Disembarkation and Final Thoughts

January 4, 2016 – Disembarkation and Final Thoughts
Early on in the cruise we moved our clocks forward to Atlantic time. On our return we were given this hour back on the last night of the cruise. We were told this is so the crew get an extra hours sleep before the busy turn around day.
I woke up at the 5 am EST and immediately realized that it is 2am at home. Since I won’t be home until 10pm PST, this will be a long day.
I met up with Linda and Earl at 7am for breakfast. After going back to get our bags we headed for the Ocean Bar to wait for our time to disembark. They started calling colors at 7:45am. We all said goodbye and Earl and Linda left with the 2nd group. Within 5 minutes, my group was called. I found my bags and headed toward the Global Entry sign. I noticed a porter with someone’s bags heading that way and a man came out and opened the lane. He closed it again before I got there. He reopened it for me when I showed my card.
Outside I was directed to go around the corner to meet my tour bus. Since my flight is mid-afternoon I decided to take a tour to waste time. While waiting I saw the FEDEX truck unloading luggage for people on the 67 day Grand South American cruise. Next year, my luggage will be on that truck.
We toured Ft. Lauderdale on a bus, did a 15 minute walk downtown, and then rode on a riverboat for 1 1/2 hours. It was the best airport transfer tour I’ve done.
My final thoughts on the Prinsendam Holiday Cruise:
I wasn’t sure how I would like a small ship but I loved it. The ship layout was hard to get used to at first since it doesn’t match other ships but after a few days it was like home. The crew was fantastic. Always friendly, always smiling.
My room stewards, Wayan and Desmon, were the best. They always asked how I was and what I was doing (or had done) that day. My room was made up while I was at breakfast every day. When I said goodbye they both asked if they could give me a hug.
Iggy, who was in charge of assigning us to tables in open seating, quickly learned that we wanted a table for just 3 of us. He would joke with us at breakfast and dinner every day. On January 1st he asked for our cabin numbers because “it is a new year. How could I remember from a year ago?”

Kiki, the Dining Room Manager retired after 35 years with Holland America. They had an Indonesian Tea on the last Sea Day so we could all say goodbye.

The ship’s performers were at the end of a 7 month contract but still gave the productions 100%. Previously, I avoided the production shows but enjoyed these. The guest performers were very good too.
The Holiday decorations were everywhere. They stayed up until January 2 when they quickly and quietly removed them. The holiday events and meals surpassed my expectations. A couple of the non-holiday menus were uninspiring but most had interesting selections. We ate in the Pinnacle Grill on the last night and it was mostly very good. The crab cakes were disappointing but the lamb chops and steaks were great.
Bottom line – I had a great time on a great ship.