March 26 - Time to say goodbye

I’m here in the Miami airport waiting in the lounge before boarding my plane.  That means it’s time to wrap up this part of my blog.

The last two days were sea days.  It’s funny because while I can’t cite anything specific that I accomplished, the days seemed to zip by.  There was trivia, of course, and I listened to a couple of lectures about editing photos on an iPhone.  Yesterday we had another girls’ lunch with Amber, the singer with the band, and several of us solo women.  On Friday night there was a show with a new group, the Texas Tenors.  They were fantastic.  Apparently they won one of those talent shows  on TV and they’ve won several Emmys.

I’ve made a number of friendships which I know I’ll maintain.  A couple are here in the States and a couple are from England and Scotland.  Several of my new friends will be on a cruise I’ve booked for 2024, so if all goes as planned I’ll see them then.  All the entertainers I’ve met and dined with are also scheduled to be on that voyage and it will be fun to see them.  An added plus is that they were all great performers.

Yesterday evening there was a farewell show by the pool.  It's always a very moving experience because the singers sing some songs that always bring tears to my eyes, including "Time to say goodbye;" which was originally performed by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman.  After the singing the entire staff from engine crew to bar stewards stand around the railing on the deck above the pool deck so that we can applaud their wonderful service and thank them.  The event is supposed to be a chance for them to thank us for sailing with them, but I think it's more fitting that we have this small show of appreciation for all these people, many behind the scene, who take such good care of us.

Yesterday evening I read a post that someone put on Cruise Critic in which he complained about nearly every aspect of this cruise.  When I read it, I wondered if he was on a different ship.  There have been a few service glitches, but those were quickly corrected.  On the whole I thought the food was very good and the entertainment was top notch.  I can only say that I actually feel sorry for someone who is as unhappy and bitter as this person must be.

So that's it for now.  What an adventure I've had!  How fortunate I am that I've had the opportunity to see all these far-flung places. If you ever have the chance to sail to Antarctica and South Georgia, try to do it. The sights are breathtaking.