MORE THAN HALFWAY THROUGH OUR SEATTLE TO MIAMI CRUISE ON THE NORWEGIAN ENCORE

 Yesterday, Day 13 of this cruise, we sailed from Guatemala towards Costa Rica.  Dinner was at Savor, two courses of soup+salad.

An Australian Shiraz.

French Onion Soup and Caesar Salad.

Parsnip Soup and Bean Salad.  First time I've ever had either.

After dinner, on to other activities.  First, something called Lip Sync War in the Atrium, where competitors act out a song. 

Then, on to the Theater for the Diva Extravaganza, Patty Dess.

Patty's problem is that she tries to sing better than the divas.  The audience can't care less how well she sings.  They would rather nostalgicize with what is in their mind about the past so they can regain memories.

Back to the Atrium for the Adda Band, where I had nachos and scotch.

Didn't do much today, for I took only 2673 steps.

We arrived for Day 14 in Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica.

Has a resemblance to Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai, where the Norwegian Pride of America visits. Noticed that the beaches here have gray sand.

Lunch today was centered at our favorite station on this ship, the Noodle Soup bar. I have had six buffet plates for lunch.  Today, just one, noodles.

Plus a coconut and pistachio cone, then cream puffs.

This is what the Noodle Soup bar looks like.  The noodles change daily.

Condiments section.

Condiments.

We have nine days left on the Seattle to Miami cruise of the Norwegian Encore.  Why do people go on river or ocean cruises?  According to the statistics, over the past 20 years, 20 million have annually gone on cruises.  This means that 5% of those in this world has this experience.  However, some have been on 50 cruises, and most more than once.  Thus, the actual percentage of the global populace who have had a cruise experience is probably around 1 to 2%.  

First, cruises are avoided for the following reasons.

• Fear of seasickness.  Most ships are massive, with stabilizers for smooth sailing.  There will be moments of huge waves, so some should bring seas-sickness tablets or anti-nausea patches.
• You'll be claustrophobic.  Your room is relatively small, and some can't stand that condition, worse if in an inside cabin.  So pay a bit more and get a veranda.
• There will be too many people, noisy kids, etc.  Some ships hold 7500 passengers.  Nothing much to fear, for sport games can easily draw more than 50,000.  If little ones irritate you, avoid Disney cruises.  Virgin Voyages only cater to passengers over 18.
• The trip will be boring.  To the contrary.  There will always be too much to do, from an array of entertainment, excursions, spa treatments, dining options and the like.  As far as activities:

• Swimming pools and water parks 
• Fitness classes and gym facilities 
• Kids clubs 
• Cooking, dancing, computer and cocktail-making classes 
• Wine tasting 
• Basketball, tennis, soccer and a range of court sports 
• History and cultural talks 
• Spas 
• Casinos 
• Libraries 
• Movie theaters
• Plus on some ships: surfing simulators, indoor skydiving, rock climbing walls and ice skating rinks

So why do people go cruising?

• Good value for what you pay.  You get travel, food, accommodation and entertainment for one price.  Some cruises, especially those in the Caribbean, can cost you only $100/night, for everything.  I pay $500/night for a night in a hotel in most major cities these days.
• Convenience and safety.  You can unpack and feel safe throughout the cruise, as opposed to facing muggers when you are in a motel/hotel and need to go out.

• 
  Pure indulgence.  Order a drinks package as we have and you can have as many drinks/day as you want.  You liked that steak?  Order another one, for free.
• The service is better than anywhere else.  You are treated as someone special.
• Romance?
• A way to see the world and experience different cultures, both on board and through tours.
• While you will get tired of the same food if on a long cruise, there will be a lot to eat and drink.
• A cruise can be tailored for your needs:  cost, single or families or organizations, length, ship size, destinations and more.

On this trip, we have found this cruise to be something between an adult version of Willy Wonka and his chocolate factory and Heaven.  About that 1971 chocolate film, Rotten Tomatoes gave it 92/87 ratings, and Candy Man by Sammy Davis Jr., was a derivative.

I close today with an update on what Kamala Harris is doing.  Yesterday, Beyoncé and 30,000 others joined her in Houston for her largest rally to date.  Beyoncé is from that city.  They were entertained by Willie Nelson, who performed two songs.  The focus was on reproductive freedom, something Texas controls.  While Trump will almost surely win Texas, perhaps this gathering will help Democrat Colin Allred, who spoke at the rally, to unseat a faltering Ted Cruz.

Today, Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris campaigned together in Kalamazoo, Michigan.  Why is she important?  A Reuters/Ipsos poll a couple of months ago showed that Michelle was ahead of Trump 50% to 39% back then.  She fired up the crown by drawing distinctions between the two candidates on personal character and qualifications, then introduced Harris.  Trump was 120 miles away near Detroit making his case.

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