I'll be gobsmacked. But by what?

I've been on a few cruises in my day, but never on a new ship on its maiden voyage. All of this is about to change as we head toward an April 2016 departure on Koningsdam, the new addition to Holland America's cruise line. Koningsdam (Koning means King in Dutch) is a new class of ship, bigger with over 2600 guests and over 1000 crew—and bigger means new venues, new restaurants, and new experiences. I'm very excited.

Another added part of this trip is the addition of Mellissa's family and some of their friends, and the inagural Holland America cruise for my dear mother and her big adventure to places she has always wanted to go. In fact she hasn't been back to Europe since she found herself in a camp during the war. So her return will be under better circumstances for sure.

You can view our full itinerary on Mellissa's excellent blog. The short and sweet version is a pre-cruise tour of Tuscany and the Cinque Terra and a post-cruise visit to one of my favourite places, Amsterdam.

And finally, I wanted to set up something that I can tell you about when it happens. My mother tells me that while we are on the cruise something will happen that will leave me "gobsmacked." I have warned her that it takes a lot to gobsmack me. In fact I don't think it has happened yet in my life. What will astonish me on this trip and leave me mind boggled? I have no idea. She's keeping it secret.

You'll be the first to know what it is. I promise.

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