20260117 Celebrity Constellation Western Caribbean Day 7 - Sea Day #2 back to Tampa

Celebrity Constellation Western Caribbean Day 7 – The last day at sea before this trip ends

As we leisurely cruise along a northerly route on our way to Tampa, we'll spend our final day on the ship doing ship activities like trivia, art, eating, and drinking. Today, we also got to do one of our favorite things, watch flying fish. 

I already mentioned that this ship is essentially full, with 2,130 passengers out of a possible 2,170. That is most evident in the morning and at noontime in the buffet. Once again, it was packed today with people milling about in random, often changing directions, and hardly a table to be found.

 Still, we were able to get a seat and had a nice breakfast. Arlona and Donna left for a color-by-numbers art project. We met up afterward for general knowledge trivia. We did alright, coming in just behind the winners. Our misses:

• In what year did the United Kingdom's lease on Hong Kong expire?
• We thought it was 1999, but it was 1997
• The ancient city of Carthage is in what modern-day country?
• We guessed Greece, but it was Tunisia
• How many nautical miles are in a league?
• We guessed 12 - it was 3
• What type of animal is an Oryx?
• I said antelope as we saw them in Africa, but was overruled for cat - it was antelope
• How long is a quadrenium?
• We thought millennium and quad, do 4,000 - nope, it's just 4 years
• What mountain range extends from California to British Columbia?
• We guessed the Olympic Range, but it was the Cascades
• What is a group of hummingbirds called?
• We guessed a flutter, but it was a charm

We followed that with food trivia. It all seemed to be going well until question #6.  We got three right after that. Wow. I'll skip our silly guesses and just give you the whole quiz.

1. What is the chemical compound that creates heat in spicy food?
1. Capsasin
2. What is the Japanese term for the savory 5th taste?
1. Umami
3. What is the French dish with snails in garlic butter?
1. Escargo
4. What specific nut is baklava filled with?
1. Pistachio
5. What does proof measure in liquor?
1. Alcohol content by volume
6. The wheels came off here...What enzyme in pineapple breaks down protein, making it great for marinades?
1. Bromelain
7. What is the French technique of cooking slowly in its own fat called?
1. Confit
8. What is the thick yeast residue left in the bottom of wine and beer containers called?
1. Lees
9. Gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water make what cocktail?
1. Tom Collins - I knew this, but was talked out of it for a Gimlet, but that has lime
10. The dish, Feijoada, comes from what country?
1. Brazil
11. This question was removed by the trivia host
12. What gives turmeric its yellow color?
1. Curcumin
13. What is the main ingredient in hummus?
1. We know this one - chickpeas
14. What spice is actually dried flower buds?
1. Clover
15. What is the French dessert that translates to burnt cream?
1. Creme Brulee - we knew this one
16. What does AQI mean on a fine dining menu?
1. As quoted - sounds classier than Market Price, I guess, but I couldn't find any support for this online
17. What liqueur is used in Black Forest Cake?
1. Krischwasser
18. What liquor is in a Moscow Mule?
1. We knew this was vodka
19. Preserving food in vinegar or brine is called what?
1. Pickling - we should have known this
20. What vitamin is destroyed through cooking?
1. Vitamin C

We learned something.

At 11:00, they held a Parade of Flags on the pool deck. Crew from more than 90 countries paraded around the deck, waving their home country's flag, and smiling at the waves and cheers from the passengers.

There have been more African crew members than we have seen before - we've met crew from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa

We returned to the room for a bit. Arlona read on the balcony. The pool towels wrapped around her are evidence that the temperature is dropping as we head north.

Flying fish were out in droves this morning. They are always fun to spot.

See them all?

Here is the same photo with at least 28 flying fish labeled

This afternoon, a member of the entertainment team, Wagner, who is also an aspiring magician, had a show in the theater.

The magic wasn't anything exceptional, but it didn't matter. Wagner was a master showman who was engaging, funny, and put on an outstanding show.

He asked for a couple who was in love to come on stage

We qualified!

We had a great time at his show. It was a great way to spend an hour on our last afternoon.

Not all the art on the ship is weird - some is cool and engaging

We hit the Martini Bar for pre-dinner cocktails before having our final dinner in Blu. Tonight's dinner was very good, with Arlona having prime rib, and I had a filet mignon. After dinner, we returned to the Martini Bar. Arlona had a Bananas Foster martini.

But it was personalized for that special experience.

We were also there for the evening performance. It was entertaining, as always.

We'll be up early tomorrow to get breakfast. We have to vacate the room by 7:30 am, so we'll disembark at that time, walk to the truck, and head home. Tomorrow, I'll write a wrap-up to comclude this trip.