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Jan. 25, 2008
ANITA ALAN Contributor- Carmel, CA
Holland America and A Prairie Home Companion offered a dizzying selection of activities and entertainment.
Cruisers who stayed aboard or came and went from the Veendam without taking one of the four Holland
America shore excursions had memorable experiences of their own. Had you chosen this morning to
relax and enjoy your perfect weather on the ship, you might have started with Phoebe Hanson, Minnesota
author and once a student in Bergen, for her exhilarating Wake Up and Write workshop in the Crow’s
Nest. Writers found plenty to pen as the ship cruised into Bergen and docked for the short day.
Not disembarking? Then you could stay in shape with the Aerobics Class in the Greenhouse Spa, followed
by a Stretch and Relax Class. Couples who like to begin their day with Sudoku need not go without
number descrambling. Likewise, board games. Those, along with Ping Pong and Shuffleboard equipment,
remain available throughout the day.
A half-hour after departing, the Rotterdam Dining Room served afternoon tea—just a prelude to the fanciful evening ahead. Walk fast, and you can have a chance to hear Kustbandet, an English jazz ensemble based in Stockholm, Sweden. Inspired by Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington among others, the 12-piece band formed in the 1960, playing music from the 1920s and the 1930s.
gathered in the Atrium for a part singalong, part listening experience. With the acoustics formed by three decks, the music of Robin and Linda Williams, and Garrison Keillor traveled up the spiral staircase where the crowd sat and leaned, clapped and sang. Even on the top deck, Keillor’s base baritone voice gave the impression it could set a Norwegian boulder rolling.
Among other onboard activities, we could attend a Catholic Mass, hear the Coastal Commentary for the day, take part in Group Cycling, and still have time for a martini before the early seating of tonight’s Signature Master Chef’s Dinner in the Rotterdam Dining Room. Diners wore chef’s hats, and enjoyed the parade of chefs—from salad chefs juggling peppers to dessert chefs flowing by each table with temptations yet to come. On tonight’s dessert, a light chocolate chef’s hat bore the signature of Holland America’s Master Chef Rudi Solamin.
After dinner, A Prairie Home Companion presented An Evening of Grieg: The Kreutzer Quartet with
Aaron Shorr, Maria Jette, and Sonja Thompson in the Ruben’s Lounge—an unforgettable program. You
would be wrong to think the evening over. For some, it was just beginning. Butch Thompson entertained
in the Piano Bar. The Casino held a Texas Hold’em Tournament. Holland America presented “Cigars
under the stars with fine Ports and Cognacs, followed by Flaming Spanish Coffee Specials. The wildly
popular “All New Improved Actors Workshop” with Tim Russell, Sue Scott, Fred Newman, and Butch
Thompson came next. The Crow’s Nest had still more choices: Dan Newton, Pat Donohue, Andy Stein,
Prudence Johnson, Gary Raynor, and Arnie Kinsella.
You could even see A Prairie Home Companion, the Movie—or better yet, catch the 11 PM Ruben’s Lounge appearance of Garrison Keillor live, with Robin and Linda Williams, and Rich Dworsky. More shows...well, you get the idea. You could stay up all night, or get at least a wink of sleep so as to be up in time for Choir Practice with Garrison. Never could a cast and crew have offered more of their time, talent, and espirit de corps than A Prairie Home Companion on the Veendam. Short on rest, we make our way to Kristiansand.
All photos credit Anita Alan. (top to bottom, L-R) 1. Outside Bergen, the Veendam sails under one of Norway’s 35 suspension bridges. 2. The dessert parade at the Master Chef’s Dinner delights diners. 3. Garrison Keillor, Robin and Linda Williams treat passengers to a concert that reached all three decks of the Atrium. 4. Towel Origami- tonight the octopus 5. Homes along the fjord rest on rock-solid foundations. 6. The master chef’s dessert course - a masterpiece. 7. The salad course of the master chef’s dinner.ort.
Norwegian American Weekly
