Day three of the journey is complete and the day was spent in Grand Turk. After breakfast, I decided to leave the ship long enough to take a few pictures and torture myself by walking through the gauntlet known as the “duty-free.”
The last few times I was in Grand Turk is was a tender call, but this time around the ms Veendam was docked so getting on and off the ship was easy. We happened to be the only vessel in port so it was pretty quiet. In fact, when I walked to the beach area around noon, I counted less than 100 people in the water and on the sand.
There isn’t much to do on Grand Turk other than to go to the public beach, which is right where the ship docked, or get blasted at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville – which also happens to have a pool area that only a few people were using.
After about 15 minutes, I ventured back to the ship and headed up to the pool bar for some liquid refreshments. It was a very hot day, with high humidity and no breeze at all. Sitting at the bar, the sweat was rolling off me like rain off a rooftop in a downpour. The bartender joked that when he started his shift he was 6′ 2” and he melted so much he’s down to 5′ 3”.
After a couple of Michelob Ultra’s – which just so happen to buy five for the price of four – I decided to check out an addition to the ship that made its debut this cruise following dry-dock – the Dive In. The Dive In is located at the Lido Pool and capitalizes on the current burger faze that is responsible for our high cholesterol.
The concept is simple, hand-formed, cooked-to-order gourmet burgers with a variety of specialty toppings. In addition to the beef burgers, they offer a veggie burger and a grilled chicken burger. Hot dogs are also on the menu, also loaded up with toppings and served on a poppy seed bun much like a “dirty water dog” you’d get from a street vendor in the Big Apple. You can compliment your lunch with fries topped with artery-clogging toppings that would make your cardiologist cry.
I opted for just a plain old hamburger on a bun, devoid of any of the toppings that just add to the already high-calorie count. Although, some of the burgers coming out of the kitchen looked as good as one you’d get in a high-end burger joint on land (if there is such a thing).
Since the food is MTO, you’re given a pager and when it’s ready you go and pick it up. So, I headed back to the bar for another sip of cold beer and waited for the vibrator to go off.
The verdict on the burger – better than the burgers that used to be served on Holland America Line ships, but nothing spectacular. Perhaps I should have ordered some of the toppings or even the Dive In sauce that is supposed to be super special. I passed on the fries.
The Dive In is rolling out to the rest of the ships in the fleet over time. For those familiar with the setup on board a Holland America Line ship, the Dive In took the place of the Terrace Grill, but the taco bar remains.
After lunch, I felt the need to work off breakfast and lunch and did two miles around the Promenade Deck, but probably should have done 12.
The next stop was the pool, where chairs were easy to come by today since many people were off the ship exploring. All oiled up and ready to go, I laid myself down and baked in the warm sun before enjoying a 3pm cigar at the Retreat Bar located aft of the ship. Some folks I met at the second night’s LGBT get-together were there and we enjoyed some liquid refreshments before getting ready for the 5pm social hour.
We pulled out of Grand Turk around 3:30 after locating “Rita” who was “that passenger” who was late in getting back to the ship delaying our departure for a few moments. Every cruise I’ve been on always has a Rita. That one person who thinks that the all-aboard time does not apply to him/her and that the ship will simply wait till they’re done shopping for trinkets or slugging down another frozen concoction. But alas, Rita made it on, and off we went.
A thunderstorm was off in the distance which we managed to avoid but kicked up some swells that had the ship rocking for about an hour after we departed, but things settled down quickly, and not one drink was spilled.
During the 5pm social hour, I received a wonderful compliment (I think). I was told that I had “beautiful” eyes and that I must be Italian. I said I was and asked how he knew. “Because your eyes are red, white, and green,” was his reply.
I blame it on the buy-five-for-the-price-of-four.
After a few glasses of Prosecco and some pre-dinner canapes, it was time to get ready for dinner in the Pinnacle Grill, the ship’s steakhouse.
I opted for the Dungeness crab cakes, the tomato and basil salad, an 18-ounce bone-in ribeye, and baby carrots. All were simply delicious although I did order my ribeye rare and it came out medium well, but I let it go.
The entertainment for the night was a “fast-fingered piano player.” The only thing I want fast-fingered is a masseuse, so I passed on that one and headed up to the Crow’s Nest for a nightcap. It also happened to be Disco night. Let’s just say that when Disco was popular, the crowd on this ship was in their 50s.
I sat at the bar and a colorful character who spilled his drink twice struck up a conversation with me and for a grand total of two Manhattans ear banged me about every ship he’s been on since first cruising at age 11. He’s now 74. When the disk jockey started to play The Hustle, he knocked over his third drink in a mad rush to get up to the dance floor and hustle some unsuspecting young lady in an attempt to feel somewhat young again.
He wasn’t a bad dancer.
Having enough of that scene, I had one more Manhattan. Why not? It was happy hour and all drinks were buy one get a second for a buck. So I took one as a road soda and made my way down to my stateroom and tucked myself in for the night.
As I write this, it’s Sunday and we’re making our way to San Juan, Puerto Rico where we will be from 1pm – 11pm. It’s beautiful out and I think I’ll take advantage of an empty Lido Deck and oil up and lay in the sun again.
I want to make sure my skin matches my red eyes.
Personal Day-By-Day Noordam Cruise Review:
Photo Tour of the Veendam:
Welcome to my photo tour of the Veendam! Get ready to explore this beautiful vessel and all it has to offer through a series of stunning photographs. From the elegant dining rooms to the luxurious cabins and the endless entertainment options, you’ll see why the Veendam is a favorite among cruise enthusiasts. So sit back, relax, and let these photos take you on a virtual tour of the Veendam.