Saturday January 17, 2026

I think we are somewhere north of the far eastern end of Cuba based on the weather. We had to reset the time forward this morning so it is already 10 am - not sure we really are in that time zone yet as it shouldn't change until the Dominican Republic which we aren't supposed to arrive at until tomorrow. It is warmer outside today than yesterday (70 yesterday), but it is very gray and raining. The seas are very rough compared to yesterday so we are rocking and rolling. No hurry to get out and about.

Yesterday was relaxing. We walked the upper deck for 45 minutes, lounged around on the deck in bathing suits for a couple of hours, then in our stateroom after listening to the excursion talk (not sure we are taking any). We dressed up and went to the Captain's Reception at 5:30, listened to music for a while then went to dinner with our friends. No late evening stuff for us. In bed by 10 as usual.

Most things went well yesterday. Some of the crew doesn't seem as friendly and anxious to know people as on our previous Windstar cruise but perhaps some of them are new? Two dining glitches: DH never received his eggs yesterday morning though I did get mine after a very long wait. We gave up and when we left we could see his plate along with a bunch of others still sitting at the egg cooking station. At dinner, everything was very slow but that was okay. The meals were tasty but my main dish was quite cold (the others were not). I am guessing mine got plated too early and they held it for the others. Clearly they to figure out a few things but I guess that is to be expected on an inaugural cruise. We did get a really good deal on it.

No real plan for today other than going to a talk about the stop tomorrow. DH will probably go to the gym. Hopefully the rain will stop at some point so we can walk on the deck. Because we have previously been on Windstar cruises we have a "Yacht Club" ****tail party at 5:30. I just talked with DS and he had a good visit last night with friends who live in Florida. Our neighbors have invited him for dinner tonight - so nice of them!

Have a superb Saturday!

Just had to take Dramamine - the rocking and rolling of the ship are getting to be a bit much for me. I don't mind it when lying down but have a hard time walking around with it.

YIKES!

Feeling a bit better about 2 hours after taking it. Ate a dry roll for lunch and am now outside in fresh air. Might be tough going to the ****tail party tonight.

I had a prescription for the scopolamine patches that go behind your ear for my cruise. Worked wonders for me as I'm extra prone to motion sickness!

I generally don't get seasick so never sought out those patches but I have had them for surgeries as anesthesia often makes me nauseous.

Me too!

202.8 - a little higher than yesterday, but negligible.

BFF came over last night. We ordered take out 5 Guys burgers and fries for dinner. Though I didn't eat many of the fries, they were definitely salty. I felt okay driving the short distance to pick up the take out. That helped me feel a bit more normal.

NUT meeting (on Zoom, btw) was good. She was ebullient in her reaction about my surgery. Lots of wow, wow, wow...

Nerve endings must be beginning to heal. I am beginning to have some feeling in the incision areas. It's very little, but makes me hopeful that I will get full feeling back to my face as things heal internally.

I awakened at 4 am and had some trouble falling back to sleep. My body desperately wants to lie in a different position, but my face does not. I finally found that lying on my side but resting my head on my hand so my ear didn't press against the pillow worked. I think it was sometime after 5 that I fell back to sleep and dozed in and out until about 8.

Liz, I hope you're feeling better by now. I have never been sea sick, but I HATE feeling nauseous. So, I would do/take anything to alleviate that feeling.

Diamond D., count down to Brazil!!!! You will leave on Monday? I do hope you have a friendly reception when you arrive. There is strong anti American sentiment in Australia and western Europe right now. I'm not sure exactly what the overall feeling towards Americans is in central and South America.

Weather here is in flux. Gorgeous when I got up, then became foggy and now is clearing up. Warmer than normal temps for us, too. No rain in the forecast for the next week. I privately cheer!

Satisfying Saturday to all!

I never got back 100% feeling on the edges of my face. Definitely in the middle of my face but the feeling is a little dull in front of my ears. But I am used to it so it is my normal.

120.8, going up a bit!

Much nicer day today. Still too chilly for water aerobics at 9 this morning but perhaps tomorrow! Warmed up to 78 today with full sun. I sunned by the pool for 1 1/2 hours. DH and I also took a nice walk around the community as well as a short dog walk on our street. Will do another short dog walk in a bit.

Grilled steak bites with mushrooms, blue cheese dipping sauce and Caesar salad for dinner. I'm not usually a fan of steak but tonight's was good.

Liz, sea sickness is the worse. I'm prone to it so I would do the patch that CC mentioned! I don't actually puke but get very green behind the gills! Sorry you had a grey day at sea!

Peps, you must be feeling better if you are driving and getting out and about a bit! Glad your Nut noticed the new you on Zoom!

Better hit the walk before the sun goes down!