rafinmd

Thanks. Getting close to dinner time. Roy

OK, its back now. Roy

Is it just me or is the video out? Roy

Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann, and DIxie. Very late to the party today and I'm not sure if I'll make it at all tomorrow between Sunday and the canal. I used to get fresh apple cider direct from local orchards but they are long gone now. I'll pass on Mickey and Princess. Happy Anniversary St. Peters. I've been close but not inside. I don't think I've been to Baie Comeau although I believe I've at least been close if not actually there. I drove for my second trip to Newfoundland in 2000, and at the time there was a ferry from Lewisport into Goose Bay Labradory and then I drove the Trans Labrador Highway which ended near Baie Comeau. I think I may have taken a ferry from Baie Comeau to the South Shore of the St. Lawrence and then driven down to Montreal. After the explanation I think the quote seems pretty sad. The meal is definitely interesting. My alternative is Gourmet Greens, Beechers Macaroni and Cheese, and Pistachio Ice Cream as served in Rotterdam's Club Orange last night. Roy Roy

Friday, November 17. 2023. At Sea, MS Rotterdam I was up about 5:30. Sunrise came about 6 and I was able to view it from the aft lido deck looking almost forward. I had a couple of slower than expected meals in Club Orange. I love raisin bread toast but seldom have it at home. At breakfast I ordered bacon and “raisin toast if you have it, otherwise an english muffin”. The bacon came out promptly but there was a wait for the rest of the order. Turns out they did not have raisin bread in stock but sent someone up to the Lido to get it. I think worth the wait. There was a presentation on the Panama Canal at 10. I think this is the first of the truly scripted presentations I have seen, last year on the Eurodam they seemed more spontaneous. It ran about 75 minutes and probably could have been done in 40. I did learn some new things but it seemed to dwell on the trivia more than the key points. Particularly disappointing was that there was a quick reference to the new locks that we will use, but nothing about how they work or what to see when going through them. Just before the presentation Captain van Dreumel came on the PA indicating that due to demonstrations in Panama tours from the canal are cancelled and we would simply go through the locks to Lake Gatun, and come out when directed to do so by the canal authorities. I was not planning any tours so this does not bother me but I pray for an improving situation in Panama. After leaving the presentation I headed up to the top of the forward elevators. On one side they go all the way to the top where there’s access for a 360 degree view at various points, although there’s about a 20-foot section forward that is blocked off. I dropped to deck 12 (there is no 13) and walked through the Crow’‘s Nest. I saw the Steven Card painting somebody mentioned but did not feel it appropriate to photograph it. I noted near the center of the Crows Nest reminders of the previous 2 Rotterdams, a model of Rotterdam 5 (I’ve seen 3 of these now) and the bell from Rotterdam 6. I was not well positioned to hear Captain van Dreumel’s noon update but I did catch that we had been traveling at a higher speed than required and we could now make our port sailing about 11 knots. Lunch was an eclectic mixture of milk, mashed potatoes, and Key Lime pie. I spent much of the afternoon quietly in my room. I was down at Club Orange a little after 5. When I sailed MS Prinsendam a baked Macaroni and Cheese dish was frequently served in the lido and it was a favorite of mine. I noticed it was on the Club Orange menu and I decided to try it along with Gourmet Greens and ice cream. The salad came quickly but not the entree. After a while a staff member let me know it was still cooking. I did ask for a cup of decaf while waiting but the entree arrived just a little after the decaf. It was as good as I remembered it. It is also served in the lido but from a ladle and the baked crust adds a lot to the dish to my taste. It seemed like a long wait but I was actually only there about an hour. I had a quiet evening after dinner. Roy

Where do you meet your transfer? Unless it's actually in the port I would be a bit concerned about getting through security into the port without a same day FLL ship. Roy

You're the second tier of risk and sorry it hit you. I don't think that can happen for shorter cruises because I think Miami to FLL or FLL to Miami without a DISTANT foreign port, like South America. Roy

Roy PS, I think it's all cards now. Not on the Koningsdam but I had the same punch on Nieuw Statendam regular room in 2019.

One more thing. There are several USB ports. If someone is using a newer device that uses a USB-C cable, a USB to USB-C adapter would be a good addition to the toolkit. Roy

HAL seems to be doing it's best to keep ships in Everglades as much as possible. Last year on the Eurodam my scheduled embarkation was moved up a day so we could fit into Everglades. I think so far all the cruises that were moved were other than FLL round trips, including an Oosterdam turnaroud that arrived from Europe and then went far south for the Antarctica season. Roy

I am on the November 12 cruise. The stated reason for cancelling the tours is massive demonstrations in Panama, so I would expect HAL to assess the situation as late as possible. Our notice came at 10AM on the second day before entering the canal. I have attached the Captain's letter about the situation. Roy notours.pdf

Just for the heck of on lighting I emptied the slot with all the lights on. All went out (even the bathroom) except for the lights at the head of the bed. Roy

I'll see when the time comes but I expect there will be. I was a bit disappointed that my last Crystal Cruise did not have that on Canadian Thanksgiving (and we were then in Canada). Roy

I am currently on the Rotterdam (in a basic verandah room). I just did a test and MOST of the 120v and all I could see of the USB outlets stay on all the time. I forgot my 220V adapter but I suspect they are likely to turn off when the slot is unused. I have 2 laptops at the desk; one stays powered all the time and the other has never had a seriously low battery. By the way I use an ID card in the slot but still take it out when I leave the room. I still either take it out of the slot or at least leave it sitting high enough to allow the power to turn off. I did that after just once forgetting to take the card out of the slot when I went for breakfast. By the way. most of the lights will go off but the lights next to the bed stay on. I'll suggest that when you get to your cabin you do a little test to see which of your outlets stay on when the slot is empty. Roy

Club Orange party or Orange party? I'm sure there will be one but haven't seen any reference to it in the Navigator. Here's what's left so far: 18 Cartagena: With a 1:30 sailaway I thought a possibility but it isn't in the program. 19: Panama Canal: Doubtfull 20: Puerto Limon: Full port day 21: Sea day and dressy-I think a good chance 22: Montego Bay- conceivable with a 2PM departure 23: Sea day -I don't think likely the last night Roy

That is good to know. I had planned to do that with my "refundable" OBC (port fee refunds) but did not expect it could happen with the non-refundable. Roy

Not really a disappointment to me. I have done most of the tours and was looking at going back through the locks a second time. Still, a disappointment to some, and especially to the people of Panama. Roy

Be mindful of which security line you get into. When I arrived it looked like there was only 1 line but after I moved up a few feet I could see there was a second line for priority. Fortunately, the gal opened the ribbon so I could cut to the correct line. Saved several minutes through security. Roy

Cape Liberty is very easy with a car. I just googled Rochester to Cape Liberty and they suggested going most of the way on I81 through Scranton. Roy

Father, does your boarding pass say "Priority"? (not sure if you get mariner credit for times as chaplain but if so you should be at least a 4-star Mariner, or perhaps you took Club Orange. If you're "Priority" you have an express line for security but even in the regular line it shouldn't take that long. My boarding pass said 12:00 but I arrived at the terminal at 11 and was onboard by 11:30. One other thing. While rooms are normally open on boarding, for me they were not quite ready. Everyone was sent up to the lido, and I was almost at the Dive-In counter when the announcement came that rooms were ready. Roy

Just before meeting the anchored Serenity. I have a sunset today rather than a sunrise. It's from my balcony on MS Rotterdam yesterday looking out across Orangestad Cay in Aruba. Roy

I have a sunset today rather than a sunrise. It's from my balcony on MS Rotterdam yesterday looking out across Orangestad Cay in Aruba. Roy

Extremely late today. Happy Friday, Bon Voyage @arzz and virtual hugs to @seagarsmoker. Thank you Rich, Vanessa, Debbie, Ann, and Dixie. I used to love hikes but not recently, will pass on the Baklava but celebrate students. I'll also pass on the Hemmingway quote. I have not been to today's port. That first mouse sounded pretty primitive It sure was a long time between Elizabeth 1 and Elizabeth 2. The meal sounds interesting. My alternative is Classic Caesar Salad, Jerk Lamb Shank and Almond Fruit Cake as served last night in Rotterdam's Club Orange. Roy

Bon Voyage. I think you'll find Rotterdam in great shape. Roy

Well, I can't say I'm either surprised or disappointed but the Captain announced a change in our itinerary. We will still go through the locks into Gatun Lake on Sunday but there will not be a stop there to let passengers off for shore excursions and we will not be visiting Colon that evening. This is due to safety and security concerns due to continuing demonstrations in Panama. Roy