Feb 24th – Last sea day and end of the cruise

Here we are again at the end of a fabulous vacation!  We have had such a good time and will remember this trip for a lifetime.  The weather was sparkling today but a little cool.  The seas were like glass and we’ve had a very smooth ride.

Our day started early, as we had to meet our tour at 8:15 this morning.  The “Ultimate Ship Tour” definitely was!  We spent four hours scrambling ALL over the places in the ship that passengers rarely see.  We went to the kitchens, storage areas, refrigerator and freezer ROOMS, the printing shop, laundry, butcher shop, vegetable preparation areas, backstage in the theater, the ICU, medical center, morgue, engine control room, photo processing lab and the very bow of the ship where the ropes and anchor’s are.  While we were in the area where the anchors are dropped we were invited to peer down the shaft that the anchor travels to get in the water.  As we were all (10 of us on the tour) looking down a “rogue” wave was crossed and a HUGE geyser of seawater came up and DRENCHED us all!!  Not only were we shocked but the staff was as well!  They said that rarely happens and has NEVER happened during a tour!  Poor Sailor Ed’s jeans were soaked and probably weighed 20 pounds!!  I mostly got my pants but some people had dripping hair!  It was a great laugh!  Too bad the photographer who was along with us wasn’t prepared for that shot!  It would have been a true prizewinner!

The tour ended on the Bridge with the Captain, Ivan Jerman, who was most generous with his time and spent an hour with us.  He was quite charming and spent a bit of time discussing the Costa incident.  We were served Champagne and canape’s on the bridge and we were just allowed to wander around and enjoy the fabulous views from up there.  While we were watching the sea a small pod of dolphins swam towards the ship to “play” in the bow wave!!  What a treat to see it from that perspective!  We were given lots of gifts to remember the tour including beautiful, thick robes and personalized stationery.

So glad we were able to take part.

This afternoon, sadly, we learned that one of our “new “friends aboard for this week died about 1pm this afternoon.  He was a great guy who had brought his 12 year old grandson on this cruise and was having a blast going on tours.  He was also traveling with his son and his son’s partner.  He felt ill this morning and after lunch collapsed and died before the medical staff could get to his cabin.  Needless to say, his family is devastated and my heart goes out to them and especially young Will who loved his time with Grandpa.

I don’t want to leave this on a sad note but I will take his son’s lead and remember that he was doing what he loved most…cruising……with the people he loved most.

On a much lighter and way less serious note and I am giddy with excitement to tell you that our trivia team WON TWICE today!!  We are going out on a high note!!  Hooray for us!  We think it’s because we changed our seats and we changed our team name from the “Trivia Nuts” to the “CRS” (Can’t Remember Shit)!!!!  Whatever…..we won!

My ear is getting better…slowly.  Still gobbling ibuprofen but at a slower pace.  The drops are helping, too.

We have a 9:15 time for disembarkation so we will, hopefully, be on the road NLT 10 am!  We should be home by 4 or 5.

Thanks for following along and I have enjoyed sharing this trip with you.  It keeps you all up to date and also provides me with a great way to remember where the hell we’ve been!!  When I go back and read some of the entries I’m amazed at some of the things I have forgotten already!  CRS is alive and well in me!!

Lots of love and kisses,

XOXOXOXOXO

Me