oakridger

We had a nice greeting party of pax hanging over the rail on deck three!! Whooping and clapping! The tour people were pretty funny waving and taking pictures of us taking pictures of them!!

The Captain did mention that the Panama government had okayed a mid canal pick up but because they canal was at max capacity today, the timing couldn’t be worked out. Apparently they tried to get them on sooner. He didn’t specify exactly where they would have done that but your suggestion makes sense.

The captain just announced that the 41 tour pax are flying to Panama City then will transport to Colon where we will briefly stop to pick them up. I’m so glad the can get back today and don’t have to wait until Friday when we get to Aruba! I’m sure they will have stories to tell about this mess! It seems to me that HAL has taken good care of them. ~Nancy. Ha ha. Oops, scubacruiserx2 posted same time as me. Great minds!

It seems they are experimenting with lots of things. That’s okay but hopefully they will settle on a policy and stick with it fleet wide for awhile!

Thank you but there is another thread already started on this subject.

Currently on Nieuw Amsterdam and it’s 50% off drinks for happy hour.

Yes.

Lunch and dinner menus change daily. Breakfast here on Nieuw Amsterdam closes at 10am. There is another late night limited service at 10:30 to 11:30 pm. A lot of crew eat then.

Fortunately all other pax and crew made it back!!!

Art auctions! I was shocked to see them on the Nieuw Amsterdam two weeks ago. 🙄 Good grief.

Yes. Captain said we will leave a little late while they do the required immigration paperwork for the pax left behind.

I’m currently on the Nieuw Amsterdam at Puntarenas Costa Rica. Just now the Captain just came on and said that the torrential rains earlier have blocked many roads and one bus of 41 people is stranded! He said they are now in a Marriott hotel and we will go ahead and sail so as not to miss our Panama Canal time slot on Wednesday. HAL is figuring out how to get them their passports and medications and they will be transported to somewhere currently unknown (Aruba?) to meet the ship! The tour they were on was a rainforest and zip line tour. What a bummer! It looks like HAL is scrambling to help. I’ll update when we hear more. ~Nancy

I had the most memorable drink I’ve had in so long at The House Without a Key! A kiwi-lychee martini!! It went well with the coconut shrimp appetizer. So good and I rarely drink martinis of any type. Mmmmm. I’m enjoying your posts as usual Clay. Continue to enjoy!! ~Nancy

They are not the same cruise format as a regular cruise line such as Royal Caribbean or Princess in that the ship doesn’t have production shows, big buffets, etc. Depending on the ship the cabins go from fairly basic to larger with balconies and more amenities. Please check reviews on YouTube and here for great info. “Hallasm”on CC has some wonderful videos. Hurtigruten has changed a lot since I was on the Vesteralan back in 2005!! I absolutely loved our plain, but comfortable small room with a porthole. It had an en-suite bathroom though! 😉. I’ll be back soon, I hope!

Yes there are a few offered. See the bar menus listed on Roger Jett website. (Crew News on CC)

I was told by one of the Pinnacle supervisors here on the Nieuw Amsterdam that there would be no more “pop up” Rudy’s on any of the ships post October 1, 2022. The Rudy’s Sel de Mer I had reserved on the 8th was cancelled and I haven’t seen any other pop ups offered onboard for this cruise. ☹️ I sure hope they reconsider.

Safety issue for safe egress! Medical team must get by with a stretcher. Can happen during any short period of time.

There is a pretty good included room service menu and there is no delivery charge. I do tip the delivery person a few $ in cash though. There are some for fee items that can be had from room service such as Dive Inn food and orders from Pinnacle Grill and Tamarind. Roger Jett’s website and many bloggers have posted the menu. Food at no extra charge (except special up charge foods such as lobster or steak) from the Main dining room can be ordered for room service during its opening hours. I just had a good chicken quesadilla and cheesecake for lunch in my cabin here on the Nieuw Amsterdam!

HAL the same. Masks optional for everyone…..crew and guests.

He corrected himself. He’ll be on Zuiderdam.

We have had fruit crisps every day here currently on the Nieuw Amsterdam.

Using a good TA should provide some nice onboard credits or other perks, besides them helping if you need some help along the way. Make sure you make the transfer to them before the option expires. ( I’m not sure how long that is….30 days?).

I agree with Pete! If guests accept lowered service and quality then don’t be surprised by what becomes the norm. Beer prices? Carnival cruises are beer prices in my book but the guests still get a minimum level of service. My cruises could buy a whole bunch of beer and I expect a certain level of service! If not, I move on! Geez!

Had the Osso Buco last night on Nieuw Amsterdam and it was really good!

At home For the last 10 years or so I actually do change my bath towels daily.