A day at sea

Day at Sea #1, Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Today is our first Day at Sea (DaS) and the atmosphere on board is completely different. Whereas our previous six days have required discipline and punctuality, today’s mantra is ‘no need to rush.’ ‘Good morning, and what are YOU going to see today?’ has been replaced by “No need to rush, hey, hey; we’ve go a whole day at sea!” followed by the flash of universal but unspoken fear “But what are we going to do if we can’t fill the day???”

Priding myself on being both resourceful AND original, I decided to start the day by pressing the one blouse that had been wrinkled in transit. After a quick exploration of parts of the ship I had never seen before, I tried unsuccessfully to push open the door of the passenger laundry. As I peeked timidly around the door I was glared at by countless pairs of exasperated, frustrated eyes snaking their way around the room and assuring me that I wouldn’t be using one of the two ironing boards any time soon. Not such an original plan after all!

So Harry and I sauntered off to enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the ‘Grande Dining Room.’ After all, there was no need today to grab a quick breakfast at the buffet, or just a roll and coffee at Horizons, or even to order room service so that we could nosh and dress at the same time and still be on time for the excursion of the day. We soon discovered that everyone who was NOT socializing in the laundry room was breakfasting in the GDR. Luckily we secured a window table from which we could admire the passing blue-grey water, clouds and sky.

It soon became even more apparent, that unlike over 60% of our fellow passengers, WE were not Experienced Oceania Travelers (EOT’s). Once again, we had made a strategic planning error: if you eat breakfast two late you risk a) not being hungry for lunch and b) not getting a seat for the illustrated talk on the next port of call. Usually, one can amble in two minutes before the start but not on a DaS! Thanks to thoughtful friends, both EOT’s, we found seats waiting for us and did not have to resort to catching a rerun of the lecture on one of the ship’s TV stations (thoughtfully provided for those who arrived late or dozed off during the presentation).

The rest of the morning we spent browsing the ship’s boutique with its enticing display of overpriced jewelry, haute couture and local wares, trying not to scowl disapprovingly at the scattering of lethargic gamblers in the casino, collectively attempting the daily crossword puzzle, quiz and sudokus, and trying to work up an appetite for lunch. We were no more successful at the latter than at any of the previous activities and embarrassed ourselves by being the last two diners in the GDR. Actually, Harry was completely oblivious to the sea of deserted tables around us as he happily scooped out every speck of his daily chocolate ice cream coupe.

Any thought that the afternoon hours would be hard to fill was completely expelled when we contemplated the afternoon ‘program’:
1. pool side melodies
2. premium wine tasting
3. Spanish lessons (obviously a hold-over from the South American routes)
4. Mah Jongg
5. bridge – duplicate or social
6. SpaClub lecture on Happy Feet!
7. shuffleboard competition
8. bingo
9. martini tasting
10. outdoor golf putting competition
11. presentation on other Oceania cruises
12. afternoon tea (no more food, PLEASE!)
13. team trivia.

We eschewed all of the above and opted to read in the library comfortably surrounded by the rhythmic breathing of the dozen or so other dozing ‘readers.’ I completed the afternoon with a brisk two-mile walk (that’s two NAUTICAL miles) on the fitness track (I just ignore the name) on the 10th deck of the ship. Despite a brisk wind, the sun was shining brightly and I enjoyed my half hour planning how I could blog about how unscripted and unrushed today has been. Thank heavens I have three days to rest up before we ‘enjoy’ another relaxing DaS!