Saturday, January 29, 2022 

 One of the most hallowed traditions of cruising, at least for us, is the SCAN.  Normally conducted between lunch and trivia [at least on this trip], it fell victim to "circumstances beyond our control." Somehow, MA's necklaces got tangled, both individually and in pairs, and she has spent the previous two evenings before bed trying to untangle them to no avail.  She started early today -- right after lunch -- but was no more successful.  And she didn't get the nap.  D secured tiny safety pins from the front office, but they didn't help; he also called the laundry to try to get some without any luck.  Finally, after trivia and before dinner, she untangled the last one.  Now the project becomes finding a way to keep them from tangling again before we get home. 

Today was the last sea day before landing in San Diego and also our last day with MDR steward Roy who has been mentioned before.  He appeared at our table this morning in all his puckish glory and "played the game" one last time.  Unbidden, two bowls of berries appeared on the table "from Roy," said the waiter.  Then he tried to foist a half-grapefruit on us "from Roy."  Roy himself came several times to chat and joke with us.  We will miss him and his antics, but he will be happy to go home to his wife and children [at least for a while]. 

 Lunch in the Pinnacle Grill [or the Pineapple Grill, as we call it] was disappointing despite the pavlova for dessert.  In general, we have been disappointed by the food choices and quality; it is obvious that the standards and expectations have been lowered in the name of the bottom line.  Still, we have been impressed with the attitude and efficiency of the waitstaff in every venue; it is only the food itself which is lacking. Likewise, the staff in the Ocean Bar has been attentive and anticipates our drink order before we even sit down.  There are two factors at work here -- the staff is good and we are too predictable.  

On the other hand, the cabin stewards are mediocre.  They are pleasant enough but not as thorough as they should be -- we have been watching a dental pick on the floor by the closets for two weeks; it has not moved.  In the same vein of mediocrity, the bed is not made evenly so the covers are always longer on one side of the bed than the other.  It's the little things. 

 Tonight was also our last dinner with Ken and Lois.  Although their appearance at the table two weeks ago was a surprise, we have enjoyed sharing meals as well as trivia answers. [Side note: When D wore his HAL 9000 hat to Walmart the other day, one of the employees asked what it meant, so D had to explain HAL as Holland America Line and as the HAL computer in 2001. He made no attempt to explain the HAL 9000 trivia team.] 

 We never heard from Cruise Friend Richard who wrote that he might be in San Diego tomorrow if we wanted to get lunch.  And MA's back and walking are such right now that we will not attempt to walk to the HOHO bus which stops nearby.  Result?  Another sea day in port on an empty ship.  .

Tomorrow -- Are you ready for some football?