Wrapping Things Up

Day 79, Grand Asia 2017

Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 – At Sea

I ran into the culinary department manager a couple of days ago and told him the food on this cruise has been great, but the portions could be smaller. I’m not in the habit of having two- or three-course dinners, so I try to stop before I clean my plate. I like it when they keep the portions small. And sometimes I just ask for half a serving.

Tonight’s menu said no half-portions were available for the porterhouse steak, and I knew it would be big – but I didn’t expect huge. As you can see, it could have fed our table of seven. As it was, I ate about six or eight ounces. Then Sui, the tiny tai chi leader, said, “pass it over.” She enjoyed a few bites from the other side.

The guest entertainers tonight were the best of the entire cruise. The Abba Fab quartet switched it up and presented a Piano Men show of Elton John and Billy Joel hits. Terry Davies, lead singer and on the piano, could have fooled me into thinking that Sir Elton John himself was on stage.

They even managed to get the typically staid crowd on its feet and prancing with some “gangnam-style” moves. Terry’s smartphone video of the crowd will show up on the group’s Facebook page once we get to faster Internet service in San Diego.

Holland America has a Future Cruise Consultant on board, and if you book another cruise you get double shipboard credit along with a reduced required deposit. I’ve always wanted to do the Voyage of the Vikings – a 35-or-so-day roundtrip cruise out of Boston that goes to New England, the Canadian Maritime Provinces, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands and back.

My sister Eloise decided to go with me on the once-a-year-cruise in late July 2019, so I booked it a few days ago. My other sister Elaine had declined taking any long cruises until she gets her younger son through college. Today I got a SnapChat from her saying “I’m thinking I should go, too. Otherwise I’ll be Pea Green with Envy!” So for now the three of us are booked – sharing a cabin the same size as I have enjoyed by myself on this cruise. Only sisters could survive this, I think.

The officers and crew said goodbye with a show today, and the highlight was excursion manager Ian’s slide show of our memories. Earlier I spent the morning in the last watercolor class. I will miss my morning painting sessions, so I will look for a class once I am at home.

As I went back to my cabin tonight, I found the most intricate towel animal of the trip. I hear one passenger has saved them all and has them sitting on the second bed.

Tomorrow I won’t be able to put off packing any longer.