Our last day is sort of a blur. The weather was cold and windy so most people stayed inside. Which you could kind of tell because the big ship seemed just a bit smaller. We had a casual breakfast and then headed to the talk hosted by our cruise director that explained what would happen once we got off the ship. I just have to stop here and say that he was way funnier then the comedian in the lounge. The man kept us in stitches! I would love to have his top ten of the craziest questions that newbies ask. It was hilarious. Plus he made the disembarkation process seem like a breeze (as long as you are legal...LOL).
My cousin Pat and I decided to check out the art auction. The girls dropped by briefly (probably for the free champagne)and my mom and her friend checked in briefly before going off to explore. Later on that day we went outside. The sun had come out but it was still just a bit to windy and cold for our liking.
The girls joined Pat and I in the diningroom for the formal tea later during the day (around 3:30 I think). Which was nice, but not something I would say you have to check out more then once unless you really like it. Thankfully this time our table mates were very friendly and we had a good conversation over tea, mini tea sandwiches (cucumber in my case) and pastries.
There really is a kind of hush over the ship as if people are preparing to get back to life as we know it. We did a bit of shopping. That morning I had heard about a ten dollar shop and since I had not really brought anything for myself on this trip other then some photos and a watch at one of the ports I was determined to spend the last of my "mad" money! It took me a while to find the shop which is tucked way back in the corner where they had set up the $20.00 watch sale. I ended up picking up a costume ring, a couple of sandals from the cruise gift shop and a scarf. My family had been checking out the casino, so I joined them afterwards to watch them lose their pennies (LOL) before we all went to check out some of the bands who were playing. We pretty much took it easy the rest of the day.
Dinner that evening was bittersweet as we said goodbye for the last time to the dining staff ( I now understand why some people cry when the staff sings the goodbye song). My mom's Pastor's wife was celebrating her birthday so we all sang Happy Birthday while her hubby presented her with a special gift. It made for a great memory for our last dinner together.
On our way back to the room room we ran into our steward who graciously took a picture of Nicki and I in front of our stateroom. After packing up our suitcases we hit our two fav. spots for the last time so that we could say goodbye to our favorite bands. My traveling partners were a bit tired so we called it a early night and headed to our rooms to put our bags outside and turn in for the night.
Note: My mom had purchased a photo pkg. from the photo shop but when she went to pick them up they said they didn't have a record of it. It took another hour before they found it, thanks in part to a very persistent clerk who kept looking until finally someone told them it had not come down from the developers. He was very patient with my mom which I really appreciate because by then she was starting to get weary and was ready to go home! LOL
