OR, YOU CAN JUST SIT AND RELAX
By Bob Van Leer

  (AT SEA, Thursday, Feb. 6, 1997) - During days at sea we can be as busy as we want to be, or not busy at all. This ship has something scheduled from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.

  From 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. only breakfast in a couple of places is scheduled. But the activities begin with a vengeance at 8:00 a.m. in addition to more breakfast there are four exercise classes between then and 9:20 a.m.

  For those who only like to exercise one arm, the casino with its slot machines opens at 9:00 a.m. and stays open until 2:00 a.m. The casino is closed when we are at port.

  Ping pong and shuffleboard start at 9:00 a.m. and a walk-a-thon starts at 9:30. This cruise ship sports a miniature golf course on deck 10 and play starts at 9:30 a.m.

  Between 9:45 and 11:00 a.m. you have your choice of: an enrichment lecture, a class in napkin folding, a trivia contest, a shuffle-golf tournament, a mini-facial and five-minute make-over demonstration, and a country and western line dance class. Bingo starts at 10:45 a.m. with a jackpot of $7000.

  The time period from 11:00 a.m. to lunch at noon is just as busy. There is abridge lecture, step aerobics, cooking demonstration, games at the pool, old standards at the piano, an ice carving demonstration, and, finally, the captains noon report.

  There's no let down after lunch. Between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. there is a doubles golf tournament, island music at poolside, a blackjack tournament, horse racing (not real horses, a gambling game) duplicate and party bridge, an auction of fine art, more bingo, a ring-toss tournament and the daily meeting of Friends of Bill W.

  This evening is the Captain's Farewell Dinner as our cruise is drawing to a close. The dress suggestion is formal, but they will let you come in in just a coat and tie.

  After dinner its entertainment. Music for dancing at the Anchors Aweigh Lounge, easy listening and dance music at the Champagne Terrace and karaoke time at the Schooner Bar.

  At 8:45 and 10:00 p.m. the feature entertainment is held in the ship's 800 seat theater. Tonight the feature is "Celebrity Showtime" starring Tommy Tune.

  Later in the evening it's Dancing to Big Band Hits in the Viking Crown Lounge, musical requests at the Schooner Piano Bar and finally, Party with the "30 Something" Crowd from 11:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. in the Viking Crown Lounge. From then to 6:30 a.m. the only service available is room service. At 6:30 a.m. another day begins.

  Tomorrow we will be at sea again, and it will be our last full day on the ship. Saturday we are due to arrive at Acapulco, Mexico, and disembark.