DAY 1

JANUARY 5, 2012 – SEA DAY

Tuesday was our travel day, and it went very well. We arrived in Ft. Lauderdale on time and went to our Holland America transfer to the Hilton Marin Hotel. We had a very nice room overlooking a marina just off the Inter Coastal Waterway. Lots of large expensive yachts.

Our transfer to the Prinsendam was scheduled for 11:15 on Wednesday, but it was delayed by half an hour because the truck for the luggage transfer did not arrive. Many of the 53 passengers who stayed here had their checked luggage with them, so the driver had to load many luggage carts of bags under the coach. It was cold out, but he was sweating like crazy. He remained pleasant for us, though I think he was muttering under his breath.

Our check in at the port went smoothly. We were in our stateroom by 12:30 (no upgrade), and in the dining room for lunch by 12:45. After lunch we walked all around the ship. She is old, but very nice.

We did get assigned to a table for six at the early fixed dinner seating. The other two couples are very nice. One is from near Edmonton and the other from near San Francisco. We look forward to many interesting meals with them.

This morning I walked a mile on the deck at 6:30 and then rode an bike in the fitness center for 20 minutes. It’s a beginning. I only tell you this because when I got back to our room, after I showered and dressed, I woke Alice. I showed her how the shower controls worked. Can’t understand why European fixtures are all designed to be so different. It is confusing. I thought she had everything well in hand only to get called back. The water that had worked so well for me would not turn on for her. I tried to no avail, so I tried the sink. Nothing doing there either. I called Guest Relations to report it. Five minutes later we had cold water, but no hot. Called again and was told it would be a while. Alice took a cold shower. We later learned that our neighbors’ toilet had overflowed, and the water was turned off to make repairs. All was well an hour later.

Had a fun time meeting others at the Cruise Critic meet and greet. This is a fun group of people from around the world who have been conversing about this trip online for many months. We only joined the fray in November, but are glad we did. We will have other meet and greets as well as lunches together and a Slot Pull. More about that after the first one next week.

Tomorrow is Grand Caymen. We plan to shop, but not tour. It is a tender port, and the shopping is within walking distance of the tender pier.

So far we are doing well. Aches and pains are manageable.

Will update you on Grand Caymen at a later time. For now, it is off to dress for our first formal night. They don’t waste any time.