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When it comes to cruising, many people automatically think of an interior cabin. While there are some great advantages to having an interior cabin, there are also some disadvantages. One of the biggest disadvantages is that it can be quite dark inside. If you’re someone who doesn’t like being in the dark or who gets claustrophobic easily, then an interior cabin might not be the best option for you. There are also some people who find it difficult to sleep in a completely dark room. If this is the case, you might want to consider booking a cabin with a window.
Now me? Well, I chose interior because it was (a) cheaper, (b) I was solo and was not going to be spending time in it, and (c) I had heard there was a better upgrade chance. Still, even if I did not get upgraded, I was fine with it.
Well I am glad I got the interior. Since it was just me, I did not feel cramped (okay, maybe a little when I was trying to get alongside the bed). Without a porthole, window, or balcony, there was no stray light either. So when I turned the lights off to sleep, it really was dark. Okay, maybe not PITCH black as I had an LED on my power strip and the screen on my CPAP to provide a LITTLE light. I spelt well though. The darkness and the gentle rocking of the ship put me to sleep faster than I expected. I awoke well rested and ready to get on with the day.
Since this was a “Day at Sea”, I did not feel the need to wake up to an alarm and by the time I got out, it was close to 10am. I made my way up to the buffet and “washy washy”. I decided on an omelette and as I was standing there, Mary tapped me on the shoulder. She asked if I had seen the show last night as I said I had not. I mentioned I had brought some games and had played one last night. She was starting to say that she could get some people together when the cook asked for my plate. My breakfast was ready. I excused myself again and grabbed a few more things from the buffet before sitting down.
I pulled out the “Daily” to see what was going on. “Deal or No Deal”? Looks interesting, but like Bingo, you had to buy cards to play. “Brazilian Samba Dance Class”? Nope, two left feet and no rhythm. “Bingo”? Nope, we went over that. “Canvas by U!” painting? That sounds like fu…. er… started at 9:30. Well, those were the “Highlights”, let’s see what the full sheet says.
Mojito tasing? That’s a solid maybe. I’ve had good and bad Mojito’s, might be good to know what to look out for and what I might like. “Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament”? Well, that be fun to watch, but I don’t know it well enough to play and I definitely don’t want to buy into something I don’t understand.
There were other options in the afternoon, like “Button Making” and a showing of “Top Gun” in the theater, but watching “Texas Hold’em” won out. I might just learn something.
So, I head to the casino. It is smoke filled, but I’ve been in worse (flashbacks to parties at my aunts house when I was a kid and everyone smoked and there was NO ventilation). I made my way back to the table and a crowd has already gathered around.
Now I am a taller guy and usually have no problem with crowds and seeing, but there was enough of a crowd that it was hard to see the table and the players. Also, since every player was against every other player, they kept their hands pretty tight and close to the vest. So much for learning. I mean, I got the gist of it since I practiced on a computer program, some of those games with live players (and fake money). I did not do bad, but nothing beats live experience.
After 20-30 minutes of jockeying around trying to get a better vantage point, I gave up. I had money ear-marked to lose in the casino. My track record started strong, once, in Vegas, when I was 21 and I played “Pai Gow” poker. That time I walked out of the casino ahead, on my entire vacation. Since then, I’ve not has such luck. As I was walking out past the “high roller” tables , I saw a “Pai Gow” table, but it was empty AND it was $25 per hand. No thanks.
I kept walking and saw that MOST of the slots were “penny” slots. Of course, you are not betting a penny, but multi-lines and the bets per spin ranges as low as $0.30 to $0.88 on the low ends to $3.30 to $8.00 on high. Still, that was more my speed. If Teresa had been there (and with the smoke, she would not had been), but if she were, she would remind me that slots are “Skinner Boxes”, that I was a rat pushing the button hoping to get a food pellet on the next push. I know that, but hey, I knew I had a little money to spend. So, I reached in my pocket and pulled out $5. Yep, a while Fiver. I saw a machine that appealed to me having dueling (Chinese) dragons. I slid the bill in, chose the min bet and one the second spin, I won a partial jackpot of just over $40. Not bad, but I could win more if this machine was hot. I reached up and hit the “pay out” button. Nope, I can use this elsewhere and I got my payout at the cashier and left.
After all that cigarette smoke, I wanted some fresh air. I headed up to deck 12, the pool/sun deck. As late in the afternoon as it was, I suspected it would be hard to find an unclaimed deck chair and I was right. I mean, I get it, you want to find the perfect spot for you or your group. But to get up uber early, grab a towel and then claim “dibs” on a deck chair for the entire day when you are not using it but maybe an hour, that’s just selfish and entitled. And since I am neither, I kept looking.
I did find some shade, with a nice view and an open deck chair on deck 7. Sure, we were under the life boats, but it was not bad (and actually less windy. I just did not have a waitress coming to see if I needed a drink. Still, with my headphones on and my kindle in hand, I was going to relax for a while.
Other than the sounds of people walking by (Deck 7 made a more shaded “loop” for a walking track) and the clatter of the occasional shuffle board puck, it was quite and I was able to focus on my book.
Specialty Dining: “La Cucima”
Tonight was my first “Speciality” dining at “La Cucima”, the Italian restaurant. Again, because I am not a heathen, I cleaned up and dressed for the occasion. To be fair, most people did too. I arrived early and was seated immediately. Now as this was new to me, I was unsure of their portion sizes or if they would charge me for a second appetizer (I am told you can order one of everything in the “Complimentary” restaurants if you want to).
They brought out hot bread with a olive oil/balsamic/parmesan dip. Looking over the menu, I opted for a cheese plate with various meats, and for the main course, I figured the chicken piccata would be good. I paired it with a glass of wine.
Almost everything was fantastic, and I really should not complain, but I felt the service (at least for me) was lacking. There were times when my water glass was empty, or when I knocked my fork on the floor, the waiter was not there (and they picked up the table service for the seat across from me, so I could not steal that one). Sitting next to me was a couple celebrating their anniversary and across from me was a table of 8 celebrating a birthday, so maybe I just got lost in all that, but I left there feeling a bit alone.
After dinner, I made my way to the Stardust Theater. Tonight was the “Midnight Sky with Duo Forte”. Now that name seemed familiar but I was not sure from where. When I got to the entrance and saw their marquis poster, I knew. They had competed and done pretty well on America’s Got Talent. I made my way in and found a seat. I tried to order a drink, but the wait staff where busy with others. It was okay though. I had just gotten up from the table and I also did not have a drink package, anything I ordered would cost me.
Back to DUO FORTE – The cruise director Jeimy (pronounced like Jamie) Caro (from beautiful Columbia) came over the speakers and let everyone know there was to be no pictures or video taken during the show. She then steps onto the balcony and introduces the show. The curtain rises and Veronica and Pawel take the stage.
The show was absolutely fantastic. The way these two work together is amazing, and some of the acrobatics were unbelievable. Now, I listened and did not take any photos or video (but others felt entitled to do so). The images and video here are from their instagram and youtube channels. I hope you enjoy.
