We woke up early and eagerly sipped our coffee. Mary switched on Fox News to catch up on the latest events while I wrapped up yesterday’s Daily Diary, which allowed me to relive the day!
While watching the daily cruise show, we learned about a galley tour, so we got gussied up and headed to the theater at 10:00 am to join in.
The cooking show was TERRIFIC. The head chef and the head of food and beverage services did the demo. It was funny, especially when the pasta flew directly in the air and landed all over the stage. We learned a few tricks along the way!
They could have been Laurel and Hardy!
We entered the kitchen, and it was spotless!
Mary now wants to redesign our kitchen!
They displayed 100 different potato dishes, each more interesting than the last!
Each one was named and quite beautiful.
Now we know there are at least two surgeons on board.
Scalpel.
Look at the cakes celebrating the Olympics.
These delights disappeared in seconds when they went to the trough.
Check out the details on these treats!
The cooks have exceptional skills!
Who would have thought that it takes almost 400 people working in and around the kitchen to satisfy the appetites of nearly 5,000 hungry folks three times a day? That’s a whole lot of meals and a whole lot of teamwork!
While doing the kitchen tour, we stumbled upon the kids and bumped into them again upstairs. We ended up dining in the trough, and boy, it was a wild ride of culinary diversity. I bailed on the burgers and made a beeline for the Indian meals. Who knew a cafeteria could be so entertaining?
The pastry chef made 500 of these opening-day cupcakes.
After munching on a hearty lunch, Colleen and Mary sauntered over to the photo office to pick out their larger-than-life 8x10s.
The clouds were an added attraction.
We had twelve photos to print and made our selections with Colleen’s help.
Decisions decisions.
Dinner at the fish house was again quite impressive. The Catch is a six-star restaurant that has received outstanding help.
This evening, we celebrate Colleen’s birthday and our anniversary at the Catch. The seafood restaurant is FIRST-CLASS, and the waitstaff is fantastic. Stephan drew the short straw and got us again, although he might call in sick once he saw the list of patrons this evening. I hope he’s ready for our rowdy gang—we’re bringing out all the dad jokes and embarrassing stories tonight!
On a serious note, we are a little afraid they will recognize Mark this evening. Mark was asked to leave the restaurant three days ago when he kept referring to the oysters as “Sea Boogers.” I was also asked to leave because I laughed so hard that I fell out of my chair, spilled my champagne, passed gas (to the tune of Love Boat), and gave the old lady at the next table palpitations.
I asked Mark how he learned to call Oysters by that name. He said he and Colleen go to a discount seafood restaurant in their hometown and overheard the manager correcting an employee.
Colleen and Mark were surprised when a Birthday Cake came out, but we were in a hurry, so we had it sent to their room!!! Mary got roses for our anniversary!
After stuffing our faces at dinner, we waddled over to the production show, where the performers were putting on their last hurrah for this trip. Surprisingly, it was not terrible!
We then departed for the comic show and we had a miracle, Mark smiled.
Caught him with a smile. (OMG, he has teeth!)
We said bye to the kids and headed to our cabin for some last-minute packing. When we arrived, the kids had already put out our baggage, organized our papers, and otherwise cared for the old folks!
The trip’s purpose was to get to know the kids, and we certainly accomplished that goal. It’s nice to see two people so in love with each other. They are a loving couple who enjoy each other’s company and laugh and giggle a lot like us.
We dash off the boat tomorrow and head home to see Aunt Irene and Scout the Wonder Dog.
