TA HAL Nieuw Statendam

Once we left the Azores on the 3rd, we settled into a routine for our days at sea. I lost count of how many hours we gained ... three or four, I think. It was interesting to note that on those days when we set the clocks back an hour, the Captain made a point of saying "the weather for the next 25 hours." 🙃

We began our days at a comfy poolside sitting area that I snagged each morning. When we were all gathered together, we'd get breakfast from the Lido and enjoy it poolside. Then we read or worked on crafts ... such as knitting. I finished the scarf I began before we left Turkey. The only problem now ... it is asymmetrical so I have to figure out how to wear it 😉

The afternoons found us on our verandas ... similarly occupied ... except on the last day of the crossing when waves in the 5m (~15 foot) range had the ship dancing on the high seas and the strong winds made it impossible to open the door to the veranda. Luckily none of us were adversely impacted by the stormy seas. Except for that one bad storm, the weather and the Atlantic cooperated for a smooth crossing.

Lunch usually found us at the Lido Marketplace. Tea time sometimes in the dining room; sometimes on our veranda. Happy hour on the veranda when the weather permitted. Dinner in the main dining room ... except for the one night when we took advantage of a 25% off offer to dine at Tamarind ... one of the specialty dining venues ... excellent meal.

As for the entertainment ... there was plenty each evening for us to pick and choose from ... though we stayed away from B.B. King's Blues Club and the Rolling Stone Rock Room as we found the music too loud. Having seen all the shows at the Lincoln Center Stage, we switched to the Billboard Onboard venue for our pre-dinner music fix ... enjoyed the dueling pianists performing there. On the main stage were some terrific shows — though I will admit that I didn't much care for Martin Brock (comedian/illusionist). We loved Ida, a quartet of British ladies singing pop opera; Jo Little was fantastic the second time around as was Juan Pablo's encore appearance.

And thus our six-day crossing is now mostly behind us. Our bags are packed and sitting outside the cabin door awaiting pick up. Though we had to take a roundabout way to circle around the worst of the storm to get to Ft Lauderdale, we're on track for disembarking the vessel tomorrow.Read more