Thursday, March 24th – our 4th day at sea
Today is the day of my spa appointment!
We slept well. The seas are a little more active. You can see whitecaps on the little waves. Not a big deal, but different from the last few days.
Morning activities
We started with a light breakfast in the cabin at 7:00 AM of yogurt, pain au chocolate pastries, toast and coffee.
At 8:00 AM I was at the Mareel Spa for my Thai deep tissue massage. Along the way I encountered a guy in the corridor. Based on how he was dressed, I asked if the gym was open. He said yes. Apparently it opens about 6:00 AM. Good to know.
After checking in at the spa I was directed to a relaxation area to complete paperwork. This included a profile sheet asking basic medical questions, their privacy statement and a legal disclaimer. I actually read them all before signing.
The massage took place in a treatment room, one of several in the spa. They had a standard massage table. I was covered with a sheet and for 90 minutes the uniformed masseuse did the deep tissue massage, starting at my feet and working upwards. There was soft music in the background. At the conclusion I got dressed and signed the charge slip.
It was approaching 10:00 AM so I decided this was a good time for a nap in the cabin. Thursday is the day the crew lifeboat drill was scheduled. Because of the motion of the ship, it has been rescheduled for Friday. I’m guessing this means smoother seas tomorrow.
We heard an announcement the Zumba exercise class will take place in the Queens Room. I’ve referred to that room several times earlier. It’s billed by Cunard as the largest ballroom at sea. If there is a gala or afternoon tea and you are wondering where to find it, it’s probably in the Queens Room. The G-32 nightclub is behind it. These are both in the aft of the ship.
Lunch
We returned to the Verandah restaurant for lunch. This was my third visit in three days. The manager considers me a regular! The three of us were seated at a nice banquette that turned out to be drafty. We are in the North Atlantic in March! Our next table, in the middle of the room was excellent. By coincidence it’s the same table I occupied at Wednesday’s Italian wine tasting. Does this mean I now have a regular table?
Lunch is a three course meal similar to dinner. The menu is shorter. It costs about $30 per person. There is overlap on the offerings. I started with the clam chowder. If we all felt the breeze, it was cold enough for a thick soup. Two of us went for the lemon sole. It came with roast potatoes and asparagus. Jane opted for the 28 day aged eight ounce sirloin steak. The entrees came with sides and you could request additional ones.
We ordered a bottle of Muscadet with lunch. It is listed on the Britannia dining room wine list, but not on the smaller Verandah restaurant list. No problem. They got it quickly. As an FYI, they have the best looking wine buckets I’ve ever seen.
Dessert came next. Two of us opted out but would have ice cream instead. Although it wasn’t one of the three offerings, they said “No problem.” Jane had the Bramley apple with custard. Two of us skipped coffee.
Lunch was excellent and the restaurant was pretty full by the time we left.
Jane went up to the Pavilion sheltered pool area on deck 12. I stopped by the library on deck 8, picked up the daily crossword and joined Jane by the pool. We could stretch out, but not be exposed to the wet weather.
Evening
Thursday evening started with drinks in the Commodore Lounge at 5:00 PM. We were meeting up with my two new friends from the wine pairing lunch. Unfortunately only one attended because of the sea conditions. We got a great table by the forward windows. I was concerned about sun glare. Everyone else said “The sun! We can see the sun! How great!” We had a round of drinks and canapés to celebrate.
Because the couple we met for drinks became one person, we invited them to join us for dinner in the Britannia dining room. A quick word with the mister d’ and all was arranged.
We had a great dinner starting with a salmon tureen. I chose the Guinea fowl entree followed by the chocolate fondant. We transitioned from the Muscadet into a Chablis. They have three different Chablis on the wine list.
Afterwards we each went our separate ways. We made new friends and hope to see them again later in the voyage.
Upon returning to the cabin, we read the program and learned we have another Covid test on Saturday. They are serious about this on board.
What’s different:
- menus in the Britannia dining room are still in leather folders but the daily pages are topped by thin, stiff sheets of plastic.
- Why we have 30 hangers in the closet is a mystery. They are two piece hangers, each with a sliding ring and a hanger with a shaft recessing into it. Perhaps this cabin was used by someone on the world cruise who brought lots of clothing.
- The drinks menu in the Commodore Lounge is on a single laminated sheet, not a booklet of many scotches and brands you page through.
- We have another Covid test on Saturday. Details to follow.
Photos courtesy of Bryce Sanders
Cover: Salmon Tureen
