scubacruiserx2

We were in first at the Turtle Bay Pier . A little later we saw the MSC Seashore cruise into and back into the James Bond Pier . We love the full promenade and deck chairs on this class of ships This is the view of the ship , the pool and the Retreat from the Tamarind Bar We have been here many times and it's not our favorite port so we won't be going ashore . Here's someone else review . https://www.iqcruising.com/ports/caribbean/jamaica/ocho-rios/overview-ocho-rios-cruise-port.html

You are welcome . We're sorry that we can't answer as we were not near the Billboard during sail away . We also didn't go to Happy Hour either so it's an unknown in our experience .

Thanks Nancy us too . We are scheduled to be there on the 27th and 28th and we are considering maybe adding a day and night . The Accuweather average for that time is 57-58 F for high temps and upper 30's at night . We know that it's been colder than normal , but we shall see . We did see a neat movie that pumped us up a bit called Marry me in Yosemite . It's about a photographer going there trying to get the perfect photo . https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/marry-me-in-yosemite

This is one of our favorite quite spots during the day and night - the Tamarind Bar The sunset Dinner at the Tamarind Ocho Rios , Jamaica before sunrise at the so called James Bond pier also called the Reynolds Pier . https://www.beyondships3.com/ocho-rios-cruise-port.html

Thank you so much Nancy . And yes life is surely an adventure . We looked at our local temperature today and we have record heat today for our daughter's bridal shower (92 f and very dry ). When we looked at San Francisco it was 48 f and our guide told us that they are having a blizzard in Yosemite with feet of snow and freezing weather . We are looking forward to some cooler weather when we hope to be near to where you live later this month . 🏂

The Crow's Nest and Explorations Cafe We had a HMC type Lobster lunch at the Retreat for 2 As a coincidence we were married 45 years ago today

We're not sure if it was open at anytime but it was during the day . We haven't attended the Chocolate Surprise Parade yet and we don't usually go to the Happy Hour . Sorry that we can't be more help .

A day at sea heading to Ocho Rios A fiber filled breakfast We think that this was an isolation zone Bow access on another level

Message received . We will sent them tomorrow .

After a smooth sail away dinner was at the Pinnacle Our new favorite red Escargot Crab cakes were great Patty had a little lamb The Steak was very good and cooked perfectly Semi loaded baked potato A Key lime finish Elephant protected from our cooties

Thank you very much , we're glad that you enjoyed it .

Hi Cruise Suzy. Please contact us at scubacruiserx2@gmail.com Interested in both tiles you show. Looking forward to hearing from you. Joe and Pat

We have been to HMC ( Little San Salvador ) which signed a 99 year lease with HAL in 1996 . https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/travel-inspiration/half-moon-cay-bahamas-history/ We have been there many times so we skipped this day to eat , nap and explore and enjoy the ship . Leaving HMC In the sunset and distance we could see Princess Cay ( Eleuthera ) and a Princess ship . It's 17 miles away and where most of the workers on HMC commute from to work on HMC . The 2nd night dinners options on TV We found this neat group of tiles on the ship We have a number of tiles from the Nieuw Amsterdam/Eurodam that we would love to trade for some HAL ships that we were on but didn't receive a tile . We are looking for The Westerdam , Zaandam and the Zuiderdam . Would anybody else like to exchange tiles ?

Sunrise at Half Moon Cay Breakfast and the announcements at Half Moon Cay ( Please don't congregate ) The Congregation waiting to go ashore below the Pinnacle breakfast We hung out near the empty ( but covered pool ) and the Retreat . When it got hot we went for the view and the A/C at the Lido with a good pizza and some sushi .

You're welcome . We hope that you enjoy your cruise .

In summary of our cruise on Nieuw Statendam. Our first cruise on the Nieuw Statendam was February 24, 2019 in cabin VS5200, an Aft View. We had a large crowd of some aggressive "Spring Breakers" on a charter . It didn't go well . This cruise was in 7089 Vista Suite, a more quiet room and better design. Dining was many venues, but we did not do Club Orange. The MDR was only the first day lunch. Embarkation was smooth. We didn't care for the same dance show and they didn't have any tribute groups that we enjoy. There were no Family this time. Our Fitness and Recreation was walking ( usually on the floors with cabins to avoid crowds). We did have a Spa Pass which we really liked and used almost daily. Public Rooms are huge and Pinnacle Class seems to be following the trend in Carnival ships of smaller rooms and balconies designed to get you into the larger, busy areas, where you might spend more money. Service was excellent from a bunch of dedicated, but overworked and underpaid staff. It was a good value and allowed us to eat our meals at the Specialty Restaurants. We will review the Specialty Restaurants separately, but overall about an 8 on a scale of 1-10.

Seaview Sailaway Dinner at the Canaletto Not our best sunset this cruise

Yes , both the New Statendam and Nieuw Amsterdam were pretty full . Our favorite covered aft covered balcony was on the Zuiderdam ( Vista Class ) , our favorite room and ship was the Signature Class aft corner ( Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam ) because of the larger cabins /balconies and the Tamarind . The Pinnacle had smaller cabins and balconies to try to move people into the larger public venues ( to spend more money ) . There were larger public rooms with more people and noise . We usually try to avoid them for personal comfort and safety ( Health and crowd issues ) . So we might go to the NY Deli/Pizza and grab and go to a less busy place where we could hear each other talk like the Canaletto or our room . The fancy dining like Tamarind and Rudi's were quite and so was the Pinnacle but we could only book one date and that wasn't until 8 PM which was late for us to eat . We're more early birds than night owls . To us a small full room feels less crowded than a large full room .

Viewing the future and leaving Port Everglades just ahead of the rain The rain caught us Extended balcony # 6049 Sunset over the land A sunset pan shot of the ship Proper social distancing ? An overhead view of our former aft corner balcony

You're right about leaving from your home port as it is so convenient . We have enjoyed cruising to both Alaska and Hawaii , but from Vancouver and Seattle . But we were thrilled to cruise into San Francisco and hope to return for some stay days before Hawaii . We are also fairly close to Miami and went on lots of diving cruises from there . If you or anybody would like a free virtual cruise of what Princess does look like you can read our post covid cruise on the Enchanted Princess to see some of the differences . Lots of good eating options . Here's the complete review at this link below . We will be returning to our last cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam for some diving very soon .

Here's the link to 7 photos from a room 2 rooms from yours ( 6083 ) on the sister ship the Koningsdam . Note there is a small sofa and how tight the walkway at the corner shelf where it meets the foot of the bed . It's about a foot wide so the person who sleeps on the couch side has a narrow opening if they use the bathroom at night . https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/6083-koningsdam/

Thank you so much for the great information Nancy , Patty is taking care of the business of staying . On the home front a lot of signs to an early Spring here . Our first Magnolia bloom , first pineapple and the strawberries are ripe in Publix today . Love that smell !

From our Daily Program in the Dominican Republic . 25% off listed cocktails , wine by the glass , beers and entry level spirits between 3 pm to 4 pm in Billboard Onboard , 2 .

Our TA picked us up at the cruise port and we had a nice chat as she drove us and our Tyler home . As we began unpacking we recognized that we were beginning to have a cruise withdrawal reaction . The solution was simple book - another cruise . A quick look showed us something that we liked . It was $ 299 for a weeks cruise with 2 SCUBA diving opportunities . We found a room that we liked and a chance at an upsell . The gamble paid off the next day with an upsell to a Neptune for $ 200 p.p. So on November 6th we boarded the NA with our Beyond cruise . We hoped to surprise our friends on the ship and we did . Lunch in the MDR was Mexican street Tacos and a Croque Madam for me and a Pannenkoek for Patty .