DAY 3: SEA DAY

Well today is officially our first sea day. I don't really care for sea days. I'm left with a task trying to keep everyone busy for the day and not bored. Sakari is like me and on the go all the time wanting to do things. Now that she's "adulting" and armed with the daily schedule, I'm pretty much pushing this task off to her today.

I managed to sleep in today until 7:30am. That's unheard of for me. I guess all that dancing last night did me in. Hubby left for his morning caffeine as I shouted "Don't forget about mine" as the door slammed. According to him there's only 1 place to get pop in the morning and that requires him to go to the self serve machine that we discovered yesterday. Is this correct? Who knows. Maybe he's wanting me to feel like he's on a scavenger hunt in the mornings...all in the name of love. 🤷‍♀️

We watched a movie as we waited for the kids to get up. I ran over and rang the doorbell multiple times and called. No answer. They must have been worn out as well. I really wanted to try breakfast at Indulge so made the decision that we would just go without them and I'd leave a note on Sakari's white board of where we went to. It said they close at 10am and it was getting close.

I really liked this area. You never had to wait in line for food and you just went to multiple areas to get what you wanted. The hubby said it was a little too spread out for him but I can tell you by mid-cruise he (we) knew where everything was located and didn't have to look for things, which made it easier. Ahhhh bacon!!

It was after 10 and there was still a lot of food. Some of the employees came around asking if anyone else wanted anything. After finishing and heading back to the room we passed the kids. They were up and alive and headed to Indulge. Sakari got my message and the white board works! Honestly I wasn't sure if she'd even think to look at it but mission accomplished.

As they headed to breakfast we stopped to check out the various shops with all the "Great Deals!!!" and "Discounted Pricing on THIS CRUISE ONLY" areas. As I browsed I would find that the employees would literally follow you around and hover over you. I can't stand when people do this and that will cause me to immediately walk out not purchasing anything. You just lost a potential sale because you wouldn't leave me alone.

I did want to stop and see if they had a ship ornament on this cruise for my collection and couldn't find any so I ask the guy at the register and he said they had them put up and ran and got me one. SCORE! At least I wasn't missing out on this ship. I'm still on the hunt for a JOY ornament to complete my collection after all these years. (And of course Margaritaville hasn't caught on to this money maker yet so I'm needing 2 ships from them as well). If anyone is interested in knowing the price now days, it was $16.99. And if anyone ever finds one on JOY, please get me one. I'll pay for it, tip for it and pay shipping please and thank you.

About this time the kids were coming back to let us know that Indulge was closed so they were heading to the buffet. We headed to the room to watch a movie and wait on them.

Once they returned Sakari was planning the day for us. I let her know we (the hubby and I) could do whatever UP UNTIL it was time for us to go to our VIP party (latitudes) and rubbed it in how special we are and they were going to praise us and shower us with alcohol. Yeah the kids were jealous but don't you worry Sakari, after this cruise is over you will be VIP as well. 😁 You're welcome. We worked hard at earning you that status.

Sakari wanted to go play putt putt so we headed off. This has to be the neatest putt putt ever. Yes, you had to pay for it and it's self-serve. You scan you card at the machine and it spits out a golf ball. It cost $5/pp. But oh so much fun and all electronic. There's also neat things it does like spinning a wheel to give you more points or taking your picture. The challenge was going to be getting "Karl" to do this. If he was able to pull up beside the tee then he could "try" to hit the ball but most of the time he was missing it or leaning over so far I thought he would fall out of his wheelchair. Other times we would have to put him up on the green in order to even reach the area. This took a lot of time. Sorry to those that were waiting behind us but he was determined to play and I'm glad we made that happen for him.

There were some areas that required you to start up on a platform. Obviously that was not going to work...."Ok, just throw the ball or have Sakari putt it down to the next level" was all we could do.

Sakari had her picture taken on this putt and then off she went.

The last putt was a casino slot and where you stopped it would determine how many points you were going for and you had to hit a moving light to get it.

We determined either the hubby cheated somehow or he was really good at electronic putt putt. He was the champion of the day. In my defense it was SO WINDY up there when we were playing that I was eating my hair the entire time or I would have gave him a run for the money. Sakari only had 1 hair tie and she gave it to "Karl" because he was struggling with the fluffy hair as well. (I guess you can see "Karls" real name here. I know, no where near "Karl" right? lol  Our team name was the name of our previous sports store we owned for many years prior to selling hehe). 

We checked into playing darts after this and the worker said that it was too windy and they weren't going to allow anyone else to play at this time. Others were finishing up. We would have to try again later. I can only imagine where those darts would have ended up at had we played.

Time for NCL to roll out the carpet...VIP TIME!! And the hubby and I took off while telling the kids to find a way to entertain themselves until we come crawling back. Hey, it was the only free alcohol I was going to be able to consume this cruise or while on the ship at least. I was about to make the most of it! Don't judge.

It was held in the observation room and we found our resting spot on a couch in our own little area and decided after consuming the amount of drinks I had planned, a couch would be a good option. Just kidding...or was I?

Let the party begin...I started with a Bahama Momma and the hubby got some type of Bourbon red drink and they passed out crackers that I'm sure have been opened since the last cruise with 2 types of cheese. Next up, another Bahama Momma. Mmm so good. Come on catch up hubby! Wait, it that the drink tray? I'll take another Bahama Momma please and thank you. Hey I've earned these free drinks!

Then comes the praises for all of those that have been cruising with NCL. We clapped to let everyone know what our status was when they announced it. I have to say the claps died down by the time they got to Sapphire, which is me. There was 1 ambassador on the ship and EVERY staff member knows him. He had over 500 cruises with them and one of the staff members was on his very first cruise. He is who I want to be when I grow up. Well, I'll drink to your status and try one of those Bourbon drinks this time.

We stayed until most people had left and the drinks were winding down and I wasn't sure if I would be able to find the kids at this point. Roll me outta here! Ok, time to hit up the nearest restroom. I've drank a lot. As I'm in my stall I hear 2 guys talking (father and son) and I hear the son go "I don't think this is the men's restroom dad". 😂 Yep, he was right. I think no urinals should have been a dead giveaway. I kinda hid in the stall until I heard them finish, wash their hands and leave.

As we aimlessly wandered around trying to find the kids I swore the ship was leaning sideways. The hubby assured me it was just me and pulled me closer to him. I had a feeling, well not really because I wasn't feeling anything...so let me correct that...I had a momma's intuition that we'd find the kids at the casino and I was right!

Sakari took one look at me and said "Yea, she's drunk" and laughed. I felt like a child being scolded for doing something wrong behind their backs. Hey, I warned them ahead of time. That has to count for something right?

I'm pretty sure I needed some alcohol absorption at this point so we headed to O'Sheehans...I mean The Local and attempted to find a seat. This was prior to learning there was an actual restaurant on the other side and I was already complaining about not enough seating. There were people sitting at the tables SLEEPING! Now I was in the right mind to sleep it off myself but I'm not going to sit at the table where people are looking for chairs to sit and have a meal. Come on people! Do better!

Eventually we snagged a table as others were leaving. Our waiter came around and got us a round....of pop. You thought I was going to say more Bahama Momma's didn't you?

We ordered our food and it came out quicker than what I expected. I always have the Spinach Artichoke Dip and it is so good. I ordered the Pretzel Bites with Cheese and I have to say none of us liked them. Then I had some wings which were tasty. I don't remember what everyone else ordered but someone ordered loaded nachos because I took a picture of it. Don't ask me how I managed to even focus the food in the pictures to begin with since the ship was leaning sideways. 😉 You guys have to understand...I don't drink. Like hardly ever. I'm a lightweight. One drink in and I'm feeling it. I was probably 6 drinks in. I don't even know how I was functioning at this point. Just saying...

So what do we do now? I don't know who decided it would be a good idea but we were heading back up to throw darts. Say what?!? I don't think that's a wise choice. But we (I) was in luck...it was still too windy to play. Sakari decides it's time to race the go-carts. Oh boy. Am I going to get a DUI?

It would be $15/pp to race and I believe it said you get 8 minutes of time. "Karl" waited for us below. They had a viewing area but the only way to get up there was by using the stairs. By the time we got up there, got our instructions, suited up like a NASCAR driver and got in our cars...it was time for some fun. This race track is 3 levels and let me tell you it was SO MUCH FUN!!! We had a blast. I managed to pass up 4 other cars. Sakari and the hubby said they couldn't get around anyone but seen me take off. Hey, I drive a supercharged car with a tune on it...I know how to drive. 😏

As I continued to brag about passing up 4 cars just to make sure everyone knew, we headed back to the Sports Court to see what else sounded like fun. The hubby and Sakari played soccer and she was having a blast. It looks like the hubby scored and got not only past Sakari but completely out of the ball field. Wait, this isn't baseball. You did not get a home run for that sir. Sakari ended up winning and claimed all bragging rights. I guess she's redeemed herself from the cars and earned her bragging rights as well.

Sakari wanted to head to the 70's dance class in the Atrium and hopefully learn some new dance moves for tonight's party. I normally don't go to the 70's or 90's party but she wanted to so we were going.

After all this excitement we decided to head back to the room for awhile. I found Ging in the hallway and he ask me if I found my ice bucket. Um....where? He tells me in the refrigerator. Say what?!? I would have never thought to look there and there it was. Ice cold. It was the smallest ice bucket I've ever seen. It reminded me of the restaurants you go to that you cook at your table. How cute!

Today what we wrote on our white boards for others to answer:

Glad to see others are playing along. Can you guess which answers are the hubby's? If not, on my board "How many cruises have you been on?" His answer was "I dunno she drags me along". Sakari ask "What is your favorite sea animal?" His answer was "Anything that doesn't eat me". She laughed so hard all day at this and didn't even realize until the end of the night that daddy had done it.

I managed to catch the sunset tonight.

We hung out in the room watching another movie until it was time to get dressed up and go to dinner. Tonight we headed to The Commodore MDR. "Karl" found a duck in the elevator on the way there.

All I found were some barf bags. See!!! I told you the ship was leaning and I wasn't imaging it! Or did they put this here just for me? 🤷‍♀️I'm fine now. I promise. But I'm not guaranteeing anything tonight.

Sakari and I ordered the White Cheddar and Potato Soup and it was AMAZING! She's my soup girl. She loves soup of any kind. "Karl" ordered a Caesar Salad and said there's nothing better than the Caesar Salad's on cruise ships (and would continue to order this at every meal throughout the cruise). Hubby had the Waldorf Salad.

For our Entrees: I had the 3-Cheese Baked Ziti and Sakari ordered the Cheese Ravioli (which was actually an appetizer). The hubby had the Grilled New York Strip Steak meal. I have no idea what "Karl" ordered because he gobbled it up so quick.

If Cheesecake is on the menu...that's what I'm getting and it did not disappoint!!

While we were sitting at the table Sakari yells "Turtle". Um what? She says she found a turtle instead of a duck. We were sitting by the window and there was the smallest little turtle sitting in it. I don't even know how she spotted it that's how small it was. I had to do a macro picture just to see it myself.

With our bellies full it was time to get our drink on again. Is this becoming a habit? Do I need intervention? We headed back to the kids room and broke open our bottle of wine. It's time to make sure we had a good time at this 70's party since I really wasn't into it to begin with.

Alrighty then...I guess it's gone and it's time to party!

70's Disco...here we come!

Now I have to say this was so much fun. I've turned over a new leaf. I will be going to every 70's party from now on if it's like this. We danced and danced...or was it the alcohol? No, I'm sure it was the party. We were having such a good time!

"Karl" was back to having a good time spinning and doing wheelies and randomly made a new friend that wanted to dance with him.

Then things took a turn and not for the better. Someone came up to him and I thought it was an employee or one of the dancers that was working the room. He grabbed his hand and led him back out further and started dancing with him. He took his arm and was attempting to twirl him in circles as they danced. At one point I stopped dancing to watch. The guy really had "Karl" pumped up in excitement and "Karl" started spinning and then started rocking his wheelchair back and forth from side to side. It looked a little dangerous and like it might tip. I ran to grab him as this was scaring me. Momma B is taking over. The guy grabbed "Karl's hand again and attempted to spin him quickly and when he didn't move in that direction he went back the other way and tried again almost pulling him out of his chair. At that point I realized this was not a NCL employee because they would not be acting so dangerous with him. I stopped recording him and ran to his rescue and told the guy to stop and pulled "Karl" back with us. That was seriously scary. What was this guy thinking???? Well I can tell you he was drunk. Very drunk according to his family that came up and apologized multiple times throughout the cruise after that. 

This is in the beginning before it got dangerous.

The party was over and Sakari was not ready for it to be over. They announced that the after party was moving to one of the clubs. Sakari has mentioned how she can't wait to go "clubbing" on the ship when she got old enough and well...she's old enough so we were off to the club.

So many people showed up...eventually...and it was so crowded with such a small dance floor that people couldn't even move most of the time. Then everyone else was just standing around. Sakari is coming out of her shell and decided she would go up and dance without us.

We ended up leaving around 12:45am. It just wasn't the greatest with too many people to have fun. They need a bigger area/dance floor for something like this.

Tonight we would set our clocks back 1 hour which means it was really only 11:45am but felt more like 2:45am to me.

Time for my shower before bed and once again I manage to get sprayed in the face by the sprayer. What the heck. I feel like it's a set up.

Tomorrow is Jamaica with no plans and we were not worried about getting up early to be somewhere so we could sleep in if we wanted to. 💤