Mom and LC joined me in the dining room for breakfast where we got a window seat (after LC requested one)! Though the Koningsdam is a beautiful ship - the size is a bit big for Mom as our cabins are forward and the dining room is aft so it is always a long walk to go to the dining room for a meal. The Lido is more accessible and central (and one floor up from us) so that is a more manageable distance for Mom.
LC and I walked the promenade deck - the best views from the promenade deck are at the back of the ship, the stern. Most of the starboard and port sides have views blocked by the lifeboats - so less people walk the promenade than other Holland America ships. There is a very small jogging track about deck 11 and of course treadmills in the fitness centre. It seems many of the fitness classes have a $12 or $20 charge associated with them.
I spent the morning in the Culinary Arts Centre - at 10 am for a comedic presentation by Cruise Director Carson and at 11am by the pastry chef decorating with marzipan.
The three of us then ate lunch on the Lido deck. I have chicken Caesar salad - I figure I better have salads at lunch to make up for desserts at dinner!
LC and I attended an "Ask the Captain" session with Captain Emil De Vries on the world stage, where we had a virtual tour of the command centre and engine room. Mom paid $45 to have her hair done for formal night. I then made my way to Lincoln Centre stage for a presentation by the quintet. Cruise Director introduced the artists of Lincoln Centre Stage for a question and answer session.
The five ladies in the quintet are on the Koningsdam for a 4 month contract. They each auditioned (2 violins, 1 viola, cellist and pianist) and were selected to be a part of the quintet. They practised together 2 weeks on land then came onboard to perform. And they are fabulous. After this 25 minute question and answer session they performed "From Piaf to Peanuts".
People are committed to this stage - if you wanted a seat for the performance you HAD to be seated for the question and answer session!
The quintet performance was excellent - it moved me to tears. It reminded me that I love to play the piano. I took lessons for ten years and have grade VIII Royal Conservatory in piano and don't play enough anymore. The quintet added on one song at the end in tribute to their colleagues and friends, the dance troupe is performing for the final time tonight as there contract ends with this cruise on March 1st. They performed the song in the afternoon so that the dancers could hear it as both groups would be performing tonight.
I collected Mom and LC in their verandah room to head up to the Lido deck. Holland America has a bit of a profiteering idea - they close the ice cream shop and leave the gelato station open. Ice cream is free - gelato is an extra $2 for an 8 oz serving and $2.75 for a 12 oz serving. I did have a small cherry gelato and it really was superb.
Tonight was the second and final gala or formal night. It seems that fewer people are dressing up for these occasions now. Many men wore jackets with ties but a number were without ties and a few in just shirt sleeves. Women wore long gowns, knee length dresses and even dress pants.
In the menu tonight was surf and turf and it was delicious! The flourless chocolate cake was the best dessert I have eaten on the cruise.
The production called "Off the Charts" on the World Stage wss performed in the round and I chose to take a front seat on the stage!!
We closed out the day with a viewing of the movie featuring Warren Beatty as Howard Hughes!
A full day at sea indeed! We are so very fortunate to have had this time cruising together!
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