Christmas Day in the Bahamas

Fri. Dec. 25^th- Christmas Day- at sea in the Atlantic

          Arising early, we enjoyed coffee on the balcony, watching the sun rise over the Atlantic. The gym was our next stop. An hour’s effort there might help stem the caloric intake. The facility had a good crowd working out, even on Christmas morning. It would be a day at sea for all of us, so every venue on the ship promised to be sro.

        Very good omelets and great coffee fueled us, in the deck 10 Ocean View Café. A small parade of crew members, dressed in Christmas attire, led a crowd of children through the café. The small ones were all smile-faced with Christmas cheer.

           The Deck 11 Sky Lounge again held a Trivia contest, this one all about Christmas. We knew about half the answers. And, as always, wondered how in the heck the others knew such trivial information. Still the questions bring back memories of many things long past. That is the game’s attraction for me.

          On Deck 5, the many shops and boutiques were doing a brisk business, even though the cost of the jewelry was eye popping. It was fun to browse the stylish shops. At the end of this gallery is a small alcove with a coffee and pastry bar. We sat down for some cappuccino and biscotti.The conversations all around us were animated and full of families and memories.

          Deck 4 provided an art auction, produced by a national gallery called Park West. Many of the paintings were of interest, as we browsed the paintings displayed around the gallery. The auctioneer gave a running commentary about the artist, the painting itself and the genre that produced it. Most of the painters were native to Florida. And though I had never heard of any of them, we much admired their work. Someone must know them. A few of the paintings started the bidding at $46,000. Though of contemporary vintage, we did not see any of the “monkey splatter” variety that art critics favor and I detest. A waiter served all of us a glass of good, dry champagne as we listened to the bidding. This was a fun and a class act.

              The morning had tired us. It was sunny and in the 70’s out, a delightful day at sea. We repaired to our cabin, to sit on the balcony and read before taking a much-welcomed nap. We passed on lunch again, hoping to gain some ground in the caloric battle. The ship steward had left us a nice bottle of champagne. We rustled up some orange juice and had mimosas on the balcony, while enjoying a leisurely Christmas afternoon at sea. I think we could get used to this life.

             We were meeting the Monzon’s at 6 P.M. in front of the decorated stairways on deck six, for Christmas pictures. Then a glass of wine, in the deck 4 Rendezvous lounge, prepped us for dinner. Our conversations were animated and filled with reveries of Christmas past, families and events now long ago and far from now.

             The Metropolitan Restaurant seated us in a nice table at 7 O’clock. I had finally reverted to bribery to sit where and when we wanted. We were not to be disappointed. Pinot Noir led off a feast of Bouilliabase, Lobster and French chocolate cake, with good coffee. It was a feast worthy of a Dicken’s novel.

            After dinner, we enjoyed a classical performance by a gifted Cellist and a talented Violinist. It was memorable. By then, it was nearing ten P.M. and time for these kids to hit the sack. We bid Rick and Linda good night and a very Merry Christmas and headed to our cabin, to read and fall into the arms of Morpheus, listening to the gentle shushing of a great ship at sea.

                                                      -30-

                                               (615 words)

                                         Joseph Xavier Martin