Table mates, and all about them...

Holland America, on this ship at least, has the traditional seating at the evening meal. That means that you sit with the same people at the dinner table, [if you attend], until the cruise is over or you ask to be moved or re-assigned. Some ships have other arrangements, like 'open seating' etc. that I am not in a position to comment on.

Your evening meal companions can have a tremendous effect on your cruise, one way or the other. Bad mates can be very disheartening, and a good table is great fun. Over the years we have had good luck except twice, once on a short 10 day Scandinavian cruise that was made hell by a loud-mouthed whinging Yank and his wife. Another time we had a too talkative woman and... well, I will not go there.

This time we are at a table for eight. Obviously two are Fellette and I. Another couple are from Arizona, both engineers who worked for Lougheed in the space programme. Another couple are from Pittsburgh, she was a flight attendant and is very attractive and a gracious lady. Her husband, a bit older, is a self-made man, He was into construction, starting as a carpenter at age 21. He eventually built up a large business and was very successful. He is a very pleasant man who has a wide range of knowledge, a likeable man. He has some health problems as a result of tobacco use. We also have a single gentleman, a bit of a mystery to us all. I think he is warming to us and loosening up a bit, I would be interested to have talks with him. The eighth person is a lady travelling alone, recently 'semiretired'. An interesting and very outgoing woman. Born in Egypt but an American.

We indicated some time ago that we would be switching tables a couple of times in the cruise, after several weeks, just for a change and to meet more people. Depending upon how things go we may change our mind. It is really a crap shoot what you get. I see some tables having a wonderful time, others look like there is a funeral every night!

My sister Moe was a bit apprehensive for a while, she is at a table for eight. A couple with a daughter and son-in law on board and another single woman about Moe's age. I think she is a bit unsure how to fit into the mix, it is hard, but I believe she is beginning to feel more comfortable every day.

Jim and Gail are also at a table for six, a Scottish couple living in America and another American couple. Gail and Jim are of course great mixers and their table is fine.