Saturday, January 22, 2022

Yesterday's entry was late being uploaded "due to technical difficulties." The ship's Wi-Fi signal is not as strong in some parts of the ship as others and currently is noted as "weak" on the icon on the laptop.  This is not unusual; when we sailed on the Prinsendam, we learned that the connection was better when the cabin door was left open.  This is not an option on the Covid-dam.

Speaking of Covid...We are not sure if we are surprised by the passengers' acceptance of mask requirements or by the small number who try flout the system.  For the most part, people are complying, but there are always a few who think they are more important than the rest of us.  Despite the close quarters at trivia, there are players who do not mask up because they are drinking when, in fact, they have a drink on the table.  By contrast, Ken lowers his mask to drink and then pulls it back over his nose and mouth,  Still, we feel safer here than at the grocery store or other public places at home.

Prior to leaving last week, we enriched Jeff Bezos some more by buying KN-95 masks in a variety of colors.  D tries to find the best combination he can.  There's an orange one which matches a shirt; also a red one that goes with today's polo; and even a blue one which goes well with his blue formal wear accessories.

We expect to be tested again before we reach San Diego to comply with HAL's two-days-prior-to-cruising testing policy since we are technically taking 2 cruises.  We don't know if all passengers will be tested prior to disembarkation.  And we know we will be swabbing ourselves before we can enter the Canal on the return trip.

MA's back was so sore this morning that we skipped the MDR.  D went to the yuppie coffee station in the Crow's Nest bar and got hot water for her tea.  He didn't realize just how far it is from the bow to the stern [about 900 feet] until he did it with 2 paper cups of scalding water.  Later in the morning, MA got a manicure while D killed time by the Lido pool waiting for her; he also used this time to shlep the previously mentioned bottle of wine to the MDR.

Otherwise, it was just another sea day.  Dinner tonight was a Gala Night which gave D another chance to wear his tuxedo.  We have seen no others which is disappointing but nor surprising.  D seems to be the only one who also wears a coat and tie every night, too; we all have our own concepts of "smart casual."

As for Gala Night, MA was able to order escargots, so she was happy, but , in general, the menus for this and everyday are less inspired with less variety and without some of HAL's traditional offerings.  To add insult to injury, some items which used to be available for the asking are now offered for a up-charge.  At least we have yet to be charged for our nightly tempura vegetables.

After dinner we returned to the cabin to watch the end of the Green Bay-San Francisco football game.  We watched part of the early game as well.  

Tomorrow -- Puerto Caldera and Business Decisions