I thought I’d talk about shipboard life on days at sea. We’ve reached the halfway point of this cruise (day 55) and there have been no murders or even loud arguments in cabin 2689. In fact, and I can only speak for myself, I am feeling very content with our relationship. We generally arise around 6:15AM, pretty much the same as at home. However, at home, this is Gina’s veg-out time. She usually has her laptop out and her coffee ready and just surfs and generally kills time until 8:00AM. So, here, I get dressed in my exercise clothes, go up and get Gina coffee, then do my 45 minutes of brisk deck walking followed by breakfast. By the time I get back, usually 8:00AM, Gina has watched the news and headed for her own exercise regimen. I take my shower, head out to check email, then go to “Good Morning Amsterdam”, a unique show done live by the cruise director Bruce, wherein he interviews different members of the crew and talks about their jobs. Sounds boring but it really works. Gina usually meets me here.
After that we attend the lectures at 10 and 11. One is usually about upcoming ports of call, the other could be any geopolitical subject, depending on the area of the world in which we are currently sailing. Mornings at sea go by in a rush. We generally grab a deck chair and read until 1:00PM when we decide where to have lunch. The restaurant is nice but you can’t control your time as you are dependent on the waiter’s service. The Lido is quick but it is anything but relaxing and sometimes it is difficult to find a seat. Also, the ice cream bar is here and the temptation is overwhelming.
Our “office hours” at our desk on 3 deck are from 2 – 3 PM on even numbered days at sea. There is a movie at 1:30 if we are free (great popcorn). Otherwise there is another lecture or educational activity in the afternoon. I love to spend my time in one of those big, wooden lounge chairs on the promenade deck with my book. I’m not sure how much time I spend reading and how much time I spend snoozing, but I know I look forward to being there.
Drinking in the cabin begins around 6:30. Gina purchased a lot of wine in New Zealand just for this purpose. I had to lug jugs of bourbon from home wrapped up in my underwear. The bourbon is about ½ gone but I think Gina has oversubscribed on the wine. We watch whatever news we can get on the TV prior to going to dinner. We have been eating dinner at about a 3:1 ratio in the Lido as opposed to the restaurant. It’s faster, has about the same food and allows us to eat when we like. Unlike most cruises, Holland’s Grand Voyages have only 5:30 and 8:00 fixed dining, no “Anytime” option. We can go to the Lido at 7:00 and still make the 8:00 First Dining show in the showroom. Otherwise, we would have to wait until 10:00 for the show. There is also a movie option at 8:00 if we decide we can’t stand another comedian. Gina will take a few laps around the deck prior to bed, but I just head for my bed and book.
TV aboard is O.K. but we had serious problems crossing the Pacific. Of course TV satellites direct their signal to land masses, of which there are very few in the Pacific. The normal channels include CNN, Fox, Cartoon Channel, ESPN and Turner Classic Movies. CNN would be our choice but across the whole Pacific we could get only one channel – FOX! Please, if you don’t regularly watch the” fair and balanced” channel, give it ½ hour of your time. It is UNBELIEVABLE! Negativity reigns and the vitriol overflows. We can now get BBC which is better than both of the others. Later.
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