All Abord!


 11:45nPM Tuesday Jan 3, 20023

We have been planing and packing and researching and preparing and after three days on the train and a night in the hotel we are now safe and on board the HMS Volendam. At the time of checkout we were fortunate to join the bus taking our shipmates to the Port and avoid having to drag suitcases and deal with another Uber and just ride to the ship.

It felt so exciting to go through the processing and get on board. I felt the prices went well but of course there were many people complaining and finding fault with everything. both David and I were pulled aside and searched/scanned very similar to boarding a plane type of security. Then we went up and we welcomed and greeted and were dazzled by the beauty of this luxury ship. I’ll post pictures later as I was having a difficult time with the internet. Our room is very nice with a deck, safe, refrigerator and much more. Super nice. Once we got our key we went to the Lido Restaurant for lunch. We were treated to a very nice buffet style lunch and it was just plain delicious food. I was thinking I get to eat like this for the next 73 days? After we toured around the ship starting at the top and working our way down. We met people everywhere. Interesting people, many whom I had talked to on the phone and the various chats. Some people,actually were like, hey are you Chuck? I had been regularly posting interesting (to me), pictures and facts about the places we were to visit along with pictures of David and I. We met people who just got on today after another voyage to Africa, the Caribbean and longer. The Rabbi on bord essentially lives here. This is his home and he just travels everywhere. We have met so Nancy wonderful and interesting people. Immediate connections as if we were old friends. 

Several times throughout  day I felt her tears being overcome with gratitude. I take non of this for granted. I acknowledge my privilege to be able to be on this voyage. It is almost impossible to put into words. We then returned to our room and unpacked. Two things I forgot, a highlighter and I somehow missed the one pair of black dress pants. Between David and I we have what looks like a pharmacy of medications. We went to the ‘Welcome Aboard Steak Dinner’ and ate on deck, however people came smoke outside and I don’t really like eating outdoors. We met people everywhere who were so friendly. One couple has spent the last 1O years traveling on cruise ships and why not. This evening we went o the PRIDE Meetup for LGBTQ+ and Friends meet and greet up in the Crows Nest. Then off to a fascinating multimedia journey through maritime history of Holland America on the World Stage. We then met the Rabbi on the ship and had a late night snack together. Now tucked into my king sized bed it is time to log out and get a good nights sleep. Tomorrow is a Sea Day with educational programs, stargazing and more! 

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