18th January

We are still making 17.5 knots, (19.2 mph, 30.8 kph) and have a favourable east-south-east wind and the west-going South Equatorial current. I have been pleasantly surprised; if you had told me, when we departed Manta, Ecuador that we would go this far on 2 diesel generators, I would have been skeptical.

These natural assists have been complemented by the fact that before we departed Port Everglades, we had our underwater hull ‘scrubbed’ and the azipod propellers polished. This has reduced drag, (or reduced the friction caused by grass on the hull) and has more than paid for itself already, using less fuel.

We are moving into areas of showers, as I write, I can see various rain areas around us, however it is late in the afternoon, guests are watching football, or preparing for dinner. A nice evening wash-down of our superstructure and decks would be nice. (Saves us water too).

A quiet Sunday, however tomorrow I have another evening dinner, this one for new inductees into our Presidents Club and the following evening, another dinner. One could say that I am ‘eating my way around the world’.

Emails are flowing between us and Papeete, Tahiti; we are one of 3 cruise ships due in on the 24th and the authorities are trying to plan ahead. It is exacerbated by the fact that we have a number of Stores containers waiting, the contents of which we have to load, we are taking fuel too. The piers on which we dock are narrow and consequently difficult to negotiate by guests, unless all is arranged beforehand and that it the intention.

I have been trying, during my visits to the Bridge, to take some photos of dolphins, which occasionally visit us and flying-fish, which are in abundance. It would seem that it would be relatively straightforward, unfortunately non of my efforts have yet been worthy of these pages. I will persevere though.

Eventually, I have received some photos of the Silver Ball and I post them below; it’s my belief that they still don’t do it justice, the colours and brilliance were outstanding, however these will, at the least, give you an idea………..