My Souvenir Memories: Monday, Day 3 @ Sea

The fact that I didn't even begin to take notes for the blog until dinner time is an indication of how much I enjoy sea days. There is plenty to do on the ship to keep me busy and with a 7 day cruise, I'm sure the cruise will end long before I explore all that I want.

I guess my body is adjusting to the difference in time zones because I was awake by 7:15. Bob was up too and although I had considered doing breakfast in the dining room, we went to the lido buffet instead. There are plenty of food choices in the buffet (we are still discovering what is available) and it is just so much quicker. And I will mention that I enjoy the vases of fresh flowers that sat on each table at the buffet!

Bob went back to his usual "at home" breakfast of oatmeal, but enjoyed lots of different toppings. I splurged and had scrambled eggs (not the greatest), bacon, a hash brown patty and then for dessert I grabbed a yogurt parfait. (Yes...I'm on vacation and can have dessert at breakfast if I want!) I suspect that the scrambled eggs might be powdered. I could have gotten fresh eggs made to order, but didn't want to stand in line to wait.

The captain had managed to get away from Phillipe (the tropical storm, that is) and the pleasant weather and calm seas made this a good morning to walk outside on the promenade deck. I had time for just one lap but Bob continued to walk for some time. Three laps around = one mile.

My walk was cut short so I could make it to the Microsoft session on "Bring Photos to Life with Windows 10". When I first got my computer I was impressed with the photo editing capabilities on Windows 10, but a subsequent update drastically changed the program and seemed to eliminate some of the editing tools that I liked. I thought maybe I just missing something, but after sitting through the 45 minute class I realized that it wasn't me...the program just does the basics...and no more.

Bob and I had planned to meet at the lower level of the dining room at 10:30 for the "Behind the Scenes Kitchen Tour". The computer class was right next to the entrance of the Manhattan Dining room and a line was starting to form when I finished at 10:15. I got into the line and kept watching, but no Bob. The line continued to grow until I could no longer see the end of it so I stayed put and figured I would look for him when I was done.

Washing our hands and filling out health forms actually took as long as the tour itself. Basically we just made a quick pass through the galley with not much going on nor anyone to give a commentary. At the end we were offered a few "treats"...small little goodies from the specialty restaurants. (Crab cakes, Asian dumplings, bruschetta, etc.)

When I finished, I found Bob still waiting in line! He was visiting with the couple who we had met on the hotel shuttle back in Ft. Lauderdale. The man was a retired doctor and had done quite a few medical mission trips...something Bob would like to do.

Bob met me back at the cabin and after a big breakfast...and treats during the galley tour...we decided it was time for lunch.

Although I love sea days, I need to learn to scale back the eating activities a bit. For a week I can manage, but for longer...oh my! Just a few steps to the elevator from our cabin and up to deck 9.

It is easy to lose track of the days on a cruise, but Holland America leaves a little reminder in the elevators.

Bob hit up the Asian section once again and chose vegetable curry, beef, chicken and some rice. Pretty much everything all piled into one bowl. I decided to try a burger from the Dive Inn grill. I ordered the "Cannonball" which was a burger adorned with gouda cheese, carmelized onions and lettuce and an order of fries topped with the signature dive-in sauce. The burgers are made to order so I was given a pager which would alert me when my food was ready.

Dessert? For Bob...pecan pie, a cream puff AND cheesecake! Mine was hazelnut mousse and cheese cake.

The flower arrangement on our table at lunch with a window view of the gorgeous blue water!

And if breakfast, lunch and a galley tour wasn't enough food related activity for the day...I went straight from the buffet to an America's Test Kitchen presentation on CHOCOLATE! In this case it was all watching and no tasting. (Not allowed apparently.)

Bob opted for the BBC Earth film in the screening room called "Inside Earth: Extreme Worlds". I know I would have enjoyed that as well, but also knew that the dark room and comfy chairs was a sure recipe for a nap.

As it was, by the time the Test Kitchen show was over I was getting really sleepy. Bob had planned to go directly from the BBC Earth video to watch the movie in the theater, but got mixed up on the time. Instead a "What on Earth!" gameshow was being held and the movie wasn't scheduled to start for another hour. He came back to the cabin and joined me for my nap activity.

At 4:00, I went to the Future Cruise Presentation. Bob wasn't interested. Since his earlier movie plans had not panned out, he stayed in the cabin and watched a movie on TV. Have I mentioned how much he enjoyed the movies on demand?! At the presentation, the cruise consultant talked about some of the more unique and interesting itineraries that Holland America does. She mentioned that going to Antarctica is getting more and more difficult and that Holland only has two permits for 2019. Yay for us because we are already booked!!

I hustled back to the cabin to get ready for dinner. I had called earlier to see if we might reserve a table for 2, but was told all they had was shared tables so there really wasn't much point in a reservation. As I was dressing Bob yelled from the balcony...a rainbow!

We got to the dining room around 5:30 and were seated immediately at a table for 6 right next to the window...what a great table! Two more couples joined us soon after...one couple from Los Angeles and another from Toronto. And...as happened the previous time...one of the guys was named "Bob!" Both this Bob and the other Bob could pass as brothers for my Bob. There was a bit of a resemblance and all three had the same build...tall and thin. Four out of the six of us were retired teachers. The conversation flowed easily and made for an enjoyable dinner.

The evening menu...

STARTERS - SOUPS - SALADS

Smoked Mackerel and Trout

apple-horseradish

Crostini with Fresh Tomato, Basil and Prosciutto

Parmesan cheese, balsamic reduction, extra virgin olive oil

Coconut-Crusted Shrimp (M)

mango-pepper salsa, cilantro, fresh lime

Tomato and Fennel Soup (B)

creme fraiche

French Onion Soup with Short Rib

Gruyere cheese crouton

Chilled Pina Colada Soup

coconut milk, rum, cinnamon, pineapple slice

Island Salad (M & B)

Bibb lettuce, avocado, tomato, red beans, green beans, garbanzo beans

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE SIGNATURES (Available each night)

Fench Onion Soup

Gruyere cheese crouton

Classic Caesar Salad

Parmesan cheese, garlic croutons, anchovies

MAIN

Linguine Carbonara

egg-cream sauce, pancetta, Parmesan cheese

Avocado Citrus Salad

avacado, Meyer lemon slices, mixed lettuces, basil, citrus zest, sherry vinaigrette

Seared Cajun Tuna Steak

horseradish potato roti, basil, plum tomato confit

Baked Seafood Rigatoni Arrabbiata

prawns, scallops, mussels

Prime Rib of Beef au Jus

baby corn medly, baked potato

Sauteed Veal Tenderloin (M & B)

candied lemon sauce, corn polenta

Panko-Pineapple Crusted Chicken

basic-cream sauce, ancient grains

Fregola Florentine

spinach, grilled vegetable kebab, dill-sour cream sauce

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE SIGNATURES (Available each night)

Grilled Salmon with Ginger-Cilantro Pesto

basmati rice, Swiss chard, garlic cherry tomatoes

Broiled New York Strip Loin

red skin mashed potato, cauliflower gratin, green peppercorn sauce

Oven-Roasted Chicken

quinoa pilaf, herb roasted vegetables, jus

DESSERTS

Chocolate Mousse in a Chocolate Cup

whipped cream

Chocolate Black Out Cake

marshmallow, Devil's Food sponge cake

Caribbean Rum Cake (M & B)

coconut ice cream

Creme Brulee

Grand Marnier-scented custard, caramelized sugar

Mango Blueberry Crisp

French vanilla ice cream

Cheese and Fruit

Gorgonzola, Brie, Fiscalini Cheddar, Edam

Sliced Fruit Plate

selection of fresh fruit

Passion Fruit Terrine

almond Victoria sponge, tropical fruits

Fudge Sundae

vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, toasted almonds

Ice Cream

Vanilla - Pistachio - Raspberry Sorbet - Chocolate Frozen Yogurt

Sugar Free Vanilla or Chocolate Chip

Dinner was finished just in time for us to get to the Explorer's Lounge by 7 pm for Adagio's first set. (Husband and wife classical duo...he on violin and she on piano.) They hadn't quite finished when we slipped out to get good seats in the theater for the main entertainment...Island Magic Steel Drum Band. Assuming we were going to hear an evening of Caribbean-style reggae music, we were blown away by the Broadway and classical tunes that were performed. Incredible...and so talented. And judging by the audience's reaction, they felt the same way. Multiple standing ovations, including one midway through the show!

After getting confused and walking the length of deck 3 (trying to avoid the smoky casino) we went back down to deck 2 to finally end up at BB Kings. This proved to be a VERY popular spot each night. So much so that no seats were available and left us standing in the back for about 20 minutes.

There would be no sleeping in tomorrow. At last we were going to see land...our first port of Cap Cana, Dominican Republic. Before going to bed, we packed our backpacks for a beach/touring day and I filled out the form for room service to deliver breakfast.