My wife and I have cruised almost exclusively with Holland America and have sailed only with them since we retired several years ago. We have just turned 65, but we are as they say "active adults" and we find that Holland America is a good fit for us. I run 5 to 10 miles a day and the fitness centers have always been a welcome amenity. I would not suggest running on the sports deck, at least in good weather, as the deck chairs often create an obstacle course that kill your stride. Using the equipment in the fitness center plus walking and taking the stairs instead of the elevators helps counter the caloric intake that is hard to avoid.

Living in South Carolina, we drove down to Ft. Lauderdale, stopping at Jacksonville and Palm Beach Gardens. On the morning of the cruise we drove from PBG to Ft. Lauderdale - about 50 miles - and arrived at the port at 9:45. We parked in the Midport Parking Garage, directly across from where the Westerdam was docked and brought our luggage over to the terminal where it was swiftly loaded onto the luggage containers. Having a Deluxe Veranda Suite we would have priority boarding, so we thought this time would work out well.

There was some delay, as the previous cruise was a "Smooth Jazz" themed cruise and the "last night" party caused some of the guests to sleep in a bit too long. However, we were brought into the terminal, checked in and brought to a "lounge" to wait. Some refreshments were served and it was an opportunity to meet and mingle with some of the other Suite guests. At about noon we were escorted onto the ship and able to go directly to our rooms. Fresh fruit, fresh flowers and chilled sparkling wine were nicely displayed in the room. We dropped off our small bags and cameras and went over to the Neptune Lounge, which was almost directly across from our cabin, to check in. Read more