J. R. started off the first day at sea with breakfast in the buffet and then a visit to the SEA Thermal Suite, the replacement for the Persian Garden on the Edge class ships. This was an add-on we purchased in order to check out the new spaces. Fundamentally it is the same as the other Edge class ships but the Aromatherapy room has been replaced by the Hydra Room, a hydrotherapy soaking space with loungers and massaging jets. J. R. did not care for this space, not being a swimmer, but Janie spent a lot of time there. The Xcel also took advantage of the space outside the Thermal Suite which is occupied by artwork on the other ships, but replaced here by the Vitamin D Deck with loungers and shaded areas. J. R. returned to the room to wake up Janie, who headed to the spa herself while he went downstairs for a cup of coffee.
We stopped by Craft Social for a drink after lunch where Elmer made us a pair of old fashioned cocktails smoked in a smoker box.
Sohum, who we had met on Celebrity Silhouette in March, guided us through the Mixology 101 class, which sadly was the same cocktails as we had made on other ships. We had been hoping they would do the Holiday Edition they had done the year before on Ascent. While we enjoy the class, it would be nice if they would let the talented bartenders do at least one cocktail of their own choosing. Sohum did give us some tips for using raspberry puree (2 small pumps to replace three muddled raspberries).
To work off our drinks, we walked around the ship some more before ending up back at the martini bar for musical bingo where we each came just short again of winning a 'life changing prize'.
Our dinner tonight was in Mosaic, the replacement for the Eden restaurant on the other Edge class ships. Today was "Carnival" day in the Bazaar, "inspired by the vibrant spirit of St. Maarten and Grand Cayman". They kept the incredible crab cake from the Eden menu and added some new specialties. Janie tried the pork dumplings, which were good, but not outstanding. She really enjoyed the Dream Makers Choice Dukkah-Spiced Lamb Loin which J. R. had the Filet Mignon and we split the Lobster Casserole. We were far too full from our meals to try any dessert. Service from Yuliana was excellent.
Tonight's show was Mainstage with the Celebrity Production Cast and Orchestra. This is a "live concert experience inspired by the biggest musical festivals from around the world. Blending live festival footage with incredible animation, edgy set pieces, and a powerhouse setlist." We had fun making fun of the preshow which discussed music festivals around the world but their pinpoints were nowhere near the right place on the map, for example, putting Chicago and Lollapalooza somwehere in Kansas. The show was good but, as we would see with other shows this week, the use of the big screen and lasers and lighting overshadowed the singers and dancers.
J. R. was not feeling well after dinner and left the martini bar early to head to the room to lie down. Janie stayed for a few more martinis and the Silent Disco, where she was hit on by an old man standing next to his wife. Good thing we had no pineapples on our room door.
