New England/Canada Cruise. Day 2. Actually, it’s a ship.

We woke up this morning around 715. Hallie got out of her bed and climbed into ours. When we asked Hallie why she woke up so early she told us, “because, I’m on a boat,” which has been the answer to all questions on this trip. Then she added, “actually, it’s a ship.”

She actually did really well in the bed and didn’t move around very much. Tzvi went back to bed but I was up. Eventually we got up, got dressed and made it down to the dining room for breakfast by 925. Breakfast was supposed to close by 930 but there was a long line and we didn’t make it for at least 10 minutes. Breakfast was good – there was buffet and a’la cart. We had eggs, French toast, waffles, fruit, yogurt, cereal. Hallie discovered maple syrup and just started dipping everything in it. All was good.

After breakfast we went back to the room and found my parents were just getting up. We hung out a little bit, then walked around and found a quiet place at the very front of the ship up top where we laid for a few minutes. Tzvi fell asleep. Then we explored a bit more, and after a while it was time to eat again. At 1230 we met my parents at the dining room and sat down for Shabbos lunch. Again we stood for kiddush, but unfortunately no one came over to talk about it. Lunch was also buffet and a’la carte. There was a nice salad bar and lots of bread. I had salmon and Tzvi had gnocchi with cream sauce. Hallie had some chicken.

After lunch we went back to the room and changed for the pool. We walked Hallie for a few minutes first and she fell asleep in the stroller. Tzvi and I went in the hot tub, and laid out for a bit. I think the one thing I’ve noticed about this ship is that it’s more cruisey than some of the newer ships we’ve been on. It’s a little bit more crowded, I think partly because people are always out doing things – going to the pools, the dance parties, the $10 watch events on the promenade. It’s not bad, just a little different from the newer more upscale ships we went on for the last couple of cruises.

Around 3 o’clock we went inside to the spa where we had booked a couples massage. Unlike most spas we visit, there was no locker room and we weren’t given robes to wear. Instead we were taken to a “relaxation room” where we had water and were told we could change in the massage room. We waited about 10 minutes until two women came to get us. Tzvi’s masseuse was from India and was named Indira. My masseuse was from South Africa and was named Matapello. While the facility wasn’t the nicest we’ve even been to, the massages were actually really good. They did try to sell us something at the end (you know, so I could “cleanse my muscles”) but it wasn’t too bad.

After the massage we found my parents and Hallie who were just coming back from the kiddy pool. Apparently she had fun. Hallie wanted “something,” so Tzvi took her to look for food. They came back ten minutes later with a plate of pizza, a tuna sandwich and some fruit. Then Tzvi got two ice cream cones, one for us and one for Hallie. Once we were done with that it was time to go inside to get ready for dinner.

We had dinner in the dining room again. Again there was a pretty long line, so I decided to go ahead inside to find Mohamed, the headwaiter for the dining room, who was the person who dealt with the kosher food last night. I wanted to tell him to start heating up the kosher food, but he told us to just come right in and took us past the line and straight to the same table we had the night before. I expected this. Thanks Mohamed.

Its no surprise that our tables are generally too small for the amount of food we order. Tonight they brought us vegetarian French onion soups that they made special for us. Then they brought the kosher food for Austin and Hallie. I don’t even remember what we had but I definitely had salmon, which I enjoyed. Pop Pop had almond crusted cod, which he loved and totally finished. Big surprise there (actually). Tzvi ordered one of every dessert on the menu except the sugar free one. Then the waiter said as long as you’re going for it, you might as well throw in the sugar free to, which ended up being a good thing since that was actually the best one. Not a strong dessert showing in the dining room tonight.

After dinner we took some pictures and then came back to the room and put Hallie to bed. Tzvi and I went out for 10 minutes to walk around the ship, see the bars, take more pictures, and then got a Kahlua and cream. Then we came back and my parents and Austin went out to some show. It’s sad missing all the shows, but such is life.

Unfortunately only a few photos and all from tonight.

when bedtime turns into coloring time

fancy pop pop

getting the bed ready

Not the most creative towel animal

Last drink before bedtime