Why did I not pen to paper after my first ? Like most things, the initial time is spent in awe and wonderment and this perhaps does not lend itself to a completely objective view, therefore I now feel more at ease in expressing a realistic version of events.
The cruise in question was a twelve dayEastern Mediterranean voyage aboard the Holland America vessel m.s.Westerdam booked through Cruise Mart, Brisbane.
On embarkation inVenice I was extremely pleased with the procedure and in no time at all I was in my cabin. My luggage was not, so what was a man to do but to investigate a bar or two! I returned to my cabin a short time later and lo and behold, I was reunited with my suitcase. By the way, I am aged in my early sixties, and I travel alone, for which I pay a surcharge to have sole occupancy. On this particular cruise the vessel did not sail untilfive pm the following day, which I considered was a very enjoyable bonus. A word or two re this wonderful ship. She is of 82000 Gross Tons and can carry 1848 passengers, so needless to say, huge springs to mind quite readily, yet I never felt beset by crowds. I have fond memories of many places (and persons) aboard, yet it would be remiss of me if I did not give a special mention to the aptly named Crows Nest. On deck 10, this afforded truly scenic views, and indeed on one particular day dolphins could be seen off the bow and keeping pace as if they were guiding us. A most friendly approach from the stewards as to whether I wished to partake of a beverage only enhanced my pleasure. Another favourite was the Piano Bar, where an assortment of music and people rejoiced until the wee small hours.
One aspect of cruising that surfaces is the ethnic convergence, with the realisation that we are all of the one species, and with no effort can all relish each others company.
The itinerary was as follows : Venice–Dubrovnik– Santorini – Rhodes –Patmos– Kusadasi –Athens– Katakolon –Malta– thence return toVenice. Do you feel as I when glancing at the above? Perhaps one Greek Isle too many! That is picky, is it not? I found that the Daily Program ( delivered to your cabin ) very informative in every respect as this publication included all official shipboard activities, and a run down on ports of call , including weather forecasts and currency details. This leads me to Shore Excursions, and as a fellow scribe once remarked : to be or not to be! I thought that some appeared a tad expensive, and in the company of two delightful Chilean ladies, discovered that considerable savings could be made by this method. Please bear in mind that these thoughts are penned by myself, a novice cruiser. I am generally of sunny disposition and consequently could not find fault with any aspect of cruise time ( the bar bill was my own fault, was it not? ) and most definitely, budget permitting, will cruise again as time spent at sea or shore can be as frenetic or serene as you choose. Many thanks toHollandAmerica, Cruise Mart and my bank manager for making it all possible.
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