Our Last Day at Sea

Today is Nieuw Statendam’s last day at sea on this itinerary as we sail towards Key West, Florida. The Lido Deck (9) is always the most popular place on a sea day with pool loungers filled by sun worshipers. And, if you can’t find a lounger beside one of the two swimming pools, there are plenty more on Deck 10. A game of Cornhole anyone?

The shops on Decks 2 and 3 are also buzzing as guests clamor for “gold by the inch” and peruse tables filled with logo gear or other souvenirs to take home to family and friends. The Microsoft Studio has a series of presentations on photo editing and other computer-related topics. The Fitness Center on Deck 9 is equipped with the latest in weight-lifting and cardio equipment.

Joggers can use one of the many treadmills in the Fitness Center while gazing at views of the ocean in front of the ship, or, there is a nice walking/jogging track on Deck 10.

For lunch today, I decided to give New York Deli and Pizza another try. This time I ordered a Caesar salad and meatball sub sandwich.

I also decided it was time to try one of the frozen drinks from the Panorama Bar, so I ordered a Piña Colada. The drink was delicious and topped with a layer of dark Rum. However, I soon learned that there are no straws on board Nieuw Statendam. Not sure why a cruise ship can process every other type of trash but not straws, but that’s another story. Taking a drink from the glass with no straw gave me a mouthful of dark Rum. After choking, I decided to look around for something to stir the drink with and ended up using a knife from the silverware on the table. If you want a straw, bring your own. Come on Holland America, at least give us a paper straw.

This afternoon, we were treated to a talk by Captain Sybe de Boer held in World Stage 2 where we got some background information on the navigation and engineering parts of Nieuw Statendam. It was a very informative presentation and well attended. At the end, guests were invited to ask the Captain questions, which he eagerly answered.

Before dinner, I stopped by Lincoln Center Stage to enjoy Movie Classics performed by the quintet. They are excellent performers and this has become on of my favorite entertainment venues.

Believe it or not, tonight was the first time I have had dinner in The Dining Room, the ship’s main restaurant. The Dining Room is open each day for breakfast (8:00am to 9:30am) and dinner (5:00pm to 9:00pm). The dinner menus change each evening, so you can dine here every night and never see the same menu twice! And, all meals in this restaurant are included in your cruise fare.

Tonight is Gala night and I was fortunate enough to snag a great table for two with an ocean view at the very back of the dining room.

A basket of delicious bread was already on the table when I was seated. Actually, all of the breads on this cruise have been excellent. Kudos to the baker on board.

The special Gala Dinner Menu features Surf and Turf, along with other choices. But, when dining on Gala night, I had to order the Surf and Turf. My meal started with a shrimp cocktail consisting of four beautiful shrimp. The only improvement might have been including a more traditional red sauce. I am sure if I had asked the waiter, he would have brought it. Nevertheless, the shrimp cocktail was delicious.

The Surf and Turf was a large chunk of tenderloin flanked by a nice-sized lobster tail served atop a truffle polenta (think grits, if you are from the South).

I wisely decided to skip dessert this evening and was out of the dining room in time to attend this evening’s show, STAGES, in World Stage. This was another show performed by the StepONE Dance Company. About 15 minutes into the show, I realized something: this is the first cruise I can recall in 40 years where there were NO vocals in either of the production shows. Don’t get me wrong, the six dancers are incredibly talented, and the light and sound in the theater is amazing, but no vocalists. If you want to hear singing, you will need to go to the Rolling Stone Rock Room or BB King’s, which I did.

The Rolling Stone Rock Room was standing room only once again as The Rock Room Band belted out some popular rock-and-roll songs.

Tomorrow, we will be docked in Key West, Florida, our final port call before sailing back to Port Everglades.