For our first day at sea, we were not expecting good weather. We weren't banking on spending the day by the pool, but we were okay with that because we knew they were sailing us south to better weather.



I went to the gym that morning, and Rachel went to run the track. The gym was located on Deck 6 forward, conveniently very near our stateroom. The track was located down on Deck 5. Rachel is training for the NYC Half Marathon in March, so she had to run this week. I preferred to lift weights in the gym. It was pretty crowded in the gym, as expected for the first sea day on the cruise. I knew this would be the most people I'd ever see in here because we were all stuck on the ship, and at the beginning of the cruise, people are pretty ambitious about their workout schedules... this will drop off. But there were no towels, and they weren't replaced the entire time I was there, so I was just dripping sweat on the floor. Sorry.



There are many treadmills, ellipticals, and bikes (all were reserved today, though). I thought the free weights area was a little small. There was a Smith machine, four benches, and free weights. The benches and Smith machine were all taken, so I just grabbed some weights and made a spot for myself on the side. I actually filmed my workout, so if that footage makes it into a Vlog on my new YouTube, I'll let you know. I spent about 25 minutes in the free weights area and decided to join Rachel for her last lap on the track - caught her just in time! We then returned to the gym for an ab burnout, which I did on the floor with no mat (all of the mats were being used in a group class). Finally, at the very end, a gym attendant came by passing out towels, and I ran up to him and asked for two.

Leaving the gym, we just happened to run into Judy and Stove at Vitality Cafe. We decided to head up to Park Cafe in Central Park which is where I found the best breakfast item on the ship (I don't have to try them all to know it's the best) - the breakfast burrito. Highly recommend. It's not flippin' amazing, but for cruise ship breakfast (verrryyyy low standard), it's pretty darn good.

We decided to clean up and try to eat lunch at Izumi. We didn't have a reservation, so we were just hoping they could slide us in.




This dude greets you when you walk in.


Rachel did all of the talking, and I stood back to take photos... per usual.



They didn't have any more Hibachi timeslots that day, but they were able to fit us in at the Sushi Bar. Rachel told us that we had a $35 credit with our Unlimited Dining.



Edamame is complimentary.


I got the miso soup.


And the seaweed salad.


And then Mom, Rachel, and Dad all got their sushi.... and I was left waiting.

Mom ordered the Champagne Lobster in Yuzu Wrap Roll.


Finally, my sushi arrived. I ordered the Baked Snow Crab & Salmon Dynamite Roll. This is not the Baked Snow Crab & Salmon Dynamite Roll. It's a California Roll.


Guys, it was horrible. So bland and unappealing. Seriously, I couldn't eat it. So Judy offered me her roll... which was also very bland. Then Rachel sent me her last roll.... and even that one I found to be lacking flavor. Stove had eaten all of his sushi. Considering that my roll came out much later than everyone else's, I think there must have been a mistake. Maybe they accidentally delivered my sushi to the wrong table. Maybe they forgot it completely. Either way, I sampled three different rolls, and they all completely lacked flavor. Victoria on Vacation does not recommend Izumi for sushi.

Here's a photo of the Main Dining Room on the fifth floor. It's the main level and has white chairs. The other levels have red chairs.


Rachel went to Cafe Promenade to get a specialty coffee, so I popped in the Kate Spade store to look around.



Judy was excited to show us a gingerbread display in the lobby. "Y'all, it's pitiful."


Craftmanship Level = 0. Really, I don't understand why they do this. I think the gingerbread houses are decorated by crew members which is supposed to be cute, but actually I think it's embarrassing.

Really, who is responsible for this?


I don't remember what inspired us to go to the Boardwalk, but we found some performers practicing for the aqua show. After watching them repeatedly, it appeared like the men were trying to teach the girl the slack line part. Rachel mentioned that one of the performers had gotten hurt on the slack line a few weeks prior, but it looked like he was back in the show... but they might now be training a female to do that role? This is all just our best guess after watching them rehearse over and over.


I got us some Jalepeno Cucumber Margaritas from Sabor. I did not notice the slosh bucket.



Rachel and I shared the VOOM 2 device streaming package. It was now that Rachel had the brilliant idea to book a beach resort for Cozumel the next day. In the past, we've gone to Playa Mia, but this time we decided to try something new - Mr. Sanchos. You don't have to make a reservation, but it's a really good idea, especially if there are other large ships in port. It's $55/person, but you can reserve at only $5/person and pay the rest when you get there.


While we were sitting there, they made the announcement for The World's Sexiest Man Competition, so we decided to hang around and watch. Usually, this activity is held up at the pool deck, and they have no problem getting people to compete. However, down in the Aqua Theater, there weren't a lot of men who were game. Only one man went to sign up voluntarily on his own. The rest were urged/begged by the entertainment director guy in the weird outfit...


He did get enough people to enter, and it was entertaining to watch. I would never call this a "must see," but if you're in the area and have nothing better to do... might as well watch.

After the show, we got hot dogs on the Boardwalk. They're complimentary.




And then we went up to the room to get ready for formal night. Rachel and I went ahead to Vintages, but Mom and Dad went to the Diamond Lounge before joining us.

None of us were ready for this photo, but I'm posting because my eyeshadow is on point.



Hot Tip: You can order a cheese platter at Vintages.


Rachel loves steak and pub mix, and Aaron loves soup... did you know Judy loves a cheese platter? And this was a good cheese platter. Good cracker variety. Judy appreciates cracker variety.


Our dinner that evening was at Chops, located in Central Park.



We were excited to try Chops because it's the specialty restaurant that's on almost all of the ships, but whenever we try to book, there are never any reservations left.



Here's the wine list. It's different in all of the restaurants. There are only a few wines that are sold by the glass (which qualify it for the Deluxe Beverage Package).



For an appetizer, Rachel ordered the shrimp cocktail.



I had the Grilled Black Pepper Bacon, which was really good.


Dad had the crab cake.


This is the Crispy Goat Cheese Salad. Sooo good!


Cream of Mushroom Soup -


We knew we would be dining two nights in Chops, so I decided to order the Rack of Lamb. I enjoyed it.


Rachel and Dad both got the filet. Rachel's steak was cooked perfectly, but the flavor wasn't that good - she had to use sauce. Dad's steak was clearly overcooked. Even our server took a look at it and said, "Are you okay with that?" but Stove didn't send it back.


Judy got the salmon. Before she ordered, she asked, "Should I order the salmon at a steak restaurant?" And we all thought it would be fine, since this isn't a land-based steak restaurant.... it's a cruise ship. But it turned out to be a mistake. The salmon was not good. Judy would like you to know that, "J Peters has better salmon."


All of the sides come in the middle to share. They were good, but it was honestly too much to eat.


Now for dessert! Judy got the Key Lime Pie. Judy's choices were not the best tonight. We all decided this pie had too much meringue, and it was warm (should be chilled!).


Rachel got to the New York Cheesecake before I could. We all agreed that this was by far the best dessert, but it could have been colder.


I ordered the Red Velvet. It was too dry.


After dinner, we went to Dazzles, which is a fun venue that overlooks the Boardwalk where they play live music in the evenings. We sat in the balcony and watched people dancing below.


Then Judy and Stove went to bed, and Rachel and I decided to take a ride on the Rising Tide. Sorry, Rachel, but this photo is too incredible not to share.



See you next in Cozumel!