DocJohnB

Purple Traveller - I did indeed "beat myself up", until I (with the input from fellow cruisers) realized that it could have been so much worse and the only thing hurt was my pride.

I did enjoy the cruise both before and after the 'incident'.

Now, I have no one but myself to blame, but my wallet was lifted in Lisbon and I am suffering the throes of replacing its content.

My story:  I am 81 years old, have 50+ cruises under my belt plus about 4 years "cruising" with the U.S. Navy and never in all that time have I suffered the loss of anything due to a pickpocket.  Never that is until our stop in Lisbon while on the Sky Princess.  The ship warned its passengers of the danger of these cretins, especially in crowds.  Normally, I only take one credit card, some local currency and U.S. currency, and a driver's license in my wallet which I always store in a front pocket of my trousers.  The rest is left in the locked safe in the stateroom.

Well, not this day when I went out with a fully loaded wallet and some cash.  Fortunately my passport and some U.S. currency were left behind.  A small group of us went off the ship and had some good Portugese food.  The ladies in the group wanted to "buy" some souveniers so we went into a nearby shop.  The other gentleman in our small group said, "I'm not sure if I have enough Euro's to cover what she bought.  I told him not to worry, I still had some Euro's and pulled the Euro's out of my wallet and placed them in my front pocket - but this is where I think I got careless and through force of habit (I think) I placed the wallet in my back pocket.  We almost immediately headed back to the ship, but within 5 minutes, I realized my wallet was gone.  After searching the shop and where we ate with no luck, we immediately headed back to the ship and I went straight to the internet cafe and "froze my credit and debit cards".

Without going through a lot of posts where I am sure this subject has been beat to death, I posted this to show no matter how experienced a traveller one is, one has to be aware of their surroundings AT ALL TIMES.

I have now shut down all 3 accounts and have received a new debit card.  The credit cards will take a bit longer.  I still have to go through the process of getting a new military retiree card, a new VA medical eligibility card, etc.  I think of all the feelings I have expressed 2 stand out.  The first is how PO'd I am at my own carelessness and stupidity.  2.  The utter contempt I have for the cretins who earn their livings through theft.



 

On 3/15/2020 at 9:54 PM, Denny01 said:

A sailor walks into a bar takes his seat and starts drinking. He leans over to the guy next to him and says "Hey buddy, you want to hear a Marine joke?" The guy says "Before you say the joke let me tell you this: I'm 6'0 190 lbs and I'm a Marine, my friend is 6'2 210 lbs and is also a Marine, the third guy is 6'5 250 lbs, he too is a Marine. So with that in mind do you still want to tell the joke?"

The sailor stops for a minute and thinks to himself, after a minute he tells the man "nah I dont want to explain it 3 times"

 

Den

 

Denny,

Gotta tell you as Corpsman who served close to 10 years of my career with the Marine Corps, I appreciate this Navy/Corps humor!

Appears that the Zaandam is running quite a bit late into Quebec City today.  A ship tracking site shows her as arriving in Quebec City at 11:06.  She was due in at 07:00.

2 hours ago, KroozNut said:

My thought is that your first mistake is booking a 'guarantee' in the first place. If one is even minimally concerned about their cabin location, booking a 'guarantee' is a mistake.

And, I would agree, but only if there is a concern about cabin location.

I have been doing this cruising thing for 25 years or so now.  When my wife was alive, we always chose the cabin we wanted.  Location meant a lot to her for a few reasons.

However, since her passing and lately when single supplements have become harder to find, I will occasionally opt for a guarantee.  Location means very little to me as I can block out noise fairly easily and having been a Navy man for almost 30 years prior to cruising the "motion of the ocean" has little to no effect on me.

Watching the webcam.  Zaandam is getting ready to sail after 3 days in port.  Weather looks gorgeous.  Sunny and 64F.

Thanks for all the well wishes and bon voyage's.  I look forward to this cruise.

Hopefully will run into Sedband Mom sometime during the cruise to say hello.

Sedband Mom - usually sit at the Crow's Nest for a drink during Happy Hour or sail-away's.  I would describe myself as an old guy with gray hair and mostly bald, but this would not narrow it down at all.  😂😂

2 hours ago, sullyd said:

Doc, keep us updated if they give any early information on weather or not they will be going to Montreal. 

Thanks 

sullyd - I will certainly try to do so.  Please keep in mind that the folks on this last cruise did not learn of the problem until the day before they were to arrive in Montreal.  I suspect it won't/can't be much different on our cruise.  Additionally, the day before is basically an "at sea" day and I do not use ship's wifi/internet.

4 minutes ago, sullyd said:

Going on the 18th of May hope fully ok by then

sully - I will be onboard when you arrive and will be sharing the ship with you.  I leave out of Boston on 5/11.

I was just PM'ing with a friend on the Zaandam.  Apparently the Seaway is to high for the ship to clear "the" bridge.  Apparently all the recent rains in Canada have caused this ( water needs someplace to go).

They are docked in Quebec City and will be there through Sunday. 

A live view of the Zaandam in Quebec can be found here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zaCBS29E30

6 hours ago, RMLincoln said:

We had porthole rooms

Great picture!  I am positive I will not only enjoy my trip, but also my cabin.

Just a quick follow-up.  Happened to do my nightly check on my documents status and discovered that I had received my cabin assignment.

And, in a rather nice surprise, I was upgraded from and inside guarantee to an Ocean View.  Pretty much all the way forward on the Dolphin Deck, port side (1806) (only a Handicap Ocean View forward of me).  I believe from deck plans it has 2 portholes vice a window, but I will take it and am glad to get it.

So, for me, the answer to my original question is room assignment was 10 days out.

Again, thanks to all who responded to my OP.

Thanks to all who have responded.  No assignment yet, but not terribly worried about it.

As I alluded to in my OP my main concern is "luggage tags".  Once on another line, I had purchased the cruise about 10 days prior to a cruise in a guaranteed inside.  Got to the pier and the guy collecting luggage looked at a list and said OK here it is and filled out 3 tags.  He was either in a hurry or possibly dyslexic.  Didn't get the luggage until almost 10:30 and a few trips trips to the guest relations.  The porter had transposed numbers and the luggage actually sat outside two different staterooms.

Hopefully that will not happen this time.  (Besides I now know to walk the passageways looking if it does). 

1 hour ago, sedbandmom said:

I am on this same cruise. Just received my balcony guarantee. 

 

I just may be getting close.  We'll see.

First, the search function on this site is miserable and I have indeed tried the "search" function.

Second, as can be seen, I am not a newbie here on cruise critic - but I still think the search function is miserable.

So now, the question.  What is the current feeling amongst posters as to when "guaranteed" cabin assignments will be made by HAL.  I have a "guaranteed" inside cabin and leave in 12 days on the Zaandam.  On Saturday, I received the "Your cruise documents are now ready" email, but no cabin assignment, ergo, no luggage tag availability.  Hopefully, not pier side.

Thoughts would be appreciated.

Underway!

Up to the minute photo. 

20 hours ago, Scrapnana said:

Zaandam will be our next to the last FLL sail-away of the season.

Yes, yes and in 17 days she will be

Hmmmm, well that is 

2 hours ago, Aralim said:

Would your statement about the northern crossings be likely to apply for the August 2020 TA I’ll be doing on Summit from NJ?

While on the whole, the SHOULD be gentler and a bit warmer than later in the year, they can still fall within Jim's quote of, "The northern crossing have all been rough and cold.".

15 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

When we came down for drinks at 8:00pm Michael’s Club was deserted.  

Except for the mysterious gin/tonic drinker.  A ghost perhaps?😂😂

I was able to see folks waving on deck 11.  The only problem - seems like most folks were waving.  If one of you were wearing green shorts, or a green shirt (on a different guy), then for sure, I saw you.  Otherwise it would only be a swag.  Have a great cruise.  I look forward to your posts.

5 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

The just started dropping lines so we should be away shortly

Can see the water stirring near the fantail! 

Underway!

Just now, Jim_Iain said:

We will wave on sail away. 

Looks like Majesty of the Seas won today's coin toss.

Where will you be waving from?

6 minutes ago, Jim_Iain said:

We are suppose to depart at 4:00

Will be watching.