January 13th, 2024

We are finishing up our 3rd of 5 sea days on our way to Hawaii. It has been a rough few days. It was very bouncy leaving Santa Barbara and the Captain told us that we would be heading further south than we needed to to avoid some rough weather and that the day before Honolulu it would get rough again. Yesterday was not too bad but last night and today have been rough and lots of white caps and swells. We have gone in an out of rain and it has been very cloudy. They were going to try star gazing last night but it was canceled due to bad weather and they will reschedule it.

Our morning Mah Jongg group has expanded since we picked up new folks in LA. We consistently ahve 3 tables in the morning and sometimes 4. It is a good way to meet new people.

Yesterday evening we had a cruise critic meet and greet which almost all the officers attended and we probably had 90 passengers. Cruise Critic is a web site where you can go and meet people on your cruise before you go on the cruise.

We also had dinner a few nights ago with the general manager Ronald and 2 other officers and 10 other passengers. It was a very diverse group and hard to have a conversation with everyone. The general manager has a great sense of humor and is fun to talk to. He has lots of stories to tell.

The view from our balcony this am with the rain on the right and sun on the left. Lots of white caps and swells.

The balcony is covered in sea spray and they had just washed the balconies yesterday morning to get the salt off from when we left Santa Barbara. It is warming up but with the wind difficult to sit outside. Today the high was 65 and we are sure not will get warmer tomorrow. Almost time to put away the long pants and long sleeve shirts until we hit the Mediterranean in the spring.

This is a picture of the Explores longe which is up on the 8th floor and is a huge 2 story lounge with lots of places to sit and read or have a drink. The fireplace which is a video gives it a nice effect especially when it is a little chilly outside.

Next stop Honolulu on January 16th