Friday-Day 6: Formal Night

After a lazy morning and afternoon, we decided to skip the dining room and just attend the Captain's Circle party.  We were also getting a late start getting dressed in our formal wear.  We were out of our cabin by 6pm and headed down to the Piazza/Atrium.  We stopped to have our formal pictures taken.  Not once, but three times!  We were given a ticket after each sitting.  I actually accumulated four of them with one from the first formal night.  The tickets were dropped off in the main photo gallery for a drawing scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.  The Princess photographers are going a great job with us.  We'll more than likely purchase a few 8x10s.  The drawing is for free portraits.  Wish us luck.

Around 6:45pm, we went to the Vista Lounge on deck 7 all the way back of the ship or aft.  The Captain's Circle gala is by invitation only and extended to Platinum and Elite members.  Hubby and I were the first group of 20 members in line.  Before the doors opened st 7:15pm, the line had extended well past mid-ship.  This week is our 15th Princess cruise and the first time we are attending this affair (after so many invites that we've skipped).  So, this was extra special to us.

We shook hands and said "hello" to the commander of the Regal, Captain Perrin and other senior staff members.  Way cool experience.  Our Captain looks really young.  We found some comfy seats near the center of the lounge and listened to a band called Rhapsody.  The wait staff came around and offered different libations as well as fancy canapés and finger foods.  

The Captain spoke for a few minutes and asked who was staying on for the next cruise.  About 2/3 of our fellow cruisers raised their hands.  Even that surprised our Captain.  

We learned that there were 3 most travelled cruisers in our midst.  First place was a couple who cruised 1200 days with Princess.  Second place went to 875 days. Third place was 814 days.  Wow!  Hubby and I reached 100 days during last year's cruise.  

The Gala was over by 8pm and we headed up to deck 16-Lido to have a light dinner.  It was strange to still be in our formal wear that late and at the buffet area.  I did make a pit stop at the Pastry Shop to say "hello" to Marvin.  He was worried that he did not see us for the last two days.  I told him no worries as we'll be around next week.  Marvin has made some really nice dessert recommendations.  Chocolate being my first choice followed closely with Key Lime desserts.  

The desserts have been awesome!