No-Go for Rock-O

March 10, 2023 

We always feel honored when we are invited to the MTP Lunch - the special luncheon for the 40 most-traveled passengers. As much as we sail with Princess, we do not always make the top 40. 

Upon arrival at the lunch, you shake hands with the Captain, and a photo is taken.

The lunch menu is always very upgraded, and the head chef and pastry chef are there at the end to take a bow. Passengers are seated in groups of 6 or 8. Each table is hosted by an officer or a member of the senior staff. It is usually a lot of fun.

Because we were in the top 3 this cruise, we got to sit at the head table with the Captain and his wife. It is very unusual for an officer’s spouse to be in attendance at an event like this. More often than not, the officer’s family members will stay home to work or attend school. When they are on board, they usually keep a very low profile.

Captain Laakkonen is from Finland. His wife, Olga, is from Ukraine. Olga is drop-dead gorgeous, speaks excellent English, and is charming and outgoing. Our best guess is that Olga is about 15 or 20 years younger than the Captain. Yes, they met on a ship.

Appetizer: Grilled King Tiger Prawns, marinated in garlic olive oil
with Caribbean Salsa Verde

Main Course: Pan Seared Seabass and King Scallop, with chateau
vegetables and rosti potato with bell pepper remoulade

I am writing this 10 days later, and I don’t recall much else from today. It was a low-key day at sea. Most of the passengers will be leaving the ship tomorrow, so they are packing and the mood is subdued. It’s also fairly bouncy today.

Dinner was good, though the mahi mahi was dry.

Crabcake with poached egg

Mahi mahi with pineapple salsa

Everyone was looking forward to Rock Opera. It is Princess’s signature show on the newer ships. I don’t know if the older ships are able to support a production of Rock Opera. The show requires lifts that can move parts of the stage up and down. Sadly, the show was cancelled tonight due to “equipment problems.” We listened to Matt Baxter and Topaz for a while, instead.

Today is my mother’s birthday. She was born 104 years ago, in New Jersey. (She died 9 years ago.) Today’s color is periwinkle, a color that looked fabulous on her after her hair turned white — but a color that she would not wear.