Captains Cocktails!

So the one and only day onboard ship rolled around and we slept in (well 8:30am was a lie in given the early starts we'd had and would continue to endure) before wandering up for a lazy breakfast and a debate as to what to do that day. Whilst sunbathing was on the list for obvious reasons, I also wanted to attend the guest lecture onboard that day - Claire agreed to come with me and the plan was set; a couple of hours of sun before the lecture, late lunch and sunbathing again. We'd make a move about 3:45 to hit the shower as we had booked in to have our hair done for the night, but we needed to have it dry before going to the salon - easier said than done with a power limited hairdryer and us both having thick, long hair - but that was a bridge to cross later in the day.

Having finished breakfast we headed back to the cabin to don bikinis and suncream up before heading for some sun. The only problem with everyone being onboard? everyone wants to sunbath and it took a while to find an empty space to claim as our own. Nevertheless a couple of hours of sun and some lazy chatter past quickly and we donned our coverups again as we headed back inside for the lecture. Claiming some seats and getting drinks in, we sat back and listened to eminent Egyptologist and Historian- Dr Dan Jones talk about the evolution of Pyramids and the theories, conspiracies and ideologies which surrounded them. It was an enjoyable hour and a bit and we were glad we attended - even if the tan wouldn't be as dark as a result.

Not overly bothered with lunch we decided to settle on fruit and icecream - oh so healthy! lol but given that we knew we had a big dinner ahead of us and we'd stuffed ourselves at breakfast we decided ce la vie! its a holiday afterall - it was a choice of food that caused a throwaway comment from the lead of the band - who told us off for starving ourselves! sadly we got no chance to point out that we'd eaten more in 3 days of being on the ship than we would in a whole week at home as he headed off in a hurry - it was an argument that would have to be taken up at a later date (or at least later that day).

Finishing off our mediocre lunch we claimed our spots in the sun again for a couple of hours, both dozing off and just enjoying the heat before we headed to start preparing for that nights big event. Having washed and dried our hair - really an impossible task with a hairdryer that has no heat and thick long hair - we headed up to the salon where we were asked what we wanted to have done! ummm...... well the thing is neither of us really had an idea what we wanted so we'd reverted back to our old uni trick - photographed the dresses and shown them to the hairdresser with the comment of - do whatever you like! Always an interesting experience. Well our hairdresser squealed in delight and started attacking my hair with the straightners putting in lots of loose curls - 35 minutes later, a lot of pins and some swearing later (my hair never behaves as there's so much of it) and she was done and I was very happy - I love having curly hair. Swapping with Claire we entered into a debate as to what she should have done. The thing was, we'd been mistaken as sisters all holiday and we wanted to look really different tonight of all nights, so a chiffon/french twist design was decided on and our hairdresser set to work. A few tweaks to the standard design and a feature of loops down the one side of the head and Claire's hair was done and the two of us really looked different! YAY!

My hair

Claire's hair

With a lot of thanks we paid up and headed back down to the cabin to continue getting ready - as we weren't due until 7:30 we had about an hour and a half to kill. Taking our time we started on our makeup, making sure that it was - moreso than any other night - perfect. Then came the body butter with added shimmer and 20 minutes of dancing around in underwear waiting for it to have absorbed enough that we could put on the dresses, finally an hour after we arrived back at the cabin we slipped on the dresses, made sure the ribbon ties were perfect and slid into heels ready to face the world (well the cruise ship) and get a drink before we were due to meet and greet the captain.

We headed up to Hemingways and ordered our, by now usual, Champagne Royals and admired/scrutinized/commented on the dress choices of our fellow passengers - whilst giving and receiving more than a few compliments. As time ticked by we were directed to the photographers - here we go again! 2 different backgrounds, 3 individual photos each then 3 of the two of us together, followed after by a very unprepared photo with the captain - 13 photos in the space of 10 minutes! the smiles became a little forced. Having said that, we did get some fabulous photo's at the end.

Me!

Claire and Me!

As we were introduced to the Captain we had a quick conversation about where we were from and what we did etc - probably the same old thing everyone else went through, the only difference was that he then went on to say how much he'd heard about us from the crew! I think I paled in panic, Claire managed to maintain a neutral expression as the Captain then pressed on to conclude that he was glad to see the younger generation exploring the world in style and that the crew were having a great time entertaining and chatting to people closer to their own age! I breathed a sigh of relief and when released from his audience quickly acquired a glass of champagne to settle the nerves. We were guided to our seats and busy discussing the comments we'd just heard we actually didn't throw a cheeky smile at the band as we we're lead directly infront of them, an act that didn't go unnoticed. Settling in to wait out the arrival of the remainder of the guests we mused on the subject of our presence onboard - certainly we knew that at our age we were a bit of an anomaly on the spectrum of guests, but it seemed strange that we had turned into the topic of crew conversation. Deciding that it was probably best not to dwell on the issue and that in reality they were doing no less than us (or what we would be doing on our return home), we topped up the champagne and enjoyed the music and the band. Everyone in and the crew introduced, the Captain began his speech - short, sweet and very entertaining - I can only wish that my graduation speeches had been as good. We were released from the lounge to venture down the stairs into the restaurant.

Claire and I after we'd been seated

What can I say - dinner was a fabulous affair and we were seated with some absolute gems who kept us entertained throughout. Although now almost 10, the night was really just beginning and after a quick trip back to the cabin to touch up the lipgloss and re-secure a few pins in our hair, we went back up to the broadway show lounge to watch that nights performance - Hollywood! It was another spectacular for the eyes and ears and we were busy discussing our favourite songs when we entered into Liberties. Grabbing the first available seats we were soon presented with our drinks (having not actually had to order them lol!) and we debated how long it would be before we were pulled onto the dancefloor once again. We were therefore a little shocked to realise that the band were not playing that night - instead the Senior Entertainment Host, Drew was performing his own Cabaret. Nevertheless the evening continued and Drew was awesome and we were - like it wasn't going to happen - pulled onto the dance floor by members of the show team. After another 40 minute dance session and a desperate need for something to drink we were finally allowed to leave the dance floor when Drew finished. After saying goodnight to the show team who were all heading to bed (it was now about Midnight) we left Liberties to sit out on deck as we had every night so far. Due to the Captains reception, more people were still up at this point and many were out on deck, so we failed to notice that two of the band were busy talking to passangers at a nearby table. As the drinks were finished up the oldies headed to their cabins whilst Claire and I sat laughing at something - though I fail to remember what now. It wasn't until I had Claire telling me off loudly following a conversation about how Claire was getting all the attention and that if she continued to be 'Sex on Legs' I was seriously going to have to do something about losing weight that I realised the deck was all but empty and we had two sets of eyes boring into the back of necks.......

Claire was the first to turn round and by doing so we were invited to join the guys at their table. Making a move in the opposite direction I swiftly headed back to the bar to get another round in - I headed back out to join them and after a silently enquiry from Claire to ask if I was ok I sat down and the conversation started up again. It was mindless chatter, enquiries into our professions, where we lived, siblings etc filled the gap until the drinks arrived. With thanks for the drinks I pointed out it would have been possible for me to order them one too had I known their names and with that we finally did...... Ciaran and Dave.

The night passed in mindless chatter - lighthearted arguments about our eating habits (in response to my argument with Claire and our less than fulfilling lunch), enquiries as to which of the band had upset us enough that we didn't smile at them when we were being seated earlier that night (to which Claire said all of them had, by taking so long to actually come over and talk to us!) and subsequently a lot of laughter. Dave called it a night about an hour after we joined them, looking like the living dead, Ciaran left close to 2am when he had to head back to cabins for staff curfew and we followed shortly after, looking towards our own beds and the minimal sleep we would once again acquire before once again been up early for our trip to Cairo, the museum and the pyramids.

All in all it had been an interesting night and if one thing had been proven true it was this - sometimes all it takes is the perfect dress, a bit of pampering and a friend whose willing to make a prat of themselves and anything is possible.

Next time: Cairo and the Crew Show