This is the second time Marty and I have enjoyed Thanksgiving on Holland America Line.
We spent the night before the cruise at the Hilton Garden Inn in Dania Beach.
I’ve learned that even though we live about a 6 hour drive from Port Everglades, bad things can happen on 95 South.
Some friends of ours left Jacksonville around noon (we left at about 4 pm) and they hit some HEAVY traffic.
A “wide-load” semi was going about 10 mph down I95 South and they were right behind it!
They couldn’t pass it because the wide-load took up both lanes!
Anyway, Marty and I left Duval county about 4 p.m. and made great time to our hotel.
After enjoying a great night’s rest and a full breakfast, our group of 30 people jumped on the free shuttle to the port.
We arrived about 11:15 a.m after a short 20 minute ride.
There wasn’t a line at check in and we sat in the waiting area for about 30 minutes before we boarded.
Next we dropped off our luggage in cabin 4076 (cat H obstructed view) and then headed down to the Vista dining room for our Mariners Luncheon.
I always choose the Reuben sandwich and I can’t remember what Marty ate!
Our 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise was mostly sunny, a little bit windy but VERY enjoyable.
Oh. The first night of the cruise I could hear the lifeboat right outside of our large window squeaking LOUDLY!
I called the front desk the next morning and it was fixed immediately!
Our first port of call was Grand Turk.
Marty and I met a very nice couple with their two teenage kids from Louisiana who were from the Carnival Breeze at the pool at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville.
Next stop was San Juan where we took a $10 per person bus tour of the city. We’ve done that before, but hey, for the price, you can’t beat it!
On to St Thomas. Yeah. We’ve been there many times, but this time, Marty insisted we go see St John.
Thanks to my good friend Doug Parker of Cruise Radio, I was able to get us to Trunk Bay on St. John at a fraction of the cost of a shore excursion!
You can check out his article here: http://cruiseradio.net/getting-trunk-bay-cruise-ship/
Marty and I had a great time and enjoyed lunch on St. John at the High Tide Bar and Seafood Grill.
You can check them out right here: http://www.hightidevi.com/
Thanksgiving dinner on the Westerdam was great. Incredible service, amazing food and the best part of it…no cooking or cleaning up!
Our next stop was Half Moon Cay and we had a great time.
Back to Port Everglades too soon.
Another great Thanksgiving vacation on Holland America Line.
