Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, November 6-8, 2024
We now had several sea days in a row and our routine was pretty standard – pool/sun time, casino, show, talking with friends, eating, and then ultimately having to pack. I will just feature some highlights from the three days.
Today we received our disembarkation information and tags for Saturday. Today was also the last day to turn in any laundry we wanted done.
On the Lido deck, we were greeted by the Towel Animal invasion. I always enjoy the creations.
We also attended the Mariner’s Luncheon. It is a limited menu that comes with free champagne. The officers attend and the Captain thanks the passengers for their patronage. We haven’t seen this lunch offered on every cruise but it was nice for this cruise.
However, we usually receive our HAL commemorative tiles either at this luncheon or in the stateroom. Today, we got a note that said they had not received their inventory of tiles, but we could hold on to the note and ask for them on a future cruise.
I know some people were disappointed, but we have several of them and I don’t always take the ones that we are given so it was not a big deal for us.
For this lunch, Chuck had the filet and I had the cod.
Chuck played in another poker tournament today and he was the winner. Fun time and some cash. Great combination.
Tonight was the Orange Party. It is held every cruise to honor the Dutch heritage of the Holland America line. People are encouraged to wear something orange and enjoy the festivities in the Rolling Stone Lounge.
Today’s highlights – a Lido restaurant event called “Cake Me Away” and the afternoon Crew Talent Show. I attended both events.
The pastry chefs create a number of colorful cakes. They set them out so people can take photos and then they open up the serving line for people to sample them.
Chuck and I had attended the Caribbean Brunch earlier today, so we were not in the mood for cake; however, I did get some photos. I probably should have gotten some cake to save for later, but the line was already getting long. They have been having this event on every cruise usually on a sea day. You just have to watch for it on the daily planner.
Later that afternoon, various crew members performed on the World Stage. The audience of passengers (and it was standing room only) were given ballots to vote for their favorite act.
I was very impressed with the talents of these crew members. With the little free time they have from their ship duties, they had to prepare, audition, and then rehearse during the cruise to be able to perform that day. The top three vote getters were announced at the evening show, and they won various cash prizes.
The crew talent show is not available every cruise. You usually only find it on a three-week or longer cruise.
Tonight’s show on the World Stage was the Impressionist Karen Grainger performing “Lasting Impressions.” We have seen her on a previous cruise and enjoyed her performance. However, tonight I thought her impressions were just “okay.” I much preferred when she sang a song in her own voice.
As we entered the World Stage, there was a gauntlet of waiters dispensing various small chocolate treats. If you ate the cake and the chocolate treats today, you were definitely on a sugar high.
Today was packing day. 🙁 It was also saying good-bye and exchanging contact information with the people we enjoyed hanging out with on this trip. Three of the couples were disembarking tomorrow in Boston as were we. However, one couple was staying on for another 14 days as the Zuiderdam makes it way to Ft. Lauderdale.
Chuck had another successful poker session. He and another player were going back and forth vying for first or second place. Instead of dragging the game on into the evening, they agreed to split the pots, and both were happy.
We ended our last night by playing off the casino points we had accumulated during the 3 weeks, eating dinner in the Lido and dancing in the Rolling Stone Lounge.
Back to the room, three bags were tagged, locked, and pushed out into the hallway. We kept one with us to put the last things that we needed to store before we left the room for the final time in the morning.
Tomorrow: Disembarkation and Traveling Home
