhausted after that evening, but it was exhilarating.

There was a captain's dinner, the chef's dinner, and the farewell dinner, all of which were made more special by the little touches. The staff, from the captain to the food servers, were all so professional but friendly, and made the experience memorable.