First Day at Sea

Sunday Evening - January 6, 2013
The Prinsendam left Fort Lauderdale at just before 10 pm last night. It was scheduled to leave at 11 pm but I suppose that if everything is loaded and passengers are loaded then they can leave. We had watched as the Oasis of the Seas left and it was very large handling over 5,000 passengers. Fort Lauderdale can handle up to 14 cruise ships but from what I saw 6 seemed to be adequate with all the people and their luggage. Prinsendam is a small ship and has currently just over 650 passengers. It will be boarding other passengers in Manta, Equador and Valparasio, Chile. Then there will be people disembarking in Buenos Aires so it will be wonderful to practice our emergency drill a number of times.
This morning was the Meet and Greet and for me it was my first experience. There were many experienced cruisers there as well as some ship's crew. This is part of Cruise Critic which is found on the web. It is so nice to get to know some of your fellow passengers even before you board. It is interesting to chat about ships, cruising and all things relating to ship travel.
Today I want to talk a bit about ship life for those who have never cruised. Quite often I hear that ship travel is boring or is cramped or some say they get seasick or other excuses not to try a cruise. My first thought is to try a short or repositioning cruise and for those who may get a quizzy stomach try gravol and the infirmary gives some away free. One very important and necessary action that all cruisers need to aspire to is the hand cleaning. There is Purcell disinfectant hand sanitizer all over the ship. No one needs to get sick. So use it! Mainly before entering eating areas.
Another handy and easy way to enjoy your cruise is by using your door key card as a credit card. Registering your real credit card ahead of time or when you board allows you to enjoy all purchases on board the ship by using your stateroom access card for drinks, items from various shops, wine and beer, soft drinks, water and then at the end of your cruise it is all billed to your real credit card. Just be careful and don`t overspend.
Cruising will just introduce you to a variety of places - places that you may wish to explore more thoroughly. Enjoy shore excursions that take you away from the ship so you can get you land feet back mainly if the seas have been rough. The ship's crew is around to help you so if there is a concern do not be afraid to ask for help. Until you know who to ask crew will direct you to the proper department.
What can one do when out on the open ocean? Well, depending on the type of person you are you might just want to sit in the sun and read. Or you may be a person who wants to learn about something. Not all ships provide the same activities but here are some ideas: go see a movie, take a cooking class, go observe an art auction, go to the gym, spend your money at a shop or maybe waste your money in the casino ( mentioned with humor in mind), Holland America has some arrangement with Microsoft so learn some Windows information, then there is the spa, learn bridge, go to a Broadway Show put on by the dancers and singers on the ship, spend some time on the internet, and enjoy the food served. Activities for the next day are published and distributed the night before so you can plan your day. Even religious services can be observed. There are lectures about upcoming locations and also where to shop so there is a lot to keep you busy.
Tomorrow we land in George Town, Grand Cayman around noon and there is where our first stop and shore excursions start.
For those interested both locks on the Panama Canal have webcams and can be accessed at www.pancanal.com. You will be able to see the Prinsendam as it goes through the Mira Flores lock or the Gatun lock. As Prinsendam gets closer to the canal this blog will let you know when to watch the ship in the locks.
Due to internet access while on ship due to weather, etc. postings may not be as frequent.