January 10, 2014

Sorry for the Tardy Update

Holland America has switched internet providers. This new one is supposed to be much better, but so far it has taken 45 minutes to read one email. We hope things will improve. As for everything else, we are having a Grand Time.

January 4 to Noon January 8, 2014 – Transit and Sea Days

Saturday, January 4, was our transit day. The taxi arrived early, so we were at the airport and through TSA by 8AM for our flight at 9:50. Then we had a ground delay, before boarding, until a new departure of 11:00 AM. The flight was good. We met the HAL receptionist for our hotel transfer, and were in our room by 5:30.

Sunday, January 5, we were transferred to the pier. Although check in went smoothly, we had to wait about an hour and a half in the terminal before boarding. Weather was causing havoc in the northeast, so 28 crew members were stranded and would not reach the ship until late tonight. 14 of these crew were from housekeeping so it was taking longer for housekeeping to prepare our staterooms.

We boarded about 1:30 and found our cabin. It was much brighter than last voyage. The carpet had been replaced and the wall treatments we brighter.

The Mariners’ luncheon was our first meal. We kept it light. Then we went off to tour the ship. Some changes were welcome. Some were disappointing. What had been an outdoor seating area aft for the Lido was now enclosed and dedicated to the Canaletto restaurant. Canaletto is only open for evening service, so it is available for seating during the day. Just sorry to see it enclosed.

Dinner on the first night is always an adventure for us. Who will our tablemates be? How will we fit in? Marion and Ken from California were already seated. There were still 2 more to join us. We got along quite well with Marion and Ken. Conversation was going well, when another couple approached the table. The woman took one look and immediately said they could not sit there because it was too close to the servers’ station. Off they went, never to be seen again. We all commented on how much we enjoyed dining with the empty chairs. We all had a good time.

After dinner we returned for unpacking. One FedEx bag was still missing. A call to the front desk led to a trip up there to view some tag-less bags. Ours was not among them. Tension is rising. In the room we noticed the message light was now on. Security had our bag. I was summoned to the “naught room”. What could be wrong. I was asked if we had dumbbells in the bag. Sure enough the weights we shipped for Alice’s rehab exercises triggered the alert. I had to open the bag, and show the weights. The supervisor approved them and I took the bag to the room. No problem and a sigh of relief. The bag was not missing.

We finished the unpacking in time to attend the evening’s  entertainment. This jazz piano concert was very good. We took a walk around the ship after the concert. The public areas were deserted.

We had been scheduled to depart at 11, but it was now 11:45.  The 28 missing crew members were still trying to get to the ship. We went to bed. Alice was still awake at about 12:30, when we finally departed.

It has begun.

Monday, January 6, I walked 3 miles at 6AM. This is to be my routine for the duration. Breakfast in the dining room at a table with 6 interesting others started our day. Then it was lectures and computer classes with a break for lunch. 1:30 found us in dance class. This is designed for left footed folk like me, so we hope to polish our old technique. At 4 we joined the Cruise Critic group in the Crow’s nest for our 1^st meet and greet. This is a great group.

When we arrived at our dinner table, we found Marion and Ken chatting with 2 new people. Carol and Karol had been assigned to our table. They are delightful. A marvelous replacement for the empty chairs. Conversation flowed so well that we were one of the last tables to vacate the dining room.

The ship’s song and dance troop presented a musical review.

We enjoyed this, and went right to our cabin. We were asleep by 9:30.

 Tuesday, January 7, more lectures, computer classes, eating and dance classes. Bruce and CJ are passengers serving as dance instructors. CJ danced professionally. Bruce, her husband has been dancing with her for 8 years. They are very good. I am not. This was our second lesson. Yesterday was the simple box step. Today we added a series of turns. Even with the help of one of the dance host, I am still bumbling. Maybe we won’t upgrade our repertoire to include ballroom style. We will try again tomorrow.

We learned today that 60 passengers missed the ship on Ft. Lauderdale. They will be trying to meet us in Puerto Limon or Manta. Sure hope they can.

This was our first formal night. Judy Carmichael did another piano performance after the Captain’s welcome introduction and toast. It was a most enjoyable evening.

Wednesday, January 8, we have now heard 3 lectures on the canal - history, geology and operations. There have also been 2 naturalist presentations, one on jellies and the other on reefs. Fascinating. We have had “port” lectures for Limon, the canal and Manta.

The Crows Nest was opened to Cruise Critic for happy hour at 4. What a fun group. After dinner the entertainment was a magician. Still not sure I like magic, even though he did name a card Alice had chosen as well as those of 2 other ladies. Tomorrow we arrive at Limon. Our exploration will be on foot.