Vict0riann

Although we seem to be rolling a bit today, the sea looks almost like a millpond. I saw some small birds, or maybe it was flying fish. Heading east and a little bit north, I’m not sure if Captain van Dreumel is avoiding a storm to the south of us. A few lunch pictures from the Lido.

I think someone said 2300, but I will check this evening.

We felt a bit more of the motion of the ocean last night, the room has started creaking in time to the waves, and there was some banging. I thought it came from above, Pat thought it was one of the verandah chairs. It seems alright now. Laundry has been taking at least 2 days to get back. I think we will mention it to the lads, as Tony said his only takes a day. Maybe the port side has a slower laundry… Program for today.

After a nap we went to listen to the Dance Band. This time there were 6 couples dancing, so maybe it’s getting more popular. They said they will be off for a couple of days as they will be playing in the World Stage. Then dinner, we waited until 7:30, but we still were not very hungry, so it was an appetizer and dessert for all of us. More food porn.

Yes, I’ve seen it at other tables, at least that’s what I think it was - maybe one thick slice of banana bread, cut in half diagonally with fruit around it.

BBKing’s drinks menu.

I get the most awful cramps in my feet, my toes curl up, and it’s impossible to make them go down. Walking around doesn’t help, it must be a muscle in the top of my feet. Also occasionally, cramps in my calves. I have to sleep with a pillow on my feet, I don’t know if it’s the weight or the extra heat, but I just know I have to do it. Pat sometimes needs to wear socks, but for me, it has to be a pillow!

There is a banana bread French toast on the breakfast menu that looks absolutely decadent, and huge. I’ve never dared to order it.

Hello, Dailyites! Happy Easter and/or Passover. Happy anniversaries and birthdays for the last few days that I have missed. We are having a good time on Rotterdam, I’m not sure I have ever done 8 sea days in a row before, but I will do my best to accomplish absolutely nothing!

I never even noticed that - I wonder if it was made with red velvet cupcakes! Our waiter, Raj, kept suggesting we order more, to taste even. So much food! Tonight is a dressy night, escargot on the menu, that may be all I can eat….

We decided on a splurge and ordered the fruits de mer as a starter. It was just right for 4 people, the same as the dinner one in Sel de Mer. Then, we decided everyone should have a different main course, so there would be four plates to photograph - thinking of you all the time. Martha had a half order of the steak and eggs, Tony’s was the croque madame, Pat had the lobster Benedict, and I had the avocado toast. We split on the desserts. (the duckling was stuffed with chocolate mousse)

We decided we must arrive at the Pinnacle before noon, so as not to miss the second seating for the brunch, so we joined a short line a little before the time change, and went in just after 1! We were greeted by an extensive display of fixings for mimosas and Bloody Marys. We decided on mimosas, although Tony went to the “buffet” later on and Cellar Master Khay helped him decide what to have in a Bloody Mary - a meal in itself. The mimosas were amazing, even lichees and gummy bears floating in them, and decorated with marshmallow bunnies and strawberries. And Tony’s Bloody Mary.

Means you have to eat really fast!

Today’s Program. The clocks go forward an hour at noon. Our reservation for Easter Brunch is at noon, I guess that means 1….

Sea Day No. 2! They are going to fly by, I know. Last night was busy. We headed for the Lido pool area, after checking that our Canaletto reservation was for 7:30. There had been some confusion during the day as to whether it was 6:30, 7, or 7:30. But we did have time to attend the poolside drinks party, which was very crowded and noisy, we had a glass of bubbly, but didn’t see any nibbles. Maybe there were some after we left. Dinner in Canaletto is slightly different from the past, but we had fun. Thanks to another (Daily) thread on CC we were aware it was Overhead Fred’s anniversary, and it was announced at the table, so there was a nice anniversary cake at the end. I did post a menu in the previous post, but actually, that was not the correct daily special , so I’ll post the correct one. We found enough to eat, but there was some disappointment over the lack of any soups.

I haven’t been able to get on line for a bit - that may happen more often as we get further out to sea. We had a Meet & Greet at 1 today in the Crow’s Nest, there was a good turnout and it was nice to put faces to names. I learned that our Catholic chaplain on board was able to assist in getting a Seder organized for last Wednesday, I think it was, or maybe it was Thursday, and that the Seder itself was a success with a dozen or so participants. We attended a vigil Mass this afternoon, and will soon be heading out to an “exclusive” reception for President’s Club, 3-, 4-, and 5-star Mariners, around the Lido pool, and then on to dinner in Canaletto.

Thanks, Graham! It is a nice relaxing way to get to your part of the world!

We attended Bill Miller’s talk on the great ocean liners this morning after breakfast, which was very interesting, and one of his pictures was of the Gripsholm, which was the ship my mother and I were repatriated on during the war. I mentioned it to him afterwards, and he said he didn’t think he had ever met anyone who had been on that ship. Then we had coffee in the Dutch Cafe, and Joska came past with her owners. Joska is a lovely (seeing-eye) black lab who is quite famous on HAL- she has over 700 days on board and has received her platinum medallion . Lunch followed. In the Lido. I had a very tasty crab and shrimp salad in a bun, and only after discovered a new station, which evidently will be open every day with different specialties, just for the crossing. Today it is the “Fish Corner”. I must remember to check it first next time!

After coffee in CO, we came back to find a new notice by the ice bucket. We are out at sea today, the motion of the ship is just a bit more discernible than approaching New York. But not bad at all.

The program for today, plus we have an invitation to a Mariner party at 7.

We enjoyed the Sailaway- thanks so much everyone, for the fantastic pictures. I wonder if I could have requested a wave! I’ll add a few pictures we took, but yours are better, as the ship is in them! We went to dinner, but kept leaping up to take pictures. It was a beautiful evening. And a nice dinner. Red sky at night, sailors’ delight! Soft shrimp taco Liver, Martha said it was very good. fresh cod, yummy. Black Forest cake Sticky toffee and date pudding

Tooting! Maybe we are going to move. Maybe not.😏 a couple of little cars are leaving from in front of the bow - NY equivalent of little white trucks? And there’s more tooting and we are moving off.

Karlijn just came on to introduce Bill Miller and the commentary coming from the Crow’s Nest. It’s Bill’s birthday today.

A while ago they were asking urgently for a passenger to report in. Hope he did so, and that’s not what we’re waiting for. yes I’m wondering about the rocking, too. I don’t mind a bit of the motion of the ocean, but I really don’t want to fall down.

We’re still here. View from the bow cam. The bow is going to be open, but it’s chilly out there. I think we might just watch and listen from the comfort of our room!