World Cruise - Sea Legs And A Routine

Our World Cruise started off with two sea days--a good way to start. It helped us establish a bit of a routine. When you have a small room to service two of you and one small closet with sliding doors, you have to choreograph your moves to avoid getting in each other's way. After two days of that we were beginning to get it down pretty well.

Two days at sea was also a good way to work on getting those sea legs. There is a rhythm to the sway of a ship and a little swell in the ocean was bringing back the memory of how to cope with it as we walked our mile around the Promenade Deck and navigated the hallways of our ship.

In the evening of the first day at sea, we had our first formal night--black tie optional but many were decked out in their finest. The captain's welcome aboard celebration was in the Palm Court Lounge and guests danced to the tunes of the ensemble and were introduced to the head staff members of the Serenity. The captain's welcome aboard celebration always leaves you wondering who's "driving the boat?" He always assures the guests that the navigation and control is in capable hands.

Dinner gave us the chance to have our first lobster and we even splurged on a little dessert before we went off to enjoy a show that featured the music of Billy Joel.

I would be neglectful if I did not mention one of the treats that we look forward to each afternoon. Tea. In the Palm Court Lounge, there is a string quartet playing and a tea with all the trimmings: finger sandwiches (no not made of fingers but of cucumber, salami, egg or ham), cookies, petit fours, cookies, and the best of all, scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Pinkie fingers up!

Our daily routine for sea days involves a walk around the Promenade Deck, reading for me and paddle tennis for Bob. He's quickly learning who to team up with. We meet for the lectures we are both interested in or just meet up at lunch time.

Afternoons involve more reading, more paddle tennis, tea, lectures or movies, and then a meet up for a specialty coffee in the Bistro before we dress for dinner. Our tablemates have been great and we are sharing all sorts of stories which will only get richer as we each experience different activities on the ship and off.

Today we reach our first port, Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, but I'll tell you about that tomorrow.