Left our northern NJ home at 9:00 AM and drove to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. Got there in under one hour. We were directed to a "holding lot" until 10:00 AM when "long term parking" opened. We were parked looking directly at the Veendam while it was docked at pier 90. Slightly rainy morning! At precisely 10:00, as promised, we were sent to long term parking at pier 88. After the "drug sniffing labrador" checked our Trailblazer a porter took our bags and told us exactly how to get over to the Veendam. Short walk past the NCL Gem! At the Veendam embarkation point we were held about 30 minutes. And then proceeded thru security and got our stateroom keys, etc., along with a numbered card that put you in line to board the ship. Which we did at 11:30 AM. We went directly to our stateroom and on to the Mariner Society Welcome Luncheon. After eating lunch with some folks from MD and NY we went back to our stateroom and unpacked. Yes, our bags were there on the bed waiting for us. We met Jordan & Agung, our attendants and were pleased as usual when we needed a power strip for a medical device we travel with. It was brought to us in minutes! They were just as accomodating as possble for the entire week. Stateroom 137 is on the Verandah deck and has a balcony. I love that and spend some time out there, on any cruise, just watching the ocean or, in this case, looking down on Front Street in Hamilton, Bermuda. The Veendam docks there with the starboard side facing the town. This was after our "ferry" ride into St. Georges for a couple of hours while the Veendam was anchored off shore. Very acceptable means of getting to town and a great opportunity to take some pictures from the ferry. Back to Hamilton, though. I would love to just go straight to Hamilton and dock. You could then choose to take a cab, excursion, ferry or "Pink Bus" to St. Georges as you pleased. But, that's my feeling! Not necessarily every one's idea. Dining! The Rotterdam Dining Room was just wonderful. No problems with any service or food presentations. Extra entree or appetizer if you wished and enough dessert to satisfy even me! A pastry and ice cream lover! Two "Formal Nights" ( one going over and one coming back ). The little woman insists I take a jacket along and, of course, I do! I wore it on each "Formal Night" though other men were in the dining room with whatever they felt like wearing. The only objection I was aware of was "NO SHORTS"! I don't wear ties for reasons of my own but it is suggested on those nights. Other evenings I wore slacks with a nice button up shirt and was very happy to look the part of a 68 year old cruiser. The Lido Restaurant! It was typical cruise line type food and set up. No problems I was ever aware of. Food was good as well as the service. My suggestion was to add "lemonade" to the menu. I am not a fan of iced tea! Ice cream and those pastries were always there to be indulged in. Thank God I was able to maintain my 6 foot, 1 inch, 215 lb status! Only 25 lbs overweight! Entertainment! The "Showroom at Sea" provided their version of Broadway type shows and my other half loved most of it. Very entertaining cast of singers with two dancers. Myself, I favored the Magician/Comedian and especially his second show one afternoon where he introduced us to Indy, his canine assistant, as well as his wife and their 4 month old Coton, who is being trained to be in the show. Why is she named Indy? She's "in de show" LOL! The Retreat! Not being a sun person, I was able to have a couple of refreshing beverages and some Pizza while my fiance' basked in the rays. PS: Buy a "Beverage Card" prior to sailing or get one while on board. Saves a little dough! Weather didn't cooperate too well on our days at sea so the time out on deck or at the main pool were limited for almost everyone. Too bad! Not Holland America's fault! Casino! Do we gamble, you ask! We try to get to Las Vegas at least once a year and have been known to lose $50.00 in a single day! Each!! Got beat by several slot machines so Claire proceeded to enter the "Slots Tournament" hosted by Georgianna( sp? ). The most charming young lady you would want to meet. Sort of bored watching Claire try to qualify I decided to pay the $20.00 and enter as well. She tried two more times during the cruise; without success. Of course I qualified the first try and went on to win the $500.00 first prize in the finals. CTM was not thrilled! Laundry! First time I tried the $20.00 for a "bag" of laundry. Stuffed it like a US Army duffel bag I had back in the 60's! Tee shirts came back on hangers! All clothing looked as though they had been pressed. Shorts were on "clip type" hanger as well. So they lost one pair of boxer shorts! Big deal! They did send a pair back with the laundry! Just were not mine! Offered me a bathing suit later that day! I turned it down in the likelihhood it would find it's way to the gentleman who owned it. Would I do this again? Yep! Beats doing the "Laundry Thing" myself, which I have done before. So good, in fact, we sent a second bag out in the last days of the trip. We did the touristy things in Bermuda. Bought a Two day Transportation Pass, good on the "Pink Buses" or Ferries. Gotta love the people who drive them! A bit scary considering the narrow roads! Went to Horseshoe Bay. Advice; don't arrive at noon! Very crowded and hot and no rental umbrellas to be had. Two young fellas doing push ups in the shade of some rocks gave us the chance to put our towels there while we dipped our toes in the surf. My days of snorkeling are somewhat limited but I suggest it to all who want to experience "swimming with the fishes". Change rooms and bathrooms were there as were beverages for sale. Went to BAMZ. Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo! Very nice attraction! Went on a "Pink Bus" ride out to the Crystal and Fantasy Caves". Do it! But be aware that when they tell you it's 88 steps down and 188 steps back up, they mean it!!!! Got a refund of part of our admission fee when we decided "one" cave was enough for us old folk! Harbour Nights is every Wednesday evening in Hamilton. They close Front Street to traffic and have all sorts of vendors and entertainment right outside you "Veendam Front Door". Love this aspect of our vacation without question. Who cares if you can still hear them when ready to go "night night"! Get a cabin on the port side, then, if you prefer. I stood out there on the balcony and soaked in the beauty of the Bermuda night and a magnificent sunset. Sadly we had to leave Bermuda and head on back to New York! Again, debarkation went smoothly. Waited in our stateroom until the announcement was made for our tag color to "come on down"! Bags were there waiting for us on the pier. Some noticeable lack of porters though! We managed, without incident, to walk with our bags over to the parking lot and headed on back to northern NJ. Will be looking forward to our next Holland America cruise or cruisetour!