Day 11 - Sat 20Apr2024 - At Sea to Papeete - Day 1

 We've now begun our first group of sea days and this section is 5 days to Papeete, French Polynesia.  Overnight there was a bit more chop and motion to the ocean in the stateroom.  Some guests feel that this is a lot of motion, but we hardly notice it.Ron Schaeffer has continued to lead the Bible Study in the Meeting Room on Deck 14.  It's well attended with stated seating for 25 and we have typically had 30-35.  Today he began a new study using Psalm 22 as the study text.  Individual verses were read by the participants working our way clockwise around the room with discussion in between the readings.  I've not mentioned it before, but Ron is a former college English professor with a specialty on Shakespeare.  We didn't attend anything further the rest of the morning despite their being lots of various activities.  Our cruise director, Olivia Guthrie, gave a PowerPoint presentation on Life at Sea.  She came from a journalistic background and worked on Carnival ships before being hired on at Princess. After the PowerPoint, she entertained questions from the audience.   Her parents are traveling with her on this segment and they were introduced during her presentation.  The presentation was interesting and included lots of photos from areas guests typically don't get to see including crew staterooms, crew mess, kitchens, and the like.  


For lunch we decided to try the extra cost lobster roll sandwich which was $15/person.  While they were good, I think it's one and done for us. The free food in the buffet is quite good and has been or normal daily choice.


While Angela attended a choir practice, I attended Franz's presentation on Winning the America's Cup which was all about the history of the famous yacht race which the USA dominated for 123 straight years largely due to periodic changing of the rules.  Essentially it's a sport for the very wealthy.  The next race is scheduled for Barcelona, Spain.  I then attended a game show Gift of the Gab where one had to figure out what was being said from words that would phonetically present the saying.  It was pretty difficult, but well moderated.  


Following a simple dinner, our evening entertainment was Sarah Peavy Richards who sang show tunes.  She's a former cast member who has become a single artist.  We found her to be quite good and almost went back to see her 9:30pm set.  Following her performance, the True or Moo game show was very good.  Contestants had to view a question and decide if the statement or questions was true or false.  Only one contestant got 10 items correct and won the whole collection of prizes: a coaster, a wine bottle stopper, a Princess backpack, and a bottle of cheap wine.  Angela elected to stay up for the 10:30pm karaoke, but I elected to go to bed as we are losing another hour of sleep tonight.  There was a comedian, Tom Simmons, on at 10:30pm, but our friends went to the 8:30 set and reported it wasn't worth it.

Sara Peavy Richards

Tomorrow is April 21, and because we are crossing the international date line, we get to enjoy a second April 21.  

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