DAYS AT SEA April 6 - 13, 2014

Taking a transatlantic cruise is one of our favorite ways to relax and travel a long distance at the same time.  When we arrive at our first port we are ready to hit the sights and see new places. This year we chose an earlier departure date in early April rather than the end of the month, and maybe a little too early for the warm beautiful weather we have had before.

 On this particular trip we had 8 days at sea once we left Florida.  Our first stop would be the lovely island of Punta Delgado in the Azores, but there would only be water on our horizon for those days. So…what do we do during those 8 days of sailing???? Not much; nothing but time to read, catch some entertainment, eat delicious meals and listen in to some fantastic music. The ship also has a full daily schedule of things to participate in, or not. 

This time our ship had a fantastic library and a full time librarian at the desk.  She organized a book club to read The Kitchen House, by Kathleen Grissom. I hadn't realized the book club would be so popular and by the time I got to the library there was already a long line of other passengers waiting to join the group with a max of 24 books available.  Lucky me, I did get the last copy of the book. The book club met each day at sea just before noon to discuss the many interesting and sometimes surprising developments of the plot.  We were to only read chapters assigned and not read ahead, but once we were half way through the book, I just couldn't put it down. It was a lively group but maybe 24 members makes for a less intimate discussion. Not sure it was the best way to hear all the comments and insights of everyone. 

Another fun area of the Ryndam was the Culinary Center mid ship. During several days at sea cooking demonstrations given and a chance to learn a little more about the kitchen staff. It  was also the center for the wine discussions and lots of fun.

 We also signed up for the Spa Relaxation package, and sooooooo glad we did! We had full access to these heated tile beds and a wonderful jacuzzi from early morning till after dinner, and many many times we were the only ones using the room. As it turned out, the weather this time was much colder and wetter than other crossings we'd taken, so having the Spa Room while at sea was perfect!!! It might be drizzly outside but warm and comfortable looking out from one of these lounges.

 Evenings were filled with wonderful dinners and outstanding music throughout the ship.  We had originally requested the traditional late seating at a table for 8 but after a night or two decided we would much rather eat with new and different passengers each night, and choosing when we wanted to have dinner.  We loved it that way, I'm sure we'll never sign up for assigned table seating on another cruise.

We dressed early and went to one of the lounges for cocktails each night and returned after dinner to hear an outstanding duo, piano and violin. Our waiter in that room made the most wonderful Spanish Coffees, flaming the rim with sugar and serving the drink with flair.  We loved it!

 After the evening shows in the theater we'd still have time to catch this jazz combo for a little dancing.  We loved the drummer who looked almost identical to our nephew, Lars.

 We celebrated my birthday while at sea with dinner in NYC's Le Cirque Restaurant aboard the ship. I know, I look pretty serious in this photo…Paul caught me just before I realized he had his phone out :)

 Then our waiter took this one for us. Fun to try something new and we knew it would probably be the only way we'd ever have a dinner from this famous New York restaurant.

Even though the weather didn't always cooperate, it still was fun to join in on all the special things they have going on around the ship. This was the first time we'd ever seen the inflatable safety raft in operation, full of all kinds of emergency supplies. I didn't dwell on that idea for long.

So, before we realized it, our eight sailing days were over and we were ready for our first day back on land.