Barcelona and Transatlantic Cruise 2008 – Day 16 – Atlantic Crossing
December 11, 2008
Today was our fourth straight sea day as part of the Atlantic crossing. We have continued to be blessed by great weather and seas for the crossing. The seas have continued to remain very calm with swells of only 3 feet. The weather warms up every day as we approach the Caribbean. Temperatures are in the low 80’s with some humidity.
We have been treated to some interesting weather patterns here in the Atlantic. It is very intriguing and fascinating to watch the weather in the distance change quite frequently. In my ocean staring time, I have seen many this squalls/storms form out in the ocean as we steam on. The weather formations come and go pretty quick. We have had several times where a mile or less off the ship, you can clearly see rain falling, yet the ship continues to bask in sunlight.
We have been enjoying most of our breakfasts on the balcony. This is a change for us as we have normally gone to the restaurant for breakfast. It has been more relaxing on the balcony and sense the start of a new tradition for us and cruise breakfasts.
In the morning, we had received an invitation for a navigational bridge tour, so we obviously went on the tour. It was pretty neat. They did a quick little security check on folks before they took about 20 of us onto the bridge. The bridge is actually quite large and spacious. In fact, most of the bridge is just empty carpet. There is a lot of room for people to be running around up there.
In the center of the bridge is a fairly small console that contains many of the instrument displays and controls. The 2nd Officer gave the tour and provided a lot of information on operation. There is a very small wheel that can be used to turn the ship but it is to only be used in emergencies as its really too sensitive and will cause disruption to the passengers. Normally, the ship is steered by entering a new desired course via digital panel or keyboard. The ship’s computer than accurately turns the ship to the new course.
There was another section of the bridge where the other two officers were seated behind the area where we were standing looking at the console. It didn’t look like too much back there, but they were certainly careful no one went back there or took pictures of it. Security made folks erase any images on cameras that might have accidentally included that area. Our tour of the bridge lasted about 35 minutes and was very enjoyable. If there hadn’t been another one behind us, we would have been allowed to stay longer.
Sean and I also had a chance to play some more ping pong. He really likes to play that on cruises. Unfortunately for him, I continued my domination over him. He did play Suzanne in a couple of games and beat her.
We enjoyed a simple lunch of hamburgers and french fries today. I can easily say that the cruise has gone by too fast and I would love to stay more. But, I can also say a break from the fancy and gourmet dinners would be nice. The lunch break of a simple American favorite for lunch was very nice. I threw in a few Caribbean chicken wings that were also quite good. We have made a couple of stops in at the grill for lunch and will probably do so the last couple of days too.
Suzanne continued here trivia quest around the ship. Savannah and Sean spent some additional time in the Fun Factory and I continued my staring and enjoyment of the ocean.
In the afternoon, the family enjoyed some time together either poolside or at the Mast bar. We had a couple of drinks and the kids did some swimming in the pool. Unfortunately, the party band only played one set of music poolside. That has been a trait on this cruise that has not been a good one. I don’t understand why they haven’t been playing more at the pool. On most cruises we have taken, the party band plays for a couple of hours poolside weather permitting, which it has been for the crossing part of the cruise.
Dinner was our last formal night of the cruise, so it took some extra time to get all prepared. We had a quick glass of champagne in the Champagne bar before dinner and then enjoyed another fabulous meal.
Being the last formal night, they brought out the Lobster. Suzanne and Sean partook in the lobster while Savannah enjoyed a Cornish Game Hen. The lobster tail was also served with a couple of grilled shrimp and scallops. I wanted to get the Game Hen, but ended up getting the Prime Rib, which was very delicious. I saw several folks get two orders of the lobster and even saw some folks get an order of lobster and an order of Prime Rib.
After dinner, we went to the theater for the last production show of the cruise by the Celebrity Singers and Dancers. Thus far, I have been a bit disappointed in the production shows. I have always thought they were the highlight of the cruise entertainment, but on this cruise, I didn’t think they were quite up to par.
This show, Thoroughly Broadway was a marked improvement. The singers were much improved and the dancers were good too even though I still felt the choreography was still a bit simplistic but did go with the songs and sets. The costumes and set design was again top notch. This was clearly the best production show of the cruise and very enjoyable.
After the show, we headed back to the cabin for another relatively early turn in. We went lights out about midnight in preparation for our final day at sea tomorrow.
Barcelona and Transatlantic Cruise 2008 – Day 7 – Malaga, Spain
December 2, 2008
Today was our first port of call on our 2008 transatlantic cruise. The port was Malaga, Spain, the birthplace of famed painter Picasso. The ship docked about 7:00 am, but due to our late bedtime the night before, we didn’t rise from our slumber until about 11:00 am.
It was a bit cold and windy outside and the primary point of interest for us, a Moorish castle, was closed on Monday, our day of call. So, we decided to forego going ashore and spend the day on the boat instead.
We grabbed a quick lunch of hamburgers and fries and folks pretty much went their own way. Sean and Savannah spent most of the day in the Fun Factory playing video games and board games with the counselors. There are only six kids on the cruise and only one is near their age.
I spent some time walking around the ship and enjoying the scenic Spanish countryside. I also spent a bit of time online catching up on stuff I have been missing while gone thus far. Suzanne hooked up with some of her Cruise Critic friends and enjoyed an afternoon of gab. In the late afternoon, Sean and I enjoyed an hour or so of Table Tennis. So it was quite a nice, leisurely, enjoyable day for us.
Right before our dinner service, was family karaoke night. Normally on a cruise a lot of the kids and their parents get together for karaoke. Tonight, it was just Suzanne, Savannah and Sean singing.
I am going to sound like a broken record, but we enjoyed another fabulous dinner. It was Escargot night, so Suzanne and the kids enjoyed the foul 
appetizer. It’s one of the kid’s favorite dishes on the cruise. Sean also couldn’t resist another shrimp cocktail – he plans to have one each night.
For the main course, the kids and I had a young roasted chicken while Suzanne opted for the crab and crawfish stuffed flounder. The chicken was very delicious and quite good. Suzanne said the fish was very good but could have been a bit hotter. Our waiter seemed a bit overloaded last night and running behind.
Our sommelier was also hopping and at one point was seen caring about a dozen bottles of wine. However, we have learned the secret of ordering wine on a cruise to ensure you are not waiting for the wine into the dinner service. Towards the end of the dinner service we actually order our wine for the next night. Then, it’s already sitting at the table waiting for us when we arrive for dinner. The maitre de even brings us the next night’s menu to use in ordering wine for the next night. It’s a very effective system. We always get in good with the sommelier too and enjoy good wine chats with him.
After dinner, it was off to the first karaoke night. Of course, we had to attend. It was actually quite a fun night. Suzanne sat off with her Cruise Critic friends and the kids and I sat at a perfect table front and center. There were a couple of good singers and the few just having fun. Suzanne sang three songs: Girl in 14G, I Dreamed a Dream and Memory. She received many cheers and congratulations from the well attended event. I think they have one or two more karaoke sessions and then the Celebrity Idol competition Starring You. During the karaoke sessions folks in attendance can vote for singers to be included in the competition. Suzanne is hoping to get chosen. Last cruise, she finished second due to a poor song choice (Bohemian Rhapsody) for the crowd.
After the karaoke competition, which finished up about 12:30 am, we somehow hooked up again with our new found English friends Roy and Jenny and moved to the Champagne Bar for a night cap. A couple of the professional entertainers and the cruise director were there again and a night cap turned into several. We finally headed up to bed at about 2:30 AM. The kids were with us the whole time and loved staying up late with the adults. They have been very well behaved. Roy has really enjoyed talking history with Sean too.
With tomorrow another sea day, we will likely be sleeping in late again.
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