September 27, 28 and 29 at Sea.
A four-page daily guide - Princess Patter - was left for us the night before so we could plan our time the next day. Unfortunately, there were many activities that conflicted with times and we couldn’t partake in everything of interest. But fortunately we were never bored on those days at sea with so many activities to choose from.
Each morning before showering I tried to walk around the deck. Sometimes it was only a mile, but I tried for three miles. I especially enjoy the two Zumba classes each day. The first was taught by the Australian Cruise Director Susan Rawlings, a Diane Hardy look-alike. The intermediate, high impact class had me panting. I tried Line Dancing and probably could get the hang of it with a few more lessons. Randy took Ballroom Dance classes a few times but he gave up too soon. It was both funny and frustrating. There were also lessons for swing and country and western dance.
There were various Spa Seminars (back pain, acupuncture, increase metabolism, ionithermie). We both had a Footprint Analysis. I attended a detox seminar and returned later in the week with Randy in tow after learning a person needs 1/2 our body weight in water each day. For example if someone weights 120 pounds they need 60 ounces of water daily. For each glass of wine/alcohol consumed add two glasses of water for each drink.
Randy participated in several trivia contests and a lecture on legal documents. There were lectures on the Space Race and Exploring Nature talks. Randy purchased a few discounted Alaska cruise tee-shirts during the Outlet at Sea events. I found a Panama Canal sweatshirt and costume jewelry watches just for fun.
I enjoyed the art seminar, but the next day I found the art on display for sale lacking in credibility and felt sorry for those spending lots of money to purchase mediocre quality art.
We found the wine tastings (for a fee) to be fun, educational and entertaining, as was the Rum tasting Bacardi Limon, Cruzan coconut, Captain Morgan and Myer’s Rum (for baking).
The complimentary Afternoon Tea was delicious and so filling that we should have omitted dinner. Randy joined me after the first one when I convinced him it wasn't just for 'little old' ladies wearing hats and gloves.
There were several movies to chose from each day. The only one we saw was Grace of Monaco.
We also saw three musicals (Dance, On the Bayou and MotorCity) by the cast of dancers on board. I went on a backstage tour walking on stage to see what it felt like to be a performer, viewing the dressing room and the wardrobe room for storing costumes on a device like in dry cleaning establishments. I learned that each dancer repairs rips in their own costumes as there is no seamstress on board. Costume changes often take place within 60 seconds so these are held together with zippers and velco.
We saw a magician, Alexander Great; saxophone instrumentalist Craig Richard; vocal impressionist Tyler Bryce, and singer Lovena Fox.
Throughout the week supplies were provided for poster-making to display from your balcony or the top deck (for those without balconies) while going through the Panama Canal. We did not participate since there was a wide variety of other activities to chose from.
Other activities included Wii bowling at Sea, Speed Sudoku. Holiday sales, casino gambling, table tennis tournament, shuffleboard, mini golf, golf chipping, trivia, stargazing, art related topics and auctions, bridge, Mah jongg, bingo, table tennis, basketball, scavenger hunt, veteran's get-together, LGBT get together, AA meetings, fashion show, fine jewelry shows and sales.
There was a Mr. Sexy Legs contest open to Men Only on the Lido Deck by the pool. I forgot about it but happened to be on deck (without my camera) when it started. Randy happened to arrive about that time and I encouraged him to participate. Out of the nearly 900 men on board there were only six contestants. But Randy won hands down. He came away with a free bottle of Champagne. When we entered the dining room, and in days to come, people would point at him and say, "That's Mr. Sexy Legs."
After the first week and much conferring with the corporate office of Princess, Fr. John Bateman, a Catholic priest from Harrisburg, PA was allowed to say daily mass the days we were at sea perhaps because the two-day Rosh Hashanah was celebrated a few days earlier. Masses were held in various locations based on availability of venues one of which was a lounge and the priest from quipped, “This is the first time I’ve said mass in a bar.” Fr. John also provided Sunday services to non-Catholics but changing his garments and the readings.
A four-page daily guide - Princess Patter - was left for us the night before so we could plan our time the next day. Unfortunately, there were many activities that conflicted with times and we couldn’t partake in everything of interest. But fortunately we were never bored on those days at sea with so many activities to choose from.
Each morning before showering I tried to walk around the deck. Sometimes it was only a mile, but I tried for three miles. I especially enjoy the two Zumba classes each day. The first was taught by the Australian Cruise Director Susan Rawlings, a Diane Hardy look-alike. The intermediate, high impact class had me panting. I tried Line Dancing and probably could get the hang of it with a few more lessons. Randy took Ballroom Dance classes a few times but he gave up too soon. It was both funny and frustrating. There were also lessons for swing and country and western dance.
There were various Spa Seminars (back pain, acupuncture, increase metabolism, ionithermie). We both had a Footprint Analysis. I attended a detox seminar and returned later in the week with Randy in tow after learning a person needs 1/2 our body weight in water each day. For example if someone weights 120 pounds they need 60 ounces of water daily. For each glass of wine/alcohol consumed add two glasses of water for each drink.
Randy participated in several trivia contests and a lecture on legal documents. There were lectures on the Space Race and Exploring Nature talks. Randy purchased a few discounted Alaska cruise tee-shirts during the Outlet at Sea events. I found a Panama Canal sweatshirt and costume jewelry watches just for fun.
I enjoyed the art seminar, but the next day I found the art on display for sale lacking in credibility and felt sorry for those spending lots of money to purchase mediocre quality art.
We found the wine tastings (for a fee) to be fun, educational and entertaining, as was the Rum tasting Bacardi Limon, Cruzan coconut, Captain Morgan and Myer’s Rum (for baking).
The complimentary Afternoon Tea was delicious and so filling that we should have omitted dinner. Randy joined me after the first one when I convinced him it wasn't just for 'little old' ladies wearing hats and gloves.
There were several movies to chose from each day. The only one we saw was Grace of Monaco.
We also saw three musicals (Dance, On the Bayou and MotorCity) by the cast of dancers on board. I went on a backstage tour walking on stage to see what it felt like to be a performer, viewing the dressing room and the wardrobe room for storing costumes on a device like in dry cleaning establishments. I learned that each dancer repairs rips in their own costumes as there is no seamstress on board. Costume changes often take place within 60 seconds so these are held together with zippers and velco.
We saw a magician, Alexander Great; saxophone instrumentalist Craig Richard; vocal impressionist Tyler Bryce, and singer Lovena Fox.
Throughout the week supplies were provided for poster-making to display from your balcony or the top deck (for those without balconies) while going through the Panama Canal. We did not participate since there was a wide variety of other activities to chose from.
Other activities included Wii bowling at Sea, Speed Sudoku. Holiday sales, casino gambling, table tennis tournament, shuffleboard, mini golf, golf chipping, trivia, stargazing, art related topics and auctions, bridge, Mah jongg, bingo, table tennis, basketball, scavenger hunt, veteran's get-together, LGBT get together, AA meetings, fashion show, fine jewelry shows and sales.
There was a Mr. Sexy Legs contest open to Men Only on the Lido Deck by the pool. I forgot about it but happened to be on deck (without my camera) when it started. Randy happened to arrive about that time and I encouraged him to participate. Out of the nearly 900 men on board there were only six contestants. But Randy won hands down. He came away with a free bottle of Champagne. When we entered the dining room, and in days to come, people would point at him and say, "That's Mr. Sexy Legs."
After the first week and much conferring with the corporate office of Princess, Fr. John Bateman, a Catholic priest from Harrisburg, PA was allowed to say daily mass the days we were at sea perhaps because the two-day Rosh Hashanah was celebrated a few days earlier. Masses were held in various locations based on availability of venues one of which was a lounge and the priest from quipped, “This is the first time I’ve said mass in a bar.” Fr. John also provided Sunday services to non-Catholics but changing his garments and the readings.