Day 26 - At Sea

Day 26 – Tuesday 4^th February 2014 – At Sea

This morning we are off California approximately 50 miles west of Los Angeles, and it is cold with a strong wind and only 13 degrees C on deck, so not much point in walking the decks.

Breakfast with Colin in the Lido, then wandered the ship, watched a film about French art décor in the theatre for a while, not quite my style,but it filled in time.  In the ballroom there was a talent contest going on between the passengers, a Japanese singer, not karaoke,but a traditional Japanese song was a bit strange with extravagant arm and body movements.  An American trying to recite poetry who kept forgetting the words until prompted by reading his notes, the audience were very attentive, and he got through it.  A mother on guitar with her boy on the violin made an effort but I had expected a little more talent, so we left and went up for lunch with the Chinese lady Evelyn, in the Lido.

Britannia Restaurant

The Britannia Restaurant, showing the entrance, as seen from the Captain’s chair at his table.  The restaurant is magnificent and it situated at the rear of the ship covering Decks 2 and 3.  It can sit 878 guests on the two levels, open seating breakfast and lunch, two sittings for dinner 18.00 and 20.30.

Britannia Restaurant

This is taken from the staircase showing the two levels around the entrance.

The restaurant’s view over the rear tables.

  A view aft, from our table

Table 379

Our table number 379 for six guests is situated at the rear on the starboard side with a view out of the full length window.

From the start of the voyage, we have seen several guests join us at our table and have moved on.  We do not mind, if they cannot understand our language or humour, but we are enjoying it.  For the past two weeks, the following couples have stayed with us and have been great company.  Arlene and Tom from Gloucestershire, along with Sadie and Tony from Yorkshire.

The dinner menu normally consists of a choice of six starters, six main courses and six desserts with additional choices of salads or today specials.

The food and service have been excellent, there are two waiters allocated to our table within this area, and of course, our wine waiter who has got to know myself and Colin very well, has a very good idea of our wine choices and keeps us on the straight and narrow.

It is early into the theatre tonight at 19.00 to see the show with Jennifer Fair, the very good singer and the American comedian John Joseph.  I managed to stay awake this time, and the show ended with Mark Donaghue who plays everything.

We still had time to go to Café Carinthia for few drinks before dinner at 20.30, consisting of soup/beef/lemon cheese cake.

Finished off in the ballroom and tried the waltz, with my dance lesson partner, we managed to get round without bumping into anybody.

A big day tomorrow, as we are arriving in San Francisco.