Day 36 - February 8, 2008 - at sea

The pictures today show our Iguazu Falls trip itinerary.

Slept in again and late breakfast at Compass Rose. We opened the place up. But, first we snagged 2 washers on Deck 10. We ran the long cycle and the washers were not done when we got back almost an hour later. Somehow, even though there was only one washer running while ours ran, all three dryers were in use. So, Debbie and Margie had a long sit! No one came in to use a washer while we waited though. Clay went to Terry Breen's lecture alone. Debbie skipped exercise this morning. Debbie and Clay both wound up stopping at the Tour Desk to confirm that we were booked on the Igauzu Spectacular and got 2 different answers about the lack of information on it, which neither one had brought up, so they were preemptive apologetic explanations, but both different. The upshot though was that we are all 3 booked. The Destination Specialist said it is a 3 hour flight, so at this point we hope they realize that we are traveling together and that we can sit together on the flights. We'll see.
At breakfast this morning, Rommel had to tell Debbie that there are no raspberries left on the ship. She gasped and clutched her heart. Rommel told her to call 1-800-REFUNDS to get her partial money back for the day with no raspberries. Margie wondered about that, but people do file complaints like that everyday here. It is astounding. One that anyone would have to feel that way on a cruise that is priced and advertised as 6-star and secondly that anyone would choose to spend their time here doing that. Debbie is sure that there will raspberries again when we reboard the ship in Salvador and is not too worried about it. Michael had brought an extra bowl of strawberries just in case Debbie would accept them as a substitute. Debbie declined. Rommel brought her the empty berry-stained bowl with a piece of paper on top with circles drawn all over it and the word printed, RASPBERY. Ah, a virtual berry substitute. We alllaughed. Debbie put the paper in her pocket and told Rommel she was keeping it in case she needed it again, that Chimi did not give her a drawing of raspberries when we were out for 5 days before. Rommel told her that if there was anything she wanted that wasn't onboard to just let him know and he would give her another drawing to substitute. Good to know.
Today there is a Tex-Mex buffet on the Pool Deck. Always one of Debbie's favorites. The day broke, sunny and warm with really calm seas. As the day progressed though it got cloudier and wetter and windier and the seas kicked up. It might not be so pleasant up there now. Debbie is planning on a least the Fitball class this afternoon. Margie is thinking about the Big Screen Popcorn Movie in Constellation Theater instead of her usual activities because they are showing "Becoming Jane." But, since they will show it again one day on TV (maybe! We nor anyone we have spoken to has been able to see an entire movie on the TV yet, unless you get a DVD to play) and Debbie and Clay have seen it already, then maybe not. Well, Clay went to the movie alone and Margie stayed in bed. It was just too rough.
Oh, did not say earlier that Clay accidentally deleted all his photos from El Zanjon. Sorry, they were some good ones because it was an amazing place and we had a great time there. Margie had a couple of photos from there. We'll see, with the Internet up and down, but anyway, the photos from that evening are lost.
The Captain came on about 12:15pm today for us noon announcement. Once again, you just have to be sitting waiting with the volume turned up on Channel 2 to hear him. He did not tell us anything today about our position or why Channel 3 is down or whether he had charts in the Observation Lounge any longer. He did confirm that the weather has turned on us and it continues to be bad ahead. He said he was crossing his fingers for an improvement for Rio for the sail in. Us too! At that time, he thought the seas were about 8 feet, but they grew and pretty much doubled as the afternoon continued. It was full on raining for lunch. We still went up top for the Tex/Mex. Clay was craving ribs and they were on the grill up there. Debbie and Margie got their burritos. It was very rough up there in LaVeranda, the ship was leaning heavily to the port, so there may be hard wind coming against the starboard side, but we didn't go out over there to find out in the absence of the wind speed and direction on TV. We also did not venture up and forward to the Observation Lounge to check if there was any information displayed there. We will have to assume that the rough ride and port leaning are a result of stiff winds, currents and high waves. Not sure if anyone will make it out to any of the things scheduled for this afternoon. As Debbie told a neighbor from exercise, Fitball Fun should be really FUN later. We could just try to sit on there for a 1/2 hour and it would be a workout. We'll have to see. So, Debbie did make it to Fitball. She had to use Margie's Motionease and a Relief Band, but she made it. Bebi had a safety evaluation this afternoon though so the class was shortened and the Pilates class after was delayed. Debbie did the whole Fitball class then and a few exercises after on her own and then did not stick around for Pilates to begin. The sun did come out later in the afternoon, and the whitecaps died down, but the swells seemed to get larger and more frequent and the ride remained unpleasant. Still hoping though for a clear and calm morning sail in to Rio de Janeiro. It is supposed to be one of theworld's most beautiful ports to sail in with Corcovado and Sugar Loaf and all the big beaches visible. With low visibility, it won't be much. So, fingers crossed and we may have to be up early in the morning to get good seats in the Observation Lounge for the sail in. We have plans tomorrow for independent touring with an air-conditioned van or car and English-speaking guide. We are really looking forward to it and to the jewelry demonstration.
Tonight is Informal. Hoping everyone is up to dressing and going out. None of us are very excited about any of the menus tonight though. The show is a tenor and a ballroom dance champions couple. Debbie and Margie plan on going even though we plan to be up early tomorrow for the sail into Rio De Janeiro. Terry Breen, the on board lecturer, says that Rio along with Sydney and Hong Kong are the three best sail in harbors. Personally, we think Cape Town with its cloud draped Table Mountain should be on anyone's best harbor list. We met Terry on the way to dinner and she said she would start her narration at 6am tomorrow. We plan on being in the Observation Lounge on deck 12 before then. It will be a short night's sleep before a busy day tomorrow in Rio.
The pictures today show our Iguazu Falls trip itinerary.