Escape from Paradise with Ingrid Lemme-Chalut: Winter 2026

The cruise that began with a crazy Uber detour — and became a holiday to remember

A Different Kind of Departure…A cruise usually begins with the first sight of the ship: a white hull gleaming under the Florida sun, gulls circling overhead, and the quiet thrill of knowing that for one week, the ocean will be home. Ours began differently.

The day before boarding Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam—before sail-away cocktails and smiling embarkation photos—we checked into The Harrison, a “Park, Sleep & Fly” hotel in Hollywood, Florida. That evening we dined just steps away at Hoshi and Sushi of Hollywood. Their Crispy Brussels Sprouts alone were worth staying next door.

When the Journey Takes a Turn…The next morning, after a quick breakfast, we rolled our luggage downstairs and ordered an Uber to Port Everglades. A mid-sized car arrived, the trunk popped open, and our driver greeted us warmly—though it quickly became clear he didn’t speak a word of English. That didn’t seem like a problem. We had one destination.
Except the car headed—confidently—toward Fort Lauderdale Airport.

We pointed at his GPS. We tapped the glowing blue dot labeled Port Everglades. We mimed ships and waved our arms theatrically. After several reroutes and far more gesturing than one expects on an Uber ride, he finally delivered us to the Holland America terminal. Bags dropped. Boarding documents scanned. We exhaled.

The Phone That Almost Missed the Ship…Then came the real plot twist. Halfway up the escalator, I reached for my iPhone and felt—nothing.  That cold shock every traveler knows washed over me. My phone was still in the Uber.

In those frantic moments, we imagined the worst: a driver unable to understand us, already disappearing into traffic. Don’t ask how we communicated—but travel has a way of surprising you. Twenty minutes later, he returned, holding my phone out the car window with a smile. Forgiveness was instant—and generously rewarded.

Christmas at Sea…Shortly thereafter, we stepped into the gleaming atrium of the ms Koningsdam—polished brass, soft lighting, and the hum of embarkation energy. Every cruise has a tone. This one felt festive, elegant, and joyful: Christmas at sea.

Our Vista stateroom was crisp and welcoming, balcony doors opening onto the glint of Fort Lauderdale’s channel.

The following morning, we were already anchored at Half Moon Cay. We loved Holland America’s private island—wide sugar-sand beaches, turquoise water, rustic barbecues, and roosters and chickens wandering freely, as if they owned the place (which, of course, they do).

The Rhythm of Sea Days…Sea days became the rhythm of our week. Mornings began with tea delivered by Jang, a member of the room-service staff whose attentiveness defines the Holland America spirit. He not only remembered our orders, but our preferences from previous voyages on other ships where he had served.

It comes as no surprise that Holland America Line has once again received Cruise Critic’s award for “Best Service” (Ocean Category), becoming the first cruise line to win the honor four years in a row. Judging by the level of care we experienced, it would be no stretch to imagine Assistant Maître d’ Andri among those who helped make that accolade possible.

Christmas Eve dinner in the main dining room shimmered. Holiday décor, clinking glasses, and guests dressed in red and green filled the space. Our waiters, Dony and his assistant Adikerta, turned service into art, presenting a new napkin creation each evening—swans and intricate origami wonders. Executive Chef Mahendran “Mahi” Sathupathy made his rounds, handsome as his cuisine, and was met with spontaneous applause.

Culture, Color, and Caribbean Flavor…Christmas Day Eve brought us to the Dominican Republic. Amber Cove opened into a landscape of mountains and music, and from there we traveled inland to El Cupey.

At Las Catalinas Ranch, we were welcomed with rum punch, warm smiles, and the promise of learning to cook sancocho, the national dish. Folkloric dancers soon filled the floor in vibrant costumes, teaching us merengue steps we attempted with varying degrees of grace.

Our guide, Elvis—fluent in several languages, an excellent dancer, and endlessly entertaining—shared the history of his country with pride. We continued on to Puerto Plata, where San Felipe Fortress stood stoic against time and Plaza Independencia buzzed with color and rhythm.

When Plans Go Underwater…In Grand Turk, we boarded a semi-submarine, imagining glass windows revealing schools of fish drifting past like sequins. Instead, swells rocked the vessel with theatrical enthusiasm. Within minutes, several passengers—myself included—felt unmistakably queasy. We surfaced early, and later learned subsequent tours had been canceled.  One of the comforts of cruising is always returning home to the ship.

Christmas, Quietly…Christmas morning unfolded slowly. Marcus attended the late-night staff concert and Christmas Mass while I slept, returning with photos and stories. Santa handed out gifts in the theater for the little ones, but we chose the Greenhouse Spa—a peaceful retreat where the only sounds were water and whispers. Outside, the ship sailed through endless blue.

Evenings became chapters of their own: exquisite Mediterranean sea bass at Canaletto by Chef de Cuisine Kalai and his team; music drifting from lounges; piano notes curling like ribbon; jazz giving way to a holiday party where guests dressed in bright orange celebrated Holland America’s Dutch heritage.

Arriving by Sea in Key West…By week’s end, the ms Koningsdam pointed back toward Florida—and finally, Key West. It was our first time arriving by ship, stepping ashore down the gangway with the island waiting just beyond the pier.

With no tour booked and no agenda, we wandered. Duval Street buzzed. Cuban coffee scented the air. Roosters, chickens, and baby chicks ruled the sidewalks. Pastel conch homes felt both familiar and newly noticed. And then there was Louie’s Backyard—our all-time favorite restaurant whenever we return. A place where meals become memories.

Full Circle…Disembarkation morning arrived clear and efficient. We ordered an Uber back to the hotel where our car awaited. A new driver—fluent in English, cheerful, confident. We relaxed…until we recognized the route. Again, the airport.

Two drivers. Two detours. One phone heroically recovered. Travel, it seems, wanted symmetry—a beginning and an ending linked by the same unexpected punchline. Just then, a seaplane lifted off the runway in front of us. A wrong turn—but a spectacular sight.

The Beauty of Going Sideways…And maybe this is the heart of travel: perfection doesn’t live in flawless execution, but in the small mishaps that color a journey and become stories retold for years.

Until next month, from another interesting location.

              ~ Yours in travel, with Love, Ingrid