Thursday, October 17 through Thursday, October 24, 2024: MS Rotterdam --- Sea Days and Ship Activities

I woke up to a beautiful sunrise.

 

The seventh day marked the commencement of our six-day transatlantic journey, during which we encountered turbulent seas, prompting the captain to adopt a more southerly route. We anticipate calmer waters by Sunday. Barbara initiated her day with a visit to the thermal spa. I rode a recumbent bike for an hour.

 

Barbara and I are members of Cruise Critic. There was a reception in the B.B. King's lounge. It was nicely attended by the hotel manager and his staff.

 

We subsequently proceeded to our inaugural lunch in the dining room, partaking in cocktails and concluding with a delectable strawberry rhubarb pie accompanied by ice cream. 

 

In the afternoon, we engaged in trivia, falling just short of the winning score. For dinner, we dined at Rudi's Sel de Mer. 

 

I indulged in bouillabaisse, while Barbara opted for shrimp Provençal --- both were delicious. Our 

dessert consisted of profiteroles. Yummy!

.

We concluded our meal in time to attend the 7:30 am evening show. But first, I had to take a picture of the Rudi's host.

 

The evening show was a solo artist --- The Crooner Les Lankhorst. He was very good.

 

After the show, we began our 25-hour days for the next six nights. Friday morning, Barbara and I had breakfast in the dining room. We had mimosas and skillet ham and cheese scramble.

After breakfast, I went to the gym and rode a recumbent bicycle for sixty minutes.

 

I went back to our stateroom and changed into my bathing suit. I then went to the thermal spa and enjoyed the bubbly warm water. 

Barbara and I had a light lunch in the dining room, because there was a Dutch Tea in the dining room at 3:00 p.m. The tea sandwiches and cakes were very nice.

The seas have been gnarly since leaving France. The Captain said that we won't get any relief until Sunday.

 

 

 

Wags and Whiskers Pet Resort presented me with some more photos of Kelsey and Jamie.

 

 

 

Our cabin steward has made several fun animals out of towels. The first one was a dog.

 

The next one was an elephant.

 

My town of Williams had a quirky October winter storm. The golf course was blanketed with snow.

Some of my Highland Meadows neighbors posted other photos on Facebook. 

 

 

  The photo below even has an outline of a mule deer.

 

On Saturday, I hid the two ducks that I found on the ship the first day. The blue duck I placed on a blue sculpture in a staircase.

The pink duck was placed on a sculpture of a rinosauraus.

Both ducks were found quickly by other guests. I wonder if they will post the find on Social Media and re-hide them.

Barbara and I are sharing a pass to the Thermal Spa. In the afternoon, I went to the spa and enjoyed the bubbles and the warm lounges.

 

 

 

At 4:00 p.m., Barbara and I joined Joe, Mary, Linda, and Rick in the lounge for Trivia.

Before dinner at 7:30 p.m., Barbara and I went to the Crow's Nest on Deck 10 to play some dominoes.

 

The next morning, Barbara and I went to the thermal spa. We enjoyed lounging afterwards on the heated ceramic beds.

 

After that, I went to the gym and rode a recumbent bike.

 

At 11:00 a.m., Barbara and I went to a Mariner's award ceremony on Deck 2. The Captain and the Hotel Manager gave out awards to guests with the most days on Holland America. 

 At 4:00 p.m., Barbara, Mary and I went to a Martini Tasting event. We sipped three tasty Martinis.

 

 

That evening was a magnificent sunset.

 

 

 

The Flagstaff Pet Resort, Wags and Whiskers, posted some updated photos of Kelsey and Jamie.

Tuesday, Barbara signed us up for the Cruise Critic Slot Pull. Everyone puts $15.00 cash in a pool and we use one slot machine to try and win money. Unfortunately, the House won this time. Over 30 of us participated and we won nothing.

That evening, before dinner, Barbara and I went to listen to the Ocean Bar Band.

Wednesday morning, Barbara and I once again went to the thermal spa.

On Wednesday, Barbara and I went to the thermal spa. It was once again delightful.

After the spa, I rode one of the fancy recumbent bikes with a large television screen.

 

In the afternoon, the six of us went up to the game room on Deck 10 and played Mexican Train.

 

 

 

Wags and Whiskers Pet Resort once again forwarded me a photo of Kelsey and Jamie

 

After dinner, Barbara and I went to the World Stage and enjoyed another round of music by The Crooner, Les Lankhorst.

 

Thursday morning, we woke up to a crew event --- The Zoo. By the Lido Pool, the entire deck was filled with figurines made of towels.

 

 

 

 

There were towel people leading the way to the Zoo.

 

Barbara and I even took a photo or two of these towel people.

 

 

 

At 11:00 a.m., there was a show in the World Stage about life in the ship --- a floating city.