March 4, 2020 - Wednesday

Azamara Quest Cape Town to Athens 

Cruise Day 14 - Sea Day

Pictures to follow with better internet

My day started at 5:30. I did an hour walking the track on deck 10. It was very pleasant with a gentle breeze. Again, the high humidity beat me up. Nonetheless I did manage to walk 4 miles. I returned to the cabin at 7:00, and quietly took my shower. Then I woke Alice at 7:20. At 8:00 we were on our way to Windows for breakfast. 

The buffet line has returned to self service because the gastro outbreak is apparently over. There have been no new cases in 72 hours. Sanitation of the common areas will continue.

From 9:30 to11:00 The Quest Expo to place in the Cabaret Lounge. This was a first experience of any cruise for us. Each department of the ship had set up a booth to explain what they do and answer our questions. This proved to be a big attraction with many passengers attending. 

We first visited the booth where we learned about the ships lines, spilling, knots and rat guards. The large diameter mooring lines are replaced every 5 years unless wear or damage dictates an earlier replacement. The bosun displayed the large fids used to splice the loops into the line ends. He had partially separated the strands used to form this line so that we could see how they get woven back in using the fid.

We viewed a piston, a connecting rod and a cylinder liner from one of the large diesel engines that power the ship. These were very impressive parts. Even more impressive is that the mechanics onboard can repair or replace these at sea. They can take any of the 4 engines out of service and completely overhaul it.

Then we took the backstage tour directed by some of the dancers. As expected the dressing room was very small. We learned how they share the space, and how the costumes are cared for. After each performance the costumes used are sprayed with a solution of vodka and water. This kills the bacteria from the perspiration that is inevitable in a high energy performance. The next day the costumes go to the laundry where they get fit into the normal laundry production schedule. That means they go in between sheet, towels, napkins, tablecloths and passenger laundry.

Alice again attended the jewelry making and origami classes. She is really enjoying these. The presenters are dancers form the show cast, Kala and Zoe. Alice says they are enthusiastic, personable and clever. Her fellow crafters are interesting, and she has made new friends.

Alice spent the open time working on her journal. In that process she has been a help to me in keeping our activities on the proper day. I spent the time catching up on the text for this blog. I have also prepped pictures to make the upload, when we get a decent internet connection, as efficient as possible.

After dinner we attended the show, Come Sail Away, by the ship’s singers and dancers. It was an excellent showcase for their talents. Their energetic 45 minute performance wore us out. Zoe and Kala are certainly multi-faceted. The rest of the cast gels very nicely. The dancing and singing transitions are seamless. It was an enjoyable evening.