… or rather, Mardi Gras came to us! The day started strangely. At midnight on Sunday night, we crossed the International Date Line, and it became Tuesday morning, on Fat Tuesday. Crew members had been telling us for weeks that something knock-your-socks-off special was being planned for Mardi Gras. We could see construction going on in the midship area, which was closed off. The view from above showed a snippet of what was coming: a paddlewheel boat float!
The CEO of Holland America, Stein Cruse (the perfect name!) is currently onboard until we get to Sydney; he gave a great presentation in the afternoon, and held a Q&A session afterward. Then it was time for Mardi Gras to begin!
The midship area reopened at 5 pm – we were greeted by a jazz band and several singers flown in from New Orleans, along with Big Easy street performers, a fortune teller, caricaturist, balloon artist, and others. The crew was dressed in Mardi Gras colors, and the entire area was draped and festooned in purple, green and gold. Unfortunately, the paddlewheel, which was engineered to be fully operational, began to lift the float off the pool, so it was immediately shut down.
The food was also imported from New Orleans – red beans and rice, dirty rice, shrimp several ways, jambalaya, ribs, chicken, crab, lobster, crepes made on the spot to order, King Cake – and Abita beer! Beads were tossed, doubloons were thrown, and the band was great! Best of all, the ship didn’t have to do a thing to simulate the heat and humidity of New Orleans – we were already there! Very authentic.
A Mardi Gras parade began at 6 pm, led by the King and Queen, who had been elected several days earlier. The CEO and his wife joined the King and Queen; Mrs. Cruse is from New Orleans, and felt right at home. Judy hobnobbed with the Captain who was clearly in the swing of things!
The party heated up – if that was possible! – and at 7 pm the crew had another surprise in store – a flash mob! The ship’s whistle blew and every crew member instantly froze in place, whatever they were doing. It took the audience a few seconds to realize what was happening, then everyone dove for their cameras!
One poor waiter was in the process of handing an ice cream cone to a passenger. The cruise consultant was talking to a couple, who thought she had had a heart attack! Everyone had been told to avoid pouring drinks around 7 pm … and yes, they had all practiced. Every one had a story to tell about what they were doing for that minute in frozen time!
We talked Frank into opening his shirt for a handful of doubloons! Hussy!
A great time was had by all!
What great fun. It looks like you were in New Orleans.. brings back great memoirs
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