Monday, 4 November 2024

Day at Sea

Today is a peaceful and restful day at sea. I start with breakfast in the Lido Marketplace: fresh fruit, two eggs over medium, bacon, sausage, and a crumbly blueberry muffin--all accompanied by the usual orange juice and coffee.

I spend the morning wandering around some of the 12 decks of this very large (at least for Holland America) ship. I sailed on the Koningsdam in the fall of 2016, shortly after it first went into service. On that 12-day cruise, from Rome to Barcelona, I was upgraded to a premium Neptune Suite. This cruise finds me in a Superior Veranda Suite, significantly smaller than the Neptune, but I still get double Mariner points for booking a suite--and collecting Mariner points is the primary objective of this cruise.

With 2,600 passengers, the Koningsdam is much too large for my taste. When I first sailed on her I was impressed by the quality of design and the multiple venues for dining and music. I was not impressed by the nickel-and-diming of passengers at the Dutch Cafe, or the Gelato Stand, or other pay-as-you-go places. Now in 2024, my feelings are pretty much the same. The ship was refurbished two years ago and still retains its bright, shiny looks. But the same nickel-and-diming is still in place, as well as the continual selling of everything from jewelry to massages to what-nots.

Lido Pool Deck

Sea View Pool

                                                                                           My Veranda Suite

Central Atrium

Fortunately, the quality of food and service has remained excellent. Holland America still provides some of the best cuisine at sea, with large portions, and plenty of variety, even if you choose to dine only in the included dining areas, not the restaurants with extra charges. For example, for lunch I enjoy a freshly-made hot pastrami sandwich at the NY Deli, on the mezzanine overlooking the Lido Pool.

Tonight's dress code says "dressy," but I don't see much difference in how people dress every other night. Dinner offers another delightful meal, especially as I get to know my two servers from Indonesia, and they get to know my tastes and quirks. I begin with one of my all-time favorites, escargot in garlic-butter sauce, followed by a salad of spinach, frisee, and fresh pear slices with balsamic dressing; main course is lightly breaded sole with vegetables, and dessert is flourless chocolate cake. I have my usual Perrier and treat myself to a glass of Vieux Cliquot Brut Champagne.

I manage to stay awake for the 9pm show in the World Stage Theatre, the Step One Dance Company. Three men and three women use classical ballet technique to dance to contemporary recorded music (played very loudly). Even more impressive than the dance moves are the incredible visual effects. I have seen other performances by Step One (with different dancers) on several Holland America cruises.

But sleepy-time is soon upon me as I dream of San Francisco tomorrow.