I should be polite and call today’s invitation only luncheon by the proper name of “Cheers with an Officer.” This particular event used to be, prior to Covid – Luncheon with an officer and you actually had one of them sitting at the table with you. I always viewed it as a stress test for the junior officers. Otherwise, it was one of those perks available to higher levels in the loyalty program.
Royal, like several other cruise lines, has been very generous with offers since cruising restarted after the pandemic shut down. As a result, the number of “senior” loyally members has skyrocketed. The level is actually called Pinnacle. A few of us started calling it “Pineapple” a decade ago and that name has also stuck. I was just about the only one today without one of the shiny name tags. I don’t bother with it. For a long time I wasn’t sure where it was; more recently I discovered it buried in the original box in my closet. Oh, well. I know who I am.
Those at my table for the luncheon: a solo traveler from Western Washington State who retired early to travel and a couple from Australia (about 4 hours north of Sydney) who I think are also recent retirees. All three are recent arrivals at this lofty status and were honestly shocked when my reply to the oft asked question of “when did you make Pinnacle?” is 2014….
Ah well… In any case, lunch was lovely, I have found some comfortable places to stitch outside my cabin so that it can be cleaned in the morning.
And finally – New Cruise New Start (for those crafters among us).
Silver Creek Samplers – “Jurassic Perk” on 16 ct Sandy Bottom by Fortnight Fabrics with the called for DMC
It is actually a relatively quick and easy stitch while appealing to my sense of humor. I should be able to finish the dinosaur tomorrow…..
