Monday, November 25th .....

It's my father's birthday today; if he had lived, he would have been 95. And I think he would have loved this ship and felt right at home. It's extraordinary that, among the handful of passengers we've spoken to, two couples were from Scotland. Last night, a young man wore a kilt for formal night. They're everywhere.

We had a quiet day today: we spent an hour or so at the Art auction but didn't do much else. What a load of rubbish was offered as fine art - several paintings featured olives washing cars and so on, like a bunch of alien M & Ms. Who would want it? One patron with too much money and too little taste bought a metal creation showing a naked female (back view) clearly born with no shoulder blades. Over $8000 to buy it and $295 dollars to ship it home.

At 5 o'clock, we were invited to the frequent floaters reception at Studio B. On Royal Caribbean, it's called the Crown and Anchor Society. We were amazed that Studio B is an ice rink, with bleacher seats. We envisaged the captain coming out on skates to greet us but, instead, we were treated to an ice show. Very good skaters from places like Slovenia, France and Germany did lifts and jumps and so on. Great stuff. From tomorrow, we can hire skates and set out on the ice ourselves. Or not!

We, again, went to the evening show, this time called Broadway Rhythm and Rhyme. Some good stuff but mostly the songs were belted out, which brought some to their feet but left us cold. Last night spoiled us; any show will pale by comparison (or is 'pall by comparison? Who cares? The Grammar Ninja is on holiday)