Island Magic was the guest on Good Morning Amsterdam this morning. They are the steel drum band that wowed the crowd the other evening. They got their start playing calypso music by the pool on cruise ships in the Caribbean. They wanted to move off the pool deck and into the showroom, but they realized that they needed to develop a new sound to separate themselves from all the other steel drum bands sailing in the Caribbean. Their genius was arranging classics and show tunes for the steel drums. Their new play list earned them a spot on the main stage and they never looked back.
Island Magic on Good Morning Amsterdam
Island Magic lead drummer showing off his steel drum
Today was our turn for the Mariners Lunch in the main dining room which was at 1100 on Deck 4. We arrived a little after 11 and were greeted by the Captain, Hotel Director Henk, Cruise Director Gene and the Future Cruise Consultant Joanne. No handshaking today, we all nodded, exchanged greetings and moved on.
The menu for the luncheon is posted HERE and on the blog under World Cruise Reference. Complimentary champagne was already waiting on the table and once we were all seated, Gene thanked us all for our loyalty and we all toasted to a wonderful cruise.
I had the Dover Sole and the Seafood Cocktail which were both wonderful. Shortly after we were seated they distributed the tiles used to commemorate these events. It turns out that they were distributing two types of tiles – the old design and the new design. We got one of each and copies of both are on the blog under World Cruise Reference.
Old Tile
New Tile
Today was the last Craft Day. In honor of Koningsdad, they fashioned a tulip out of construction paper. Judy and Linda brought their flowers to dinner to add to the table’s small floral centerpiece.
Linda, Susan, Shirley and Judy at Crafts
On the way to the Filipino Show we stopped by the photo lab to look at the winners from the latest photo contest. They have been using a variety of staff officers this cruise as judges rather than passengers voting which only resulted in a the winners turning into a popularity contest. The photographs from the Mariners reception with the Captain and Henk were available for pickup and are complimentary for everyone who received a medallion award.
The Filipino Crew show was held at 3pm and featured many of the people working the front desk and others that work behind the scenes – for example the person who runs the Amsterdam’s print shop. Their show was very colorful, extremely well produced and a joy to watch. We enjoyed it very much.
The Kalatong Dance
The Tinikling Dance was a lot of fun to watch
We stopped by the Piano Bar at 7pm and watched Debby Bacon as she revisited many of our ports through song. She always puts on a very entertaining show.
Debbie Bacon with Judy and Linda
Our guests for dinner were 2 of the members of Abba Fab: Katrina and Scotty. We always enjoy hearing about how the guest entertainers got established on the cruise ship circuit and some of the challenges they face as they move around the world. We learned that Abba Fab will be in San Diego this July and we will have a chance to see them again.
Abba Fab at Table 52
There was a wide variety of interesting choices on the menu this evening. I tried the “Babi Guling” Balinese Slow Roasted Suckling Pig. It was very good.
Since today is Koningsdad in the Netherlands, the waiters and most of the passengers were wearing orange. Despite all our other planning, we missed this holiday and didn’t have anything orange to wear.
Tonight’s entertainment featured the HAL singers and dancers in their show “The Midnight Hour” where they sang and danced great songs including: “Fever”, “Stuck in the Middle with You” and “Valerie”. Their high energy production always has you smiling before it is over.
HAL Singers and Dancers performing “The Midnight Hour”
Hal Singers and Dancers are outstanding!
The HAL singers performing “Stuck in the Middle with You”
