So 8am and back at the cabin for coffee with the better half and to roust the sleepyheads out of bed.
We had an early morning date with Lamica, the hair braider.
I hope I got her name right. She was from Jamaica and now I'm wondering if I'm just trying to make a rhyme.
TIP: If you or your family have any inclination to get your hair braided, go early in the cruise! There was always a line up the last couple of days whereas she was all by her lonesome for the first few days. She said that always happens -- people wait till the last minute and then decide they must get braids! In my defense, K had mentioned it a few times but I brushed it off, hoping she would lose interest
Look at all those opportunities we had over the past week!
We were not to be put off. Lamica said we should be there a few minutes before 9am.
So we got there at 8:30am. First in line, baby!
V decided she wanted braids too so we took first and second place in line.
Ooops, then I remembered that I forgot to feed them.
Imagine, being on a cruise ship and forgetting about food!
No way we were giving up our place in line (even tho' there was no one else around)
so I walked down to Goofy's Galley and scoped out the yummy pastries, etc. to bring back.
(Oh, and please note K is modelling the lovely 'free' t-shirt from the Cozumel dolphin encounter)
A couple more people joined us in line before Lamica got there, right on time.
She handed over her photobook so that the girls could pick out the style that they wanted.
K picked...a single cornrow braid.
Seriously?
That's it?!
All this for one eensy braid?
Even Lamica laughed and said she could have done that in two minutes the night before!
Oh well, one thing about K. She knows what she wants and isn't deterred.
So one braid she got.
By the way, that's not dirt on her face. That's the remains of a so-called 'temporary' pirate map tattoo left over from pirate night.
My budget conscious side was happy enough with her decision.
Then it was V's turn.
Now two things: V has very, very thick hair. And she has very, very low pain tolerance.
And she picked the headband cornrow braid.
Oh dear.
Fortunately, we were right beside here:
So I had an escape route.
"Oh, sorry kids...adults only!"
See, it even says so:
V's braids took considerably longer.
I had time to read the walls:
And then found a comfy seat ...
...to review the offerings:
I ordered the caramel latte (yum!)
...and decided I would be back later for the Toberontini!
I interrupt this trip report for a flashback, right back to our first day on the ship. Nay, our moment of boarding in fact! Dh was given the onerous task of booking our nominals (that is, our various beverage tastings). One job. He was given one job. And what did I say to him as he set off on his quest: "Oh, and honey...don't book more than one tasting a day"
So here we were back on our last sea day - with THREE beverage tastings booked: two for both of us *plus* he had whiskey tasting at 10pm.
In his defense, it was the only day they were offering Mixology and the chocolate/beverage pairing so whatcha gonna do?
So back to the Cove Cafe and my grand plans to sit and enjoy a Toberontini while DH indulged his whiskey passion later in the Outlook bar.
...Ah...anticipation!
But meanwhile, while I drank latte and daydreamed of Baileys, Kahlua and chocolate liqueur,
my eldest child was still sitting in the chair of braid torture - possibly driving away potential clientele.
However, she gritted her teeth and endured...
and ended up very pleased with the result:
So was I actually.
The cost wasn't that bad and I pretty much doubled it in tip as the poor woman had been very patient and very gentle.
I have brushed my dd's hair. I understood the challenge involved.
And hey, I did get her name right. I can read her namebadge in that picture! Woohoo...score one for me
Oh, and when we were first waiting there, an officer came past with (I assume) a maintenance CM. Eagle-eyed they'd spotted a loose bit of plastic on the plexi glass and by gum, with fifteen minutes this gentleman came by to fix it.
Take that, all those 'ooh, the Wonder is old...she must be broken down and shabby' naysayers!
Hmm...actually, I've never heard anyone say that but just in case anyone was thinking it!
So by now, DH had met up with us and now that the girls had finished their girly stuff, it was time for another walk around the ship.
.
. So we settled for three lobsters between the two of us. Oh my, I felt so decadent! And crowded, once all the lobsters arrived! 
). And how often can you get your server to pull your lobster out. Omg, I just cracked myself up! That sounds like a horrible euphemism. Hey honey, come pull...oh, never mind 
Last time I ordered the vegetarian risotto with the lobster on top of that - it was YUMMY!!
.
face! 
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