On Sunday 13 January Ray & I left Seattle @ 6:05am flying to Ft Lauderdale, Florida to go on our Cruise to the Panama Canal. My sister, Paulette, put together the cruise and there were 10 of us who went on the cruise together. Eight of us met at the Ft Lauderdale airport and 2 were waiting at the Comfort Inn for us to arrive. Paulette & Fred, our cousin Stan & Sally and friend Marion flew in from Sacramento, California and cousin Karen flew in from Portland, Oregon. Pat & Roy also live in California, but they had been visiting family in Georgia and Florida so they drove down to Ft Lauderdale. We spent Sunday night at the Comfort Inn and Monday morning we were taken to Port Everglades to board our cruise ship - Ms Zuiderdam. The checkin and boarding process went smoothly and we were all on board and in our rooms in time for lunch.
Ray, Fred, Sally & Sandy waiting for the Shuttle Bus to arrive
On our way to Port Everglades
We are all waiting to board the ship
Fred, Sandy & Paulette ready to sail
The sisters- Paulette & Sandy - Sail Away Party
Leaving Ft Lauderdale
At 4:30pm the Zuiderdam sailed for Half Moon Cay, Bahamas, arriving Tues morning. The ship was anchored off shore and the ship's tenders took you to the cay and back to ship. The first tender left ship at 0800 and the last tender from shore was at 4:30pm. The tenders ran back and forth all day. Half Moon Cay is Holland America Line's private resort. It is located on Little San Salvador, 100 miles southeast of Nassau. It is a beautiful island with white sand and the bluest water. You could swim, snorkel, parasail, kayak, ride a horse or just relax on the beach. They served up a delicious Island BBQ over the lunch hour. My brother-in-law Fred, friends Marion, Pat & Roy went parasailing and we watched. The weather was clear and high of 87 degrees.
Horse back riders on Half Moon Cay
Welcome Center
Ray & Sandy on the beach with the Ms Zuiderdam in the background
Captain Morgan On the Rocks Bar - Beach party with the HALCats
The parasailers - Marion, Fred, Pat & Roy
Ms Zuiderdam
The ship left Half Moon Cay late afternoon and sailed for Oranjestad, Aruba, our next stop. We arrived in Aruba Thursday, January 17. We had a smooth sailing and the weather was beautiful and warm.
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