Five days at sea

When you cruise in the Pacific, Indian or Atlantic Oceans, you quickly come to realise how big our Planet Earth is. The longest non-stop time we have spent at sea so far in our cruising has been seven days. That was because we missed a port in the Atlantic and it took us seven days to get from Southampton to Barbados. On this occasion, missing the stop at Norfolk Island has meant that we have had five days at sea, before our arrival in Nuku’alofa, Tonga tomorrow morning. We have experienced five day sectors before but I am sure that many onboard now would not have. I therefore anticipate that they will be very keen to get off the ship as soon as we clear Customs,etc.
However, the weather has improved – winds have abated and what little swell remains is now coming from behind us, making for a steady ship. The 12 Noon report from the Bridge said that the outside air temperature is 26C. It has certainly warmed up since we left the Tasman Sea – but it still doesn’t seem that warm to me. There is a “Snorkelling refresher class” planned for this afternoon – I think I will sit it out, the pool water is still too cold for me.
The time passes quite quickly at sea – I find that I have still not digested my Breakfast before it is lunchtime – and the same happens at night. We have taken to eating our evening meal at the late sitting because of this.  “Anytime dining” still involves distinct early and late sittings. We often eat early when we are at home (Pensioner hours) – but when on a cruise with full breakfasts and lunches, we cannot cope with an early Dinner.
Although only early into the 28 day cruise, the nightly entertainment has been good – Trevor Night, a double “Golden Guitar” winner and Adam Scicluna,  a very funny comic/singer (a big man with a big voice who doesn’t take himself too seriously). We missed the first of the Production Shows last night as we had a nice “Formal” Dinner with people we met at the OzCruiseClub Meet and Greet. You can only do so much – and we have seen quite a few of the Production Shows. Liars Club was well attended (and well done, therefore enjoyable) – as have been the quizzes which are being run by the Cruise Director and the Deputy Cruise Director together. It is good to see that they are keeping these quizzes at a very relaxed and enjoyable pace – far too many ship quizzes are taken far too seriously. They are meant to be a source of light entertainment for passengers.
We have been told that there are just a little more than 1600 passengers onboard (less than maximum) – so the ship does not feel overly crowded. The only time there are queues are during the peak times of the Buffet and the Show Theatre is always full. A redesign and rebuild of the Theatre would allow it to handle twice the number than what it does now- but I would not expect that to happen, the ship being over 20 years old.

A little bit of swell is still with us – but is running in a SW direction, the same as our course to Tonga	The sun is out – bright but not too hot – suits me!!
Nightly entertainment has been good	Have never before seen an Entertainer who performs in the main Theatre also perform in the lesser venues (here in the lower Atrium)

I know that I asked for a “large Hoegaarden” – but this is ridiculous!!

“Snorkelling refresher class” on P&O Pacific Pearl – in anticipation of the great snorkelling expected in Tonga, Rarotonga, French Polynesia, Fiji and New Caledonia. – I wonder what the working people are doing today??