The Journal

     They have a REALLY active program on board the ship every moment of every day, and Christmas is no exception!  Yesterday, December 20, Santa Claus arrived replete with joke presents he hauled out of his bag of tricks. He was one of the passengers that I know and was quite a kick, they said. I was busy listening to a lecture on "The Planets" of our solar system at that moment, so I missed the interview with Santa.  Everyday at noon, in the Aquarius Lounge, they have "Explorer Today," a little interview program of people who are performing, or passengers, or general conversation with the captain, or safety stuff about the Zodiacs. I try not to miss it because you get a lot of information and it's fun when someone interesting is interviewed.
      But back to Christmas.  They're decorating the ship all over with Christmas trees in many lounges. All the experienced passengers were smart enough to bring Christmas decorations for their doors, and there is a contest today for passengers to roam the halls and vote for the most creative door.  I wish you, Jean and Emily were here---think of the abundance of creativity between the two of you.  I'd have a sure winner.
      Last night I had cocktails in one of the cabins up on the Aquamarine Deck--the top one with all the great windows--and the guy, John, a really funny fellow who is Scottish, plays poker all the time, and drinks Scotch, decorated his door using playing cards with winning hands, designed in the shape of a Christmas tree.  All the other decorations are more traditional--blinking lights, Santas, etc.  But I like the poker one.

Read More