Sunshine, Art, and Music at Sea

After five days crossing the Atlantic, we were rewarded today with improved weather — waves down to about a meter, much smoother motion, and patches of blue sky peeking through the clouds. It was a welcome change after several blustery days, and everyone seemed to be moving a little more easily around the decks.

Sunday Brunch in the Main Dining Room

We had a lazy morning in our cabin before heading down to the Main Dining Room for Sunday Brunch around noon. On longer voyages, Holland America typically offers a special brunch on sea-day Sundays. Back on our first long cruise in 2016, these brunches were elaborate buffets spread out across the dining room entrance — a feast for both the eyes and the appetite. In later years, they evolved into a fixed three-course sampler menu with small, bite-sized dishes.

This voyage, the brunch has shifted again — now featuring an expanded breakfast menu where you choose your own entrée.

When we arrived, about twenty guests were milling around the entrance, waiting for tables for two people — not sharing. They weren’t in a line, but it was clear there’d be a bit of a wait for tables for two. We checked in at the podium and mentioned that we were happy to share a table, and we were seated immediately with three other guests — Spencer and Nancy from Philadelphia and Renee, a solo traveler from Williamsburg, Virginia.

We always enjoy shared tables; they’re a wonderful way to meet interesting people. Conversation flowed easily as we traded travel stories — particularly about our visits to Maryland’s Eastern Shore. I ordered the Blackened Pollock Sandwich, while Judy chose the French Toast. Both were excellent. Spencer turned out to be a big baseball fan, and we ended up in a lively discussion about the “Ohtani Rule” (look it up!).

French Toast

Rediscovering the Volendam Art Tour

Years ago, Holland America offered self-guided audio art tours for each ship — guests could check out an iPod from the library and follow a narrated walk that explained the ship’s art collection. Those tours disappeared when the iPods (and the libraries) went away, but I recently rediscovered the original recordings using the Wayback Machine and uploaded them to my website.

You can find the old Volendam Art Tour HERE.

Today, I decided to listen to it, and the recorded narrators guided me throughout the ship. The full tour runs about 45 minutes and is still roughly 90% accurate. A few pieces are gone — particularly in areas that have been remodeled, like the Explorations Café and Piano Bar — but most of the collection remains in place. The narration provides a full guided route, describing where to go, which staircases to use, and what to look for at each stop. It even points out hidden sculptures that would be easy to miss otherwise and explains the meaning behind the five dolphins in the Lido swimming pool. It was a nostalgic and surprisingly informative walk.

This sculpture is off the beaten path – can you find it?

Does this represent one dolphin or five ? Listen to the tour to find out

Afternoon Music: Vivace Trio

Later in the afternoon, I stopped by the Explorers Lounge to listen to a performance by the ship’s classical trio, Vivace. The group, from Ukraine, features Maria on violin, Olga on piano, and Iryna on cello.

Their 45-minute performance was outstanding — a beautifully balanced mix of energy and grace. I’m not especially knowledgeable about classical music, but I thoroughly enjoyed every piece. Afterward, the trio stayed to chat with guests, which added a lovely personal touch to the experience.

Evening Show: “Hits on 45”

Tonight’s featured entertainment on the World Stage was the Repertory Company, performing their first of seven shows this cruise. The company consists of four singers — Scott, Charlotte, Alayna, and Kyle — and four dancers — Charlotte (number two), Kelly, Will, and Toby. The cast, all from London, are just beginning their run aboard and will be performing on the ship until May 17th next year.

Their show, Hits on 45, was a fast-paced, high-energy revue of popular songs from the 1950s through the 1970s. The medleys included classics such as:

• Great Balls of Fire
• Charlie Brown
• Splish Splash
• Good Golly Miss Molly
• Shake, Rattle and Roll
• Jailhouse Rock
• What’s New Pussycat
• Walk on By
• Do You Know the Way to San Jose
• What the World Needs Now Is Love, Sweet Love
• He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother
• Touch Me in the Morning
• Have You Ever Seen the Rain
• Heartache Tonight
• Hold the Line

They closed the show with a spectacular rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen — complete with harmonies and dramatic lighting. The audience loved it, and it was easily one of the most polished shows we’ve seen so far.

The Dancers were full of energy

The singers were fabulous

The cast takes a well deserved curtain call