This is the first of a run of seas days that end when we reach Tenerif in the Canaries. 2700+/- nautical miles as announced by the Captain at last nights Crown & Anchor party. Like the frequent flyer programs run by the airlines, all the cruise lines run various loyalty programs. Since you can join most of the after your first cruise on the line, the numbers of potential members are legion. Over 6M in the case of RCI.

What was impressive was the packed room for the membership reception. Given that there were canapés as well as free champaign, wine, juice and beer I don’t think there were many eligible who did not show up. Ruth, the C&A loyalty manager for the cruise said that this is the first time on this ship they have had to schedule separate events for the two different dinner seatings. Seems that there is no where other than the theater where they could accommodate over 800 people. Actually, I think it might just be an under-estimate even given that it is over 1/2 the passengers on the ship. I have met few first time cruisers (2) and just about everyone else with whom I have spoken has been on this cruise line before.

Anyway – there were a lot of people. Arriving hurried and out of breath I sat with three Dutch who I had met at lunch one day. The couple relocated to Florida a number of years ago when they retired. Their daughter who is about my age joined them at some point in the last few years.

Remember that I mentioned Cruise Critic several posts ago? Turns out that about 1/3 the members on this cruise are also traveling solo or without family. Two of the guys – Joseph and Jorge are from somewhere in Texas. Jorge can dance (I think). I keep running into both of them. This ship, like so many others, offers all sorts of basic dance classes.

I am married to a pretty wonderful guy, but he doesn’t dance. Probably because it takes effort and concentration as well as rhythm and knowing the location of not only your own feet but those of your partner. But I digress.

There is this is huge contingent of Latins in the disco at night according to the guys. Disco is fine, but Joseph at least has not been willing to try any of the Latin dances due to fear of embarrassment. Apparently the Latin standard is the same as the European: men are expected to be able to dance. End result is that we are doing to attempt the classes that fit into each of our schedules and have a good time. No harm, no foul and no concerns about how we look to anyone else.

After all – as we are in the basic Salsa class and I am looking around – with all the prancers, plodding ponies and flailing arms there is no way that either of us is the worst on the floor. I am not sure how they managed but I saw more than a few both men and women who seemed to have both their own feet and everyone else’s in their space. Two left feet I can understand, but three?

And some random photos…