shadowmeboy

It was finally time for the Art Auction! Since we preregistered before the cruise, we got assigned Bid Card 101 for the entire cruise! We saw and got this piece from Matt Breyer. Susan cried when she say it because of the fact her dad and brother both served. I grabbed another Starbucks after the Auction, and we headed to the Great Outdoors for a late lunch. Susan found a tiny duck! Not so nice clouds better this way! Pizza, Mac & Cheese, & a Mystery Dog with Chili! Lunch set up in Moderno as overflow to the buffet. Also where the pizza and Pho is. oh no! Making more! Pizza time! I also made myself a double burger with all the fixins! with a salad and fries

Finally it was time for How to Run a Floating Hotel with Cruise Director JC Sanchez! Then they had a Q&A with the Executive Chef, Food & Beverage Director Hassan, and the Guest Services Manager.

I was a bit lazy this morning and slept in. Before leaving the room, we got the laundry bag ready to hand off to housekeeping. Then it was off to breakfast. First Stop was Starbucks! Then it was off to breakfast through the Casino on deck 7. Past the shops Seven Seas! Someone is not awake yet! Drink that coffee! Mimosa's were on the menu for this morning! Its not like were driving! Fruit Salad Sliced Banana and cottage cheese Ham & Cheese Omelet Eggs Benedict After breakfast, we returned to the room to grab a tripod for the Floating Hotel Presentation. Here is the atrium display from Deck 6.

December 23rd, 2023 Sea Day Location: Atlantic Ocean - Somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle sailing between the Chesapeake Bay and San Juan, Puerto Rico

Yes, I did. See post one of this one for the link to it. Brian has been on the Sun for close to 25 years.

Shucks about Seward Brewing; might be too early in the season. Try again next time you guys are up.

Veggies Scallops and Shrimp for Susan Shrimp to start for me There is the beef! Steak and shrimp! Dessert Mudslide! Harry O' - The Irish Guy - was preforming in the Theater tonight He sang and told stories. He was very good! We enjoyed his show! We went to the bliss lounge to listen to the band. Some dancers and some watchers Susan got pulled out to the dance floor. We grabbed something from the Garden café then headed across the pretty but deserted pool deck. Maybe its because its only like 50 degrees?

I Love You Fried Rice

Playing with the eggs!

Miso Soup Taking photos of the photographers trying to take photos of us! Miso soup and Edamame Seaweed Salad The cucumber and tomato are the only good thing on here. Selfie time with the lady behind us! Susan didn't know it was there until after she clicked the picture. Then she wanted a retake. I said no. Let's get the show started! Starting on the fried rice

Picture Time! Time for Dinner at Teppanyaki

Lunchtime! Bay Scallop Gratin Italian Wedding Soup Cheeseburger Spaghetti Carbonara Desserts to go! We were late for the Latitudes Party. Hanging at the Latitudes Party. I sucked at getting photos at this event. Susan had a very busy morning. It became nap time.

It was then time for the Meet & Greet. Here is a look at Le Bistro Treats! We headed down to the Wines around the world event for Sapphire & above La Cucina being long and narrow, was a difficult venue for this event. The Cavern Club on the Bliss where we had it on the Pacific Coastal cruise was a better venue.

Susan finally got up and met me in the Great Outdoors. With another Starbucks! Seven Seas for 2nd Breakfast v Seas were a little choppy, but not too bad. Oatmeal and a Yogurt parfait for Susan Half Grapefruit with Orange Slices and a bowl of Cottage Cheese for me! Eggs to Order with a Bagel and a side of bacon for the table!

Maersk Tennessee in the distance Gorgeous Sunrise Bulk Cargo Ship Another Bulk Cargo Ship taking some waves Great Outdoors Buffet We are the Orange mark closer to land, the other ship is the Norwegian Getaway. First Breakfast!

Hi Ho; Hi Ho: It's off to the Great Outdoors I go! Its a bit quiet at 6:30 in the morning! I grabbed a coffee from Starbucks. Up to the pool deck - Mandara Spa It was nice and quiet up here! The temperature was only like 45 degrees this morning. Garden Cafe

December 22nd, 2023 Sea Day Location: Atlantic Ocean - off the coast the coast of North Carolina

We sail NCL exclusively. We enjoy the perks we get as Sapphire Latitudes members. Plus with the newly released Teacher Discount, we will get discounts on future cruises and OBC just for Susan being a teacher! I am excited for that.

Guacamole time! Totopos - Nachos Aguachile de Camarones - Shrimp Ceviche Betabel - Beet Salad Al Pastor Tacos Carne Asada with Rice & Beans Side of plantains Dessert Menu Chocoflan Bunuelos de la Abuela On our way back to the room, we checked out our boarding photo. Atrium Christmas tree We stopped by Customer Service, because some of our stuff that should have been in our room hadn't arrived in our room. They said we needed to talk to Latitudes in the morning. We stopped by the Atrium Bar. We asked for a bottle of water, since we had the package, for the evening. They asked which one?? We said the boxed one, we didn't know there were others. One of the guys looks at our card and goes, no no no. Let me get you something better. So we came back to the room with two Acqua Panna's. The first of many on this cruise!

We got ready for dinner and then headed for the Welcome Aboard Art Event the Park West Team was doing, Looking down from Deck 7 A few pieces outside the gallery. I won a Buying credit certificate! Yippee! More Art! Time for dinner at Los Lobos! Margarita!

I love seeing the ships all decorated around Christmas! Taking a Christmas Cruise has become a tradition! Yeah it was a shock to me as well, especially after such a beautiful picture. Unfortunately, Susan got skunked. She did a massage during the cruise, one of the spa combo specials they offered. I thinks I have one or two pictures later on of the Spa.

While I was out Chilling on deck 😉 Susan went to the Spa Raffle! Spa Menu Here is the video of our Baltimore Sailaway!

This post is going to be the toughest one for me. I was deeply saddened when I awoke on March 26th, 2024 to the News reports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse. This post will share the photos I took of the FSK Bridge as we sailed out of Baltimore on December 21st, 2023. I am saddened by the loss of such a beautiful structure. The FSK Bridge coming into view This was my favorite photo!

Pulling out of the Port of Maryland. A few more people, but they are only interested in the bar! Goodbye Baltimore! Fort McHenry Point Breeze and the Port of Baltimore It is roughly about this location that Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner aboard the British Ship.

As it was quite chilly, the sailaway party did not have very many early attendees. I made my way to the Great Outdoors to enjoy sailaway! oops! A little blurry Topsiders Gingerbread House display inside the Garden Cafe The Great Outdoors was not very full either. Cargo Ship being unloaded off our stern. Still pretty sparse on the crowd It was a beautiful night! Just because it was 38 degrees, everyone stays inside like their cold or something. Compared to home, this is warm! pano Time to throw lines!