To finish up my blog on our Adriatic and Ionian Cruise of 2022, I want to speak to how much we love Sea days and to show you just how fabulous Holland America’s food can be. They not only make it delicious but it looks like a piece of art. I can remember most of what we ate but if it is blank, take a guess and just know it was very good.
We love to play games and on board ship they have plenty of choices. This is also a great way to meet people from all over the world. They host Balderdash, Pictionary, Scattergories, Trivia games of all kinds and evening Game Nights with the Entertainment Staff. We got to know them very well. Here is a photo of Jon and I with most of them.
One of our favorite games is Music Trivia. It is usually played poolside aft on the ship. They play a snippet of a song and you have to write down the name of the song and the artist who sang it. We usually did pretty well. At our evening game nights we played games where they divide you into two groups and one person tries to make their group guess names of movies or other categories by one or two word clues. Jon was chosen to go up and I was in the group. He and I connected on everything. People were impressed and asked how we did it. We both answered “30 years”!
There are two pools, and the Greenhouse spa, where it is nice to get a massage on a sea day. We usually end up reading on a lounge chair that is mostly shaded. The Dive In offers a lunch menu poolside of Hamburgers, Tacos, Hot Dogs and French Fries with an amazing dipping sauce. Sea Days are never boring, you make them what you want.
Twenty two years ago we took The Volendam to Alaska. There were 9 of us. The bonus of that cruise was that our daughter was one on the entertainers (dancers) on the ship. It was a trip of a lifetime. There are many types of entertainment venues on board. On this trip there was a comedian who also had an eidetic memory and can solve any Rubik’s Cube you give him. We got to know him during some of the game nights. His name was Tom. Here is a blurry photo of him. (You’re welcome)
We like to gamble……hey, no judgements! Anyway we get lots of great offers for cruises and on this one we entered a slot tournament. My name was called and during the game I had to wear a pig hat. I came in second. I won $250 in free play. Playing Black Jack is another way to meet new people. I can still hear their laughter and see their faces. There was M.J., Carol, Fran, Julie, Max, Dale and Kathy……what a fun bunch!
Well, are you ready for some food porn? I hope you are hungry…..
Besides the Dining Room, most of the Holland America Ships have other restaurants on board. They are not included in the cost of your cruise package. This ship had an Italian restaurant called Canaletto and most of the ships have the Pinnacle Grill. The featured picture on this post of Smoked Hanging Bacon was from The Pinnacle Grill.
Well, on that note I will say Ciao, until next time. I really enjoy sharing photos and stories of food and travel and may all your adventures be safe and rewarding.
