Sunday, January 11, 2026 – cruise day 7
Featured photo is Kelsey at the first afternoon “Dancing Tea Time”.
Today we had a couple firsts – our first World Cruise Games game and Kelsey & Jan’s first “Dancing Tea Time”. The game today was very simple – whichever group had the largest number of members show up and be counted would win. Last year our group tied for first place. This year our group – Air – placed 2nd with 80 people. The winning group was Water with 110 people. Tomorrow’s game is to build a mountain using shoes. I won’t be much help only having 2 pair but Jan and Kelsey will be assets with all the pairs of shoes they brought on the voyage.
Afternoon tea and dancing is held each sea day at 3:45 in the Onyx Lounge. I went once on the last cruise but didn’t find it my “cup of tea” so don’t plan to attend this cruise. Jan and Kelsey like it as a chance to sample some fancy sandwiches and treats. The eats are brought to the tables on etagere stands (has 3 shelves). There is a particular way the eats are arranged on the etagere. Click here for more info.
Following the tea party, we went to the theater for a recital by the pianist from the classical music group. She played 7 or 8 selections and was great. Then back to the restaurant for dinner. I added a photo of our 8th member – Dorin from Romania. Also included in today’s photos is a group shot of those now at our table (Margarita and Oscar wanted a table for 2 from the start so they left a couple days ago).
The entertainment this evening is an Elvis impersonator named Garry Foley. He performed for the 2025 cruise and does a good job being Elvis. One of our tablemates – Hilga – was able to snag a scarf when he was passing them out to the interested women. There are a few photos in today’s group of Garry and including the cruise director sitting on his leg.
And now for a continuation of the China visa saga…
Today I completed and submitted online visa applications for Jan and Kelsey. Following that I sent an email addressed both to the general embassy email and to the specific counsel email for the Chinese embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados. I explained our circumstances and asked if they could rush our applications since we would be in port only Friday of this week. Since the embassy is closed over the weekend, I am hoping my email doesn’t fall through the cracks and we miss our opportunity to obtain the needed visas. Hopefully we will hear something tomorrow.
You can view photos from today here.
One response to “At sea to Barbados day 1”
Tea time nice. I forgot to mention I liked the costumes the air leaders wore when you met them. An Elvis impersonator I have seen one of those and totally enjoyed it. Hope you guys did too. Love the picture of you all and your table mates.