Wednesday - 04 February 2015 - Onboard Statendam

Sunrise from the Statendam!

We turned our clocks back one hour last night -- as we ease into Pacific Standard Time.   I was on deck six by 6:15 am and having breakfast with Phil about 7:00am.

At 10:00 am Wallis, our Location Guide gave a talk on two upcoming ports:  Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala and Puerto Chiappa, Mexico.  She basically told us that there is nothing close to any of these ports so my sense is that we will take tours in both places.  

At 11:00 am Sheryll, our Future Cruise Consultant, presented Holland America's future cruises through 2016.  What came through to me is that the company is very flexible about putting cruises together as well as pulling apart the grand voyages into segments.   Another thing that came out was there will be more cruises leaving from US ports since people don't want to fly long distances anymore.  They seem to be targeting the retirement age group.

Then I attended two seminars:  one on acupuncture which I have been curious about for some time, and the other on skin care around the eyes.   The first was interesting -- the second was a waste time.  

Tonight our dinner is at 7:00 pm in Canaletto (a dining alternative restaurant).  We arrived, were seated and asked about drinks.  We requested three different wines from the "by the glass menu"  --- each time the waiter said they did not have that wine.  So -- we left.   We went to report what happened to the front desk to be sure we weren't charged and then went to the Dining Room to let our wait people know we would there at 8:00 pm.   I have never been a fan of the alternative dining options on Holland America particularly since they charge extra for food that comes from the same kitchen.    

We had a wonderful dinner in the dining room -- and a very good day at sea.

Thanks for reading!

Pat