"Treasures of Cruising the World" with Bill & Mary Ann: Report #114 Transatlantic Day # 5 April 23, 2017 Sunday Partly cloudy & 75 degrees 11 Pictures

Our breakfast was really light this morning, because we were invited to the Mariner Society Brunch at 11am this morning in the dining room. We had been assigned a table, but we did not need to respond with a "regrets only" response. The good news was that Barb had also been assigned to table 306, the largest one on the lower dining room. Even better was discovering that Peter, the ship's purser had been assigned to our table of eight. Also with us were Don McD, Howard, and newly-inducted Joe and Sylvia…….all President's Club members we have known for some time now. Our entire group had been included in this first seating, each table hosted by an officer. Not among the hosts surprisingly, was Captain Jonathon. Actually the Captain, hotel director, Henk, and cruise director Erin were there to welcome all of us. But the one that took over with the biggest welcome was Thom Faulkner, one of our current future cruise consultants, but a former cruise director with HAL. Got to admit, he is one funny guy, who tends to shoot from the hip with quick humor and wit. Maybe he has a possible future in cruise directing again, who knows?

The brunch moved forward with the serving of white or red wine. Missing were the flutes for the usual champagne toast, not that we needed it with the wine. The choices on the menu included a seafood cocktail with shrimp, mussels, and scallops or an apple/pear gazpacho (cold fruity soup). Entrée choices were a small filet mignon topped with a large prawn, mashed potatoes, and veggies. Poached cod with pasta was the second choice, and the third one was tasty pumpkin raviolis with chopped sauteed veggies. Finishing the meal was a slice of key lime pie, coffee, or tea. Very nice brunch. Over an hour flew by as we enjoyed the company of friends.

The waiters had 20 minutes to clean the tables, and be ready for the second brunch at 12:45pm. Usually these special brunches are spread over a couple of days, not all in one afternoon. Buddies Susie and Woody stopped by to chat, which could have lasted for an hour at any other time. The wait staff must have feared that too many folks were lingering, so the bell-ringer waiter came around the dining room with his song, reminding us it was "time to say goodbye". Which we did, by the way. We could tell that may people were on their way to naptime, as the wines had flowed freely, at least at our table.

We met up with Jack and Shirley, who had already did a quick change of clothes and were headed back to deck three and their favorite lounges. Just then, Captain Jonathon started his PM talk, announcing that the Amsterdam will be sailing into a stormy situation that he cannot avoid. He has been most successful up to now in keeping us as comfortable as he could with calmer seas and less rain. That may change by tomorrow. And this is where most folks are glad they are not on decks six and seven. Remember, the more you pay, the more you sway. And just try doing serious packing in those conditions. We remember it well when we stayed on deck six, as we literally bounced off the walls as we loaded the duffels. We still have over two weeks before we have to face that job.

Following the Captain's talk, Erin, the stand-in cruise director, made a very strange announcement concerning laundry. For the last week, we all have noticed a three or four day delay in returned laundry. Of course, all those guests who have the complimentary laundry have been sending tons of clothing to be cleaned before final packing. The message today was to please check that the clothing you received from the laundry is yours before packing it. Good grief….now we're worried we will never see our denim shorts again, as they have not come back yet. Who in the world would keep someone else's clothes? Especially underwear? Now we're figuring it will be best to wait a few days to turn in more laundry, when the crush is mostly over.

Another item printed in today's newsletter might be of some interest to those cruisers that have enjoyed the Grand Dollar activities. Tomorrow will be the last day to turn in the accumulated "dollars" for the exclusive line of Grand World Voyage prizes. In addition, it was written that the final opportunity to redeem these dollars was on this cruise, as a new program will begin on all future grand voyages, and this form of "money" will not be accepted. In the past, we know of people that have saved their money, and redeemed a much larger amount for bigger and better prizes. No more. Also due to limited availability, Amazon gift cards are limited to one per person. All prizes are given on a first-come, first-serve basis. Barb told us that many of the good items are already gone. Should be very interesting to see the direction this fun program for many will go…..

Florists Eddy and Calista featured some Royal Goedewaagen vases and also a line by the name of Dianthus International. They had a couple of tables set up in the atrium, outside the Ocean Bar, with some of the most unique pieces we have seen. The less expensive designs were made in China, but were just as interesting as the good stuff. Calista showed us glass vases, or cylinders just big enough for a single stemmed flower. Instead of sitting vertical, these were made to lay flat or curved just enough to hold some water with a rose for instance. Did not get the prices on this collection, since they were in the process of packing it all up.

There was a private cocktail party held in the Explorers Lounge at 7pm. The guests included deck seven passengers and the President's Club members. The reception line greeters were Captain Mercer, Erin, the Cruise Director, and Henk, our Hotel Director. Upon saying welcome, the Captain mentioned that he was facing some issues with getting us back to Ft. Lauderdale, and would be glad we were back to port in a few days. He also added that he was very happy to be going home for a few months, especially after helping his wife, Karen, pack her treasures she has collected on this voyage.

Gathering at one of the small raised round tables, we met up with Barb, of course, Peter, the purser, Don McD, and a couple of other PC friends. Very tasty appetizers were served, such as special caviar, shrimps, spring rolls, cheeses and even bitterballen. Tonight's theme at dinner was Dutch Night, complete with everything Dutch. So the appetizers at this party also followed the same theme. Trying not to over-indulge, we had one cocktail and a few snacks before heading to the Pinnacle Grill for dinner at 8pm.

One of our favorite Dutch treats is split pea soup that is made on all of the HAL ships. It was on the menu in the dining room tonight, and we were disappointed that we were missing out. So when we ordered our food in the Pinnacle, we asked our sweet waitress if we could have the dining room soup. She said it was no problem. Hey, we never knew that we could do that. And for a change, we tried some of the items on the new Tamarind menu as well as chicken jadori. It was moist and delicious, as was the entire meal. Tina, the manager, also worked out our next requests for the Panama cruise, and will send the final dates before she leaves in Ft. Lauderdale.

The singers and dancers took to the stage tonight with a routine called Stepping Out. They are a most talented group, and we hope they do stay on for the next two week voyage.

Two more days at sea, and this trip will end. Hope it is smooth sailing…..

Bill & Mary Ann

Barb and Bill at the Mariner Society Brunch