My first Sea Day on the Marco Polo.

Our cabin

It seemed that the last 48hrs have been a little bit of a blur.  So today, I am just getting used to being  on board the Marco Polo, and catching up on meself. 

Marco’s Bistro was very busy at breakfast this morning, it is obviously preferred over the restuarant.  We could only find tables outside, so we sat on the rear deck near the pool, where we met the history lecturer and his wife.  Apparently, they were on the Marco Polo when it did this cruise last year.

Marco Bistro

They must have really liked it because they’d come back for another go.

Peter has developed quite a disgustingly snotty cold, so I insisted we find him something to help dry it out.  Not as simple as you would first think.  We went to the shop first, which, it turned out, doesn’t even sell paracetamol.  Staff there directed us to the medical centre, where we would be able to “buy” something.  When we got there it was quickly established that Peter was “crew”, so he was sent away to get a form from the Cruise Director. 

The form was to save him the extortionate medical cost that passengers would be subjected to, because he had to see the doctor before they would allow him to be issued a box of Day Nurse.  What a faff on.  Necessary I suppose, but honestly!  Next time I will pack the stuff.

We also sat and worked out what tours we wanted to take part in when we get to Brazil.  The tours can seem expensive, but our last visit proved that some of them are well worth the money, and really are one of the best ways of being introduced to the port you are visiting, with lots of information about the place and the people.  We quite like them, and I am really, really looking forward to things such as the Bumbai festival, Manaus Opera House and Piranha fishing.

As for the rest of the day: Peter’s classes today were very organised, (cos I was helping of course).  He insisted on a max of 20 per class, which funnily enough, is exactly what he got.  While he was working, I had a very nice lunch of pasta with cheese sauce and salad.  It was so nice I went back for seconds and then I had a little wander around the ship.  It has been lovely outside, quite sunny but not too hot.  We’ve had a nap this afternoon and spent some time in the “Palm Garden” so that Peter can catch up with his emails and stuff. 

Not being able to have tea and coffee in the room has been one of the only downers.  There are no kettles in the cabins.  We assume this is something to do with power and the Marco Polo is an old ship.  All coffee and tea has to be served from Marco’s Bistro which is just a bit tedious really.  We may buy a couple of thermos mugs in Madeira tomorrow if we see them.  I think a crate of cold drinks may also be in order.

Tonight’s dress code for dinner was informal, so this time I wasn’t overdressed, and Peter’s red nose is perfectly in keeping with the shiny and glittery stuff everyone else was wearing.  Dinner was borscht soup and beef stroganoff, not fancy but very nice. Afterwards we went to watch the show, and when that finished, we sat and listened to the very pleasant duet of violin and piano in the Captains Club.  I’m all nice and relaxed now and looking forward to Funchal, (with shopping list), tomorrow.