DAY 2 – FIRST FULL SEA DAY
Our first full sea day started with our introduction to pickleball. The sports director, Dario, is a tennis pro who just learned pickleball himself. The Introduction to Pickleball activity was packed. 40 people on two courts, but it was pretty great. Melissa and I got to hit the ball around a little bit, learned the rules and got enough of a feel to decide that we are going to play pickleball on the ship and when we get back to the USA. Our cruise next door neighbor, Victor is already giving us tips and I think we will play some doubles later this week with Victor and Hollie.
While at pickleball, we met a really interesting family. Mom and Dad, Cynthia and Steve, are from Harrisonburg, VA. Their adult kids, Elliot (Austin, TX) and Kate (Maui, HI) are a hoot. They are 2 of the very few passengers on this ship that are younger than Melissa and me. They speak fluent sarcasm and it already seems like we have known them forever.
Melissa got a pedicure. Her toes now sport hot pink nails. Nice!
We did lunch at the Dive In. The Dive In is the grill on the Nieuw Statendam. You order your food, they cook it to order, give you a beeper and then beep you when it is ready. The food was hot and on time. No complaints here. One of the things we are liking about Holland America (HAL) is that the portions are smaller, making it easier to stay on the go. I weighed in before we left Apollo Beach and I will be weighing in when we return. My goal is to Price is Right this (be as close as I can to my cruise start weight without going over). We will see how I do.
Tonight’s dinner was a formal dress night. We made a conscious decision to tone down our dress for formal night because we had to pack for 14 days on the ship and 3 days in Barcelona. I did not bring a tux or a suit. In fact, not even a sports jacket. It was zero problem. Melissa, of course, always sparkles, so she always looks ready for formal night. Last night was no exception. Ever see a Bugs Bunny cartoon where he sees an attractive bunny and his heart beats out of his chest? All I can say is VA VA VOOM! That is me when I see Melissa every night before dinner on the cruise ship.
We did not snap photos of most of our food. If you have seen one shrimp cocktail and one filet mignon, you have seen them all.
We stopped by the Rolling Stone Rock Club and the band there was indeed rocking. But we have kind of gotten attached to the band at the BB King club, so we went there and danced the night away to some Motown, some KC & the Sunshine Band, Donna Summer and even the Beatles. The dance floor was full all the time. Old people are now our jam and Melissa and I are getting pretty comfortable with the fact that we are in that demographic!
As always, we met some more interesting people. We sat with Ian and Lynn from Ontario and traded stories. During one of the band breaks, we met Martin and Deneen from Jacksonville. We have lots in common and will definitely hang out with them as the cruise continues.
We closed down the bar and went back to the cabin to rest for another rollicking day. Tomorrow morning is our Facebook group’s meet and great in the Crow’s Nest lounge. We are expecting 100+ attendees. So, good night from the North Atlantic!
