We all took the opportunity to sleep in this morning, especially after having taken full advantage of the all inclusive drink package yesterday afternoon and evening. The weather was pleasant, although there were some clouds, and the wind was blowing more than yesterday.
I got up and headed to the international cafe for two egg Macmuffin style breakfast sandwiches, and a cappuccino to go while Stephanie continued to sleep. I ran into Beth and Ryan in the International Cafe area on Deck 5. They were already out and about and heading to the gym to exercise. We agreed to try and call to meet up alter for lunch and possibly spending the afternoon out in the sun at the pool deck.
First Day At Sea
After Stephanie got up and we ate breakfast, we decided to walk the Promenade Deck for our exercise. We put on our exercise clothes and headed out.
It was quite windy on the open decks, especially at the bow of the ship. There were quite a few people sitting on the Promenade Deck chairs, and also quite a few people walking, which made it difficult to keep up a steady walking pace. Trying to pass slower walkers and avoiding tripping over people’s feet that were sitting became a challenge at times.
The wind on the open bow area of the deck was probably blowing in excess of 35 miles per hour, and walking there was extremely difficult until you got around the bow and the wind was at your back.
Caribbean Princess Pool Deck
We walked about five laps around the deck and decided to head to the Outrigger Bar for our usual sea day late morning Bloody Caesar and Peach Bellini. We met a Bartender there, Francis, and he made the drinks the way we wanted them and even instructed his replacement when it was time for his break.
We called to Beth and Ryan’s room from the bar phone and Beth answered. She was having a little difficulty with the ship’s motion this morning, and had been unable to stay at the gym for exercise. We put a plan together to meet for lunch and then head out to the sun at the pool deck.
We all met up and ate lunch out on Deck 15, some got pizza and others got cheeseburgers with french fries. We may have had an adult beverage with lunch, but who is counting.
Relaxing In The Lounge Chairs
Stephanie, Beth and I sat out in the lounge chairs on Deck 16, but Ryan had to do some work so he headed back to a quiet area on the ship with internet access to complete some of his work while we all enjoyed the windy, but sunny weather out by the pool.
Tonight is the first of two formal nights, which is unusual for there to be on the second night of the cruise. I had intended to have my shirt and jacket pressed in the laundry once we arrived on the ship yesterday because they we a little wrinkled after having been packed in the suitcase for two days while we traveled to the port. I have always been able to do this on past cruises because there had never been a formal night this quick in a cruise before. However, since there is a two day turnaround for laundry, there was not enough time to get the shirt and coat back for the first formal night on this cruise.
The Island Of Cuba
As it turned out, we all decided to skip the first formal night and eat dinner in the Horizon Court Buffet. There was not anything good on the dining room menu, and none of us felt like having to get into our dressy formal clothes and spend that much time at the dining room for just average food.
We all met up for dinner and it was also just average. Stephanie and I have been amazed at how small and limited the buffet is on the older ships after having spent our last several cruises on the newer, larger Royal and Regal Princess ships. The buffet has been a great improvement on those newer and ships, there is so much more selection of food items, and it is much easier to go through and actually serve your food with the larger space and more serving stations.
We all did not stay out too late this evening and headed back to our cabins for the night.