If I were being completely accurate, my title would read “Sailing the Sea Blue,” but it just doesn’t have the same ring. We’re just wrapping up the first leg of our two-week Caribbean cruise aboard Holland America Line’s ms Nieuw Amsterdam, my first experience in the Caribbean and fifth cruise with Holland America. For residents of the chillier northern climes, I would highly recommend a balmy getaway such as this one during the wet, dark and dreary winter months. We’ve had highs in the 70s and 80s; plenty of sunshine; and light, refreshing breezes thus far. Beyond the fine weather and the beautiful scenery, we’ve been pampered and wined and dined magnificently.

Our cruise got off to an excellent start before we even left the pier at the Port Everglades Cruise Port in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Even though nearly 2,000 passengers were boarding Sunday afternoon, the check-in process was efficient and speedy. Even though an equivalent number of guests had disembarked the ship that morning from the previous cruise, we had immediate access to our stateroom and the public rooms of the ship. A chilled bottle of sparkling wine and a lovely spread of fruit and canapes greeted us,   and we chose to take it outside to enjoy on our  verandah as we watched a constant parade of boats and yachts pass by just below us on the Intracoastal Waterway.   A few hours later we participated in the mandatory safety drill, and shortly after that, the ship was underway.

We eased into the first day of the cruise with a call at Holland America’s private Bahamian island, Half Moon Cay. We took the island’s tender to shore, found beach chairs on the sand with a bar nearby, and kicked back for several hours of stress-free bliss. Ours was the only ship visiting the island that day, so it felt very uncrowded and pleasant. Yeah, I could get used to this!

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor