Thursday, November 2, 2023

Day 9 - At Sea

 

I saw this yesterday and thought it was pretty funny.  We've met a lot of lovely people on this cruise.  I booked "private table dining", but we've done shared tables and they really make things interesting.  Not one person has complained about anything - which is a first!  This is a great cruise.

The most interesting couple has just sold their home and signed onto a 37 month cruise!  Yes, they say it's cheaper than a retirement home and they are our age.  I've priced long back to back and world cruises and they aren't too cheap, however, they found one.  They are American citizens.


One cost people don't count on is travel medical insurance.  If you live in British Columbia and you leave for more than seven months:  
  • Eligible B.C. residents (citizens of Canada or persons who are lawfully admitted to Canada for permanent residence) who are outside B.C. for vacation purposes only, are allowed a total absence of up to seven months in a calendar year

You must have your home in BC, so if you don't you probably won't qualify when you return and reapply and wait the six months or more.  

Yesterday was another great day at sea.  Lots of activities,  The one we loved the most was Behind The Seas: Life At Sea with Cruise Director Allie.  She's only 28 and majored in theatre and marketing in university.  She is from New Jersey and worked at NBC New York and in the Broadway Theatre.  She is a singer and was a few Broadway shows including Wicked.  When she wasn't in a theatre performance she would usher.  Princess hired her as a Headline Entertainer.  She was about to leave and the Cruise Director on the Regal had a death in the family and had to immediately leave.  They asked her to take on the position and with no cruise experience other than being a contracted entertainer, she took on the role.  She did such a fabulous job they gave her a permanent job.  

Last night was "Dress to Impress".  They only had one formal night.  I wore my formal attire and most did, however I did see shorts and Hawaiian shirts in the dining room.  I don't care how people dress but I was shocked they allowed shorts in the dining room for dinner.

Starting to plan next year's vacation

With the Canadian Dollar/US Dollar exchange rate at 1.40 before the credit card surcharge, we've decided to stay in Canada next year.  W...