RQS and I started the day by going to the main dining room (MDR) for breakfast. Service was slow, but the food was as good as we'd get from our local diner. This was more than acceptable to us, as we'd eat more responsibly than if we went to the buffet.
Now that we were fed, we explored the ship a little before going back to our room to rest. After the chaos of yesterday, we knew to pay attention to our bodies and sit on the balcony while the room steward cleaned up the room. Both of us were able to start reading some books we brought with us, and we chilled out until it was time to get a snack from the buffet.
For those who haven't cruised before, the buffet can be a madhouse during prime breakfast, lunch and dinner hours. We went for our snack about an hour and a half before dinner, and found the place mostly empty. So we grabbed some pizza, sat down by the window, and proceeded to eat. Unlike the list time on MSC, the pizza was very doughy - but very filling. It was a tasty treat, but not one to enjoy when going to a specialty dinner 2 hours later.
Around 6, we went downstairs to have the first of our 3 specialty dinners. This dinner was at the Ocean Cay seafood restaurant. There were 5 main course choices for us to choose from. Anything else on the menu would be half price. Both of us chose the crab cake for a starter, and it was very good - one could both taste the crab and feel the texture of the crab. Yum! Next was the main course. RQS had the Dover Sole, while I had the Cockerel. The waiter made a mistake and delivered Tuna to our table instead of my Cockerel. Seeing the dish, I should have ordered that, even though I enjoyed what I ate. Neither of us could finish our main courses, but we left enough room for dinner. RQS had the Tiramisu, while I had the Creme Brulee. Again, both were very good.
RQS noted that the atmosphere of the ship reminded her of a shopping mall, and that the restaurant felt like a nice shopping mall restaurant. She pegged it better than I could. Would we eat there again? Yes, but only on the dinner package. I'd rather spend more money and treat her to dinner at NYC's Oyster Bar.
After another chance to rest and digest our food, it was off to see Rock Circus at the ship's Carousel theater. The best way I could find to describe this show is a group of circus gymnastic performers doing their acts while another group performs a rock tune. Was it good? RQS felt that it could be better if much of the acrobatics were kept out of the way of the main performers doing their songs.
By the end of the show, we retired to the cabin for the night. On the way, we again encountered a musty smell in the hallway. But once in the room, we didn't notice it and were able to have a deep and restful sleep.
One thing of note that I'm mentioning out of sequence is that RQS is thinking of taking another cruise on this line, but not bothering to get off the ship. This, of course, would be a cruise taken as Marian, and would be done in an inside cabin. Like my first cruise on MSC, we'd be able to spend a week away from home in an inside cabin for under $1,000. Not a bad deal, if I do say myself....
