Sunday, February 6, 2022 

The slight motion of the Pacific lulled us to sleep last night after we stayed up late reading and continued to lull us until 9:30 this morning!  Needless to say, we missed breakfast again so D trudged once more to the coffee bar.  When he walked in, the barista called him by name and said, "two hot water and a latte?"  Well, today he wanted only one hot water for MA's tea bag, but it was like walking into Cheers, where everybody knows your name.  once again, the staff commented on the matching orange mask and shirt.  Some reputations are hard to lose. 

As a note of explanation for any readers who are not aware, MA brings her own tea bags on cruises and has done so for several years.  Once upon a time, HAL offered Cinnamon Stick tea in their tea chest but stopped carrying it.  We had Publix order some for us and have carried it along ever since.  The MDR waiters now know her as the Tea Lady.  When we stay in the cabin, one carry-out cup is used for the morning's drink while the other is used to make iced tea for later in the day.  The irony of all this is that she does not drink Cinnamon Stick at home. 

We sat on the balcony for most of the morning alternately reading and watching the wake.  It was wonderful.  Before the sun shifted and the verandah became unbearable, though, we had to leave so MA could get a manicure.  D read outside by the pool while MA was getting glammed with Tutti Frutti nail polish.  By the time she emerged from the spa, the Lido buffet was closed, so we got hot dogs from the Dive In burger bar. Afterwards, we went shopping at the ship's store.  

Because this trip was booked as two back-to-back cruises, we received a ton of on-board credit both for signing up and as Carnival Cruise Line stockholders.  We can't spend any on drinks because we have an included package and dinners at the specialty venues are likewise included.  We don't do ship's tours, as mentioned earlier, so there isn't much to spend it on. Our major "cash" outlays from the credit have been for internet access, manicures and D's visits to the Medical Center.  

What to do? What to do?  SHOP!  Alas, the clothing available in the shops has not been replenished since the ship went back into service at Christmas.  D planned on buying HAL logo polo shirts, but there were none in his size [and very few in any size] so he settled the other day for a pocket t-shirt.  MA bought a few items last week and then some more today, but we still have several hundred dollars which we must spend.  Jewelry or a purse may be on our shopping horizon. 

Of course there was an afternoon siesta and dinner although we skipped the drink beforehand.  The casino beckoned but was not generous and we returned to the cabin to write the journal and catch up on email, Facebook and Words With Friends. 

Tomorrow -- Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica.  Again