Holland America Cruise 

An Afternoon Visit to Key West 

Key West was the first port of call on our Holland America Caribbean cruise! I will be posting a few photos once in a while and talking a bit about cruising over the next few weeks as internet access permits. We left Tampa on a very chilly and windy day, the same day a Carnival ship had major weather problems in the Atlantic. Needless to say, I was glad we were over in the Gulf of Mexico and out of the path of the storm!

We are sailing on the mid-size MS Veendam, a 1350 passenger Holland America ship on a Western Caribbean cruise. Passengers on Holland America cruises tend to be a little bit older (i.e. not a lot of children or young adults). That basically means that these smaller ships don’t have the same amount of family-friendly amenities like a kiddie pool, wave rider or climbing wall as with a huge party ship. No matter, there is a lot to do on board and lots of stops along the way on our trip.

Formality is optional. Gala Nights in the main dining room require only a collared shirt and pants, so guests who do not wish to wear a tuxedo, suit or jacket and tie can still enjoy a fancy dinner. But I like that if you want to dress up in all your finery, you have that opportunity as well and will fit in with most of the others dining near you! And if you want a totally informal vacation wearing shorts, flip-flops, and eating all of your meals from the buffet, you are absolutely welcome to do so. When you choose a cruise line, it is important to have a feel for the mix of passengers and inherent vibe! You want to feel comfortable and have the opportunity to enjoy each day of your sea vacation, not just the days in port.

We have not been to Key West in 40 years and I remember it as a rather sleepy Florida town back then. My 41 year old son was a toddler in a backpack in one of my Key West photos. Over those years Key West has grown up and certainly discovered how to thrive with the tourist industry.

The old beauty of a small coastal Florida town was still there, but we did have to walk a bit off the beaten path to find it. I just love the old Victorian homes that are remarkably still standing after 100 years of hurricanes!

I didn’t quite fit behind that corseted lady! 

There is plenty of time to work on fitness while at sea. The ship has a huge gym, open 24/7, and you can do a power walk on the wooden deck that goes all the way around the ship unless the seas are too rough. And the pool is right there  for your swimming pleasure! It makes you feel better about all the food!