One of the most prominent features of the Eurodam-class ships is the midships glass elevators. Lauri snapped this picture from the starboard elevator in midafternoon, as we sailed northeast through the Baltic sea.
Jill arrived back at the room, and she and Mark stuffed two laundry bags full of dirty clothes and left them for the room stewards. They then headed up to the Explorations Cafe for a chai, deciding on the way to check out a cribbage board and deck of cards, having forgotten to bring the set with them. Jill won the first game, nearly skunking Mark. Mark won the second with Jill barely over double skunk. Jill won the rubber, but at least the third game was close. Time for lunch. Ate in the Lido, and then went back to the room for a nap.
Got up and headed downstairs to the guest services desk, first for Jill to transfer a drink order from Tuesday's lunch to the beverage card that she and Mark received as gifts (or bonuses or whatever), then to pick up some Euros. The nice lady chastised us politely, saying that both tasks could have done at the Neptune Lounge by our concierges Jason or Yvonne. Duly noted. Up to the Explorer's Lounge to read and update the journal pages written so far, and to create the file for Day 5. That took over 2 hours. Dropped the laptop off, and ran into Lauri coming back from the thermal spa, but we didn't stay in the room long.
Downstairs again to the Northern Lights Disco for the culinary trivia contest. Lauri joined us there. We formed one team, out of about 7. Quite a few people wandered in after the quiz started, and hooked up with existing teams. The contest consisted of 15 questions plus a 3-point bonus question. We won, scoring 13 points, and won a HA pin. Not much of a prize, but that wasn't really the point.
It was formal night, so we headed back to the room for everyone to shower and get ready. Once dressed, we went down to the Pinnacle Bar, because they always have such interesting appetizers. Michael, behind the bar, told us he was named for Micheal Corleone (his father was a huge Godfather movie fan), and he tagged Mark as godfather, probably because of the tux. So Mark did his Marlon Brando impression, which apparently Michael thought was pretty good. We enjoyed a nice champagne, and generally relaxed as the bar filled up. Then it was time for dinner. Had another lively dinner conversation with the table, and lingered a bit after dinner, but not as much as on Tuesday. Mark headed to the piano bar again, catching more of the show this time. Although an excellent pianist, Jimmy doesn't seem to be a candidate for the kind of intimate relationship we'd had with previous piano bar hosts Randall, Ian, and Diane. Too many groupies. To bed after the set. Jill was in the room, while Lauri was talking her nightly "walk."
