Newly Retired Teachers

FYI

We have a new Captain starting today.  His name is Robert Jan Kan.  It was quite an impressive spin in a small space, in the dark, to get the Koningsdam ready to head out to sea tonight.

We’ll done Captain!

Bob

Sorry for posting so many pictures.  But it really is an amazing place to visit!

Bob

9 hours ago, jkrislc said:

Do they still enforce the jacket rule for men? On my last HAL cruise, they had a sign at the entrance to the dining room on formal night that a jacket was required for men.

Didn’t see a sign like that, but most men were wearing jackets.

17 hours ago, jabcruiser said:

What size hooks did you get?  From Amazon?  Need to order some for our upcoming cruise and want to get some that will hold lots of stuff like yours.  Thanks so much.

Jane

Hi Jane,

These are the hooks I purchased.  Super strong!  Don’t get your fingers caught between them.

Bob

We took an Uber and hiked to the top of Diamond Head this morning.  Spectacular views from up there, but bodies are a bit sore now.  

Then we went to the Ala Moana Center, replaced my old Apple Watch at the Apple Store and used their Wi-Fi to participate in an HOA Board meeting via Zoom.  

Casual dinner in the Lido followed by the Hawaiian/Polynesian dance and drum show.  

Then we enjoyed the music at BB Kings before calling it a night.  

We have tickets to visit the Doris Duke Shangri-La Museum tomorrow morning.

Arriving into Honolulu!

16 hours ago, sansterre said:

A trivia win allows you to pose with the sanitized trophy and wear a lei (they are 1 of 3 sets rotated every 3 days).

Congratulations Team!  We struggle to get more than 8 correct answers at the 4pm Trivia.

3 hours ago, dchip said:

I agree 100%. The only time I used a Command strip at home, I took the paint off the wall. Yes, I did it incorrectly.  We just order 6 more magnets for our 2/27/22 cruise. 

Enjoying your photos and comments!

Impressed by the amount of weight they will hold too!

Last night we ate at Tamarind for the first time.  The service and the flavors were amazing!  We also decorated our cabin for Chinese New Year.  Magnetic hooks are so much better than command strip hooks in my opinion.  
 

We had a little rain this morning which cancelled 9am Pickleball.  Better weather later in the day 😄

1 hour ago, sansterre said:

I took this photo of our Meet and Greet in the Crows Nest on Feb. 4th.

What a coincidence.  We were seated right next to you.  I see my leg in the lower right corner.

8 hours ago, sp00n said:

Just found out theres a grand total of two children on the entire ship. I guess they have all of Club HAL to themselves, lol. 

But according to their Dad, Club HAL is only taking them for 2 2-hour time periods per day, because there are only 2 kids on board.

10 hours ago, GTVCRUISER said:

Are they having Happy Hour 🍺 at 4 in the Billboard Bar and Martini Hour🍸 at 5  at  the Panorama Bar ? 

Yes, and 4pm in the Crow's Nest as well.

No Phone Call = Tested Negative!

🎇 😁 🙃 🎆 Yeah!!!

We sincerely hope everyone else on board has the same results!

Bob & Steve

a post movie trivia celebration

Our take on Gala Night

5 hours ago, Lido deck main said:

Looks like you both are having a great time.  You two are very photogenic.  The entertainment sounded good on the second night with the Jersey Tenors.  With regards to the pickle ball, did you bring your own racquets or did HAL provide them?  In the gym, all those people without masks, you would think they would want to be careful at least until they get tested the second time so that they don't have to go to quarantine before Hawaii and miss Hawaii ports, but that is just me.  If you are walking around, just wondering the room where they used to have the computer classes,  (I forget the name of the room) are they having art classes in there?  Hope you continue to have a great cruise.

You are very kind.  LOL

We were just tested and now we are waiting in our cabin for 30 minutes, hoping the phone doesn't ring!

To answer some of your questions:

We brought our own paddles, but the ship does provide some paddles and balls.

We did cardio again this morning.  The gym hasn't been that crowded when we go, so maybe that is why some folks are comfortable not wearing a mask.  We are right there with you, and we want to be able to enjoy Hawaii and the rest of the cruise.

We walked past the room that was used for computer classes last evening, and the table tops are completely clear.  I don't know if they will start using that space after this round of testing is over.

Thanks again for your well wishes.

15 more minutes to wait now.

Bob & Steve

Day 3 - North Pacific

A little more active today, cardio on the treadmills in the morning.  Surprised to see about half the folks in the gym were not wearing masks.  Guest Services told me that if you are doing strenuous exercise, you don't have to wear a mask.  Hmm.

Koningsdam has Pickleball set up for playing at 9am and 1pm.  It's always fun to play on a moving court with wind, but it fact, it's pretty sheltered up there.  We have to miss the 9am slot tomorrow because of COVID-19 testing, but we plan to play again at 1pm.

Tonight was a Gala Night, and dress code ran the gambit.  Dinner was good as was the dance show in the World Stage Theater.  Weather today was cloudy and cool, about 55 degrees.

Bob

1 hour ago, sp00n said:

If I knew you were taking a picture I would have smiled 🙂

Say hi or join us next time!

Day 2 - Catalina Island

It was a beautiful sunny day, and we made the choice to stay on board.  We just didn't want to risk the transfers by tender with our next COVID-19 Test scheduled for the 5th.  The views of Avalon harbor were wonderful and the water in the Sea View Pool was surprisingly warm.  All in all, a very relaxing day.  We have met some very nice passengers, from as nearby as our own town of Palm Springs, to as far away as the East Coast.  Trivia in the afternoon was fun.  At dinner, we noticed a lack of Wine Stewards (and we're not even big wine folks).  We had a surprise reunion though with our Wine Steward from our last HAL cruise, South Pacific, Fall 2019 on the Amsterdam.  It was great to see Manny, though he is running drinks to Dining Room tables now, instead of acting as a Wine Steward.  I hope that changes for him soon!

For entertainment, we went up to deck 14 for a lights out view of the stars, guided by the on board astronomer.  Looking forward to tonight's experience!  The show in the World Stage theater was The Jersey Tenors, a fun filled show.  Afterwards, we caught the last act at the dueling pianos in Billboard Onboard.

Bob & Steve

7 hours ago, GTVCRUISER said:

Looks like you guys are in the Panorama Bar 🙂🍸🙂

Very good!  Yes, that's were we went for drink #1 when we boarded in San Diego.  Thank you St Louis Sal for turning us right-side-up.  LOL

Bob & Steve

Heading for Hawaii from Catalina.  Light breakfast just arrived, then gym for some cardio, followed by a CC M&G in the Crow’s Nest.  I will post more later, all is good.

19 minutes ago, zelker said:

Thanks for the update.  Do you know if anyone was denied boarding for testing positive at embarkation yesterday?

 

I don’t know.  After testing, we waited in small groups for results.  Everyone in our group, and the 3 groups before us, all tested negative.  Then we were allowed to complete the check-in process and board the ship.

Good Morning,

We woke up to a beautiful view of Catalina Island, calm and clear.  As we expected, a notice was delivered announcing that everyone will be periodically tested during this cruise.  We were given an appointment to have a rapid antigen test on Feb. 5 in the dining room.  Instructions state that passengers are to return to their cabins and stay there for 30 minutes post testing.  Medical Center would call and conduct a rapid PCR test if the antigen test is positive.  If no contact is made during the 30 minute waiting period, then "assume the test results are negative."

The Front Desk told us there are about 1470 passengers on board our cruise.  Nothing seems crowded so far.  It doesn't seem that there will be any large production shows for entertainment this cruise.  Only a dance company is mentioned for the World Stage.  Again, very glad to be back on board a ship again!

Bob

Not sure why we are upside down.  It’s only martini #1.

We made it!  On board now, waiting for martini #1.

14 hours ago, dchip said:

We are so happy you are taking us along on your cruise!

🛳🎉BON VOYAGE🎉🛳

We wish you were boarding with us.  But we do look forward to October's South Pacific cruise!

Bob & Steve