Going Nowhere Slowly

Hi from onboard Holland America's new Eurodam. You might remember from a previous blog post, that I was in Rotterdam, Holland, in early July for the christening of this new Signature class ship.
Now I'm onboard for a 3 night Cruise to Nowhere for the Labor Day weekend. We sail as south as Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and turn around and head back to New York with just enough time to enjoy two full days of deckboard fun in the last sultry assault of summer heat. We left Friday night from Pier 88, sailed down the Hudson River, paused at the Statue of Liberty and slipped out under the Verazzano Bridge. No matter how many times I've done that-- at least dozens, it never fails to impress and provoke thoughts of the immigrants who spotted it at the turn of the century.
The New York branch of the World Ship Society is sailing onboard so its nice to be in the company of likeminded shipaholics.
Holland America just announced in an onboard press conference that it will be reintroducing New York-Bermuda sailings onboard the Veendam starting in 2010 with ten voyages, doubling that the next year. It also says 5 of its current ships will be drydocked in the next couple of years for a month or so each to add some new enhancements, such as Lanai cabins whose sliding glass doors will open up onto the Promenade deck.
A pool area called Retreat, will offer chaise lounges fixed in the water with waiters who wade through the pool serving designer pizzas. Floating Pepperoni anyone?
Happy Labor Day everyone!