Day 61: Coral Sea … Day 2

Wednesday, 8 March 2017
At Sea — En Route to Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef

Stats @ Ship’s Time 9:15p (AEST) … UTC 11:15a (8 March)
Temp: 83F (28.4C)
Position: 18.24.14S / 146.34.71E

Not everyone will understand your journey.  That’s fine.
It’s not their journey to make sense of.  It’s yours.
~ Anonymous ~

Another great day at sea … a fume-free one since there was not even the slightest breeze to shift such smells our way.  The day started out with quite a few puffy clouds, which stayed around all day long … but they did little more than add interesting texture to an otherwise sunny day.

Enjoying sunrise from a fume-free veranda.

You can tell we are traveling up towards the Equator from the increase in temperature … also from glasses and electronics fogging up when they are taken outdoors after having been inside for a while.  “I am not going to complain about the weather” … this has become my mantra, because I know there is worse awaiting us later in the voyage.

I am going to complain about the internet, however.  As reasonable-to-good as the speed was yesterday, it was that miserable today.  When I woke at 5:00a, the signal was dead.  It came back awhile later, but it might as well have been dead … it was that slow.  The signal was worse when I checked again at 6:00a … at 6:30a … and on and on.  Finally, just before noon I captured the signal … it was wicked slow.  I managed to get the Brisbane post uploaded, but it was a frustrating experience.  I could have made it easier on myself by removing the photos … didn’t have the heart to do it.  I am going to have to learn to do so sooner or later.

I joined Mui for the destination lecture today.  Peter covered both Cairns and Cooktown, so we are set for the next two days.  We have learned that Peter is an employee of NCL … the only one in the entire company who does destination lectures … something NCL Corp should consider changing IMHO.  He also leads wildlife sightings on the Promenade Deck, which I’ve enjoyed on occasion.

We wrapped up this relaxing day at ‘Our Party’ … that’s how both CD Leslie and Chantelle (Oceania Club Ambassador) described the special event for repeat cruisers.  It was the usual format such parties follow — drinks, appetizers … welcomes by Captain Luca and GM Yves … Chantelle reciting the stats.  Two things of interest — with well over 400 people, the US leads the ‘nationality contest’ on this segment … NZ is in 5th place with 6 passengers.  More importantly, we learned that Captain Luca’s wife is in the hospital and expected to give birth to their second child in less than two days … a girl.  It’s a tough life … to be away from family for such life-altering occasions.

Sonia and Boris joined us for the party and afterwards we met up with the Holloways for dinner in the dining room.  Another good meal and excellent camaraderie.

We arrive in Cairns at 8:00a tomorrow … we’re both looking forward to this visit.  Mui especially since he will finally get to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef.

© 2004-2018 All rights reserved by Erin Erkun.