After checking in with Holland-America, we packed up, left our bags to be collected from our room and had breakfast in the hotel restaurant – the Daily Grill. I had scrambled eggs, sausage, breakfast potatoes and toast with coffee; J had fried eggs, bacon, breakfast potatoes and toast with orange juice. Excellent food, excellent service. Then we went for a walk around the block, saw the Space Needle in the distance again. Took photos. Went into Starbucks and used the free wifi! Returned to the Sheraton at 11.10, checked out and waited for our bus to Pier 91 and the MS Zaandam! The bus arrived at almost midday and we drove through downtown Seattle towards the port on the grayline buses again, with the driver pointing out points of interest and providing trivia about the city. We saw mountains in the distance – a little hazy, as well as the Holland-America head offices.
Arrived at Pier 91 about 12.30 and checked-in at the ship terminal, through security, had our photo taken, and then it was strolling out of the terminal and towards the ship! Amazing looking ship. Blue and white. Huge but not the largest in the fleet, stream-lined and elegant. The crew welcomed us aboard and showed us into lunch in the Lido Restaurant. Many restaurants and bars on board. This was a buffet lunch with all kinds of different food. Sadly we were still too full from breakfast and just had water! We met two other couples at lunch – older, both American. Sue and Bob from Alabama, and Sally and her husband. Not sure where they were from! At 1.30pm our rooms were announced to be ready. Our room was 1914, on Deck 1, the Dolphin Deck. There were banks of elevators, long corridors, and stewards and house-keeping staff everywhere. It all felt very luxurious and elegant. We found our room, with a huge king-size bad, very comfy, dressing table, sofa, armchair, table, TV, plus lots of storage. We'd chosen an outside stateroom, with a window right over our heads when laying in bed. There was announcement that a park ranger was due to give a talk at 2pm. We attempted to find it, but just strolled through the ship and explored. We took photos and see the Ocean Bar, the art gallery, the culinary centre, the atrium with the front desk and a huge spiral staircase leading up two floors. In the centre of the staircase is an absolutely amazing-looking organ. It looked like ivory and was carved, circular and winding up against the backdrop of the staircase.
We saw the Pinnacle Grill Restaurant – ever so fancy and the only restaurant that charges you extra. We had booked it for the Saturday night as it was Joe's birthday. Very good food, white linen, much more personal and intimate than the MDR. On one of the walls nearby are mounted three guitars, in lass cases, signed by members of the Rolling Stones, another by members of Queen, and the third by a variety of famous musicians, including David Bowie, Eric Clapton and B B King. On another wall are nine carved masks. This was a great introduction to the variety of musical instruments and music-related décor in the ship, as well as art in general. Everywhere is beautifully decorated – plush carpets, chairs and sofas, painting and huge plants. We then found the Monriaan Lounge, and caught the end of the park ranger's talk, then saw the Exploration Lounge, the Piano Bar, and the Ocean Bar. We were about to sit and have a drink in the Ocean Bar when the captain announced a lifeboat safety briefing in fifteen minutes time. So we headed for lifeboat number 10, to be told what to do if lifeboats are needed. When we embarked we were given ID cards, which we were to also use as room key cards. It also had our lifeboat number on them. No money is used on the ship, so everything is charged through an on-board account. The briefing is short and to the point – lifeboats are lowered and you get in, securing life jackets taken from your room, etc. To be honest, we're rather surprised at how short it is!
We set sail at 4pm, so go up on deck to see Seattle disappear from view. The sun comes out and the view is amazing, with the cityscape and mountains in the distance, the sunlight on the sea, seagulls overhead, and the trail of waves and vapour from the engines at the back at side of the ship. In dock we were surrounded by other boats but here we were into what seemed like open water. There was a hawaiian style bar set up on the outside bar at the back of the ship, with cocktails, wicker chairs and tables, and a woman playing guitar and singing. I had a Margarita, and we wondered around the side of the deck, taking photos and exploring further. Earlier we had gone to the promenade deck, where we can do a walkaround outside – on the level of passenger cabins, and just stand or sit and look out at the sea. Further up the deck levels, it was almost all bars! We went up the sports deck, where you could play tennis, ping-pong, shuffleboard, as well as visit the salon, spa or gym. Next, the sky bar, right at the top front of the ship. There was a band and a BBQ down in the inside Lido Bar, mid-level, with a pool and hot-tubs in the middle of the deck, and a band playing soft rock and easy listening. We went down there and Joe had a couple of beers and we both had some BBQ – a huge mix on offer of chicken, steak, kebabs, ribs, salads, baked potatoes, bread, and sauces. We tried the chicken and steak, and sat for a while, chatted and listened to the band play, before returning to our room and relax and unpack. I arranged to have my shoes shined – for free – ready for the formal night. And we found little chocolates set out on the foot of the bed. It's an extremely stylish, comfortable and elegant room and ship, and I still couldn't believe we were finally here! Very happy with our choice of honeymoon! It really feels like we're spoiling ourselves but it's worth it. A little bit of luxury. The service so far seems excellent and the little touches are lovely. Having so much fun already!
