Day 1, continued.

After lunch, and unpacking (who says women take up more space in a wardrobe - huh!), there was a compulsory lifeboat drill. We all had to leave our cabins and go to our "muster stations" where we were checked out and counted. This was done very quickly, and we were able to return to the warmth of the ship - 68 degress or thereabouts - warm enough for a T-shirt, but cool enough for long sleeves or a cardi. There were various meet and greet events throughout the afternoon, and early evening,  but we try to avoid them - they are always crowded, the wine is cheap and the canapes always run oun out just before you get the last smoked salmon blini!

Dinner was at 8.30 in the dining room, waiter service, three courses - the lot. Casual clothes was the suggestion, so we didn't bother to change out of our traveling clothes. We always ask for a table for two, as we enjoy each other's company, but as usual were shown to a table where another couple was already sitting. We made the usual small talk "Where do you  come from?" "How did you get here?" "Is this your first cruise?" "Do you like this boat?" (This happens every time you sit as a table with others for lunch - the questions are almost the same - only the order is different!)

We had two waiters, one quite short, the other very tall, Sandip and Houcine. There are at least 40 different nationalities working as crew on the ship. Houcine came from Morocco - I never found out where Sandip came from. They were wonderfully attentive, and Sandip cottoned on very quickly to my likes and dislikes.

The menu was long and varied, several starters, including cold fruit soups, which I almost always chose, meat fish and vegetarian main courses, and a wonderful selection of puddings - it's no wonder we put on weight!

When we went back to our stateroom, there was a sheet of information telling us the events for the following day. The bed was turned down by the room steward, Nicolai, from Bulgaria, who also looked after us extremely well. All the staff were unfailingly helpful, and would do anything for you - we felt very pampered during the whole holiday.

And so to bed, on this vast white expanse - 6ft across  I could barely see Keith! Tomorrow is another day!