| Land was ahoy, the first foreign since Cunard cruising resumed two months earlier. I ordered room service as I couldn't get back to sleep and discovered the Club Sandwich appeared to have undergone more cutbacks. Back in 2011, it was turkey with a fried egg. 2017, the turkey had change to chicken and the fried egg shrunk. No the egg was no more and the chicken less than there used to be. We approached the lock at IJmuiden around 3am. When Amsterdam announced the €8 per passenger tourist tax a few years ago, many lines ditched them, instead going to IJmuiden or Rotterdam so this was fantastic to do again, while for my dad it was the first time. With my ginormous incisional hernias and crippling back pain, I was glad of the balcony like on Regal Princess, as I can't stand for long periods these days, particularly taking photos so I didn't have to go far after we'd passed through the lock. My dad was absolutely fascinating by the journey towards Passenger Terminal Amsterdam as we watched on the webcam. Not far from the city centre, in Damen shipyard were Amadea in the dry dock while P Prince (the former Pacific Princess) was awaiting conversion to become Azamara Onward. Between them was the research vessel, RRS James Cook. As soon as I spotted the Mövenpick Hotel next to the cruise terminal, I broke into a huge grin. It was fantastic to be back and you knew cruising had well and truly resumed with the first sight of familiar foreign soil. We were both surprised to see the destination on the info channel listed as Southampton, when we'd only just arrived. After room service breakfast, it was back to bed.
Although we were allowed to go ashore independently, both of us stayed on and headed to the Golden Lion with Maureen for lunch again, where we were joined by a disabled lady called Michelle who writes poetry. She was travelling with her elderly parents and such a good laugh. Her poems were excellent, some in the style of Pam Ayres. My dad went back to the cabin while I went for a wander. Before all my current issues, I would get off the ship and walk over the bridge to the other side to photograph the ship. I first did it in 2007 with Norwegian Gem and last ten years later on Astoria. I'm unable to do that anymore due to pain, needing to sit as often as possible so thank goodness there are plenty of seats around the ship, even getting a wet bum on the sports deck! I popped into the Commodore Club to have a drink while I rested before making my way back to the cabin.
It was Smart Casual again, this time on table 301 by the stairs and near the door. Comedian Allen Stewart was on in the theatre. I'd seen him before but my dad hadn't. He was just as funny and my dad enjoyed watching him. As we were overnight, I briefly went onto the Lido deck for some photos, chatting to a couple from Merseyside, whose first cruise it was and they loved it. Back to the cabin and bed.
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