Today, August 20, is a sea day — but not like any of the others we’ve had. Most sea days settle into a quiet rhythm: a lazy morning, a book on deck, maybe a nap before dinner. Today had its own rhythm entirely, and by the end of it, Nana and I agreed it was one of our favorites of the whole voyage.

A Towel Zoo at the Pool
We started the morning at the pool and found ourselves face to face with an entire zoo — made entirely of towels. The crew had spent who-knows-how-long folding and shaping towel animals all around the deck, and the artistry was something else. Elephants, monkeys, swans — all bent, twisted, and tucked out of plain white towels. It’s a small thing, but it’s the kind of small thing that tells you how much heart the crew puts into this ship.

Cake Day at Lunch
Lunch brought a happy surprise: it was cake day. Table after table of beautifully decorated cakes, each fancier than the last. After two and a half weeks of incredible meals, you’d think we’d have had our fill of dessert by now — but no, we made room for cake. Of course we did.

An Afternoon of Strings
In the afternoon, we caught a special show featuring the ship’s string musicians. Nana and I have seen a lot of shows on this cruise, but we both agreed — this is the best group we’ve heard on board. There’s something about strings on a ship in the middle of the ocean that just fits.

A Crew Appreciation Dinner, Our Way
The highlight of the day, though, came in the evening. Nana and I made a contribution toward a special crew appreciation dinner — something different from the crew’s normal meal, as a way of saying thank you to the people who have taken such good care of us for weeks. When it was announced that we had sponsored the dinner, word traveled fast. All day long, wherever we went on the ship, crew members stopped us to say thank you.

We got to go down and meet many of the crew at their dinner, and it was one of the most touching moments of the trip. The gratitude on their faces said more than words could. These are people who work long hours, far from their own families, to make sure everyone else’s vacation is perfect — and it felt good to be able to give something back, even in a small way.

Last Dinner with Our Table
That evening was also our last full dinner with our table companions. Larry and Gabriele get off in Dover, so this was our final dinner all together. We’ve had such a wonderful time with them and with Terry — sharing stories over dinner and laughs late into the evenings. This is one of the things we love most about cruising: you sit down as strangers and by the end of the trip, you’ve made real friends.

An Unexpected Gift
And then, one more surprise. Aframe, one of the waiters up on the Lido deck who took care of us at lunch, gave us a drawing he’d made himself. He didn’t have to do that. It was completely unexpected, and it’s the kind of gesture that reminds you how amazing people can be.

Just a great day — a different kind of sea day, and one we won’t forget.