TUESDAY, MAY 4TH--AT SEA

Today we are mid-Atlantic and has been a wonderful day just sitting out on our balcony enjoying the ocean. At noon it was 81F, sunny skies, and lower than normal humidity so very pleasant. Now we are only 3 hours ahead of the central time zone. Last night’s show with Pearl Kaufman was a classic. She was the pianist who recorded the sound tracks for many old Hollywood movies. She still plays a mean piano but when she told the stories of her getting started and musical career, you could hear a pin drop in the showroom. I have never heard it so quiet during a performance. Tonight’s show should be great too. It features the headline entertainer, Greg Bonham, from Australia. Tonight we will dine up in the La Veranda grill as it is Italian night with Jerry Vasi performing during dinner. Guess we were the last to find this out but Captain Dag has resigned. He left the ship in Cape Town and the story then was he was going home on his break. Captain Dag was loved by nearly everyone who had sailed with him, especially his crew. This was our first cruise with him but it did not take me long to see he was a special man in love with the sea. He was a man who knew his, his crew’s, and his ship’s limitations. For sure he did not lack confidence and quietly commanded the respect and admiration of his passengers and crew. I strived to possess many of the same traits during my career as an airline Captain. It was difficult two years ago when I had decided to retire 6 months earlier than I was mentally prepared. I have respect for what Capt Dag may be thinking now. Hopefully, he is not retiring, but merely, “changing the course” of his life. We wish him the best!