We're enjoying our 2nd morning with an extra hour of sleep. I see that Internet service is still out. It's Tuesday and we'll pass the point of no return later today on our way to Hilo. We have six full days at sea between San Diego and Hawaii and this is day 3.

How much excitement can I generate while traveling within the confines of a cruise ship, a small one at that? I would describe it more like a retreat. We see those people who venture from their cabins hanging out around the pool and spas, library, dining areas, bars and assorted presentations about our upcoming destinations. While there's plenty of things to do for us, it's difficult to find things "to write home about". We need to generate some excitement to entice and expand our readership. We're waiting for an old codger to drive their EZ-go cart into the pool. A picture of Friday's walker crash site would have helped. We still have three more days at sea before we reach Hilo where we have activities planned. Until then, we will remain vigilant for any events worth reporting.

So we have breakfast again, blah, blah blah. We take in a presentation at 10am about future cruises which I find interesting but Karen is out. She puts on dark glasses to fool people and closes here eyesbut I'm on to her. At 11, some lady starts talking about plants, thatched roofs and coconuts. Now I'm asleep while Karen listens attentively. It's no use! Just bring me my Geritol and Ensure.

But wait. I see there's an Octoberfest party poolside for lunch. Bratwurst, sauerkraut, pretzels, bread pudding, herring, German noodles and, my favorite, apple strudel. Taking advantage of these opportunities when offered, I head to the room for camera equipment to document all the action and meet Mom topside. She helps herself to small portions for tasting and to screen out anything I wouldn't like, such as the herring. The European beer and German music complete the festive atmosphere. We sit with a nice couple from Redlands, Ca and discuss our vacation experiences. Out in the open air and away from the lecture hall, I feel as if I've come back from the dead!

The sun is losing the battle with the clouds which keeps the temperature in the low 70s but the humidity is rising. After drinking our free soft drinks and laying out on the Promenade deck and even walking the deck with the exercisers, we retire to the room for a short nap (hey, we're old) and then to the sports bar where I watch the Seattle-Detroit game and Mom checks out $20k necklaces. Now I have a new plan. Let's get dressed and go to the fancy dinner before the game finishes, avoiding a long line for a table. We arrive at dinner just at the two minute warning and walk right in. I am very smart.

We're seated at an 8 person table with three couples that travel together all over the world. It seems like they've been on every cruise offered and some several times. They offer us some wine and invite us to return the next night, table 142. It's an enjoyable dinner conversation. I have the flank steak and Mom the Swai fish. Excellent. We need to get to the show by 8:15pm so we all depart the restaurant for the Queen' Lounge. We arrive in the middle of Holland America's version of "To Tell the Truth". This is always hilarious and the ridiculous answers given by our cruise directors just adds to the fun.

Later, the ventriloquist, Don Bryan, begins his show. He's great and he preys on the old people with his old people jokes. At the end, he entices an audience member to come up. His instructions to him are, "When I squeeze the back of your neck, open your mouth but don't say anything." Then the entertainer put the words in for him. He had everybody roaring with laughter.

It's after 9 and time for us geezers to get back. I get a call from the front desk letting me know they're still working on my shareholder credit but, with communication down, it hasn't happened yet which is starting to make me nervous. I find we get yet a third night with an extra hour of sleep. On Tuesday, we will be three hours ahead of the West Coast. We watch TV for awhile and call it quits.