HOLLAND AMERICA WESTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE

WESTERN CARIBBEAN MARCH 2015 - PART I

Arrived at Pittsburgh Airport 2 a.m. Sunday Morning March 22.  Check-in was 3 a.m.  Boarding 5 a.m.  Arrival Tampa 8 a.m.  Needless to say, we got no sleep Saturday night.

By the time we got our luggage, were picked up by HAL bus and arrived at the ship terminal It going on 10 a.m.  Then came the fun of going thru another security, showing our ship's boarding pass and passport.   We were aboard just about noon.  Nothing goes fast, but what the heck.  We knew it was going to be a good week.  And it was.

Luckily we did not have to handle our luggage.  It was unloaded from the bus by terminal porters and in turn placed aboard the ship by ship personnel.  The next time we saw it was in our stateroom.

We have cruised several times before so knew the drill.  Went up to Lido deck (deck 11) where they started serving lunch at 11:30 a.m.  We dived right in.  We relaxed, went to our stateroom and unpacked for the week.  Lots of closet space and drawer space for all our stuff.  We returned to the Lido deck at 5:00 p.m., and ate supper while watching the ship un-dock at 5:43 p.m. to leave Tampa Bay Harbor.  It was 77 degrees. We were on our way!!!

Our stateroom was on the Main Deck (deck 5)  Had very comfortable beds.  I think we were in bed at like 7 p.m. 

Monday, March 23 we docked at Key West Florida at 11:33 a.m.  Still 77 degrees.  We ate lunch while watching the ship maneuver up to the dock.  After lunch I went ashore and took the hop-on-hop-off trolley to tour Key West.  This is a great way to see the most important places, and get a running narrative of the area. 

Did you know that in the 1800's, can't remember exact dates, that the Florida Keys seceded from the U.S. and formed their own little country.  Something teed them off so they just left.

That didn't work out too well and a couple of years later they rejoined the good old U.S.A.  I love learning these little tidbits.  I was still tired so just did the hour and half trolley without getting off and on and off and on.  Did not get a ton of pics, but got some from the trolley.  I will share some with you.

Upon re-boarding the ship caught up with Nancy, and again we were eating and because we always get a window table, again watched the ship undock and Leave Key West. 

Tuesday we would be at sea all day.  Again on Tuesday the temperature was 81 degrees.  There are so many classes,  recreational activities, movies, stage shows, casino, library, and plenty of window seating where you can just sit, relax, read, and enjoy the water water everywhere.   

One of our favorite things is the daily afternoon High Tea in the main dining room.  Seems like everytime we turn around they are serving us something to eat.  Goodby diet.  On Wednesday we would dock Mahogany Bay Roatan Honduras.

 

 

 

Stay tuned for Part II.  Enjoy and God Bless.