Well today’s port of call was supposed to be Grand Turk, but due to high waves and dangerous winds, we were forced to abandon the port and continue on to San Juan. We actually were very close to docking in Grand Turk, but we were getting pushed around a lot, so I am thankful to Captain Emiel for making the wise decision to opt into a sea day. To make it up to the guests, Captain Emiel and Hotel Director Stan Kuppens sent every guest (except those underage :)) a glass of champagne after dinner. I thought that this kind gesture was a very nice gesture to the guests and I can tell you that many of the guests were very happy and impressed with the gift.
Morning
After another delicious breakfast in the Lido Restaurant, I mostly relaxed throughout the day. I was actually the only person swimming in the aft pool which was very choppy and cool, but I still had fun nonetheless! It was soon time for lunch and I explored the dishes of the world on the starboard side of the ship. I ended up enjoying a very delicious stir fry dish with rice, beef, and soy sauce. It was fantastic!
Afternoon
Later in the afternoon I had the pleasure and privilege to sit down with Paul and Elizabeth Harryman and join them on their radio show, OnTravel. I won’t give away what we talked about, but you can catch the episode later next week both here on Cruise Currents and on OnTravel.com. I will also have an article forthcoming talking about Paul, Elizabeth, and their website OnTravel.
Evening
Soon it was time for dinner. Tonight we would be dining in Holland America Line’s famed Pinnacle Grill. If you’re not familiar with the Pinnacle Grill, the Pinnacle is Holland America’s exclusive steakhouse that serves some of the finest steak you will ever taste. Dinner begins with a sampling of breads from around the world, served with flavored butters, and special sea salts to use as spices throughout your different courses. Next came the appetizers which was a delicious, fresh Caesar Salad for me. Then the main course arrived. Tonight I would be enjoying a large, juicy, warm porterhouse steak. Cooked to the perfect temperature and grade, this steak was possibly the most delicious steak I have ever tasted in my entire life. This steak was even better than the steak I raved about 2 nights ago in the Rembrandt Dining Room! This steak was so finely prepared and seasoned, it could rival any steak served at any famous steakhouse on land. You may not really believe me, but I challenge you to step into the Pinnacle Grill on any Holland ship and try to find a steak that won’t blow you away. It’s not possible. The Pinnacle Grill takes the cake (sorry for the food pun) as the best meal I have had the pleasure of enjoying thus far.
The night was finished off with a hilarious and entertaining magic show performed by Jeff Peterson and Indy, his magic dog. I have seen a few cruise ship magicians in my day, but let me tell you, you won’t leave Jeff’s show disappointed. I mostly credit the success of his show to his cute dog Indy, but hey, I’m a dog guy.
So that wraps it up for day 3 here on the Eurodam. Join me tomorrow for my post recapping our first port of call, San Juan, Puerto Rico. See you soon!
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Please notice: I have very limited internet which will force me to respond to comments, tweets, and Facebook comments once returning home later this week. Thank you for understanding.
3 replies on “Cruising the Eurodam – Day 3 – At Sea”
So sorry to hear you had to skip Grand Turk, Mike! But, as you said, the Captain did the right thing and played things safe. Docking in Grand Turk is always a bit dicey…..but well worth it, if/when you DO get into port! A glorious little island! I would certainly add a return there somewhere towards the top of your “Bucket List.”
Les deseo un gran día en San Juan! (I grew up near San Juan for much of my childhood…and acquired Spanish as a second language.) (“Have a great day in San Juan!) 🙂
I will definitely keep trying! I totally support Captain Emiel’s decision to skip Grand Turk, plus we arrived in San Juan 3 hours early! I didn’t realize you grew up near San Juan! How did that happen?
My Dad, like me, was a 30-year U.S. Navy man. He retired as an Admiral in the JAG Corps. He was a specialist in Maritime Law.
From 1959-62 (when I was 5 to 8 years old), Dad was stationed at U.S. Naval Station Roosevelt Roads….about 60 miles east of San Juan. I went to a private Catholic school (although we are a Presbyterian family), the Colegio Santiago Apostol, in Fajardo, PR….about 30 miles east of San Juan. I went there for grades 1, 2, 4 and part of 5; they skipped me over the 3rd grade because I was such a good student — and in all Spanish language, for that matter! Except for our daily “English” language class! 🙂 )
Our family went to San Juan at least one or twice a month for shopping, dining and touring during those years. The nuns at the Colegio gave me an awesome start in my schooling that benefits me to this day…..over a half-century later. I am forever grateful to those dedicated and devoted women. Oh, how they inspired me! (You know the academic rigors of Catholic school!)