Shopping, Sailing and Suntanning with Holland America Line

There is something about the sea that stands out from all the other wonders of nature. The vastness of waters that stretch out without end, the sound of swaying waters that softly roars and echoes off into forever; its humbling, its greatness is overwhelming and seductive.

Like all other sea voyages before me, I hear the call, and Im off to give my answer, via Holland America, known for its attention to detail and style; known for its ability to create the experience (an art form all its own); known for anticipating passenger desires; and known for making you happy, and on this particular cruise that would be me.

If you dont care for happiness and pleasure, or having your every whim anticipated, you need to sail with someone else. I have no problem with devotion. It's everything I look for in a relationship, so I made the date, and brought my assistant, Nick along for adventure and fun on the high seas.

We sail out of Fort Lauderdale on the Vista Class Zuiderdam, named for the western point of the compass. Holland America has been sailing the seas for 131 years, so I have high expectations that their history lends them enough experience to meet the challenge of even the hardest to please, that would be me.

Vista Class ships are known for offering greater space, ambiance, and intimacy. The majority of the staterooms have verandahs; rooms are larger, offering not only more space, but some additional features, and 85% of all rooms have ocean views.

Other features of Vista Class include modern spas, new Cabaret-style show lounge, Internet caf, coffee corner, exterior glass elevators that transverse 10 decks, and a large Lido pool beneath a retractable megadome. It's simply a more pampered cruise!

Our ship sails us to Half Moon Cay, a small island owned by Holland America, then on to St Thomas, Tortola, and Nassau.

Most people remember their experiences by how they start, and how they end. Upon boarding the great Zuiderdam we notice the friendly attention of the crew, greetings came in accents from all around the world.

Our room is generous, lots of space with all the comforts. The lighted vanity mirror is over a desk; a stocked fridge adds a special touch for someone like me. I linger over a drink while I do my hair, a necessity, (and after a few drinks all looks better).

A Few Details About The Cruise.

The verandah offers chairs for two. We sit out there often surveying our sea from our ship. We end every day and start every morning getting a blast of fresh air while viewing the vista; an artist's brush could not capture the changing colors of the sea, surging blues and greens . . . and flying fish everywhere.

It is only the beginning of our cruise, and we are quick studies in assuming our roles of self importance. Amazing how comfortable we are in our roles.

Fresh fruit baskets appear at night, to go with the fruity strawberry daiquiris to be sipped late at night in the fresh sea air over our lamenting seas, from our verandah.

Im not sure how many times a day my cabin is freshened, but every time I drop a towel on the floor and left my room, it was gone on my return. My cabin man, Eka, is always in the hall, flashing me smiles every time I walk by. Soon, I start looking for him, he becomes part of the day. I actually meet a man who picks up a towel, and he is happy to do it, I half expect him to thank me. While this may sound trivial, when else in life would this magic occur?

The ship itself is a creature of comforts . . . winding stairs, colors shine everywhere We can go to a show, watch a movie, go dancing, or simply swim your day away. Everything from art auctions to hot tubbing.

Two nights during the week it's dress up for dinner. Suits and silk everywhere; eating on the finest china, and our violinist stringing off notes in the background.

Our Restaurant Manager, Joe, walks his rounds nightly conversing his way around the dining room, which is a work of elegance. We linger over our meals and drinks just soaking in the ambiance and enjoying the pampering.

We tango on the dance floor, sometimes on the decks as well, gamble at the Casino, loll in the pool, and search out the ship from one end to the other. At the end of every day, we wind up, or wind down, on the verandah bringing an end to the day.

While we meander around the ship, we chat it up with our fellow pampered shippers, and we soon realize most people are not maiden voyagers, but seasoned shippers, (our own term we came up with for our fellow travelers, if we can have our ship and sea, we can certainly have our own words). We hear a few stories about the Captain who is held in high regard by those who meet him. It seems our Captain has a reputation (not to be confused with those of us with more colorful reputations). The Captain does not simply master the ship through the seas, he is the man that all else on the ship is measured. I receive an invitation to a private party with Captain Olaf, so we dress ourselves up, and beaming with excitement to meet our Captain of our great ship Zuiderdam.

With the violinist pealing off notes to song, champagne in hand, we feel honored to be among the guests, most of who have sailed Holland America many times.

I talk with the Captain, who is the youngest Captain in the line's ranks, and find him to be a match for his reputation. He is a warm and easy person to speak with; I could have talked with him all night. However, being a Captain requires only a bit of his time and focus.

I interrupt my assistant who is busy rubbing elbows and sharing stories over champagne and have him take a few pictures before the Captain takes off.

A Bit About The Ship Manager

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Mari Clifton Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

About the Author

Mari Clifton, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com Leave your email next to the logo for FREE e travel newsletter.