Where Are You Now Safwan?

Andrew and I didn’t know what to expect onboard the M.S. Veendam. Three star? Five star? I knew Holland America was a nice line but what could I expect for service, surroundings and food? Well, for all of you in the same boat (ha, not literally) here's my list of thirteen luxurious things about the ship:

1. The rooms—or cabins—are small unless you opt for an upper-deck-complete-with-verandah state room. And even those luxury staterooms are smaller than hotel rooms. Think RV and you’ll be closer to the truth. However, the rooms are comfortable you don’t feel cheated as you would in a hotel. On a ship small means quaint and romantic rather than uncomfortable and cheap. Here's a clip of our cabin.

2. The Caribbean air was warm and sweet so we preferred to sit on the teak deck in vintage deck chairs or in the reading lounges in overstuffed chairs overlooking the ocean. One morning a dolphin leaped from the water off port and another we traveled with a school of flying fish. You can’t get that at your downtown Hilton no matter how big the rooms are.

3. The bath tub was extra deep. I'd soak in the evenings, gently swaying with the ship and it went beyond your typical Calgon moment.

4. The first morning on the ship I walked into the elevator and happened to glance at my feet. The carpeting said “Sunday." It took a minute to register but before I got to the 11th floor it dawned on me that someone had changed the carpet to fit the day of the week. Somewhere on that ship is a guy whose job it is to switch out eight elevator carpets at midnight every day. Andrew was impressed but said he’d be more impressed if the carpets also had the days of the month. There's always someone who’ll find something to complain about.

5. When we came into port each time (except in Belize where we anchored off-shore) there was a crew that brought out the ramp, red carpet, canopy and palm trees. Our bird's-eye pictures from the top as we waited to disembark tell the tale.

6. There were fancy sculptured door handles at the Ruben's Lounge. Seductive enough to make Andrew nervous of actually putting his hand on it. Awkward. Where to push?

7. In fact there was artwork in every corridor. Samurai armor, Dutch landscapes, silver goblets and ewers, you couldn't help feeling like you were in a museum. Only one with LOTS and LOTS of food.

8. Which brings me to number eight. There were five restaurants on board to choose from or 24-hour complimentary room service. In fact all but the fanciest restaurant were free, as in eat-all-you-can-they-aren't-going-to-make-money-off-of-me-free. We had an assigned table in the Rotterdam dining room, #74, on the upper level and the same waiter served us each night if we chose to eat there.

9. I could order anything I wanted and because the portions were dainty and lighter, just as you see in nicer restaurants. I would usually order two or three appetizers just to try something I’d never have the guts to try back home. I ate oysters Rockefeller, gravalax, Bahamanian conch soup, mahi mahi, tuna all because I’m not a big seafood fan and would never order seafood in a restaurant where I would paying for something I might not like. But when I can get just a taste and not worry about paying for it, it’s a treat that I couldn’t pass up. Sometimes they had themed nights where we were given Dutch hats to wear (no, I didn’t, thanks anyway, but saved it for the kids) and another where we were given chef hats and dinner entertainment. Who can argue with good food and a sunset?

10. I developed a strong affection for the Omelet Man. The man who each morning made my omelets with whatever I chose to clog my arteries with that day. He could flip them in the pan like they were pancakes and always asked if I wanted cheese at just the right moment.

11. And that goes for the Ice Cream Man. Standing there at his counter just waiting to fulfill my deepest dairy desires. He made me so happy and provided so many tasty treats I’ll never forget him. Never.

12. Where else will I find a place that constantly asks, "Do you want more pizza ma'am?"

13. The staff was from Indonesia and the Phillipines and couldn't have been more attentive. Safwan, our cabin steward, was an on-the-ball crack-up who left his origami towel creations on our bed every night with his turn-down service. Nothing says luxury like a piece of chocolate and a terry-lobster. Now that I'm home the only thing I'm finding on the bed is dirty laundry and half-melted M&Ms--but that can't take away my memories.

More about the Thursday Thirteen meme.

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