Finally, we offer some activities that don't fit neatly into the categories above. Included here are the Orange Party, Afternoon Tea and Royal Dutch Tea, Art Auctions, beer, wine and spirit tasting events, and special group meet-ups such as Friends of Bill W meetings, military, single and solo travelers, and Pride (LGBT+ and friends) meet-ups.
One caveat. You'll see a lot of "seminars" put on by the Greenhouse Spa, the Fitness Center, and the Art Gallery. Most of these will turn out to be infomercials for products or services offered by the presenter. Fortunately, most of these can be identified by a "Promotion" label in the Daily program, but not all. (I should add that the Fitness Center does offer some complementary exercise classes, and I'm not including them in this warning.)
Here are descriptions of each of these miscellaneous activities.
Once each cruise, HAL will host the Orange Party (in
honor of the ruling family of The Netherlands, the House of Orange). Bring something orange to wear or purchase an orange accessory onboard.
The evening will start with a Dutch-inspired dinner followed by music and dancing, orange drinks, and party food.
Every day at 3 PM you can enjoy a traditional Afternoon
Tea with finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and pastries. Once on each cruise a Royal Dutch
Tea will instead be held in The Dining Room with a massive buffet. To see photos of Afternoon Tea and the Royal Dutch Tea,
click HERE
Several times during the cruise Art Auctions will be
held in one of the lounges. Although you can get a free glass of cheap champagne, Lee regards this event as something to avoid. Frankly, it's a
scam. Sorry to have to say it, but it's true. To learn why, click HERE.
Several times during the cruise, you'll have the opportunity to take
part in Tastings of wines, beers, or spirits. In general, you can expect these to be additional cost events.
You can expect to find a selection of Interest Group
Meet-ups including daily "Friends of Bill W." meetings (for those in AA) as well as other interest group meet-ups offered such as Singles &
Solo Travelers, Young Adults (18 - 30), Military, and PRIDE (LGBT+ and friends). All of these will be listed in your daily program.
On sea days, there may be a couple of Tech for
Travelers talks held in the Explorer's Lounge (aft starboard side Deck 2 - Lower Promenade
Deck) with topics such as, "When in Port," "Sharing Your Journey," or "Planning". The content will definitely be at the relative beginner level,
so you don't need to be a tech wizard to attend.
And finally, Lee's favorite cruise activity: relaxing on your
verandah or on one of those wonderful teak deck chairs on the Promenade deck with a book (or without one) just watching the endlessly
fascinating ocean.