The Voyage of the Oosterdam - Part 1

This was my first cruise with Holland America Line. The Oosterdam was built in 2003 but was refurbished this year. She's 951 feet long and carries 1848 passengers. This was a 27 day cruise from Barcelona, Spain to Tampa, Florida with stops in Cadiz, Spain; Gibraltar, UK; Malaga, Spain; Alicante, Spain; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Toulon, France; Cali, Corsica, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Livorno, Italy; Civitavecchia, Italy; Cartagena, Spain; Funchal, Madeira, Portugal; Tampa, Florida.

Main Show Room

Vista Dining Room

My cabin

Main Pool Area

Cádiz, Spain

Cádiz, the oldest continuously inhabited city in Spain and one to the oldest in Western Europe. It is the principal home port of the Spanish Navy.

Fine dining is the major attraction of cruising. 

Seafood Ceviche, jumbo shrimp, bay scallops, squid and Alaska King crab, topped with a 

zingy citrus mayonnaise.

Baked Red-Curry Coconut Salmon, cilantro asparagus, green zucchini and scallions, jasmine rice, and Thai sweet chili sauce.

Cheese and Fruit, Danish Blue, Brie, Manchego, D.O.C. Pepper Jack

Gibraltar, UK

Gibraltar is  a British Overseas Territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. It has an area of 6.7 square kilometers and shares its northern border with Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region at 426 m. high.

Escargots Bourguignon, herb garlic butter, Burgundy wine, French bread

Rack of Lamb with Tomato Coucous and Garlic Pearls, 

roasted red bell pepper, sautéed artichoke

Lemon Meringue Cheesecake, blueberry sauce, crushed amaretti

TO BE CONTINUED