Day 18 – Between Visa Shock Part 2, Shuffleboard, and Good News 😎🚢

😴 Finally slept really well again

After the past few days in the Amazon, today was initially a pleasant surprise: I got up at 6:30 AM – and had the best sleep in a long time!

The smell of smoke in the cabin had also significantly decreased by now. However, it was still quite noticeable on the outer deck. At 7:00 AM, I promptly headed for the early bird coffee. Then at 8:00 AM, it was time for breakfast, where Verena joined me.

At 9:00 AM, I did my deck laps. The temperatures at this early hour were still quite pleasant. Unfortunately, as the day progressed, the smell of smoke increased again.

😱 The next visa shock

Then at 9:00 AM, there was already the next visa shock!

Once again, something was wrong with my Australia visa or the data on file. Therefore, I was told to check back at the reception at 10:00 AM.

Until then, I enjoyed a bit of sun and the refreshing wind on the outer deck. Promptly at 10:00 AM, I went to the reception. The visa was scanned again and forwarded once more.

Hopefully, this issue is finally resolved now! 🙈

After this little adrenaline rush, it was time for a passionfruit spritzer at the AIDA Bar. 😎

📝 City-Country-AIDA and a pool brunch that never happened

At 10:30 AM, I headed to City-Country-AIDA. I landed in second place in the first round.

In the second round, it got really exotic: We were looking for murder weapon, candy, figure, spice, and invention. I managed to snag second place again. 🏆

After that, a pool brunch was actually on the program. However, neither the food selection nor the offered drinks truly convinced me.

And that happens too. 😂

So I preferred to go to the bar and then at 12:30 PM to Bella Donna.

Around 1:00 PM, it was time for some eye care. 😴 After the last few days in the Amazon, a little break was quite welcome.

☕ Coffee Chat with the Officers – somehow different than expected

At 2:30 PM, I was recharged and took another round on deck. At 3:00 PM, it was time for the “Coffee Chat with the Officers”.

Initially, Thomas Scharfenberg and Christian Eichstätt were supposed to ensure an entertaining coffee chat.

However, it turned out more as a dialogue with just one person at a table. I do not know whether there were technical issues or another reason for that.

Overall, I had imagined the coffee chat a bit differently – more like a proper discussion round and less like multiple individual conversations.

🌊 The Amazon is slowly bidding farewell

In the meantime, there was a sign that we were slowly leaving the Amazon behind: The water was increasingly turning blue into the typical ocean color.

Even though the past few days were partly marked by the smell of smoke, heat, and haze, the time in the Amazon was undoubtedly something very special.

And now we are slowly heading back out to the open ocean.

🎆 A good news for New Year's Eve

I caught an important piece of information for New Year's Eve:

From our mooring location, we will likely be able to see the fireworks – with a view of the Harbour Bridge!

We probably won’t see the small fountains, but the big fireworks we will. 🎆🇦🇺

Thus, nothing stands in the way of a special New Year’s Eve in Sydney.

🍽️ The 10×3 – finally there is movement

Another thing that was on my mind was my already mentioned 10×3 menu.

After I hadn’t received any feedback despite reminding the reception, I directly approached F&B Director Roman today. I would really like to know if I can still book the menu. 😏

At 4:00 PM, I then received a handshake confirmation:

There will be feedback by tonight.

Well then – let’s wait and see. 😉

🏆 Shuffleboard with a clear victory

At 5:00 PM, it was sporty again: Shuffleboard!

This time it went really well. Our winning team won 136:24 and then again with 65:61. 💪

After that, it was time to change quickly since a bubble shoot was still on the agenda.

Photo flat and so … you know me. 😂📸

Then it was off to dinner at the East Restaurant for Tepanyaki.

🔪 F&B Special in Prime Time

At 7:30 PM, Prime Time followed under the motto “F & B Special”.

F&B Director Roman Breuer and Head Chef Karl Eller were present. And when it comes to food, I’m known to always be there. 😂

Karl gave several interesting tips from the kitchen. This is apparently supposed to be repeated regularly.

Today it was about knives and proper cutting, next time it will be about seasoning.

I’m curious!

🎭 Moments – always worth seeing

At 8:30 PM, the artist and performer show “Moments” followed.

A show that I have seen many times by now, but is still worth watching again.

After that, I took another round on the pool deck and accompanied Verena to deck 5, where she wanted to have a smoke.

😂 And then Roman shows up …

And who do we meet there? None other than Roman! 😂

And now comes the crucial point:

He could actually clarify my 10×3! 💪

Nothing stands in the way of it. I will now be informed about how it proceeds exactly.

After all the back and forth, finally some good news! 😎

🌙 End of the day – tomorrow it will be exciting again

Around 9:30 PM, I headed back to my cabin.

After the past few days in the Amazon, tomorrow can be a bit more relaxed.

Although I know myself: It probably won’t be that quiet anyway. 😂🚢🌎