Some Thoughts on the Last Day of the Cruise

I was sitting in the library this morning reading the New York Times Digest, and I overheard a near-by conversation. The woman said that she couldn’t wait to get off this ship. “If I could,” she declared, “I would jump off right now and swim to shore.”

She proceeded to recount to her listener that she was tired of this and sick of that and on and on.

By contrast, yesterday the ship provided a very nice brunch for Mariners (people who have sailed on Holland American Ships more than once). I had a pleasant conversation with people at my table who enjoyed this voyage and shared others they had taken, providing tips on getting a good price and which ones to take. During the program, the Captain thanked us for our continuing patronage.

One woman was introduced who had sailed 2,750 days with HAL! Think of it—that’s a little over 7 1/2 years!! AND, she is getting off this cruise in Ft. Lauderdale to begin a 113 day circumnavigation of the world cruise.

I saw her at the New Year’s Eve party, and she was having a great time. She looks a little like Queen Elizabeth. (She’s probably as rich as the Queen, too, to be able to afford all of those cruises.)

Anyway…I thought…what a difference between these two women. The one who was pissed off had a scowl on her face and a sharp tone. She and her husband were also trying to find out about renting a car in Ft. Lauderdale on their electronic pad.

They weren’t able to figure out how to do that, so they decided the would just wait until they got there and pick up a car. “There are lots of agencies,” she pronounced.

I have no idea how many agencies or cars are available at the Ft. Lauderdale airport, but I do know a lot of people may have already booked one awhile ago (like me). If this couple doesn’t happen to get a car or the size car they want, I bet she’ll launch into a harangue and have a hissy fit.

On the other hand, the 7-year Mariner will be sailing off to yet another adventure smiling all the way. I’d go with her if I had the money to do it.

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This cruise has been great, in my opinion, despite the fact that we did have a gastro-intestinal infection incident. The captain and the crew went into immediate action to control the spread of the infection.

The library locked up the books, removed magazines, and puzzles…anything that would be handled by people.

The crew wiped down all of the railings, inside and out, with disinfectant every two hours--even while were going through the Panama Canal.

That’s a lot of railing---all of the hallways on all of the decks, the elevators, the common rooms, and on and on.

Self-service in the buffet was discontinued. Salads, breads, everything was served so people would not handle utensils. Even the salt and pepper shakers were replaced by little packaged ones, and the eating utensils wrapped in napkins were not placed on tables, but were given out individually.

Of course, hand-sanitizing machines are around everywhere anyway, and most passengers use them constantly when getting off an elevator, entering a restaurant, or any place where you touch something public.

The sick passengers were confined to their staterooms and were provided room service and medical attention as needed.

This great effort paid off, and, after a few days, the restrictions were lifted. I wish our hospitals were as efficient.

We also experienced some rough seas because of high winds—up to 50 knots at times. Again, the crew took immediate action…pools were drained because their contents were spilling out onto deck, outside decks were closed, extra in-door activities and sea sick medicine were provided for those who needed it.

I was fine. Never even felt sick either from the GI infection or from sea-sickness. I was really impressed with the Captain and the crew in every situation.

So today, I joined with most of the other passengers to say thank you to the chefs, the servers, the house keepers, the cabin stewards, the entertainers, the technicians, the hundreds of people it takes to provide a vacation for me and over a 1,000 other people.

I’ll be back Holland America!

Cartagena, Columbia, South America

Cartagena is a most interesting and beautiful city. It is a big metropolitan area with over a million population.

But within its walls is an old colonial city which is an architectural treasure. Everywhere you look, 300-year colonial balconies and mansions speak of a homesick people longing for their homeland (Cartagena, Spain).

The Old City was laid out in the traditional grid scheme with the Plaza Bolivar in the center, named after Simon Bolivar founder of Columbia and three other countries.

Here you will find the Palace of the Inquisition which is one of Cartagena’s most magnificent structures with its Baroque gateway. Today it is a museum.

Opposite the palace is the Cathedral built in 1575. 

It features an enormous hand-carved wooden altar which is gold plated and high arches along the aisles with sky lights above.

On the streets around the Plaza of Bolivar are vendors, of course, selling tee-shirts, table clothes, hats, and other souvenirs.

 

But the most colorful were these women selling fruit.

Nearby is the Convent and Church of San Pedro Claver. He died here in 1654. A Spanish Jesuit monk, Claver was beloved for his work with helping the slaves. The cloister is very interesting because it is filled with trees and plants that he used for medications for the slaves. He helped to end the slave trade and was canonized in the 1800’s for his ministry.

A museum of religious art can be found in the rooms that face the cloister.

This church opens onto an interesting plaza.

It has several life-sized metal sculptures..

A series of forts and massive stone walls, which now divide the Old City from the newer part, were built over time to protect the city from marauding pirates and enemy fleets. The largest fort is San Filipe de Barajas.

It’s much bigger and higher than the fort in St. Augustine.

Cartagena’s beach and hotel strip, the Boca Grande, runs for miles along the Caribbean. Since we were there on a holiday, the beach was filled the entire way with cabanas of not only tourists but local people.

Many families were gathered under the trees that line the edge of the beach to have their picnics.

One sandcastle builder marked the beginning of this new year with a wonderful tribute.

New Year's Eve Celebration

Cruise ships really know how to put on a party. And for one of the biggest parties of the year , they did not disappoint.

The theater was turned into a nightclub complete with a big dance floor, a great singer, the fabulous band, and many dancers wearing New Year’s hats and making noise with their noisemakers.

It was great fun watching dancers of all ages on the same dance floor waiting for the countdown.

The New Year’s baby was represented as Honey Boo Boo. Oh, my!

 Father Time was there, too, ready to ring out the old year.

Finally, 2013 arrived with balloons dropping, champagne flowing, and singing of Auld Lang Syne.

And some kissing.

Happy New Year! May it bring happiness, health, prosperity and some kisses to you.