First Real Sea Day

The sidebar photo album covers both Dec 19 and 20. I have added a few of the decorations in the Atrium. The internet is rather slow so some photos may not be uploaded until we reach the islands where I can access faster service.

Thursday was our first full day on board the Emerald Princess. The ocean was a little angry last night and this morning. We have been experiencing moderately deep swells that tend to produce a corkscrewing effect on the ship which is felt much more extremely in the forward areas of the ship and the effect is amplified on the upper decks. Our accommodation is toward the aft of the ship and middle of the five major accommodation decks and the sensations, while noticeable, are not uncomfortable. We have experienced these conditions on most cruises that sail west from the coast of California.

We had breakfast in the dining room with several pleasant travellers and lunch with a fun couple from Arizona. During lunch about a dozen pods of dolphin passed the ship. To me, dolphin always seem to be laughing, even when you can’t actually hear them. I think they may be laughing at how easily we are entertained.

The ship is well decorated for Christmas with the three deck high atrium being the focus. There are numerous decorated trees, garlands wrapped around railings, a gingerbread village and some stateroom doors have been decorated by their occupants. There are decorations on some of the upper decks, particularly around entrances to food service areas.

We managed to dance a little with our two violinists, the Sun Shine Duo, and a little with our friends Elua. We keep meeting people on this cruise from previous journeys. Sometimes we are recognized, other times we recognize others. It is not uncommon to find passengers who have, like us, done this Christmas cruise one or more times. That said, there are many for whom this will be their first visit to Hawaii and others for whom this is their first cruise.

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