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Thursday, January 6, 2022

World Cruise Day 14/152 - last sea day before Cabo - outstanding service, and more birds

Cruise day: 14/152
Ports days: 4
Sea days: 10
Countries: 4
Continents: 1
Ports: 4

Service.  That's what makes a cruise great.  And, this cruise is no exception.  While there are several outstanding crew members, one, in our minds, stands out. We're bummed, as she departs the ship in Los Angeles.  Meet Ifa.


Ifa hails from Bali, specifically Komodo, Indonesia.  She works in the World Cafe.  Within a day or two of the cruise commencing, she knew our names, knew that we drank Uby No. 4 wine with dinner every night, and greeted us with genuine enthusiasm every single night.  This is what makes cruising great.  When you find a crew member that embraces the fact that they are an integral part of their guests' experience and they go above and beyond to ensure that you feel special and valued, they stand out.  Ifa embodies all of that and we will miss her in a few days when she gets to travel home.

Today was another typical sea day.  10 AM bridge lessons - bidding is starting to come together.  12:00 PM Captain's announcement - 9/7/5 today - nine passengers and seven crew infected - no additional cases - woo! Five in preventative quarantine.  Viking's protocols are working.  We feel safer here than at Walmart. 12:30 PM trivia - much better than yesterday, but since 14/15 won, it seems that the questions were easier today.  We notched in at 10/15 - respectable, but still a loss.

There were no birds around the ship this morning, but this afternoon, they were back in force.  Brown boobies and I believe masked boobies this time.  As experts have pointed out, Nazca boobies have an orange or red bill while masked boobies have a yellow bill.  The white/black birds in these photos definitely do not have an orange or red bill - it is more yellow, therefore, I think they are masked boobies.  The brown birds are brown boobies.













I did catch one in full dive right before, and after it hit the water.



That's got to hurt!

Dinner at the World Cafe was wonderful.  They had filet mignon available.  We grabbed that as well as crab legs with warm butter and had our version of surf and turf.  It was tasty and we both walked away content.

Tomorrow, Cabo San Lucas and an expedition to see whales.  Here's hoping for good photos for tomorrow's blog!

 

8 comments:

  1. Wow learning all about the different boobies. Interesting. Stay safe

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  2. We just received notice of an itinerary change in this cruise. Have you heard anything?
    We are to come aboard in LA on Monday the 10th, on Sunday Viking will inform us of the change.
    Love your blog…Thanks, Alex

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    Replies
    1. Our notice was waiting at our room when we got back from port today. They scheduled a webinar in the theater for all us onboard at the same time - 10 AM PST Sunday. We shall see...

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  3. I just want you to know how grateful I am to be reading your blog every evening. I am considering doing a world cruise on Viking at the end of this year. Your posting is really going to help me make that decision. Are there any solo Travelers on your world Journey?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the kind words. And yes, we have met several single cruisers so far.

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  4. WE love following your blog. We are also Ubi4 drinkers. Hard to find anywhere in the States. All the best to you on your Viking Cruise. Penny and Arnie Bishel

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    Replies
    1. Our preference is Moscato, but since they don't include that by the glass, so Uby No. 4 it is!

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  5. Thank you for changing your background. Much easier to read now!! Love your blog. We are future WC's on Viking.....probably 2025

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