Day 41 - Rolling Seas, Country Fair Fun & An Evening of Soulful Music

 I woke up to an beautiful sunrise this morning — one of those breathtaking moments that feels like a gift. Even with the ship rocking heavily, the beauty was undeniable.



The seas were very choppy, with large rolling waves, so much so that the upper decks were closed and the pool was shut for safety. Fingers crossed tomorrow brings calmer waters.



I headed to the gym as usual, then went for my veggie juice and breakfast on the pool deck. The deck team were already hard at work clearing sunbeds and setting up for the much-loved Country Fair — a lively tradition where all the crew run stalls with games and challenges for the guests. It’s always full of laughter and joy, and today was no exception.

Morning Activities

Joe was up early and went to listen to the speaker talk on Yemen, while I settled myself in the quiet sanctuary of the library to read my book and complete my crossword and sudoku — my favourite peaceful ritual.

We met afterwards for lunch in Compass Rose, though I have to say — unusually — it was not our favourite meal there. Even Compass Rose has an off day!

After lunch, Joe headed up to the deck to relax with his audiobook (despite the wind), while I spent some time recording EFT scripts and working on Joe’s book.

Later, I attended the lecture on our upcoming ports: Muscat and Fujairah, which was fascinating and very helpful for planning the next few days.

Trivia, Steps & Cabaret

Joe made his way to daily trivia, which he is now thoroughly enjoying — his new favourite sea-day ritual.
I went for a walk around the ship, getting my steps in and enjoying the fresh sea air even with the strong wind.

Before dinner, I attended the pre-dinner cabaret show, which featured the guest choir. It was light-hearted, fun, and full of enthusiasm — the kind of entertainment that always lifts the mood.



Dinner & Two Very Different Evenings

Joe and I met for dinner in Sette Mari, enjoying a lovely Italian meal. Afterwards, Joe headed straight back to the room to watch the football, now very happily set up on the iPad thanks to the (very expensive!) premium Wi-Fi.

I, meanwhile, went to the theatre to watch the phenomenal Anelisa Lamola perform.

And what a performance it was.

Her voice was breathtaking — powerful, soulful, emotional — with stunning covers of:

  • Aretha Franklin

  • Adele

  • Amy Winehouse

  • Chaka Khan

  • and more

Between songs, she shared personal stories, memories, and insights from her career. One of the most exciting things she mentioned was her involvement in the upcoming Chaka Khan musical. I think I will absolutely try to get tickets — it sounds like incredible fun, and she was riveting to watch.

End of Day

Now the ship continues its gentle (or not so gentle!) rocking toward our next destination, and after such a vibrant day, sleep feels very welcome.

Daily Reflection:

Even on the choppiest days, there is beauty — in sunrises, in shared laughter,
in creativity, and in voices that touch the soul.

Highlight of the Day:
✨ Anelisa Lamola’s powerhouse performance — a moving, joyful, unforgettable evening.

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