DAY ONE
Heres' to a great cruise! I am documenting the 12 day cruise we took that included stops in The Bahamas, Aruba, Columbia, Panama Canal, Costa Rica and The Cayman Islands. I will post them as I complete them
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| A couple of Mojitos Bye Bye FL |
I thought I might want to document this 12 day cruise to Panama on Holland America’s Rotterdam a relatively new ship. This trip has been a bucket list trip for us. ( I suppose we still have a lot of those remaining?…..I hope) so here goes.
Day One has us jumping in the Jeep for the 90 min drive from Port St Lucie to Fort Lauderdale. One of the perks of Florida living is being able to skip that airplane flight! Easy enough ride until we got to the entry gate where they must have been changing shifts as we were stopped for almost 20 min before we started moving again. We had plenty of time but we’re worried about parking. We wanted to park in the convenient garage across from the ship which makes departure a breeze. When we finally arrived we were lucky to find a spot on the roof. Whew! We’ve arrived! Getting aboard was a breeze. Having just completed a Holland American trip from that same spot back in November we knew just what to do. We quickly passed security, check in and voila we are on the ship! Carryons up to our room and off to the Lido Deck 9 for lunch and drinks (pictured above)
Our room 8110 is located on the port (left) side approx mid-ship. We specifically like this deck called Navigation as it’s an easy walk up the steps for morning coffee!
There’s a lot scheduled for this trip that includes stops in Aruba, Columbia, Panama, Puerto Limon and Grand Cayman.
It’s easy departure from Port Everglades pictures below show us leaving and following another ship out
We enjoyed dinner in the Main dining room and then off to the World Stage for comedian Steven Scott. Fun fact. He is the son of NY reporter, I believe WPIX/, Marvin Scott
Drinks afterward in BB Kings lounge and a very good Day One in the book
DAY TWO HALF MOON CAY
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| Tender to Half Moon Cay from our room balcony |
Day two had us arriving in Half Moon Cay at 9am where you could take a tender to their private beach. We chose to skip that and take a morning walk on the upper deck jogging/walking track. We registered a mile and a half! Just enough calories worked off before lunch!
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| Jogging Track |
We spent much of the afternoon relaxing and reading up in the Crows Nest at the bow of the ship. Iced Coffee etc!
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| The Crows Nest Rotterdam |
Reservations for dinner were in one of the upscale restaurants called Tamarind, Pan Asian cuisine. We arrived around an hour before and informed the Matre D’ we were there. Staff is extraordinary and we had a few laughs with the bartender. Wine for BA and a Lychee Martini for me!
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| Bar at Tamarind |
Around 7 the Maitre D came over to say he had a great table for us overlooking the pool. BA continued with Pinot and I ordered a glass of Chardonnay while we perused the menu.
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| Our Table at Tamarind |
For starters BA had baby back ribs and I had scallops. I added a spicy tuna roll as well!
Dinners were Crispy Duck and Ginger Glaze with Dungeoness Crab Fried Rice for me and Mongolian Barbecue Lamb Chops and Brown Rice for BA. Desserts were Coconut Macaroon for BA and Passion Fruit Cloud for me.
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| Spicy Tuna Roll |
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| Crispy Duck |
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| Dungeoness Fried Rice |
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| Mongolian Barbecue Lamb Chops |
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| Coconut Macaroon |
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| Passion Fruit Cloud |
After dinner we took in the late show on the main World Stage. Irish musicians Mairead Nesbitt known for performing with Celtic Women and Michael Flatleys Lord Of The Dance. We then took a late walk ending with drinks listening to dueling pianos in the lounge
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| Mairead Nesbitt |
DAY THREE AT SEA TOWARDS ARUBA
Our morning kicked off a bit late as we had sailed across a time zone and clocks went ahead one hour
They did take that into consideration and set up a Caribbean Brunch in the dining room!
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| Mimosa and Bloody Mary Caribbean Brunch |
Our relaxing at sea day continued. We headed down to deck three and set by the windows and caught up on reading while we sailed SW past Guantanamo and Haiti on our way to Aruba.
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| Towards Guantanamo |
We decided to give our tummies a break and grabbed a light bite up in The Lido Deck before heading down to the Billboard Onboard Lounge for a pre-show drink.
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| Blanton Bourbon and Amaretto |
The Main Stage show was a musical variety revue titled “All That”. Selections performed and choreographed with the idea these were originally shown on old variety shows.
Heading back to Billboard Onboard for song requests to the dueling pianists ….. and more Blanton’s and Amaretto!
My request for My Funny Valentine was a big hit as they extended that into a piano jazz instrumental and they later thanked me for requesting it! I did happen to mention that I sang that to BA at our wedding. IYKYK. Crazy that we ended up back in our room at 12:30 AM!
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| “Have A Good Nights Sleep” |
DAY FOUR AT SEA TOWARDS ARUBA
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| At Sea Day 4 |
Day Four found us waking up at sea south of Cuba and Haiti. We headed up to breakfast in Lido and I made sure to scope out the Lox! Great with scrambled eggs, etc! My pal Joel would have been proud!
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| Lox with some Swiss |
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| Eggs, Bacon and Sausage |
Well, it was time to work off that breakfast so we walked Deck Three and as we passed the lifeboats I decided to read the warning labels on the boat. It asks to read the instructions before operating. Uh so where is the crew? Did they abandon ship and leave it to us? Just joking :)
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| Should I read instructions now? |
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| Hmmmmm. |
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| OK Keep walking. |
We had a casual dinner in the main dining room before heading to the later Main Stage show at the World Stage. Island Magic, a steel pan quartet performed music from Broadway to Classical!.
The cruise director called them Holland America royalty as they have performed for them many times. You may have seen them in the past. They will return later in the cruise to perform more Island style music.
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| Island Magic |
After the show one drink in Billboard listening to the Dueling Pianos (that’s what I call them) and off to bed for the next day arriving Aruba!
DAY Five ARRIVE ARUBA
Arrived this morning in Aruba where we picked up a tour around parts of the island. First ….California Lighthouse ….then a place called The Natural Bridge where part of it was taken out from Hurricane Katrina. Lots of ATV’s around that spot. Then a stop at an Ostrich Farm!
Here’s a few shots from around the island. Aruba is 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela.
Returning to the ship we rested for a bit then enjoyed an incredible sunset off our balcony!
DAY 6 AT SEA
Today we are floating out at sea waiting to arrive in Cartagena Columbia so you get at sea and food pics! We sat through a wonderful presentation about Panama Canal as well. Looking forward to that!
DAY Seven CARTAGENA, COLUMBIA
Wonderful day in Cartagena Columbia! We took a tour through the city and stopped at some local shops where we contributed to the local economy (see pics) Yes there are a lot of street vendors hawking products but mostly harmless. Came back for a late lunch, a short nap, and then some dinner!
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| Cartagena |
Some island color!
Some dinner afterwards and then off to a show and after dinner drinks!
DAY 8 ARRIVE AND TOUR THE PANAMA CANAL
A very interesting day here at the Panama Canal. Waking up and stepping onto our balcony for early morning views like these!
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| Early Morning Balcony View |
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| Early Morning Balcony View |
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| Early Morning Balcony View |
After breakfast we went out onto the bow of the ship….(I was armed with my Nikon) to watch us enter the Agua Clara locks. The locks fill up and send you up and then back down to the other side into Gatun Lake an artificial lake. About a two hour plus process. Once in Gatun Lake we floated there for a few hours and then turned around to make the trip back to Colon. We used the down time to enjoy the pool! These are various shots …….some from my Nikon and some from IPhone, upon entry and exit. Just finished dinner and we are off to the show. Tomorrow we arrive in Costa Rica.
Here are some great shots from Panama Canal
DAY Nine Arrive COSTA RICA
Great day in Puerto Limon San Jose Costa Rica.
Good morning!
From our ship MSRotterdam we headed out for a great day on the Tortuguero Canal in San Jose Costa Rica. We were able to see a Crocodile 🐊 up close as well as Howler Monkeys and Spider Monkeys. Also some of the biggest raccoons I’ve seen!
I am posting a few pics and a video of swinging monkeys LOL! Afterwards we were treated to the history of and how Cacaos are picked, separated and the process to make the beans into chocolate (and samples)!
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Pictured Off The Coast of Costa Rica
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After arriving back at the ship we relaxed for awhile and headed to dinner and a show!
DAY 10 AT SEA
Day 10 at sea as we head towards The Cayman Islands. Relaxing day reading ( and, of course, eating) and then comes a glorious sunset!
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| Sunset Off Coast of Nicaragua |
Dinner that evening before the "late show" (late show starts at 9) :)
Magic show after dinner!
Back to the cabin for a moonlight view off our balcony!
DAY Eleven THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
We’ve arrived at The Cayman Islands! Where “Just a few know of us / but those who know us love us” remember that commercial? rum LOL! First we tendered over to Georgetown and met our tour “A Taste of Cayman”
Well……we tasted and tasted and…you get the picture. First was a visit to Tortuga Rum cake where we sampled the cake and yes some rum. Then some more rum…..then off to Cayman Islands Distillery maker of Seven Fathoms Rum and we sampled…..yes more rum. In assorted flavors. And more rum. Whew. Then off to an island dance lesson and more…..not rum but island beer! Oy! I even did the salsa!
Wow! Yet another sunset this time at The Cayman Islands as we left for a final at sea day!
After a beautiful sunset view we headed for dinner and another show!
Great evening and sunset. Sea day tomorrow then home Friday.
DAY Twelve AT SEA HEADING BACK TO FORT LAUDERDALE
Well! It took 12 days but we finally snagged two lounge seats directly forward on the crows nest deck 12 bow! It’s our last day at sea as we arrive tomorrow morning back in Fort Lauderdale. We are currently heading Northeast towards home. Relaxing and reading as we view out off the bow
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| View From Deck 12 Crows Nest |
A last post for our cruise. Our best pal/bartender Villy is pictured below! Tonight we got a cheer when we walked in to the bar like Norm from Cheers! Hilarious ! Always remembering our names and my favorite bourbon Blanton’s! Very few bars carry it. Tonight he ran up to the 9th floor to get it for me! (I didn’t know he was doing it or I would have stopped him)! Pictures are us with Villy and our dinner choices! The service on Holland America is superb.
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| Our Favorite Bartender Villy! |
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| Yes...It's Blantons |
DAY Thirteen ARRIVE HOME FORT LAUDERDALE.
Arriving home early mornafter a wonderful experience.....'nuff said
