I have recently had the pleasure of being on Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam for an event that combined business…and as it turned out, a lot of pleasure.

In our fast paced world, it’s difficult sometimes to get time to breathe.  I had looked at this itinerary and thought it might be a bit boring…but after the fact, I am so glad I got the opportunity just to…well, breathe.

Day One:  Airports, oh lovely airports….the “just get there” day.

We began early in the morning from Vancouver on the long, often lamented, flight path to the east coast.  We love to stay at the Fairmont YVR when we do these early departures; the hotel and staff are wonderful.  The day – uneventful, via Houston, though there’s no escaping arriving tired.  We happened to arrive in the midst of Fort Lauderdale’s 100 year anniversary…and the usual 1/2 hour taxi to the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort took about 1 hour.  There were a lot of great people to watch on the way, though…and Harbor Blvd was almost at a standstill in some places, so you got good exposure to a great party.

I hadn’t been to the Westin in a few years, but it’s held up well.  If you happen to be checking in, be aware that there are two buildings connected by a walkway.  If you need to take your luggage via the walkway, a bellman is a good investment.  If you manage to get an ocean view, you immediately recognize the excellent location – right across from the fabulous Fort Lauderdale Beach.  The rooms are pleasant, with the usual Westin feel and amenities…and their great bed.  That was  subject to a big “yay” after dinner at Shula’s, which has an outdoor patio at the front of the hotel.   Good food – pleasant surroundings.

Day 2:  Embarkation

Did I mention Starbucks?  Dave thinks I book hotels based on Starbucks access…and this one passed with flying colors.  Right in the hotel, with an outdoor patio as well.  Mornings are alot better after coffee!

Transfer to the ship is easy – about a 20 minute drive, depending on traffic.  It’s hard not to look longingly at the beach as you pass by…made me wish I had gotten up for a run.  I could have joined the Ipod and earbud brigade, no problem.

The Nieuw Amsterdam is not huge, by today’s standards, but it’s still surprising how easy the embarkation process is.  It took us about 15 minutes to get organized and head onboard.  This is Holland America Line’s newest build, and it’s immediately apparent that they have tried to create a more modern ambiance while at the same time retaining all the familiar feel of their classic ships.  Anyone who has sailed with this line before could find their way around blindfolded.  (Don’t try it please! )

The reason we were there:

We are part of a Travel Agency organization called Ensemble Travel Group, and it’s been our privilege to be amongst the top 25 of 450 in Canada for the past…hmm…I don’t know how many years.  That’s why this is business…and pleasure…there’s a reward in there too.   This is also where I get to say “thank you!” to all of the CruisePlus clients, many of whom keep coming back year after year, for their business.  Without you, we would not be even a drop in the bucket.

The fun began that evening with a cocktail receptionwith industry representatives, Ensemble staff, and all of the agency representatives.  It’s a good group of people…and this kind of sets the tone and allows us to catch up.

Previous to the reception, I’d visited the gym and been roped into a “Boot Camp” with two friends, so I was busy contemplating the torture we had set ourselves up for…and trying to pay attention to what I ate and drank on this cruise…Have you ever been there?  That’s its own form of torture…

Day 3:  Paradise!  Half Moon Cay

Half Moon Cay is Holland America Line’s private island in the Bahamas.  It is one of the highest rated ports they have, and one of the days I always look forward to when traveling in the Caribbean with them.

The beach is a beautiful half moon, hense the name.  This particular day, we were blessed with fabulous weather – sun, and a breeze- so the temperature was just perfect.  The scene is picturesque, and even though there are alot of people around for this little island, it’s still possible to get away from the crowds if you like to walk.  Most people get off the ship and park on the beach fairly close by, so if you choose to continue on you can claim your own space.

Near where you disembark, there’s a facility called the Grand Cabana – a beautiful hut with a bar, a slide into the ocean, hot tub, and food provided.  This can all be arranged for private rental, if  you happen to have a family or business group you’d like to cater to.  We got spoiled, and our whole group had a great time.

There are a variety of activities available at Half Moon also…swimming with stingrays, sea kayaking, horseback riding, just to name a few.   Definitely a place to remember, and to return to.

Day 4:  Grand Cayman

Another beach day…for me at least.  A lot of  our group did 9 holes at a  local course, but many of us chose to explore Seven Mile Beach – which is misnamed, because apparently it’s only 5 miles long.  Ask a local about the name, and there will be as many stories as the people you ask…but the truth?  Who knows!

We spent the bulk of our day at the Westin Casuarinas Seven Mile Beach.  This hotel is situated beautifully, with a lot of beachfront, nice restaurants, and a nice pool.  Great for a day if you choose to beach.  You can participate in a variety of water activities, walk for miles, relax, or leave some dollars behind at the surprisingly good retail stores in the hotel.   This particular day was organized by our travel group, but it’s been my frequent choice to get a daypass here.

One note – this port is the best in the Caribbean, to my awareness anyway, to swim with the stingrays.  There is a beautiful protected lagoon where the stingrays have come to expect being fed…and it’s quite an upclose experience where you can touch them if you wish.  Stingrays are so graceful…like  large underwater birds;  our whole family loved this.   Take a ship shore-excursion, or look for one of the signs near where you disembark the ship for “Stingray City”.

Like most Caribbean ports, there is alot of shopping in Grand Cayman.  We discovered a shop that specialized in hemp products – clothing and bedding – and left a little poorer. :)

Another great day!

Day 5:  Grand Turk

Grand Turk is quite a commercial feeling port of call.  The cruise ship terminal was built by Carnival Corp, and when you disembark the ship, after walking the pier, you pass through a Duty Free before hitting the outside.  I guess money makes the world go ’round…

Most of the guests on our ship tended to stay in Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville….where there is a pool, some bars and restaurants, access to a beach…and the Flow Rider.  We had a large group, and the Flow Rider had been booked on our behalf…so we have some very interesting and incriminating photos!  Ladies and gents…the big hint of the day – if you participate, make sure your bathing suits can be tied tight enough to stay on!  Enough said?!  The only moon we wanted to see was in the sky…

There are cabanas to be had at Margaritaville, and if you are so inclined, you can get some food brought in to go with the buckets of beer, etc.  The beach is also quite nice, and if you time it right, you might be able to grab a lounger in the shade. 

There are also quite a few shops to be found.  As usual, lots of jewellery, and some clothing, sundries, etc.  The one shop I really like to visit here is the art gallery.  They tend to have quite a few interesting and unique pieces, and as far as I am concerned, there can never be too much beauty in this world.

I love people..but sometimes get a little tired of crowds and like to head off.  If you feel that way here, head to the beach and turn left.  Soon you are away from the crowds and able to enjoy a walk  on the beach on your own.  You might even have the beach all to yourself.  Do make sure you take water…and are wearing shoes.  When you head this way, the beach becomes rocky and filled with shells…gorgeous in a different, rougher kind of way.

Other options in this port include taking a cab for a bit of a tour – or taking advantage of one of the water activity excursions, such as sea kayaking.  The island is not highly developed, so if you want intensive sight seeing rather than just to enjoy the scenery, you may be disappointed.  Perhaps that is why so many guests choose the easy route and stay right close to port.

Day 6:   At Sea

We are all such interesting creatures.  When I talk to other guests and clients before they depart, days at sea always come into play.  Do you love them, or hate them?  Do you like to get off the ship at every port, or do you wait for everyone else to disembark and enjoy the ship in the quiet that prevails in their absence?  A blend perhaps? 

I love both!  I always search out a great itinerary and enjoy exploring different cultures, experiencing the food, the atmosphere…and come back to the ship totally looking forward to a sea day or two –  a relaxing day where I don’t have to anything, if I don’t wish to. 

I managed to get in a boot camp this day…followed by a great massage.  The weather was perfect – sun, and a breeze, so I found an almost deserted piece of deck, up on the very top.  I sat behind a couple from Scotland and read a book…all the while enjoying the “lilt” in their voices as they planned the next day in port.   

A sea day can be anything you want it to be…what’s not to enjoy? 

Day 7:  Costa Maya

I hadn’t been in to Costa Maya before, so I was predictably curious.  I did a little research before leaving and realized that it was a sleepy, but perhaps charming port.

The surrounding area is very dry, with no outstanding features – no mountains, and a lot of scrub brush.  It looks like a land that would be hard to survive in, and the heat was intense, though it’s not yet summer. 

When you disembark at this port, you go through another shopping area before you get to outside access.  The shops here have a little more character, and there is quite a lot to choose from, so it can be an enjoyable place to spend some time.

If you decide to head out, it’s possible to take a cab, rent a bike…or a golf cart.  Four of us decided to head out and visit the nearby village.  I was so glad that we did.  The golf cart putted along at a snails pace that allowed us to get a good look at the area and note the devastation left behind from the last hurricane.  The buildings have been studiously rebuilt if they were damaged, but the vegetation remains a stark reminder.

When we arrived in the village, we parked and made our way to an oceanfront restaurant, where the food was simple and delicious.  Most of the guests were local…as was the puppy playing under a nearby table.  A few vendors came by…but we never had the feeling of being hassled. 

After lunch, we walked along the promenade further into the village.  You could tell a lot of effort had been made to establish a functional and appealing place for tourists..but it was very quiet.  There are a few small hotels trying to become established, and they appeared to be simple but charming.

After a walk through and a few purchases, we decided to continue on.  Not back to the ship…but to “head left”.  We followed the road through the village and beyond.  The road follows the beach, and takes you by some more out-of-the-way homes and little businesses, restaurants and accommodations. 

I left with a really great impression of this little port.  Everyone we passed waved and was very charming, and I could see the appeal of really getting away.  Quiet, solitude and the ocean….not bad.

Day 8:  Disembarkation and heading home

I don’t like this day.  Not only does it mean the fun part is over, but you are subject to announcement after announcement calling guests to the front desk, and about what color now has the right to get off the ship.  The companies that have “silent” disembarkation have a good point, I think.  

 We decided to wait to get off the ship up in the Crow’s Nest, where there was easy access to the coffee bar.  For some reason their equipment was out of whack and they couldn’t accept payment, so a free latte was had…and much appreciated. 

After disembarking, Dave and I took a short cab ride to the Hilton Fort Lauderdale.  If you have been in and out of this port over the past few years, you may have been there, as it is one of our top hotel options in Fort Lauderdale.  They kindly stored our luggage and arranged for a water taxi ticket. 

The canal water taxis are a great way to get around Fort Lauderdale.  At this hotel, the station is located just outside the hotel lobby – very convenient.  You get a bit of a tour by the chatty onboard staff, and get a glimpse into the exclusive living space that lines the canals…what a life! 

One of the main shopping streets in Fort Lauderdale is Los Olas.  There are a few options to get off the water taxi nearby, and if you wish, you can shop or eat to your hearts content at one of the many options along this street. Or, choose to walk all the way to the beach, as Dave and I did, and have lunch at a cafe there.  Either way gets you a taste of the Fort Lauderdale experience…and an opportunity to people watch! 

We had a late flight home – culminating with an overnight at the beautiful Fairmont Vancouver Airport once again.  I love to travel, but every time we arrive back in B.C. we thank our lucky stars that we get to live in such a beautiful place, too.  Glad to be home, and glad to have more memories stored up.  I’d highly recommend this cruise itinerary if your goal is to relax!