Editor’s Note: This is the 17th in a series of stories researched during Don and Nancy Harrison’s 50th Wedding Anniversary cruise from Sydney, Australia, to San Diego. Previous installments of the series, which runs every Thursday, may be found by tapping the number of the installment: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
By Donald H. Harrison
AT SEA, Aboard MS Maasdam – There are so many special touches aboard a cruise ship that make life at sea such an enjoyable experience.
Each evening, when Nancy and I returned to Cabin 208 on the aft section of the 9th Deck, we invariably found on our bed a “When and Where” program of activities for the next day as well as ordinary towels delightfully folded to create an animal of some sort. More than to the chocolates put in our room to induce “sweet dreams,” we looked forward to seeing these towel creations fashioned by our Indonesian cabin stewards Susandri and Gang.
These imaginary animals never failed to put a smile on our faces.
Before I go on to tell you about some other pleasing touches aboard Maasdam, allow me to share with you some of the towel animals in my photos menagerie.
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Should you happen to use the elevator to go either to the 11th Deck where the Lido Café’s buffet is situated, or to the 7th Deck where one may have table service breakfast in the Rotterdam Dining Room, you’ll find a helpful mat on the floor of the elevator telling you what day of the week it is. Spending days at sea, or touring in port after port can become a routine in itself, quite apart from your normal life back at home. It is easy in such pleasant circumstances to lose track of the days, but a simple elevator ride will reorient you.
Flowers grace your table at the Lido Café, pleasantly juxtaposed against the sea scenery outside your picture window.
If you would like some intellectual stimulation out by the pool on the Lido Deck, there is a giant chessboard large enough for everyone to watch your game, and of course, kibbitz.
Following dinner in the Rotterdam Dining Room, you may have your choice of mints, or ginger, or other treats served in a specially folded napkin by a costumed attendant.
Sunsets at sea, reflecting off the ocean and sometimes framed against dramatic backdrops, never failed to make me feel especially privileged.
The views, the courtesies, these little touches, all help to make you feel like the ship is your home at sea. No wonder, passengers can’t resist taking photos of Maasdam when they are ashore!
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com