Special Crew Members - above and below

We often get to know and appreciate several crew members.  But this ship offered more than usual - always cheery and helpful.

Day Seven - Key West

Day Six - at Sea

We attended the second comedy performance by Warren B. Hall - still funny and a full New set.  After, we caught some rock music in the Rolling Stone venue.  (Yes, you see orange. Holland America celebrates its historical association with the House of Orange; also, note Holland/Netherlands national flag.)

Day Four - Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos

Tuesday morning - sunny and 81 degrees all day; it was a good day to tour the island.  It felt warmer than the advertised 81, but the open tram tour provided a good breeze and shade most of the two hour tour, including stops of 20 and 10 minutes.  Booked in advance, the tour was $49.95 pp.  (On Day 2, we were notified that the 10:15 meetup would be delayed an hour.)

• Turks & Caicos is made up of many islands, but just a few hold the majority of population:  48-50k per our driver “Johnny Boy.”
• Highlights included a historical lecture while driving, regarding Mercury space exploits, donkeys, early inhabitants, several hurricanes which have periodically devastated the Islands, and past naval activities in the area.
• The “Market” was made up of several stores on one side of the street, and several tents on the other, with a terrific view of the sand and ocean.
• The second stop was a lighthouse, of which tourists seem to delight.  I’m not a big fan, but it was a good place to stretch our legs.

A second Holland America ship pulled up next to us in the morning and departed prior to us, too.

• We met our next-door neighbors Dave and Carol briefly, as they had identified that our paths would cross about a week prior.  (Expert Tip:  Use “Shipmate” app to keep up with your friends’ and family’s travel plans - you can choose who you share your planned and past itineraries, and make the occasional connections!)

Day Three - Monday at Sea

Half the day, we rested.  It was pretty warm for a top deck, jogging track walk (and 12 laps per mile - I walked 24 laps…I think).  We visited the Main Dining Room for the first time, for dinner, followed by a production show “Song & Dance” - a talented group who had also performed on Embarkation night.  Prior to the show, the Captain came out to make a toast and a few jokes before he was celebrated ahead of his retirement - beginning Saturday - after 30+ years.

Day Two Activities

• Evening show by funny comedian - recommended
• Still discovering parts of the ship - here’s the jogging track
• Holland America has its own private island, which requires a tender connection

First Day Photos

We boarded early; the Lido Market was open and not very busy.  Other sights and sounds.

Cabin Photos

Note:  We are very happy with our cabin - #10-004, a window view off the front of the ship, near the top.  It has been very quiet, with little to no hall traffic.  Our stewards are excellent.  There is no music or restaurant noise leaking into our space.

Ship Photos

Below:  the casino is relatively small but never overcrowded.  (Ok, these are early am photos which are not representative.)

Ports

On this trip, we visited Holland America’s private island, and 3 additional ports.

• Half Moon Cay - In the future, we will explore this private island; however on this day we were not motivated to queue up for a tender to a beach.  There are other beach opportunities, along with uncrowded swimming pools aboard.  We only book excursions for one or two ports and did not see anything that caught our attention for this first stop.

• Grand Turk - In the past, we enjoyed a leisurely day in the sand and ocean…a very short walk off the pier.  On this occasion, we booked an open air tram.  After the typical queue next to Duty Free, the tram filled to capacity - 4 per row and a dozen rows.  We had booked through the cruise ship and were satisfied with the efficiency of the operation.  There is not a ton of things to see on the two hour tour, including a 20 minute stop at on open air market.  In addition, there was a 10 minute stop at a lighthouse, good for stretching our legs.  The tram was reasonably comfortable, had good shocks, and was well driven by “Johnny Boy,” who told a few good jokes.  Donkeys were highlighted, along with the history of the island(s) and past hurricanes.  The overall population is 48-50k, and Johnny pointed out a shanty town which appeared as named and apparently housed recent migrants from Haiti.  Johnny knew several residents and shouted out along the route.  (We have found this same phenomena while participating in other tours on other islands.  Tour drivers appear to be some of the better employed of the population and have personalities developed to entertain the customers, while interacting with residents they pass daily.)

• Puerto Plata - Another day in the 80s in the Caribbean.  What’s not to like about that, in December?  

• Key West (prior trip report) - There’s a lot to see in Key West - not just bars.  The music venues were enjoyable for a short stop.  Previously, we had traveled to Key West for a weekend and taken tours of the area.  History buffs can tour the “Truman White House,” which you are advised to book in advance (and not necessarily through the cruiseline).  Hemingway’s house can be toured, but be advised to strongly consider your tolerance to cats, which are plentiful (and reportedly 6- toed).  Duval Street is definitely an interesting area to visit, but many would consider it appropriate for aged 18+.  You can hit the highlights of Key West in a day, and determine whether you want to return for a few days (and nights) of leisure.

Note:  Photos below are from a prior trip to Key West.  (See photos above from Day 7, and I’m pretty sure you’ll see the same performer at Sloppy Joe’s.)

Will We Do It Again?

• Probably.  Holland America (at least on this cruise ship) has a different vibe than any other we’ve sailed.  And we like to experience a variety.  The vibe was mostly evident by the lack of families (i.e., children).
• The food was mostly good.  Little of the buffet (Lido Market) was self-serve, which limits the usual bustle in this venue type (a good thing).  The quality and selection was excellent.  Desserts were tasty (too much cake on Cake Day!).  We ate dinner in the Main Dining Room twice - and service was slow both times.  We only gave it a second chance to be sure the first was not a “one-off.”
• Music variety and venues were very enjoyable.  We never had a problem finding a good seat, probably due to our habit of arriving 20+ minutes early.  I’m always surprised to see folks arrive at the last minute and struggle to find a seat.
• The comedian was as good as any we’ve seen, and his two sets on different days were completely different.
• Our cabin was spacious and extremely quiet.  We had been warned that our location facing the front might be rocky - but we had no negative experience.  BTW, the cabin attendants, working in pairs, were the best (see above).