Day 6 - Bonaire

Day 6 – Bonaire

Dec 7

Once again, the ship is in port and we are on the ship. Bonaire looks pretty inviting from our balcony. See picture …

the pastel houses, tropical foliage, and blue, blue water. But we have discovered that, if we stay on the ship on port days while everyone else goes ashore, it's like we have the ship and staff almost entirely to ourselves.

You see, there are certain things cruises are great for, and others … not so much. Cruises are great for travelling in style, not having to unpack, seeing beautiful landscapes and ocean and beaches, and for the occasional scuba or snorkelling outing. Cruises aren't so good for getting to know a port in depth. You are only there for several hours and, unless you are willing to venture out on your own, there's not enough time to escape the tourist shopping venues and pre-packaged “native” shows. Nope … if getting to know about a locale is your purpose for vacationing, then rent a condo and spend a couple of weeks living with the locals. … So Scotty and I rarely get off the ship.

But you win because we stayed on board today. I decided to get pictures of the flower arrangements today. In addition to its magnificent collection of art, HAL employs full time florists … two on the Noordam … to keep flowers fresh and ever changing. Here is a sample of the arrangements to be found on every floor and every dining table.

We had lunch at Pinnacle Grill … now, who would go to a five-star restaurant and order a hamburger?? Me! And it was one of the best hamburgers I've ever had! Then I mentioned to our waiter how much I loved the peach frozen yogurt from the day before and, even though it wasn't on the menu, he found some for me … ah, white glove service!

As I said, it was a lazy day for us, so we headed back to the room to sit on the verandah and just watch the water. I read and knit for quite a while. This is what I consider a vacation!

Dinner found us back in the main dining room. I had a roast duck appetizer (wonderful), a five-onion cream soup (interesting), and leg of lamb (YUM!!!). Finished off with a hot fudge Sundae. Yes, I will be gaining a pound a day unless I don't take another bite from now until we disembark on Monday!

The casino was kinder to me tonight. Won back part of what I lost last night. If I could learn to just walk away when I win, I could stay ahead … but where's the fun in that?

Here's the latest tip from Budget Travel Magazine:

8. If the porters haven't delivered your luggage to your door by the first night of the cruise, check what our experts call the “naughty room”. Security will store any bags containing contraband, (like candles, alcohol, or coffeemakers) in this centralized location until you come to claim it. You'll be able to pick up your bag on the first night but your banned items will not be returned until the end of the trip.

Folks, cruise lines are very serious about this. There is nothing scarier to the crew than a fire. So anything that heats up or has the possibility of a flame is confiscated. Please, please pay attention to these limits. It will make your cruise much more enjoyable and safer!