At Sea - Sept 29, 2011: Sent Sept 30th due to internet connection

Our first formal night, the Captain’s Welcome Reception!

Now we know why the ship feels like we have a lot of space, for a capacity of 1380 guests we are sailing with only 789. As there is a full compliment of staff (693) we are almost at a 1:1 ratio of staff to guests. This means we have limited or no line ups and it will be much easier to get off and on the ship in ports and immigration in many of the countries will be also be much quicker. So for us this is good not so much for Holland America, the elimination of Japan seems to really of had an effect.

We are currently just off Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska with much calmer seas than the last few days but we are told that tonight it may become rough once again. This is the first time in all our cruising that they are canceling the after dinner show due to possible injury to the performers, so tonight they are offering a big screen movie in the main show lounge.

 Captain Fred Iversen giving his welcoming speech and introducing all the main senior staff members on board. We are very happy with this line up as many of the key people are the same as our last grand voyage.

 The restaurant last night was all dressed up with a load of international flags with the white table linens.

 Steak and lobster night, we both had the seafood cakes - delicious. 
 Jan had the lobster while I had the steak, fantastic... Oh and they asked Jan if she would like another lobster, she said yes sooo they brought out two more, one for me. Yes I spent more time in the gym today.

 Our first night of extra gifts, 2 travel journals and card holders for our room cards, also our nightly towel animal (an octopus if you can’t make it out in the picture).

Tip or comment of the day. It is a good idea to book your next possible cruise while on board for $100.00 each you can confirm a cabin on almost any cruise and you receive usually double the regular ship board credits. If you change your mind, no problem as you can transfer this credit to any other cruise within the next 4 years. 

Until next time ...