The Pages of The Gray Wizard
On Board
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On Board the Fascination
Our Stateroom
Our stateroom (E193) was on the Empress Deck and had an ocean side view. We put the two beds together to make one big bed. First Night Out
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A limbo line. |
Hanging out at the Calypso Party |
"Rhythm Krazy", |
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The first night out we had a Bon Voyage Party on the Lido
Deck. |
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On the second night out, the Captain hosted a gala reception and we all got to put on our finest wear. The picture above was taken at dinner. Don't we make an attractive couple?
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Captain Angelo Salvemini and just a few of his crew, including on the far right, Peter Gibbs, the Cruise Director who worked tirelessly to keep us entertained.
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The centerpiece of the ship was the Grand Atrium which spanned six decks and featured glass observation elevators.
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Taken with Marlis's camera David, Marlis, Bruce, Suzi, |
Taken by the ship's photographer David & Marlis, Bruce & Suzi, |
Taken with John and Gill's camera Mary, Dave, David, Marlis, |
Three Views of our Dinner CompanionsOur dinner companions in the Sensation Dining Room, one of two dining rooms onboard. Before setting sail I mentioned to Marlis that there were just two things beyond our control that might mar our adventure. The weather and boring dinner companions. The weather was marvelous and our dinner companions were an absolute delight. Bruce and Suzi from Delaware. John and Gill from England. Dave and Mary from Ontario. |
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John and Gill |
Bruce and Suzi |
Dave and Mary |
| From somewhere near Norwich, England, John and Gill were absolutely delightful dinner companions. John is retired while Gill works for the boss we all wish we had. Gill's boss paid for John and Gill's cruise including airfare from England. And as if that weren't enough, they won a $600 bingo jackpot on the last night of the cruise. | Bruce and Suzi from Wilmington, Delaware were our table's
own private "cruise directors", pointing out the 88 Piano Bar
which became our evening hangout and enticing all but Marlis and me into
taking the Jolly Roger Tour in Barbados.
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Dave and Mary from Mississauga, Ontario were latecomers
joining our little dinner group, but they caught up quickly. Dave and Mary
joined the rest of the crew for the Jolly Roger Tour.
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These four (Gill, John, Suzi and Bruce) and Marlis and I made up the "Dirty Half Dozen" that could be seen every evening at table 169 in the Sensation Dining Room and often crooning the oldies with Dan the Pianoman in the 88 Piano Bar.
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Here's another shot of Suzi and Bruce taken with their camera.
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Our waiter, Nuri (between me and Marlis) and assistant waiter. Nuri was from Indonesia and hadn't been home in months. Marlis nicknamed him "Our Little Munchkin" and they teased each other every night.
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On the last night out, Marlis and Nuri danced the Macarena. (We didn't have the camera with us, but thanks to Suzi and Bruce for capturing this). | Each night the waiters entertained us at dinner. One night they sang in Italian despite the fact that none of them spoke the language. Another night they danced and on the last night of the cruise | ||
| The table of passengers seen in the picture on the right was just next to ours. This was the table of S.W.M.B.O. (She Who Must Be Obeyed!). The men were apparently not permitted to talk, but dined quietly, seldom looking up from their plates, while the women conversed. One night they apparently were not permitted out of their cabins as the women dined alone. Stepford Husbands perhaps? | ||||
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This was on onboard contest to see who was prettier, Marlis or the Showgirl. It's quite obvious that Marlis won. No competition.
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The second formal night on the ship. The photographer carefully posed us for three shots. Believe it or not, this was the least wooden of the lot.
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Each evening we would return to our stateroom to find one of these delightful towel sculptures created by our Room Steward. Cute aren't they?
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Relaxing on the Verandah deck. |
Passing St. Kitts-Nevis |
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Friday was our only complete day at sea and Marlis and
I took |
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