Friday, January 21, 2022 

We anchored today off of Fuerte Amador, the gateway to Panama City.  We could see the downtown across the water -- a very tall city with myriad modern skyscrapers.  For no reason, we had not expected such architecture or height.  All the same, from here it was just another large city. 

Those who have looked at the map of our route will note that this was not on the original itinerary.  As mentioned the other day, it was substituted for Cartagena more or less at the last minute.  Even so, there were plenty of shore excursions offered and people were heading to the tenders shortly after 8 o'clock.  Not us. 

The remainder of our trip has been modified as well.  We are not stopping in Nicaragua or Guatemala and the visit to Costa Rica has been pushed back to Sunday.  We have no problem with these changes, not because we have no plans [we don't] but because we understand that stuff happens.  At least we are still cruising unlike travelers who were abroad when the pandemic first struck, many of whom were stranded on the other side of the globe in 2020. 

The day itself was the typical sea day during which we ate, rested, read and played trivia. 

The high point -- and it wasn't so very high -- involved the cheap bubbly which was in an ice bucket in the cabin when we arrived.  D went to the Food and Beverage Manager and asked if we could swap this bottle for something else.  We have done this on many cruises, the bubbly being horrid.  The FBM said it would not be a problem and, half an hour later, just as MA began the SCAN, there was a knock on the door.  When D opened it, there was a young woman from the Beverage Department with the bottle of white zinfindel D had requested.  The swap was made and D will take the bottle to the MDR to have with dinner.  Maybe we will get another bottle for the return trip.

Tomorrow -- A Sea Day and Formal Night