Last night we were gently rocked to sleep and I got up early. I like to go for a walk on the walking deck first thing in the morning on a sea day, and today is the first of seven sea days. The walk was OK today, with little wind and a gentle sea. The sunrises can be fantastic!
I am not really a fan of a lot of sea days in a row, such as one may get on a Hawaii, or a repositioning cruise, but many people like to just veg in a lounge chair with their mp3 player and a good book, so to each his own.
I do like a sea day after fighting the airports getting to the ship from home. It is a great way to get get all my junk organized in the myriad of cubby holes and shelves in the cabin. I also enjoy them after that that too, so that I can enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and lunch, for example.
So, what is there to do besides just kicking back? Well there is a host of activities that will keep you occupied. In the case of Celebrity, one only has to check out the Celebrity Today, and all the stuff you need is listed there. For one thing if your tastes run to using the Casino, it is only open when the ship is not in port! Depending on whether you wish to play the tables or the slots, you can play from either 9:00 or 10:00 am until “Late”. The same situation holds true for all the shops on board, they open at various times, but only when they are at sea.
If the Art Gallery, Shops, or Casino are not for you, consider taking in some of the many options offered by the ship. For instance, today we were offered a fitness class Zumba, at 8:00 am. At 9:00 am a presentation was offered by Uncle Marty in the Celebrity Theater on the history of the Panama Canal. Well worth the time spent. At 12:30 ballroom dancing lessons are offered, and today it is the waltz.
A presentation on ports of call is presented for your enjoyment, where you can see some of the attractions on video and slides. Shopping, a favourite of many is discussed as well. Where to shop and what to look for along with information on exchange rates, and bargaining practices.
Wine tasting is available for a fee in the afternoon, Karaoke is on later in the evening, if that is your cup of tea. Or you can take in the feature show in the Celebrity Theatre after or before dinner. There are two shows daily that synch with the two dinner seating’s. These shows are very professional and are usually not to be missed. Tonight’s show features the Celebrity 7 piece band, and up to 15 singers and dancers doing a Broadway style show. We have seen it before, and it is great.
Some presentations are recorded and can be viewed on your in cabin TV. Several channels are dedicated to things like that. Some channels will allow you to view your on board account, a view from the ship’s video camera, information on the location and weather around the ship. A movie channel is often available on a pay to play basis. Think adult movies.
For sports enthusiast, there is shuffleboard, basketball, fitness classes, and ping pong.
A new or recent movie is shown in the theater at least once a day. Classes are held on digital cameras. Big band music is offered just before dinner for listening or dancing, your choice! Water colour lessons are available on this cruise, trivia games with passengers and crew, and Bingo.
When you are out and about, near a window or porthole, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife sightings. Our last cruise we saw some whale activity, flying fish, various aquatic birds, spinner dolphins, and a lot of sea turtles!
There is always the pools, to use, and the spa’s for those who wish to be pampered. There are lounges located throughout the ship with live music. Live music or sometimes recorded is often played on the pool deck. I have not covered everything available, the blog would be too long if I did. There is a lot more, I just hit the highlights!
I haven’t gone into the food that is available every day even on port days, and I intend to cover that most popular item in a later blog.
So you can see that there is always some kind of entertainment or experience going on every day. There is no way you can say there is nothing to do, and that you are bored. Can’t happen.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.” Mark Twain
Happy Cruising,
Ross
