Day-07: A Day At Sea

Day-07: Saturday, February 8, 2014

Beginning Location: South China Sea, En-route to Ko Samui, Thailand
Final Location: Bay of Thailand, En-route to Ko Samui, Thailand

Some ships statistics.

M/V Nautica

M/V Nautica Facts & Figures

• Year Built: 1998

• Year Refurbished: 2010

• Gross Tonnage: 30,277

• Length: 593.7 ft

• Beam: 83.5 ft

• Max. Draught: 19.5 ft

• Stabalizers: Yes

• Cruising Speed: 18 knots

• Electric Power or Voltage: 110, 220 AC

• Guest Capacity : 684 (double occupancy)

• Crew Size: 400

• Guest-to-Staff Ratio: 1.71 to 1

• Nationality of Officers: European

• Nationality of Staff: European

• Country of Registry: Marshall Islands

We arose around 0700 this morning and both proceeded to our exercise venues, me to the gym and Sheila to the lap-track (13-laps to the mile on a walkway on the 10th deck, one above pool). Around nine I stopped in the cafe for breakfast; a fruit plate and coffee would be the morning repast for me.

For a day at sea, our schedule was relatively full. Sheila started the day's activities at nine attending the Beginner's Bridge Lesson; she determined that it was too basic so she was looking ahead to the Intermediate Lesson later in the morning.

We attended a briefing/lecture on the cultures of Thailand and Cambodia, a part of the planned "enrichment" series that will be presented throughout the cruise.

With the "Intermediate" bridge lesson, Sheila had found her level of play. There will be similar lessons and even bridge matches throughout the cruise.

After lunch, which was TexMex themed we proceeded to Martini's Lounge and Bar for a Margarita tasting. Five of us seated ourselves at the bar while Michael, a career cruise bartender and Kristynna a bar hostess proceeded to set up the tasting. We started with the basic Margarita, consisting of Tequila, Triple Sec and Lime Juice and ultimately worked our way up to the Golden Margarita, consisting of Tequila, Grand Marnier and Lime Juice. End result, I'm ready to revisit the idea of Margaritas upon return to St. Pete Beach, so visitors beware! This was a fun tasting perhaps a bit less stiff than the wine tasting we missed as we extended the Margarita event beyond the wine event start time.

King Rama IX

Following Margaritas, we attended another lecture , this time on the politics and "dark" history of Thailand up and through World War II and the ascension to the throne of the current monarch, King Rama IX in 1946 following the mysterious death of his brother the reigning king. King Rama is the world's longest present-day serving head-of-state, followed by Elizabeth II of Great Britain.

We observed sunset on the South China Sea on Saturday, February 8th, 2014.





We broke out our dressy attire and looking suitably adorned proceeded to the Captain's Reception around six o'clock. Captain Igor Bencina hosted the traditional reception for the passengers. He introduced his senior officers to the attendees and gave each of the officers the opportunity to offer brief personal biographies, e.g. nationality, area of responsibility, etc. The drinks and heavy appetizers were plentiful but not enough to stem our appetites after such a grueling day's activities. So with a Vancouver B.C. couple we had met earlier we proceeded to the Grand Dining Room and had dinner.

Upon returning to our room we had a message asking for additional paperwork for our scheduled arrival into Thailand; no big deal just an arrival form of some sort.

Our day ended by 10 PM.