3/30/22 - Panama Canal Eleven Day Cruise - Holland America Eurodam - 3/30/22

We're now able to cross the Panama Canal off our bucket list!  It was our first big trip since the pandemic and we chose a good one!  And the passengers we met made it even better!

Day 1 - 3/30/22 - Ft. Lauderdale

                                              Welcome Aboard!

  Our first night in the dining room 

Afternoon dessert and, of course, a strawberry daiquiri!

And then it was time to explore the ship......

And the shops.....

Stopping to admire the violin performance at The Lincoln Center. 

And, of course, a mandatory Casino visit.

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                                                            Don't get too excited...first night winnings

                                                                  but gone in a flash!

Day 2 - 3/31/22 - Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 

We stayed onboard rather than go ashore, and it gave us  time to meet some of our fellow travelers.

 

Vinny and Pat from

Florida's gulf coast.

Sharon, Jeff and son, Nicholas from Canada

Sam and Marjanch from Seattle (our Mr. Big and Carrie!)

 

We attended a presentation of Cruise Excursions..... 

There's also an excursion desk on one of the top decks but it's open just a few hours daily.  We were surprised there were no brochures....they refer you to a Holland America app - Navigator - which explains the excursions and in which you can place your order.

Here's a photo of Mary K patiently waiting her turn in line at the Excursion Desk....We chose two excursions…

We also found time to attend our first cooking class with Chef Avinash Khatri.

Day 3 - At Sea - 4/1/22

Another relaxing day at sea and meeting friendly fellow cruisers, like our cabin neighbors, Ken and Michael. It was Ken’s birthday, we learned, and sweet Michael surprised him by decorating during the night!

Starting the day with breakfast in the Lido Market buffet…a delicious omelet perfectly prepared by Precy.

Afternoon flower arrangement class…

One of our favorite spots to relax…The Crow’s Nest on deck 11, for Mocha Lattes and super views!

Afternoon Tea Time. 

In the evening, we enjoyed Comedian Mike Gaffney…

With a little side show from our funny new friend who gave us an unobstructed view by removing her hair bun -- much to our surprise!

PS…our drink of the day…Mudslides again! 

Day 4 - 4/2/22 - Oranjestad, Aruba

Our super bartender Jonathan at the unique Poddock. 

Evening, back on the ship...another comedian Jon Stringer.

Our Cruise Director, Ryan, introducing one of B.B.King’s Blues Club awesome singers…with lots of dancing!

Day 5 - 4/3/22 - Willemstad, Curacao

An evening visit with new cruise friends including

Cindy and Michael from Colorado and Rob and Laura 

from South Carolina.

When all other eateries are closed…you can always depend on delicious pizza!

Day 6 - 4/4/22 - At Sea

Our second cooking class from Executive Chef with his staff.

 

A favorite spot to rest, relax and read (with a Pina Colada!)

Mary K found a little relaxation niche at The Tamarind  and then a

chat with Peter from Holland

And here's a photo of his lovely companion, Monique also from Holland.

Dinner in the Lido Buffet with our favorite, crepes, prepared by adorable Melba.

Wonderful Dueling Pianos in Billboard Lounge

Energetic show in MainStage Theatre 

Day 7 - 4/5/22 - Cartagena, Colombia

Waking up to our first glimpse of Colombia 

Our first excursion.....Cartagena 

                                    Fort of Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

And then onto the Old City of Cartagena and Las Bovedas "The Vaults" ie, old jail cells now with shopping for tourists.

Back on the bus heading for our next adventure. 

We absolutely loved these dancers and musicians!

Our ride back to the Eurodam….

A must see at the cruise Port Oasis!  Just outside the terminal…a marvelous stroll!

Day 8 - 4/6/22 - The Panama Canal/Colon

We booked this cruise, primarily for the experience of….The Panama Canal!  We woke up very early to take in all of this fascinating trip through the canal locks.

 

It’s difficult to capture this fascinating canal trip but we enjoyed every minute of experiencing this marvel.

Mary K. went up to The Crow’s Nest to get a bird’s eye view.

Featured comedian at B.B. King’s Blues Club … Drew Fraser 

Super performance on the MainStage…Island Magic Steel Band

Dinner in the Lido…

And…our favorite and very attentive server, Iver

Day 9 - 4/7/22 - Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

Ready for our second excursion -- the canals next to the rainforest.

After another wonderful excursion, it was back to the ship

Another dinner in the Dining Room, this time with Diane, Arlen and Kathy and 

Chris and Steve.

Mesmerizing cello performance in The Lincoln Center by Mateo from Italy

Day 10 - 4/8/22 - At Sea

A day of ship activities….interesting Kitchen tour

Loved meeting the Island Magic Steel Band…Opal, Derek, Kiran and Franklin, at their very informative  Meet & Greet

Day 11 - 4/9/22 - At Sea

We made a final trip to BB King's to enjoy the amazing band and singers.

I enjoyed my usual mudslide while

Mary K had a chance to bid "farewell" to her new friends, T and T Dynamite! 

We packed tonight for pick up and delivery to the port building.  We made sure to carefully wrap the trinkets we bought at each port for our Christmas travel trees.

Day 12  - 4/10/22 - Ft. Lauderdale

We packed last night, our bags were picked up and it was a quick trip through immigration....the fastest ever, we agree.  We look forward to planning our next trip and bid fond farewells to the many friends we made on the Eurodam.