We've pretty much settled into life here aboard the Sapphire. Deborah is starting to figure out directions here on board boat so getting from point A to point B is slowly becoming second nature. From my perspective I’ve adapted my routine, which includes room service in the morning while we review the daily Princess Patter newsletter for activities. Yesterday I started off with a Photography @ Sea class that focused on Lighting Techniques, so a group of about 20 of us toured the ship for some inside/outside shot instruction.

Rachael, our instructor runs the Platinum Photography Studio here onboard boat that specializes in high-end black and white portraitures (Deb and I are booked the evening that we’re in P.V. for our session). After that it was a Tequila Education Seminar in the Wheelhouse bar with free samples. Again, we failed to win the bottle of Jose Cuervo but the samples were good.

I’ve pretty much settled into my afternoon swim in the lap pool at the Sanctuary section of the boat and then for a steam and sauna. Unfortunately, I came back to my room a little depressed. I’m probably the first one to admit that at 60 I’m a little (ok, a lot) more than out-of-shape. Yesterday I ran into the Spa Fitness guy by chance in the steam room and of course you start to talk. There I sit, all 235 lbs of me, towel around my mid and my man boobs maybe a little more pronounced than usual because of the heat.

There on the tier next to me sits Thor. The guys about 6’4" and according to him, his chest is 44” and his waist is 33” with a full shoulder warrior tattoo. Apparently this guy has a Masters in Sport Fitness, he has a PHD in Nutrition and said that he only got into this shape when he ran marathons. This guy held the #1 position in the U.K. for marathons but decided that it just wasn’t pushing him to the level he needed so now he competes in 3 to 4 Iron Man competitions around the world each year. When he finally told me that he was 52 years old, that was the final straw. I got my ass off the bench, covered up as much as I could and headed for the showers. I guess there will just have to be a few more laps tomorrow.

That being said, dinner here is a difficult time for most people, tonight was the crab and artichoke appetizer, shrimp cocktail, surf & turf and closed off with a banana split. Hopefully Thor won’t be in the steam room on my next visit.

After dinner, the four of us took in the Magic & Comedy of Joseph Tran. Pretty good show with some nifty illusions. With a 7:00 a.m. arrival in Puerto Vallarta the next day we called it early so that we can get off the boat for the short 7.5 hours stay here in P.V.

We arrived exactly on time and cleared Mexican customs pretty quickly so it’s breakfast and we’re off to explore.