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wine blending and whiskey tasting.
Activities On this voyage with three-port stops,
Keeping guests entertained - especially activities weren’t as important to us as on
during the evenings and on sea days - is a key Transocean cruises where we’re at sea for six
cruise line mission. The Koningsdam did a good or seven straight days. Plus, this was our after-
job of that, considering the restrictions and the-hectic-holidays kickback cruise and, like
challenges of staffing and Covid safety many fellow passengers, we were happy to
protocols. Activities on this voyage were relax with a book or lounge around the sunny
plentiful, although we suspect not as robust as pool as the ship sailed into warmer waters. Bar
on pre-pandemic sailings. and food service was plentiful here. We
gravitated to cabana-like lounge areas that
One disappointment was a cooking class on
Chili Rellenos that Mary attended. Banter with overlooked the pool, each outfitted with comfy
the cruise director couldn’t disguise the sofas and chaises and available to all,
presenter’s lack of knowledge on chilis in regardless of cabin status.
general, or on this classic dish. No samples If we had one nit to pick, it would be the
were shared - perhaps a Covid restriction; no large smoking area housed on one side of the
recipes either. A later class, this one on paper fantail pool area, prime sunning and gathering
banner making hosted by the ship’s Mexican territory. Depending on the wind, smoke
Cultural Ambassadors, was a thoroughly drifted everywhere, making this beautiful area
enjoyable hands-on affair. Other activities a hazardous-to-your-health zone. We don’t
ranged from shipboard standards like bingo, doubt that someday soon ships will be smoke
trivia, and port lectures and a couple of adult free or isolate the addicted to a tiny nook next
beverage events, including a do-it-yourself to the smokestacks.
38 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE WINTER/SPRING 2022
