Last Day At Sea- July 24

Today is our last day at sea- where did the time go? We begin this trip of 20 days and thought there is lots of time for lots of things and suddenly……

Last evening Jim and I were invited to a cocktail party with the Captain and the Hotel Manager. On a ship the Captain is the “Master” of the ship and responsible for all the sailing functions and duties on the ship. The Hotel Manager is in charge of the servers, cabin stewards and all the other staff that make this huge floating hotel provide an elegant way to travel.

The party was small-about 20 people. We chatted with the Cruise Director, the Captain the Hotel Manager, and the HR person for the crew. All such nice folks. The captain lives in Charlotte, NC- which we had read. We bet he lived at Lake Norman but he doesn’t. He lives near South Park Shopping Center. His wife grew up in the same neighborhood Jim and I did- in Dilworth on Myrtle Avenue. The world is small. I am sure we got invited because of the number of days we have cruised with Holland America.

Our group had waited on us for dinner. We shared a wonderful meal with Kemps, Stitts and a family of 4 from outside of Amsterdam. The Dad is a house remodeler, the Mom works for Social Security, the older daughter s a PE teacher and the younger daughter wants to come to the States and try her hand at journalism. This was their first cruise- after most vacations of backpacking. I think for the family the verdict was still out about cruises vs. backpacking. We just about closed up the Vista Dining Room as we chatted.

This morning there was a 5K walk (On Deck for the Cure) to raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Bill and Pat walked to raise money. I was on the balcony reading while Jim slept and the music and conversation from the Promenade deck was lively. Since Holland America does this on every cruise I am certain a great deal of money has been raised. Bill said he thought about 75 people walked.

Lunch today was a special lunch for Mariners- people who have cruised before with Holland America. We went wearing the copper medallions we had been given when we completed 100 days with Holland America.

We sat at a table with the Hotel Manager –Marco- who lives near Brugg. His family- his wife and their 2-year-old son- live with him on the ship. We have seen the cute little, blond headed boy around the decks. What a great experience! Anyway, we had a delightful lunch and conversation. I learned from Marco that in addition to the Breast Cancer Walk, Holland America has a program called “From Ship to Shelter” where unused bottles of lotion, shampoo and shower gel are gathered in their homeports of Seattle, San Diego and Fort Lauderdale and distributed to homeless shelters.

Tonight we are going to the Pinnacle Grill to celebrate Bill and Lucy’s anniversary. Meanwhile, the nap and time a reading sounds terrific to me! We do love Sea Days!