USS Holder Association's 20th Annual Reunion

17 October 1998 through 24 October 1998

The shipmates of the ships named USS Holder DE401, DD819, and DDE819 sailed the seas on a Carribean Cruise aboard the Grandeur of the Seas for their 20th reunion.

Events of the 20th USS Holder Reunion

Saturday, 17 October 1998

Welcome Aboard! .

We arrived onboard and got to our cabins. We had our abandon ship drill so we know what lifeboat we are assigned to.

They had a Bon Voyage and Octoberfest Party on the Pool Deck and we set sail.

Sunday, 18 October 1998

At sea all day.

Our business meeting was held in the morning and we had our memorial service which was attended by the Staff Captain of the Grandeur of the Seas, Darren Bowland, and a trumpeter from one of the bands, who played Taps.

There were plenty of activities to while away the afternoon such as spending time at one of the pools, listening to the Calypso band, visiting the casino, etc.

1800 We had a French dinner after which there were more activities for the evening such as Celebrity Showtime, with Gary Mule Deer and the Ashtons, and the TV game show "the Feud".

Monday, 19 October 1998

Arrived Labadee, Haiti (Royal Caribbean's private island)

Today there was snorkeling or a coastal cruise, there was a Beach Combers Luncheon on shore, and there was a Native Market where we could purchase crafts. If you wanted to stay aboard, there were all the amenities of the ship.

They served a great Italian dinner and there was a show "The Beat Goes On" and a 50's and 60's Rock'n'Roll Sock Hop.

Tuesday, 20 October 1998

We had a presentation about San Juan and St. Thomas.

1230 Arrived San Juan and commenced liberty. many revisieted El Morro and San Cristobal and wandered the streets of Old San Juan once again.

Tonight's theme for dinner was "America the Beautiful" and passengeres wore masquerade costumes or casual dress. The evening entertainment line-up included a Guest Talent Show, a Big Band Evening, and "The Newlywed, Not So Newlywed Game" and the later included a Holder couple.

Wednesday, 21 October 1998

We arrived in St. Thomas in the morning.

Some toured St. Thomas in open-air safari buses, stopping along the route for sightseeing or shopping. Others chose the Kon-Tiki Party Tour for the swimming, steel band playing calypso music, dancing, etc.

After dinner tonight they held a Country & Western Jamboree along with other shows.

Thursday, 22 October 1998

Today was spent at sea.

There were a variety of activies around the pools, etc.

The USS Holder group was given a cocktail party by Cruise Holidays of Toms River, NJ and there was a large cake noting the USS Holder Association's 20th anniversary.

Tonight was the Captain's Gala Dinner. Entertainment included Celebrity Showtime featuring Clint Holmes. We also had to endure the Gala Buffet.

Friday, 23 October 1998

Our scheduled stop, Coco Cay, Bahamas, was canceled due to hurricane damage so we entered Nassau, Bahamas instead. Some visited Crystal Cay, a marine park, followed by a bus tour of Nassau. We visited Fort Charlotte and toured the downtown area.

Dinner had an international theme. Captain Ulf Svensson gave a farewell address and there was a Farewell Variety Show.

Saturday, 24 October 1998

Farewells and departures, until next year.