Eve asked me recently, “How many people have we met on the ship since we started?” We made a list, and settled on 40 or so. “Met” means sitting with at breakfast or dinner, and having conversation. We seldom exchange names during our small talk, but usually discuss our destination on this cruise, describe our cruising experiences, and say where we are from. When Eve says, “Rostock” or “Kassel” or “Berlin”, I know exactly who she is talking about.
The restaurants on the ship do not take table reservations, to encourage such interchange among the guests. This suits us well. The tables seat 4 to 8 people, and we have made a point of sitting with new people regularly. Seldom have we been disappointed. After 5 weeks, we have developed stronger ties with a couple of pairs (“Bonn” and “Dessau”) and we sit together in the restaurant, if places are free.
Tonight, by formal invitation from two staff members, we sat at an officer’s table in the restaurant with three other pairs who were making the round the world cruise. It was a delightful evening.
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