Weather: Hot, sunny, clear & rain overnight w/ rougher waters

Breakfast on the Veranda Cafe, daily massage, lunch in the main dining room where our excellent waiter, Emanuelle, and busboy, Tony, awaited us. By the end of the cruise we wanted to take them home with us. Tony called all of us ladies “Flower.” At noon we left the ship for a city tour of Puerto Plata with the Gregorys and Martins. An uncommercial island still, it offered beautiful scenery around its poor inhabitants. Going into port we passed a sunken ship broken in half that cannot be removed because it rests on top of another ship.

First stop on our tour was the Brugal Rum Factory where free samples were given out. We went through the colonial fortress San Felipe and took a beautiful ocean drive. We stopped at the market place to shop for amber then concluded our tour at the Playa Confresi where we were entertained by native dancers, a fire eater, and served fresh fruits and coconut. After returning to the ship it was cocktails with Joe in the Viking Crown, high above the ship with a magnificent view of leaving port. An Italian dinner was served and we celebrated the Martin's 25th anniversary. With all the congratulatory kisses, Jim was stunned by a big kiss from Ed at the next table who sent over wine. Following dinner was Ladies Night, floor show, Bingo, musical quiz, games, etc. Then on to the after midnight dancing in the Land of the Midnight Sun Lounge.