Day 6 – Crete and onwards. Our sixth day on board the Navigator of the Seas was chock full of emotions, with a particularly special one saved for the end. But let's start at the beginning.
There was a hint of despondency in the air as day broke, the fans aware their captain would be disembarking at Crete as per schedule. An inevitable sadness because having Zanetti on board had been a thrill a minute, as well as a unique opportunity to exchange a few words with him and make some unforgettable memories.
That's why everyone was trying to get as much of Zanetti as possible in the morning, even taking to follow him in a sort of procession as he explored every nook and cranny of the ship he'd yet to see: from the 'Solo Inter' store, set up specially on the Navigator of the Seas, to the Trophy Room with a display of the five cups won in 2010. With a Nerazzurri gala dinner planned for the evening, it was a real pity the captain wouldn't be staying on board.
So there they were, 700 Interisti gathered together on deck 3, all dressed up to the nines, when along came the surprise. Out of the blue, wearing a black dinner jacket, appeared Javier Zanetti, causing jaws to drop.
Donning sleek attire from head to... ankle - a casual concession granted for his footwear due to obvious "physiotherapeutic" reasons - the captain instantly won a round of applause.
"These last few days spent with these people who are so fond of me have been marvellous. So I thought why not stay on until the end of the cruise? And here I am! My family and I feel totally comfortable here, you've been magnificent to us. And my kids are having a whale of a time here on the Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas. So it would have been a real shame to get off at Crete!" explained Zanetti.
As they say, the captain never abandons his ship.
