Hawaiian Cruise 2009: Day 5, 22 Sept.

Another relaxing day at sea and finally we are starting to feel those warm tropical breezes. Although the sky is overcast, the warmer air sure feels good.

Our activities today were listening to a talk by Jana, our shore excursions coordinator about some of the things to see and do when we arrive in Hawaii. Later, we relaxed at the Centrum, reading and doing these notes while waiting for the Art Auction to start.

The auction was quite interesting today with several one of a kind pieces up for offer. Some were very expensive such as a signed Picasso which had a reserve bid of $20,000. It didn't go. We passed on some nice Thomas Kincades which we liked but we did buy a new Fanch Ledan for out collection at home.

Since the weather was so nice, the Spirit of Polynesia was performing on the pool deck for another wonderful performance of music and the hula.



It certainly didn't hurt that the temperature was by now feeling like the South Pacific.

We had dinner at the Windjammer tonight as we didn't feel like dressing for the formal dress dinner in the Edelweiss Dining Room tonight. It was actually very nice because with most of the guests in the dining room, it was quite relaxing in the Windjammer and we enjoyed it.

The Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers were performing "Ballroom Fever" at the Broadway Melodies Theatre tonight. We were in our seats half an hour before showtime. Even so, the theatre was filling up rapidly even then for tonight's show. Lots of high energy singing and dancing. Very good show even if it was a tad loud.

We hit the casino after the show. We had a free $5. coupon for the roulette wheel which Doug parlayed up to $40. Unfortunately, that did not go far or last long once we went to the slot machines.

All in all, another great day at sea aboard the beautiful Rhapsody of the Seas.

Hawaiian Cruise 2009; Day 4, 21 Sept.

Well today is the 3rd day out from Vancouver and we can feel the outside air is perceptibly warmer. It isn't quite like summer yet, more like a Spring day at home. By tomorrow we should be able to sunbathe comfortably outside at the pool deck.

Diane enjoyed the pool in the Solarium. Because of my knee injury, I stayed out of the water and worked on these notes instead.

After a delicious lunch we decided it was warm enough to enjoy the sun at the Pool Deck. We may have stayed too long as we both got a slight burn, but on one side only. Hmmm, have to remember to turn once in a while, but at least we were able to say that we were "half-baked".

Diane went to Bingo at the Shall We Dance Lounge. She was trying to win a Seven Day Cruise for two. She didn't win the big prize but she did win $5. on a pull tab. Meanwhile, Doug was at the Centrum enjoying the music of the Spirit of Polynesia. The show included hula dancing and the playing of the conch shell.
For all of us returning cruisers, Crown & Anchor members, there was a reception at the Shall We Dance Lounge this afternoon. Capt. Sullivan greeted us along with our cruise director, Carly and the senior officers. We were also treated to Champagne and delicious finger foods followed by the music of Souled Out.

After dinner, show time was A Tribute to Nat King Cole and Sammy Davis Jr. presented by Steve Washington . He sang many of the songs made famous by both of those artists and also gave an interesting history of them. Doug enjoyed the presentation except for the volume which was quite loud. Diane was not as thrilled as it was not her favourite genre.

After the show, we hit the casino for a while. Tonight was Doug's night as he doubled his $20. investment in the slots.

Hawaiian Cruise 2009; Day 3, 20 Sept.

Today was a day for swimming at the Solarium pool, art at the Centrum, and listening to Hawaiian music. It was also a day for a hard lesson for Doug. After a good breakfast at the Windjammer Cafe, we went swimming. I wore my bedroom slippers on my feet and slipped and fell on a slippery spot on the wet deck. I hit the deck hard with my knee, splitting the skin back about an inch or so. My foot was badly bruised as well, perhaps from a broken toe. Guess that is the end of my swimming for a couple of days. Lesson learned: Don't wear slippers around the pool deck.


After changing and fixing up my knee as much as possible, Diane & I went to the art auction to see what was being offered. We saw some work by Fanch Ledan that we liked and some Tarkay that Doug liked and Diane didn't. In the end, we did not buy anything but we were given a couple of very nice Peter Nixon's, "Memories of Florence I".


Later on, Spirit of Polynesia was performing in the Centrum, so of course we had to take that in. It is always a great show which we both truly enjoy.


Wonderful baked shrimp dinner in the dining room followed by a musical revue, The Piano Man by the Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers in the Broadways Melodies Theatre.


We visited the casino after the show. Diane entered a slots tournament. While she did not win anything that way, she did win enough on the slots later on to be up about $40. for the night. That's always a good thing.