Good morning! Our clocks went back an hour this morning. It’s 4:30 but it feels like 5:30. I need to try to get another hour or two of sleep but sometimes once I’m up, I’m up. And it’s pretty rough out side. I’m not sure if this is the moon or the sun. I think it’s the moon but it looks like the sun.

Fortunately for me and Dino, was able to get a couple more hours sleep.

I’m leaving a bag of laundry for the steward to grab while I’m ashore. As a platinum member I get five bags of laundry for free on a cruise of this length.

Here is today’s Fun Times.

I stopped by Java Blue for some coffee.

They’ve been doing zumba or pilates something in the mornings on lido.

Like I was saying the lido main pool here is setup to be more of a quiet place during the day. Deck 11 starboard side would be a smoking area on most ships. Here they have the bocce ball, foosball, ping pong. I showed you that yesterday.

They basically turned port side deck 11 into the library.

Some would definitely say this is cold. It’s fine for me. I don’t mind it. If you do mind it, you may want to bring a jacket or something.

This is interesting and important to know if you’re doing one of these transatlantic cruises and you have the Cheers package. I did notice yesterday that the Point Of Sale system was on Miami time and snapped a shot of the receipt.

This was at 1:30pm.

The significance is I am running on yesterday’s Cheers program until noon. So I’m in double digit drinks. I’ll get a reset mid-day. It can help you some days and hurt you on others I guess. It’s just good to be aware of. Once we hit multiple sea days in a row it could be an issue.

I stopped by Java Blue for a regular coffee. I keep my sleeve from my mocha and double up because their Americanos are so hot for some reason.

This is really dumb but the bar in the Gondola lounge is only open for coffee. She wouldn’t give me a screwdriver. She says she can’t until 11. I’m sure that wasn’t the case on Panorama. I don’t think I’ve seen a ship where an open bar only served coffee until a certain time.

I went up to lido and got a screwdriver.

Then another at Rococo.

Here you can see people utilizing the windows that open. This lido port side between Tomodoro and Rocco (Blue Iguana Cantina and The Tequila Bar on most ships).

After we passed the bridge, I requested a table for breakfast.

Broken egg sandwich.

Avocado toast.

On my way out of breakfast, Carnival President Christine Duffy made a special announcement.

I still have time so I grabbed a bloody mary for the balcony.

We got off on deck 1 today.

Watch the steps. They look rampish when you’re going down but they aren’t.

They have a real ramp for those who need it. That’s also how we’ll get back on the ship around…or after 5pm

After yesterday I was concerned about getting to do everything I want to do here in less time than we had yesterday. I thought maybe the hop-on, hop-off bus would be a good way to go. If I could go back I might do it differently.

For full coverage of my hop-on, hop-off tour, please visit Lisbon: Hop-on, Hop-off Bus

For full coverage of Belem Tower, please visit: Lisbon: Belem Tower

For full coverage of The Monument to the Discoveries, please visit: Lisbon: Monument to the Discoveries

We are now skipping ahead to when I got off of the bus.

I decide to talk to the driver to make sure I’m going to be good. I move up to the front seat and ask “are we going to the port?” No. “What?” No port. You need to get off at next stop and walk. “We’re stuck in traffic and back on board is in 20 minutes. If in need to walk, let me out now.”

So now I’m on foot.

19 minutes. I can see the ship.

This looks like a good spot for a drink. But I don’t have time for that.

I could get in one of those little Tuk Tuk cars but with this traffic, I’m better off walking.

15 minutes until back on board.

I’m checking the time. There was debate on the bus this morning as to whether it was 5 or 5:30. If it’s 5:30, I’ve got time to stop for a beer.

Nope.

This is a significant area that I would suggest making time to see on the way to or from the ship.

This is the Rua Augusta Arch which was built to commemorate the reconstruction after the earthquake of 1755. The arch has six columns with various historical figures on them. There is an elevator to the top for 3-4 euros. That along with the monastery will be on my list the next time I’m back in Lisbon.

In front of the arch is the equestrian statue of King Joseph I. It was completed in 1775.

I don’t think I’m supposed to walk on this but it’s quicker than walking around over there.

That’s where I’m supposed to be walking.

8 minutes

4 minutes

I just realized I’m probably good. Even though back on board is 5pm, the ship isn’t supposed to leave until 5:30. I shouldn’t have to run or anything.

IT SAYS NO SWIMMING!

I may be the last one on.

It doesn’t look like anyone else is coming.

There actually were some people in the port buying alcohol. I stopped and took these pictures and allowed them to pass me so I could be last.

Nicko Cruises has two ships for ocean cruises and two for river cruises. The Vasco Da Gama is their largest ship with 1,000 passengers.

You can hear those bottles clanging

Deck 4. It’s like embarkation day again.

Back on board was 5pm. I was back at 5:11pm.

I haven’t eaten lunch so I grabbed a pizza burger right away.

And we are sailing away.

These windows on lido deck only open about 8 inches. There’s a stopper to keep them from opening wider.

The Monument to the Discoveries.

Jeronimos Monastery

Belem Tower

Now I need to rehydrate.

They’re bringing out the popcorn machine for tonight’s movies.

I headed down to the comedy club to see Joe Marlotti.

These officers are opening a room down the hallway. I don’t know why.

I got a notice that my dinner table is ready so I headed down to the restaurant.

Here is tonight’s menu:

Antipasti

Arancini

Caesar salad

Casarecce

Zuppa Inglese

A Latin band is playing in the Carnivale.

The duo is playing in the Gondola Lounge.

This quartet is in the atrium.

In the main lounge MarQ is hosting the Love and Marriage show.

Half of the TVs are back to working in the Hero’s bar.

I headed to the comedy club to see Dominic Leonelli.

I’m off to bed. Tomorrow is a sea day. We are setting our clocks back an hour.