Back in the ‘90s after Pop died, we went on a couple of cruises with Mom.  They had enjoyed cruising on Sagafjord and Vistafjord and we continued that tradition.  On one cruise Mom got her Cunard 100 night pin.  She was beaming, so proud.  Suzi and I attended the ceremony.  It reminded me of a Cub Scout “Court on Honor” where we were awarded our Wolf, Bear or Lion patches along with Arrow Points.  I turned to Suzi and said, “Grannie’s Court of Honor.”  It seemed so cute and charming.

Suzi and I chuckled, “Well, we’re never going to spend 100 nights on any cruise line except for the Alaska State Ferry, and they don’t give out merit badges.”  

On our first long Holland cruise 10 years ago a couple at our table were awarded their 500 night gold medals.  Again, I looked at Suzi and whispered, “This cruise is a one off for us, we will never do that.”  The tablemate looked at us and said, “Don’t be so sure.”  That Grand South America on Prinsendam was not a one off.

So it was with some amusement that we attended our own “Grannies’ Court of Honor” on Volendam.  Except that we were not being awarded 100 or 500 medals.  We got our 700 night platinum medallions.  Captain Paul, who also awarded us our 500 night gold whispered, “Thank you for sailing with Holland.”  I chuckled about that too.  When our tablemate got 500 the Hotel Manager whispered, as he put the medal around his neck, “This is the most expensive bit of faux gold bling you will ever wear.”

After the ceremony our friend, John, bit his gold medal, like they used to bite gold coins to test their authenticity.  He did not leave teeth marks.   Awardees clinked their medals together.

After the ceremony all of us honorees had a delightful luncheon with Holland picking up the wine.  But through all of this I felt a bit of a fraud.  I have not spent 700 nights on Holland Ships.  In 2020 the cruise was cut short after 78 days, but I was credited with the full 128 days even though Holland gave us a 50% refund plus a 50% future cruise credit (FCC, not an acronym I am fond of).  So, in effect we got a free cruise.  And in 2023 I was evacuated from the ship because of illness on day 59.  Insurance paid me for the unused 69 days of the cruise.  So, by my reckoning, I’m 147 days short.  Don’t tell Holland.  Although I’m not afraid of them finding out and making a correction.  I’m pretty sure I won’t make the1400 day President’s Club (he says now). I don’t think Holland will take our medals away.  And if they do it means that I get more free wine when we hit 700 for the second time.

The Mariner’s Award Ceremony and Lunch were only two of the events packed into the final three sea days.  We had an awards ceremony for crew with an after party, the parade of kitchen and serving staff through the dining room to receive our ovation, and a crew talent show.

We also had several performances by Breton Thunder, a Cape Breton band featuring Cape Breton fiddle music and Newfoundland sea songs.  They were great toppers for a fantastic 133 day pole to pole.