First to answer a few questions. Captain Knut will be replaced by Captain Dag in LA. The cruise director and some of her staff are changing too. I didn’t get a whole list but when I asked if the staff was leaving the answer I got was “some”. They all still seem very happy, upbeat, lively, and enjoying what they are doing.

Wheelchairs are not a problem. The staff is very good at sitting the people who use them in convenient places and I have yet to see any type of blockage, certainly nothing more than a few seconds.

There are a lot more “informal” nights than I expected. Three formal, 6 informal and 8 casual. Ted only brought one suit and 2 jackets. My casual works for informal.

I think I haven’t mentioned the coffee bar. It is self serve, deck 5, 24/7, always seems to have some snack with the coffee like cookies or fruit. There are 2 machines (regular and decaf) that dispense cappuccino, latte, regular coffee, strong coffee, hot water, and steamed milk. Plenty of tea bags, chocolate milk mix, and a small fridge with well labeled milk.

They are having a door decorating contest for Christmas. I’m passing but I did make a wreath at craft class. The PG didn’t have sea days but I’m really starting to like them. I’ve done a back stage tour, sung a word-of-the-day song for a token, played wheel of fortune, watched at least parts of a movie (the TV system seems to be working now), done 2 craft classes and I may try a needle point class, played trivia (I HATE coming in second 3 times – I haven’t played the game of CLUE in 35 years. I don’t know the rooms in there), attended two lectures, even did a work out.

Yesterday we swam with the dolphins. It was fun and informative. I now know more about dolphin anatomy than I ever wanted or needed. Of course, we all got to kiss the dolphin and shake his fins. Since we left Cozumel at 3 pm we didn’t have much time to do anything else, even take a swim at the beach.

Yesterday we ate at the Compass Rose for breakfast and I had lamb chops. Never had lamb chops for breakfast before. I got a lot of mileage out of telling people about that. I guess most people are eating at the buffet so the reactions ranged from shock that they were available to amazement that someone actually ordered them.

The first big production show was based on operas. Everyone enjoyed it and some people were trying to buy a tape of the production. (Doesn’t exist – royalties) Last night was Marty Henne playing Gershwin and regaling us with stories. He’s doing another show on “songs you know by people you don’t”. He was excellent and I’ll miss him when he gets off on Monday. Tonight is Ursaline again doing another Cabaret. Tonight we eat at latitudes with Paul. I just love eating 5 and 6 courses for dinner but I sure will pay for it when I get home and have to run more regularly.

Oh I forgot to mention that you can use the computers for free if you are not on the internet. You can write all your text even edit photos and have everything all ready before you actually start burning your minutes. By the way, Marco, who runs the computer room, has the patience of a saintToday we did a tour of Roatan Island. Watched a butterfly that had just hatched take its first flight. Also got to taste, smell, and sample fresh herbs like oregano and cinnamon. Oh man, now I want to toss all my dried stuff and buy fresh when I need it.

That’s it for now. Still trying to find out why we have to stop at San Andres because once we stopped in Cozumel I thought we fulfilled the Jones act.

San Andres is owned by Columbia. That's why you have to stop there to meet the requirements of the Jones Act. When we were aboard last New Years Capt Dag allowed folks to go to the landing, so that they could get their passports stamped. Other than that, there is no going ashore.

Sounds like it's a wonderful time, Colleen. We are enjoying your posts very much. Merry Christmas to all - Cheers, Anne

Good to hear you're having a great time Colleen!! I'm anxious to hear what they do special (if anything) on Christmas day.....?

Doug, why does going to Columbia fulfill the Jones act but going to Hondoras, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Guatamala not count? This I CANNOT figure out.

If you embark at one US Port and debark at another US Port, you must stop at a "distant" port. Distant ports are Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao (ABC Islands) or Colombia. I think Venezuela also works but is far out of the way. This is why most Canal trips stop in Aruba or Cartagena. San Andres is now used by Radisson (and others) instead of Cartagena because of the problems in Cartagena and because it is shorter.

Colleen

I am enjoying all your posts. It all sounds sooooo fine.
Wishing all of you on board a great holiday weekend on top of your trip.
Merry, Merry.

As I understand things, there was an agreement with Columbia when the canal was built. The ships used to stop at Cartegena, but it became too dangerous, so they now use San Andres.

Here is a little better description of near and distant ports:

(2) Nearby foreign port means any foreign port in North America, Central America, the Bermuda Islands, or the West Indies (including the Bahama Islands, but not including the Leeward Islands of the Netherlands Antilles, i.e., Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao). A port in the U.S. Virgin Islands shall be treated as a nearby foreign port.
(3) Distant foreign port means any foreign port that is not a nearby port.

Therefore, to embark at one US port and debark at another, you need to make at least one foreign port visit to a location NOT on the list of nearby foreign ports. Of course, this applies to foreign flagged ships only.

If you want more, here is a good article.

(edited for stupidity - I finally read the article that Marc referenced and it answered my question) :)

Masaki