Jan 6th, 2023 Day 4 of 128

Sea Day

Today was a full day at sea. Sometimes our sea days feel busier than our port days. Off to the gym first thing this morning and then to breakfast after I woke up Megan. The entire ship also had mandatory COVID testing today. We both tested negative. We were also told by the captain that no specific numbers will be divulged to us, but that we are remaining in a Level 1 classification on the ship and we are going to be required to mask up for at least three more days. We then headed to a quiet place to try and get some school work and my blog done,  but we ran into some friends and had a lovely conversation instead. Next, we met with our project Linus group and I had the chance to start my first blanket of the trip. From there we headed back to the cabin where Megan had the opportunity to meet with her math tutor for the first time and I had the opportunity to work on her lesson plans.  At 2:00 we went to our first educational talk given by Ian the cruise director. We learned all about the Panama Canal  and its history and its importance to the world. And then, just like that it was time to get ready for dinner.  Our seating time is 5:00 so we have to start ready by 4:30. Tonight was a dressy night, a new classification for us. Previously Holland America had casual and formal nights. This world cruise they have added a dressy night about once per week and decreased the number of formal nights. It’s a little confusing, but we generally wear dresses to dinner already so we stuck with what we know. After dinner we went to the MainStage theater and had the opportunity to “meet” the captain and all of the main crew members who are taking care of us during this World cruise. They served us champagne and we toasted to the crew and our adventures yet to come. We headed back to the cabin and Megan decided she wanted to go for a swim so we popped up to deck nine and she got the pool all to herself while I relaxed in a lounge chair. It was a lovely ending to a long day. We were in bed by 8:30. Tonight we set our clocks back an hour in preparations of our arrival into Puerto Limon, Costa Rica tomorrow. I am going to let the ship gently rock me to sleep tonight. My heart is full with the blessing of being on this trip, the opportunity to be traveling again and being able to be here with Megan.

The Captain and the main officers that are taking exceptional care of us.

Our first towel creature of the 2023 WC. A lovely seal in the foreground, and Megans’s imported squish mellow collection in the background.