Climbing the 30 foot high rock wall was something I had never tried before, but I made it to the top and rang the bell...
Ellen tried her luck at a bingo tournament...
...as well as a slot machine tournament...
A jambalaya cookoff by the pool was followed by platefuls for all who wanted to try the result...
At 8:30 every evening, live shows were available in the La Scala Theatre. Below is Merrill Osmond, the lead singer for the Osmond Brothers for 50 years. Between songs, he regaled us with stories of his brothers and sister and showed video clips of the group back in the "old days."
Other nights featured two comedians, Olympic gymnast Lance Ringnald, Kenny James (the 13-time winner on Star Search), and the ship's singers, dancers, and band.
Even the sun put on quite a display for us over the open ocean at sunset...
... and Jean, our stateroom attendant, left gifts of her towel creations in our room every evening, like this monkey that was hanging around...
Every day we'd walk the decks and up and down countless flights of stairs for exercise, and on day 5 we ran into Bob and Angie doing the same thing. Bob and I were colleagues teaching at the same school for over 2 decades, so we talked awhile and made a date for lunch together that noon and the next. And then we continued to run into each other at events the final 2 days of the cruise and wound up speaking a number of times. Small world, for sure!
The chef who carved the ice sculptures demonstrated his skills on this 300 pound chunk of ice, creating a sailfish for us in under 10 minutes. His job entails creating 5 new sculptures daily. I wonder how he feels about his "works of art" being so temporary.
Mini-golf was another activity we participated in...
Other activities included the hot tub, sunning and reading on the pool deck, watching flying fish cavort near the hull, appreciating the variety of art in the stairwells and hallways, and attending a fine art auction.
Also, music was available in lounges around the ship and we took advantage of those several times.
I have enjoyed reading about and looking at pix of your cruise, Chuck. I'd still go with what I said was my first choice, but this would sure be a very close second!
ReplyDeleteIce-sculpting ... yes, it's very much an art and a source of amazement to those of us who are not so talented, but when one "has to" create so many each day I cannot help but wonder if some of the artist's own awe isn't somewhat diminished.
I'm glad you two had such a great time. And what a serendipitous find, to discover people you aleady knew on board!