We again awoke to a cloudless sky and smooth sea. As we’ve been traveling south, the temperature has been dropping slightly, though it’s still very comfortable.
As is our routine, we had an early breakfast in the Oceanview Café. We spent some time walking about the decks. Libby then attended a lecturer on the Falklands, while I took Emerson back to the cabin for her morning nap. The Falklands talk provided a good introduction to the history of islands, including the 1982 conflict with Argentina. Based on the discussion, Libby’s more excited about visiting this outpost of the United Kingdom – seems like it should be very quaint. In theory, this should be our best (as in easiest) port to see penguins, but I’m not sure how that will work out since the shore excursions sold out long before our departure. So, we’re on our own. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get a shuttle bus or taxi… otherwise we might be walking the 8 miles (roundtrip).
This afternoon Emerson developed a low grade fever. This wasn’t entirely unexpected as one of her vaccinations last Monday can result in a fever 5-10 later. This was day #8. However, she also seems to have a bit of a runny nose. So, we’re thinking she might have a mild cold. In any case, a little baby acetaminophen knocked the fever down (though not completely out). Needless to say, we’ll keep a close eye on her and make sure she’s bundled up, but I think she’ll be back to 100% quickly.
We went back to the main dining room tonight for dinner. Libby had the Caribbean cod cakes (good), cream of corn chowder (bland and bad), and NY strip steak (good). I had the shrimp cocktail (flavorful… and unlike many lines’ main dining rooms, not baby shrimp), French onion soup (best ever in a cruise main dining room; respectable overall; and grilled wahoo (decent but unremarkable; could have been warmer). Service, however, was very good for Libby and me (e.g., drink preferences remembered, etc.), as well as Emerson (e.g., high chair ready, table set appropriately, special food brought out, origami frog made at the table, etc.).
I have to say, the Celebrity staff seems to really enjoy Emerson’s presence and treats us very well. Of course, we’re fairly certain that she’s the onlytoddler on the ship, and there appears to be only one other kid under the age of five on this cruise. That said, our fellow passengers have a mixed reaction to our presence. Many (likely those with kids and grandkids) seem to enjoy seeing her. Some consider us brave (and have said so). Far more likely think we’re crazy (perhaps not unfairly). And, a few just give us (undeserved) dirty looks. In truth, traveling with a baby isn’t always carefree or easy. Indeed, sometimes it feels a bit like work. But, Emerson’s been an angel for us, and we think these early experiences (even if she doesn’t recall them) will make future travels with her easier and more rewarding. Plus, I especially enjoy the opportunity to spend unfettered time with her for long stretches of time (as work demands at home mean that often don’t see her everyday for 2+ weeks, let alone spend 24×7 with her).
I’d planned to talk about the ship today. But, that’ll have to wait for our next day at sea.
Tomorrow is the Falkland Islands, and I expect the day to be busy!
Just found your website; looking forward to following along. I hope you at least managed to get out to Gypsy Cove to see some penguins.
We did manage to get out there… not a lot of penguins, but some were very close to the trail. Overall, we really liked the Falklands!
Sorry to hear you hit bad weather on your days in the Antarctic. It is such a magnificent, pristine place and you didn’t get to enjoy much of it. We did an expedition cruise in 2007 and were very lucky with the weather. In fact, Elephant Island afforded us a rare opportunity to do not just a zodiac cruise at Point Wild, but a landing at Cape Lookout. The Drake did throw us a curve on the way back to South America, but we thought it well worth it for all that we were able to experience in the southern latitudes.
(By the way, I am commenting on this post instead of your Day 7 post, because it’s the last one for which the post link works; I can get to your blog and read the posts, but if I try to go to an individual post (either through your archive or my RSS feed for your blog), I get an Error 404 message.)