Docking in Roatan

No, I don't get tired of seeing sunrises. This is the best part of the day but that doesn't really mean that the rest of the day is a disappointment-far from it today. It is nice to have the decks to yourself though- sipping coffee and easing into the day slowly.

The crew have already laid out the loungers, although as this is a port day they won't see a lot of use as most people get off the ship to go on excursions or lay on a sandy beach.

Cloudy morning and the sun is trying to shine through

 Roatan seen in the distance

 Roatan is straight ahead

I am aft by the pool taking photos and video. It was very windy back there and occasionally ships can't dock at Roatan because of the strong winds, so they just sail away towards their next port at reduced speed. I was hoping that today we could make it.

As you can see it is 7.20 a.m and we are due to dock at 8.

As the ship has to reverse in from a mile out to sea, and pass between tall marker posts fixed on the sea floor it would take a while so I decided to move to our balcony where the wind would be less.

It's more sheltered from the wind the further back we reverse away from the open sea.

We are going to line up with that dock. 

Looking to the right as we approach the dock we see a chair lift to the beach

Here is part of the beach with bars, shops and cafes behind

Straight ahead (behind us as we are backing in) is a wrecked and rusting ship

The view to our left

The sign says "Mahogany Bay" a port man-made for cruise ships by Carnival Corporation, the largest Cruise company in the World.

Soon we would be tied up and then passengers could start going ashore.

We would too-after breakfast!

Lazy afternoon at sea

The ship eats up the miles. There are always 4 people on the bridge-2 officers and two crew who act as lookouts, scanning the horizon with binoculars. The Captain is on the bridge each day for two four-hour shifts, usually 4 to 8 a.m which covers docking the ship in port and 4 to 8 pm that covers leaving port. The Staff Captain is 2nd in command and also has a Captain's license so he can dock the ship too. In the open sea the ship is guided and steered by a computer program.

Up at the Neptune pool people are watching some silly game- Men's Hairy Legs contest I think it was

 We followed our usual routine as the afternoon lazily wore on

Followed by

Followed by the lights coming on at the Neptune Pool telling me that sunset was approaching

Sunset at sea

With the sun now hidden over the horizon the moon reflects it's light

With darkness the upper decks thin out as people go to dinner or a show. MUTS comes truly alive as a feature movie plays and an audience gathers. Popcorn is free. The movies will play until 11pm or so.

For us it is another  relaxed MDR dinner with friends, then a Karaoke show in Club Fusion.

Tomorrow would be our first port stop of the cruise-Roatan and we had an excursion booked that we were really looking forward to-a dolphin encounter!

Frigate birds

Monday was another sea day as we ate up the miles to Roatan.

I was up in time to see another sunrise. I am no meteorologist but I predict a fine sunny day!!

No two sunrises are the same if there are clouds in the sky

I had planned another day of doing nothing and was determined to carry out my plan diligently.

My first cup of coffee-the life giving brown elixir- is usually taken at the stern of the ship, above the aft pool. People from the buffet nearby can bring their cooked breakfasts out here.

It sits underneath Skywalker's which is seldom used during the daytime

As I was back there I noticed some birds following the ship

Two of them hovered in the hot air from the many funnel pipes

Frigate birds...

There was a total of 7 birds above the ship-here 6 of them stick close to the funnel

By this time we were about 10 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, where our third port of the week, Cozumel, is located. We would come back to it later. My guess is that's where the birds nest.

Blue skies and a searing Sun

OK-back to the ship as the birds are flying on to their next destination.

Lots of empty sun loungers for those who seek quiet

The hot tubs are open

 Back in this part of the ship are the clubs for young children, with staff to look after and amuse them in play while the parents enjoy some kid-free time.

The kids have their own shallow splash pool on the aft deck, a level up from the adult pool

Teens also have their own club with video game consoles.

Also, behind the funnel assembly there is a basketball court...

Moving forward we come to the Calypso Pool where the big movie screen called MUTS is (Movies Under The Stars). The Cruise Director is on screen with his Live Morning Show (the Wake Show) where he talks about what will be happening today.

The screen plays feature movies and pop concerts during the day (and at night, hence the name)

The are also sun loungers facing away from the screen, overlooking the next swimming pool which is called the Neptune Pool. It's where the live bands occasionally play and is quieter than the Calypso pool.

To be continued...