Sea Day NCL Joy - First Truly Solo Vacation - NYC - Bermuda - DC - October 12

With another time change and wanting this cruise to be about rejuvenation, I didn’t set an alarm. I had left the curtains open the night before and so when I woke up around 6:30 a.m. (Bermuda time) I was delighted to see the pastel colors of the pre-sunrise sky. I stepped outside to find the weather pretty pleasant although got a little cool after sitting outside for a few minutes so went in search of the luxurious robes they provide in the Haven. Armed with my phone to take video, my Nikon for photos, and a notepad I sat back and just enjoyed the sunrise.

About 8:30 a.m., I decided to get dressed and made my way to the Haven Restaurant for breakfast. The restaurant was quiet and I was led to one of the window seats I had grown accustomed to.

I loved these little tiny jelly/honey jars!

The French press coffee was very good each morning.

After breakfast, I checked out the Horizon’s lounge, a forward facing indoor lounge for Haven guests and then went exploring a little bit of the ship. The Waterfront on Deck 8 has become a place to go when I need to get out of the Haven see the water. It is a promenade deck that wraps around all but the bow.

The Waterfront on Deck 8

Views of the wake from the Waterfront

A chandelier in one of the elevator lobbies

The passenger decks have carpeting with fish on them to help orient you.  To go to the bow/front of the ship, just follow the fish!

Around 10:30 a.m. I returned to my room hoping that it would be made up by then but found the room steward had not even started. I left my make up room light on and settled in on the balcony. Eventually my room steward came in and did his work while I stayed on the balcony and then my butler stopped in with the pitcher of water I had asked for the day before.

To my surprise a Peregrine Falcon circle the ship a few times while I enjoyed the balcony. It seems a long way off shore to find a bird like this.  This would be the only bird I would see on our sea days.

After a morning spent reading and writing, I made my way back to the Haven Restaurant to enjoy another great meal. The restaurant was quiet over lunch. I suppose others look for quicker options or take advantage of the free room service in the Haven. I ordered a bottle of La Creme Chardonnay with lunch and had plenty left over for another day.

Seafood Fritto Miso

I spent some more time in my room before wandering back down to the shops. There was a necklace that had caught my eye the day before that I couldn’t stop thinking about. On my way to the shops, I stopped by Cellars, the wine bar and was easily talked into a Wine & Chocolate pairing seminar at 3:30 p.m. So after signing up for that and making a purchase in the shops, I went back to my room to shower and get ready for the evening. Raspberry flavored candies were waiting for me.

The wine seminar was a lot of fun and started with a port wine!

After the wine seminar, I wandered the Waterfront a bit and took a few photos before checking out the Social and the Solo Meetup scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

This is the necklace I bought.

Something about my reflection (above photo) in this window of one of the main dining rooms caught my eye. I wrote this poem to go with this photo.

Reflection in a Salty Window

a bit hazy, water spots trail
darkened glass
I fade into the background
a contrast
from the dark blue sea
and the white wake
a memory?
a passing thought?
present and seen?
Where do I fit?

At the Solo Meetup, the only chair left when I arrived was right next to the host and I should have thought twice before taking it because as soon as the event started I realized I would have to speak to the large group of at least 20 people and the mic would be handed to me first! What was I thinking? Today’s activity was two truths and a lie after we introduced ourselves and where we were from. I survived but I don’t know if I will go back. I was hoping for something quieter where we could just chat in smaller groups. I think I wasn’t the only one hoping for something quieter as a number slipped out as soon as the host explained the day’s activity.

That evening there was a VIP meet and great with officers in the Haven Horizon’s lounge from 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. so I wandered up there around 6:30 to find not much going on so I didn’t stay but walked through the Haven pool area on the way to dinner. It’s an enclosed and covered pool area with no views of the ocean so not really some place I was excited to hang out. Two levels up were more chairs overlooking this pool area with views of the pool that also had views of the ocean which were a bit nicer but the sounds of children playing often echoed in this enclosed space.

The sun set as I enjoyed a lobster dinner. Surf and Turf is on the menu every night in the Haven (a menu that doesn’t rotate) and whenever I asked for Surf without the Turf the Head Waiter quickly offered to ordered two tails for me. By the end of the cruise, I would find myself repeating dishes as the menu really wasn’t big enough to never rotate especially since I don’t eat red meat or pork.

That evening I had reservations to the 9:30 Elements show. The Haven offers an escort 30 minutes prior to the show but I figured I could find my way on my own and would have more control over where I sat so I made my way on my own and found a nice seat towards the back but still with a good view. It was a really enjoyable show with a little magic, lots of music, dancing, and acrobatics all focused on the four elements of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire.

By the time the show was over, it has been more than long enough of a day so I made my way back to my room and settled into bed for a good night’s sleep.