November 2024
To embellish a bit on a previous blog about river cruising, I'd like to put up some details about life aboard the ship. Or boat, or barge. Or whatever you want to call it.
While each day was unique, they also developed a bit of a rhythm. As soon as I woke, I got coffee from the lounge, and sat for an hour in my room, while watching the scenery go by, as I blogged, or checked in with family back home.
The scenery varied, depending on whether we were on a river or canal, going through a town, a gorge, or in the pastoral countryside. A few facets were consistent though. We were never far from shore, and the water was always calm. So a river cruise would be perfect for someone who is troubled with motion sickness or is bothered by being out on the sea with no land in sight.
My room was a great place to hang out when there was nothing going on. Though I didn't need two beds, I got a sweet deal on this room so it was cheaper than the cut-rate single. Every night I swiped the duvet from the other bed so I'd have two. I could have turned up the heat, but preferred this.
The chairs by the window weren't exactly plush, but they worked, doubling as a spot to hang wet laundry. There was no outside deck or access to the outdoors from my room, but at the touch of a button, the wide window smoothly slid down to the horizontal bar. It was a bit chilly to leave open, but nice for a little fresh air. Twice daily my housekeeper came in to tidy up and refill the drinking water carafe. Dedicated to being "green", there were no plastic bottles or single use disposables aboard the ship. A glass carafe on the counter with drinking glasses, was accompanied by two insulated bottles for excursions off the ship.
Towards the end of the cruise she began to add personal touches like towels twisted into a swan or elephant.
I usually sat alone at breakfast, which was a good, solid buffet, with plenty of selections for both indulgent and thoughtful eating. I fell into the routine of a small, handcrafted veggie omelet at the egg station, with a side of bacon, and a few roasted tomatoes. As there was also an "early-bird" breakfast served in the lounge, less people were in the dining room in the mornings than at other meals.
Then it was usually back to my room for my day bag and jacket, before mustering in the packed lobby for the day's outing.
Lunch was also open seating, but more people attended, so I often sat with someone I knew. Again a buffet, but with a small menu on the table with the sandwich of the day and another entree or two. The buffet also had a special daily pasta, and many sandwich fixings, salads, soup and lots more. A special ice cream and gelato bar was a challenging temptation following each lunch.
With a morning and afternoon outing on many days, I usually tried to fit in a quick swim before dinner. I always refer to the pool as the ship's best kept secret. I so rarely shared it with anyone, and only occasionally found wet footprints on the floor. Below, at the beginning of our trip we make our way down a canal bracketed by iconic Dutch Elm.
Each evening, a half hour before dinner, we gathered in the lounge for our cruise talk. Director Andras would give a synopsis of the day's activities, a history lesson, and some instructions for the following day's offerings.
Dinnertime was a different affair than the other meals. While the dress code was decidedly casual, I usually put on dress pants and a sweater. Rarely did anyone don fancy attire, but occasionally a woman wore a dress. Not a sport coat or tie in sight that I can recall.
While this last meal of the day it was still open seating, every chair was usually occupied, since there was a single seating. There were very few singles on the cruise, though a few singles traveling with friends, like Julie and Robin. Irma and Derrick, a couple around my age from Toronto, were always welcoming to me. They usually sat at a big round table with other people I got to know, like Peter and Jane, and a trio of older women who had been dubbed "the golden girls".
No buffet for dinner, but a very nice three course meal ordered by menu. There were usually three options for each starter, main course and dessert. Portions were petite, but beautifully plated, and along with a different specialty bread each day, they were more than adequate.
During the meal the waiters were very busy keeping the water glasses filled and the wine flowing. With dessert they also brought around coffee. Decaf was available, but it often took a little longer to get.
By the end of dinner I was usually ready to escape to the privacy of my room and a good night's sleep. Even more so, as we continued our trip east and across time zones.
For those who enjoy staying up, there was always plenty to do. Many gathered up in the lounge to chat or enjoy a post-dinner entertainment like a trivia game, or I think there was even karaoke on occasion. In addition, there was a clever floor that scrolled over the swimming pool so that room was use as a movie theater in the evenings, complete with popcorn.
I'm sure I missed out on all sorts of fun times, but my many hours of restful sleep more than made up for it.
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