Due to a special travel industry event held by Holland America to showcase the Rotterdam, their newest flagship, we were required to disembark last Thursday. Holland put us up in the Renaissance Marriott Hotel in Plantation for the past 3 days. The weather was quite warm, lovely pool area and life in general was very good. Our friend Laura, picked us up at the ship, chauffeured us around, took us for the dreaded COVID test, to enable us to return to the ship and of course took the ladies for some long-awaited retail therapy. Laura returned us to the ship this morning, thankful for such a good friend. While waiting to embark, I had a quick hello with the Rudi Sodamin, Holland America Line’s Master Chef. Today, we used the new VeriFLY application, and it did facilitate the boarding process…we were on the ship early... Just the way I like it! It was nice to see so many familiar faces… Joena, the Event Manager welcomed us in the terminal and the Hotel General Manager, Wessel Van Oorschot met us at the gangway. Our Retreat Cabana Stewards Joma and Noel, welcomed us home with a banner in our cabana. Sail away was delayed due to the Celebrity ship docked in front of us having some serious issues …day light saving time gave us an extra hour for photos, but eventually I just gave up… had to get ready for dinner. We are all happy to be back sailing with our Rotterdam HAL family for another 5 cruises. In closing, we send our sincere condolences to the family of Jeffery Regatcho who passed away yesterday in the Philippines of injuries sustained in a biking accident. Jeffery was our Cabana steward for several months on the Koningsdam in 2017 and again in 2021. Jeffery was a kind and caring great young man! So sad for his loving family….
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