Cabin fever

This is the life! I’ve now spent two nights on the Noordam, and am truly impressed with the attention to detail. My cabin is kept scrupulously clean by my steward, Ivan. Every time I leave my cabin, things are straightened and wiped down. I have ship newsletters and notices neatly placed on the end of my bed, and cute little towel animals adorn my pillows. My bed is made every morning, and my breakfast delivered to my door. Today, I forgot the butter and jam for my toast, called room service and it was promptly delivered to me in 5 minutes.

The ship is huge, but it’s easy to find one’s way around. So far my favourite place is Explorer’s Cafe (it’s a library, with huge comfy leather chairs), where you can grab a chai or cappuccino and sit and read or write or the surf the net (if you want to pay the exorbitant internet package price, which I refuse to on principle). You can even play board games here if you are so inclined: chess boards are in proliferation. And you get to chat to people from all over the world (as long as you don’t mind talking to people who are mainly American or Canadian!).

Oh, the food!

I am very well fed. Last night, I went to the Pinnacle Grill for dinner – it’s the ship’s fine dining restaurant. Unlike the other eateries (the cost of which is covered when you pay) there is a cover charge of $25, but it is oh, so worth it. I had salmon that melted in my mouth, and a creme brulee which was to die for. I also had a very expensive cognac to go with my dinner, but what the heck: you only live once.

I did find the gym yesterday and ran 3 km on the treadmill. I now know why I prefer to run on the road: treadmills are so boring. Every minute I was on there was torture (not because it was hard, but because it was boring). I kept asking myself: are we there yet? I’m taking the stairs at every opportunity, and my cabin is on the first floor, and I tend to have casual meals on the Lido deck, which is located on the ninth floor. Lots of stairs and lots of opportunity for incidental exercise.

Trials of travelling solo

What I have found is that it is more difficult being a solo traveller than I thought. Yes, you meet people, but they are either coupled up, or geriatric Americans (that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the picture). I guess I could meet more single people if I hung out in the bar or club, but I don’t do that at home, so I’m not inclined to do it here. My cabin is very comfortable, so I actually don’t mind being a nanna and ordering room service, watching a movie and tucking in for the night. I didn’t want to be on a party ship, so the box is ticked in that department. And I do venture out once we are in port.

There are quite a few South Aussies on the cruise, so it’s nice talking to people who know about the same sort of stuff you do…

Your turn

Have you ever cruised? Did you like it or not? Comment me below.