05 November 2017; At Sea, day 6.

We have a saying in the Dutch language, after rain you will get sunshine. And that is what we got. Glorious sunshine and no wind at all. The Westerdam was making her own wind with 19 knots of speed and that was just pleasant for the guests on board. We did notice the passing of the weather front from yesterday. Where there is wind there are waves and when the wind is gone those waves become swell. Thus we had a swell running from behind and that made the Westerdam move on occasion. Not a regular roll but a “list at times” just as if the ship could not make up her mind. Normal; because the swell was hitting the ship on the quarter and then you can get that strange cork screw motion that is neither rolling nor pitching. Not much and not all the time but occasionally we were reminded that we were on a ship and not in a hotel ashore.

This was a day at sea full of highlights, see the daily program, or maybe without high lights as it was a regular Holland America Line day at sea where we provide the guests with what they expect and what is there to enjoy. I was able to help a little bit in that regards as I held my Holland America Line History Lecture in a full show lounge (now called the World Stage) and hopefully I provided some insights about what a great company we are.

The Northern Lights was a very nice space, especially with the lights on, but not that busy.

So I can happily continue with my round, around the ship. As mentioned yesterday we also changed and refitted the Old Disco, called the Northern Lights. A very nice place but underutilized as it was only heaving & busy during charters and during Thanks Giving or the New Year’s cruise when we have a much younger crowd on board. And a Disco you cannot really setup as a multi-purpose room so it was a bit of a lonely corner in the ship. Then somebody had the bright idea to add a public room/ sitting area in this space. Plus two TV screens which replace the Sports Bar which was removed to make room for the Billboard with the two dueling pianos. There is a lot of interest in sport among our guests but not to the extent that a Sports Bar is filled to capacity so this works very well. Welcome the concept of The Gallery. The old Disco Bar remained and was taken into the concept of the Gallery so called because the decorations consists  of floor to ceiling pictures in various sizes and scenes.  (In nautical speak, from Deck to Under Decks)

The same corner now as the Gallery. Where once the DJ booth was is now the Whisky tasting corner,

To get to the Gallery, you have to walk, coming from the stern, through a passage which curves around the back of the Queens Lounge (BB King Music in the evenings and America’s Test Kitchen during the day). In that passage there were portraits of Marlyn Monroe. Same Photo in different colors of touch up paint. Those have been removed and now hang in the Lido Restaurant and it looks as if the area was designed for it. I had to check my files to see if those pictures had not been there from the beginning. The Gallery Bar provides draft beer and is thus my firm favorite when I am out and about to entertain. Which is not much at the moment as the new Navigator’s Class takes up much of my time.

Marlynn got promotion as all her photo/paintings went up from Deck 2 to Deck 9.

With this reconstruction of this center part of the ship, the Westerdam now also has the Music Walk as was introduced on the Koningsdam. Billboard at the old night club/ sb casino/sports Bar location, BB King in the Queens Lounge and Lincoln Art Centre (Classical) in the Explorers Lounge. The last lounge only had to be reconfigured a little bit to get more people in as the lounge already gave a very classical ambiance. That leaves for tomorrow’s blog the crow’s nest to discuss; and which has been changed into a ”Destination Center” fully focused on the places we visit and how to learn about them.
Weather for tomorrow, if I have to believe the weather forecast and I will gladly do so then it will be as glorious as today. Those who are not careful will arrive with a (not so) glorious sunburn in Fort. Lauderdale.

Even the Bars are into tablets. This is a gadget to help you select the whisky or whiskey that fits your palate the best way. This must be an Irish gadget due to the spelling of the word “Whiskey”