Tricia’s Travelogue

News has been light around here lately, but we are still enjoying our version of Independent Living at sea.  It will be hard when we (eventually) get back to cooking and cleaning and doing our own laundry.   Halloween hasn't been majorly celebrated on board, perhaps because there are many fewer children than on most Royal Caribbean cruise ships. I didn't see any costumes, (apart from a few crew members) yesterday when it was officially celebrated. Some people have Halloween decor on their cabin doors.  This morning when we went to Chops Grille for Charlie's birthday breakfast, there was a fun display of decorated pumpkins in the Windjammer entrance. Last night Charlie captured this image of the moonrise: We're now in the Eastern time zone, with one last time change tonight. We are waking around 4:00 each morning, so let's hope we can adjust that a bit later in the next few days!  It makes for a LONG morning. For Charlie's birthday, in addition to the aforementio...

I enjoyed a pretty low-key birthday on the ship yesterday -- by choice.  Thanks for all the birthday texts and gifts!  I'm looking forward to reading my new books, ordering a knitting kit I'd been eyeing, and doing a little retail therapy when I get home!   Our room attendant (another October baby) knew it was my birthday and set up this "cake."  The pin in the center says, "It's my birthday!"   We enjoyed Mexican food for lunch -- El Loco Fresh is one of our favorite features on this ship.  For dinner, we were scheduled to go to Izumi, but opted to get takeout from there instead. The host was very understanding about the noise issue, saying he often has a headache by the end of the evening from all the hibachi hoopla. They packaged up our order nicely, and we enjoyed all our favorites in our suite (including sake in our espresso cups!). Just some of our order While waiting, we had drinks in Schooner's, and Charlie took this photo of the Centrum a...

I meant to write about this yesterday!  On Saturday night, diners in Giovanni's were surprised by pipes bursting overhead. This photo was in the Facebook group for the cruise.  When we ducked into the Windjammer for apples the next morning, the doors were open in Giovanni's, and lots of industrial fans were going. I asked a crew member about it, because we had reservations for last night. He assured me that they'd be open, though some diners might be seated in the Windjammer (next to the restaurant). That's where we opted to sit, because our favorite server, Raj, was posted there.  He told us he'd gotten completely drenched. The sea continues to be very calm, and we're having beautiful weather. The pool decks are crowded.  We have five more nights at sea before we dock in Galveston early Saturday morning. Charlie managed to get a couple of  photos of the full moon early this morning. Moon over the kids' water area (for Sydney, he said) Today we were up ridic...

On Friday, we were invited to an event called Cheers with the Officers. We didn't know what to expect, as we just earned enough loyalty points to get us halfway to Pinnacle status. (We do not expect to live long enough to become Pinnacles!)  So we reported to the fifth deck of the Main Dining Room, along with a LOT of other cruisers.  As we'd thought, we were offered champagne as we entered, but then we were seated at tables -- lunch was in the offing!  Here's the menu at each placesetting: As it turned out, we sat with two other couples from Texas and another pair who were from Wyoming and Wisconsin. That pair met on a cruise a couple of years ago!  We both chose the beet salad, then I had the filet and Charlie the salmon. He opted for key lime pie, and I had the carrot cake. We also had wine.  So it was a very nice affair! The officers all said a few words and led us in a toast.  Our server entertained us with origami made with dollar bills: A Texas longh...

After reading about our food tour in Funchal, you might find it hard to believe we ate anything else that day, but you would be wrong. We had Izumi scheduled for dinner, and when we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised to find NO occupied hibachi tables! We did have to sit at the counter, as the few tables were taken, but we didn't mind. We enjoyed a peaceful and delicious meal.   Tofu-Ginger Salad Our favorite sake (served cold) Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura (the bell peppers are THE. best) Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna My perennial favorite: Champagne Lobster Roll Chef's Sushi Selection:  Salmon and Yellowtail Here was the view from our cabin after dinner: On Thursday (yesterday), we noticed an immediate difference in the outdoor temperature as we turned west.  It's much warmer (mid-70s), and people are in shorts and sandals.  Here's where we were mid-morning yesterday: Yesterday afternoon I returned to the crafting gathering and sat next to a couple of Brits and an ...

We docked at Funchal on the island of Madeira very early Wednesday morning. Charlie took this photo about 6:20, as we were approaching the city. Unfortunately, the ship rotated just before. docking, so our view was of empty water and sky! Our small-group excursion through Royal Caribbean was called the Foodie and Cultural Walking Tour of Funchal. We reported to the theater at 9:00 and were seated by group. About 9:20, our group of eight was walked out to a van, where we waited and waited, until 9;45, when a driver showed up, got in, and drove away without a word. Usually there is a guide!  As it turned out, our lovely guide met us in town, a short drive away. If you ever visit Funchal, be warned that the port is a 45-minute walk from town, so do pay for the shuttle tickets ($15). I didn't catch our guide's name, alas, but she was excellent. As we walked, she gave us a lot of background information and also identified some of the gorgeous trees and plants we passed. Kapok tree i...