July 23, 2025 – At Sea – North Atlantic Ocean – Gray and Drizzly – 53F

 July 23, 2025 - North Atlantic Ocean

Turning down the volume did not do the trick but with earplugs we got some sleep.

This morning’s breakfast went very well. The woman at the fruit bay had cottage cheese and sour cream all ready for me (including my name – misspelled – on the containers).  This time I got a waffle (much better than pancakes) and got the other items in order so they were still hot. Large to-go cups appeared near the coffee which was a plus.  Breakfast was very good.  I also got a nice seat with a view.  The view, however, was dreary and gray.

After breakfast, I checked back in with Bernardo and also got a call from Martin, who said the options were limited and I should check with Guest Relations on options. The indications were that there might be another room available on the same floor.

At 11:00 AM, I tried to go to the watercolor class (I was number 5 in the signup sheet in Guest Relations) in Aqualina, Deck 10 Aft.  When I got there, the place was packed and people were sitting at the bar and sharing brushes.  I didn’t want to take a passengers spot so I gave up on that and instead, Ellen and I went to the Quest Brunch in the Discoveries Restaurant.

We found a nice window table in the aft section with a nice, still gray, view.

I had the herring in wine sauce and a waffle with two eggs over medium.  Ellen had all sorts of stuff.  Usually, I don’t find much at the Brunch so today was a nice surprise. Scheduling the Brunch early in the cruise is a plus for me because the herring in wine sauce is still available.   

My first talk, “Murder in Iceland: The Birna Brjansdottir Murder” is scheduled for 3 PM in the Theater.  At 2 PM, I went to see the Destination Speaker, Dr. Jannie MacCay, talk about Greenland and the place was packed so I didn’t stay.  When the place emptied out, I went in to set up – I said hello to Janine and the AV guy had me ready to go in no time.  The headset mic was too small so he said that the Captain had a special large mic that we could use – it fit perfectly.  I tried to hit the washroom before I started but when I got there a group of people in masks and gowns were cleaning something in the hallway leading to the bathroom and the bathroom itself. It had that biohazard feel to it so I didn't go near it. I didn't have time to get to the other washroom by the Restaurant.  I was a little concerned that I would have to do my talk without the break. 

Note: The internet says that the Quest Cabaret Lounge has a capacity of 360 people.

Most of the crowd actually stayed – just a few open seats in the back corners.  Maybe 250 or so attendees (It's hard to tell).  I was happy with the turnout and the talk went well and finished on time.  A few people stayed behind to ask questions and I got some nice feedback.  I met a Coroner from the Netherlands who had come from France where she was a pediatrician – she worked as a Coroner for 30 years.  She also told me she had not seen a single homicide while working in the Netherlands.

Once back in the room, I went to Guest Relations to get keys for Stateroom 6041, which is located in the Even numbered aisle directly across from our old room.  A few minutes later, after checking out the new room and it’s relative location to The Den, we concluded that it would be work (and it was our only option).  Once that was decided, our new room steward, Gildee, moved our hanging clothes to the new room while I wheeled the big suitcase to the new destination.  We put everything away.  Even though the rooms were identical, 6041 seemed brighter and even a little bigger. We are again betting that being on the other side of the hall (and away from the piano) will help with the noise.

It was South American Night in the Windows Café and there was nothing we could eat in the Restaurant so we went to the Patio for dinner.  We both had the Salmon – no peppercorns and some sides.  I also had the Vegetarian Lasagna which was better than usual.

Instead of going to the show – Magician Fred Becker – we took in Felicia at the Keys in The Den at 8:15 PM.  She did a great tribute to Billy Joel – all my favorite songs and she included some interesting history for each song.  We went to the room when she finished her set because it was later than usual.

The good news was that we could not hear Felicia during her 9:45 PM Set.  Noise problem solved.