4. Nearly Missed the Ship! More About Our Stateroom.

Hi again!

I didn't even have my photograph taken for my room card because I went straight

to the stateroom to lie down.

It was on leveal 4. That's on the outside, with a good sized window, but nothing between you and the ocean except the glass. I like this better than any other

level we've enjoyed. There was a deep window sill, so later that night I climbed over from the low top of the night tables and sat in the window looking out at the dark ocean on which I could see white crests.

We've been on a deck with life boats in front of the window. On a deck with a walking and jogging deck outside. In an inside room with no window, but with drapes over the end wall with lights shining down on them so that it looks as though there's sunlight outside. I like this very private one best of all. Nobody outside, so the curtains didn't need drawing for privacy unless we were in port.

Our friends had been looking everywhere for us. They were relieved when we met

just as we came to our stateroom for the first time. We decided to see them at

dinner in the dining room. That night dress was casual. It usually is on the first and last nights. There were two formals and two casuals. The rest

required simple dresses or pantsuits. I had a Scottish tartan long skirt, a woman's kilt, a white embroidered long sleeved shirt with frogs down the front and

a black fitted sweater with a zipped front, which I wore with creamy pearl earrings. That was for the formal near the end of the trip. For the first one which

was the second evening I had a filmy cotton reddish brown dress with pearly grey lace. It was very romantic looking and I wore it with a pearl single strand necklace and the earrings. Ben wore his tuxedo with a black biw tie. A classic look.

Anyway, that first afternoon we had come so late we missed the boat evacuation drill, which is a "must." The next morning those who had missed it the first day

were obliged to take it, and we did. Ben was reluctant because we've done it so many times, but I pointed out that if we didn't the ship could in no way be held liable if there was an trouble for us under such circumstances. They take a

roll-call, you see. So they know who attended and who didn't. The officer who

ran this one was having a little trouble with his breakfast because now and he had to quietly stifle a little burp or stomach heave. Nevertheless, he gave the

most sincere and caring presentation I've ever heard . The last time I took part in one of these an elderly man actually fell to the deck in a faint, I suppose

from standing too long. In this case nothing like that happened.

We met our friendly Filipino room steward and requested him to separate the twin

beds, which were together in the middle of the room in front of the windows, with a night table on either side. This needs to be done because 1. Ben is known

to snore loudly. 2. I have some hinged wooden things that lift the head of the bed seven inches, which I require for my health. We unpacked quickly and hung up all that neede it. The closets have mirrors inside the doors and there are

moveable shelves. There were also two banks of drawers at the side of the dressing table, so we had plenty of room.

We returned from dinner in order to go to bed early as we were both tiredl. Our

room steward had accomplished our request and all was aready. Sheets and blankets were turned back, and a gold foil wrapped chocolate candy, impressed with the twin ship Holland America logo lay on each pillow. By the end of the trip we

had quite a collection of the golden coin-like candy. There was also a heavy cotton shopping bag for each of us, with the logo on it, for our use as we pleased

.

Friendly good wishes, Mary