Frank, Irene, Budweiser and Schnitzel

Recently we went on a leisurely cruise throughout the Caribbean to take a few days to relax and have some fun. We chose to cruise on the Holland America Line, a nice cruise line that is known generally for an older clientele. We quickly found out that we were, indeed, some of the youngest on-board. That was just fine by us.

Lunch was served on the ms Veendam each day in the main dining room (the Rotterdam Dining Room) at 12:00 PM. When you arrived for lunch, unlike the dinner seating, you were placed randomly with the couples entering the room at the same time as you. It was ironic but each time we went to eat our lunch, we were seated with Frank and Irene.

Frank and Irene were in their early 80s, just a mere 55+ years older than we are. They cruised twice a year and only on Holland America. This was their second voyage aboard the Veendam.

Frank and Irene kick ass. They drank beer with us and told us stories about the difficulties octogenarians face when learning to use the internet. Frank could not hear a damn thing, so he would nod his head and Irene would tell us all about the joys of life in St. Petersburg, Florida. They ate Weiner Schnitzel each time we sat with them.

The last few days aboard the ship, I spotted Frank and Irene only once, chilling in the Lido Pool where Frank was hiding behind a bronze statue of a dolphin to stay clear of the sunlight. Hey, you have to protect that skin, man. Frank and Irene kick ass.