Supposedly, no two snowflakes are alike. Living in San Diego has prevented me from personal research on this matter so I will just have to believe the scientists. I would say that the cruise experience of any two people on this around-the-world-adventure will not be exactly alike even though we are all on the same ship visiting the same places.
Years ago a friend said she was in a restaurant that had a sign proclaiming it offered 49 different salads. That seemed like a lot of choices to my friend so she asked about the salads. The waitress explained that the restaurant offered 7 salads and 7 salad dressings!
Today, I thought I would take a break from writing about shore excursions to describe the many activities available onboard the Amsterdam. Each evening, we are provided with the next day’s schedule which is called the “Daily Navigator.” There are different activities listed from 7:00am to 11:30pm. Sometimes there are as many as five different activities listed in the same time slot. This is why I say no two cruisers can possibly have the same experience. I would say, with confidence, that one would really have to avoid a lot of activities to be bored when we are having “sea days.”
If one is interested in exercise and physical activities, here are some options: Aqua Aerobics, Basketball Players Meet, Bocce Ball, Dance Class, Early Morning Stretch, Fab Abs, Indoor Cycling, Pathway to Yoga, Pickle ball, Ping Pong, Shuffleboard Challenge, Sit and Be Fit, Total Body Conditioning and Walk a Mile.
If one is interested in spiritual pursuits, here are some options: Catholic Mass, Friends of Bill W. (Alcoholics Anonymous,) Guided Meditation and Interdenominational Service,
There seems to be lots of card playing onboard this ship both inside and outside the Casino: Beginners Bridge Instruction, Celebrity Texas Hold’em Tournament, Duplicate Bridge Play, Intermediate Bridge Instruction and Texas Hold’em Tournament.
There are a variety of other games available: Big Bucks Bingo, Chess and Scrabble Players Meet, Game Players Meet and Team Trivia.
There are activities for the arts and crafts minded passengers: Arts and Crafts, Drawing Workshop, Sit, Knit, Needlework and More, and Watercolors Workshop.
If one is craving intellectual stimulation, she may attend as many as five different lectures on a single day. There are guest speaker series as well as lectures on the upcoming ports of call. There are many opportunities to ask our “Location Guide” any questions we may have before getting off the ship.
In addition to informative lectures about the places we will visit, the shops give presentations on jewelry, perfumes, alcohol and more. Representatives from the spa will give talks on fitness and beauty secrets. There are cooking demonstrations given by chefs.
There is also wonderful entertainment provided nightly in the main theater which is called the “Queens’s Lounge.” There is fabulous entertainment, including music for dancing, at a number of bars located on the Upper Promenade.
Right now, I am writing this in the library but I am hearing beautiful music coming from the Explorations Lounge. It is the Viennese Waltz. I think it is time for me to quit writing and find Mary. She loves to dance.
Majuro, Marshall Islands)
Although my date is 1st February, the local time is in fact the 2nd of February as we have crossed the International Date Line
All fast and cleared by Immigration and Customs, guests could take the ‘minivan’ shuttles to the town.
Guests returned with some local trinkets, lovely necklaces and bands which had been hand-made by the local ladies, made from shells and colorful braid.
refreshing coconuts
We leave here later today and another 4 days at sea, heading for Guam.