On a Rescue Mission - December 15

This morning we had a display of the Linus blankets made on this cruise as well as other items made (cross-stitch, socks, a top, a dragon, and quilting).  There were a total of 21 blankets made.  It was outside of the Ocean Bar and many people stopped by to look as they passed.

Just after 11, the captain announced that we were turning around.  Last night they had received a notice that a yacht had capsized and to be on the lookout.  At that point we were over 350 miles from the presumed location.  This morning however, something was seen floating in the water and so we turned around to get a better look.

About 20 minutes later he announced that the item had been in the water for a long time and had sea life growing on it so it could not have come from the yacht.  Even so, there would still be a lookout kept for any other floating debris.

Later in the afternoon the captain announced that another yacht had rescued five people floating in the water so we did not need to look any further.  These were very lucky people since we are hundreds of miles from land.

I hadn't planned on going to crafts but after I finished my dessert (I usually eat lunch before trivia and dessert after), Sandy came along and we sat and talked until almost 3 so I stayed for crafts.

I went back to the gym and the attendant showed me how to use the elliptical machine but said I needed closed-toe shoes which I had already packed.  So, no exercise today.

Tonight was our final Formal Night so we had the typical "Gala Night" menu.  Most people looked very nice.  The Zaandam Singers and Dancers performed their last show, "All For Love".  At 9:30 there as a "Chocolate Surprise" on Deck 5.  I think the surprise was that the chocolate was not very good.  They did not have quite the variety from the past and the one item I heard was really good (a chocolate mini-cupcake) was gone before I even saw one.  There were lots of marshmallows with a little chocolate on the bottom and sprinkles - most of which were left half eaten (Not sure what the deal is with marshmallows on this cruise - if you get a sundae in the restaurant, it has marshmallows instead of whipped cream on it).  There were also chocolate covered things (not sure what but they were not very good) and a chocolate fudge tart that I found awful.

In the Ocean Bar there was "A Night in Hollywood" with music, a red carpet, and large cut-outs (with which you could have your picture taken).

We did not receive a "Pillow Gift" tonight which we usually do on Formal Nights.  Word has it that they will be brought on in San Juan and that they are duffel bags.  Stay tuned to see if the rumors prove true.

We gain another hour tonight.

1pm trivia - We had 10 out of 18 and the winning team had 14

1.  How many hearts does an earthworm have?

2.  The name "Volvo" comes from Latin.  What does it translate to in English?

3.  Who was the opening act for The Monkees on their first tour?

4.  What is the second most abundant element in the earth's crust after oxygen?

5.  What country has the largest divorce rate per capita?

1.  9

2.  I roll

3.  Jimi Hendrix

4.  silicon

5.  Maldives

4pm trivia - Lightning Trivia - We had 24 out of 30 and two teams had 28.

1.  How many cups are played on each side in a game of Beer Pong?

2.  In what year was The Lion King released?

3.  What direction do bats fly out of a cave?

4.  Who discovered penicillin?

5.  What is a glossectomy?

1.  10

2.  1994

3.  left or counterclockwise

4.  Alexander Fleming

5.  removal of the tongue

7pm trivia - Fairy Tales - I had 7 out of 18 and the winning team had 12

1.  What is the name of Snow White's sister?

2.  Hansel and Gretl get assistance from what animal on their way home?

3.  "Es war enimal" is German and is usually translated to "Once upon a time".  What is the actual translation?

4.  What animal is Thumbelina expected to marry after she is kidnapped?

5.  In Hans Christian Andersen's Snow Queen, where does the Queen live?

1.  Rose Red

2.  duck

3.  Once there was

4.  mole

5.  in the Alps

Smooth sailing until next time!

the floating item

Linus knitters and crocheters

some of the other items