Sunset silhouettes at sea

Day 393 – March 30th, 2015. Cruise Day 9 – MSC Magnifica at Sea.

Todays weather was all sunny, yay.

After a good nights sleep we had breakfast alone again… this is becoming a habit.

Breakfast followed by coffee

A quick visit to the library… Not

Then we went to the library and returned and got a new book. Warning, this is not a quick task. Back in my school days a visit to the library was quiet and painless…

Most ships allow you to take books out without any need to sign or check it with staff. Here you must get the book signed out which took nearly 30 minutes, and this was not the first time. All your details plus book title etc are written up by hand twice and then input into a computer before you can borrow it.

Library queue to take out books on MSC Magnifica

Having had all this done, there is a $20 fee for any book not returned at the end of the cruise. Apparently there was a few people talking loud in the Library and one lady got very upset by it and told the others off. While Moni waited I went next door to the Oriental Plaza restaurant and studied the menu.

Oriental Plaza Restaurant MSC Magnifica

This is the only alternative dining venue on the ship. It comes with an extra charge per item ordered. You required a reservation and on asking the waiter at the door he confirmed that it was not very busy. Pat & Peter said it was very nice and being a Black card member you are entitled to go once per cruise for free.

Oriental Plaza Restaurant MSC Magnifica

With our new books to read we made our way to the cafe for our daily coffee fix, boy were we hanging out for them. Here we sat and chatted with the couple that were inline at check-in with us and who have been on the Rio tour also with us.

Crossing the Equator… Again

Last night at around 1.30am MS Magnifica crossed the Equator and today from 11am King Neptune was on deck performing the crossing the Equator ceremony which I went to take a look at before returning to Moni in the cafe. Having seen a few of these equator crossings and the ceremony that customary accompanies it was not a must for us to attend, I just wanted to see if MSC did it any different, and yes they did.

Crossing the Equator ceremony on MSC Magnifica 2015

As you can see, it was packed, probably the busiest ceremony I’ve seen with lots of people participating, not sure if they were all first timers some just wanting in on the action. This is a short clip of the atmosphere.

With it being lunchtime and Moni not wanting anything, I visited the buffet intending to have a bite to eat. The place was very busy and seeing many guests having a stressful time finding a table etc, so I changed my mind and took the lift to the restaurant and joined a table their, it was nearly 2pm and the others had ordered already. Lunch was ok with good conversation with English-speaking guests.

MSC lunch menu

I did miss out on photographing my main course, but never mind as it was not what I ordered anyway (chicken Parmigiana) I ended up with plain grilled chicken and chips, anyway I ate up, drank my beer and headed back to the cabin.

A quick paint job

A bit later that afternoon, a couple of workers came along the balcony vis the small doors that can be opened for adjoining cabins and to clean etc. They were painting the rust that was showing in places. It’s and ongoing job on a ship that’s for sure as we have seen the painters on every ship we’ve been on if my memory serves me correct.

Painters on our balcony in the afternoon

At 4pm I went to join the team for day two of the world champions quiz in the theatre. We didn’t do so good today with only 6 points. Each point is worth ten really so we are now on a total of 160. I don’t expect we will not be leading after today as the best score was 8 today and a couple of teams had that score.

We enjoyed pre dinner drinks and then dinner.

MSC Dinner menu 2015

Appetisers

Coppa ham and Pecorino bites – with tomato and olive bruschetta (M)

Salad

Sunset salad – lettuce, carrots, sweetcorn and a cheese mousse bruschetta (M)

Entrées

Chicken consommé – with rice and spinach(J)

Pasta and Risotto

Tortiglioni alla Boscaiola – with mushrooms, peas, cooked ham and creamy tomato sauce (J)

Main Courses

A plate of vegetables (M)

Rack of lamb in pistachio crust – with mashed potatoes and a tomato au gratin with aromatic herbs (J)

Desserts

Zuppa inglese – Italian trifle with sponge cake, vanilla and chocolate custard, meringue (J)

Picture sequence from top left to bottom right.

Dinner meals tonight on MSC Magnifica 2015

Off to bed…