Mumsysailor

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I need not have been concerned about the dress for this evening. Most people did indeed make an effort to varying degrees.

We had a very pleasant evening meal in the Main Dining Room followed by a nice liqueur in a souvenir glass. (Pic. to follow).

We decided to go to the show tonight as one of the ship's dancer's, who had conducted our muster drill, told us she was part of a trapeze act in this show. I must say I was impressed and it seems HAL may have upped their game on the resident entertainment based on this performance. We then spent another enjoyable hour or so laughing and singing in the Piano Bar before retiring to our room.

The ocean is still a bit rock and roll but not too cold.

The clocks go back one hour this evening.

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Awoke to slightly more motion of the ocean but nothing to get bothered about.

At 10.30am we gathered in the Piano Bar for our small, but select, Meet and Greet. It was great to put some names to faces of those I hadn't met before. Dobiemom came bringing greetings from Roger and Joannie. We chatted animatedly for a long time, some took photos (not me) and we all went our separate ways. It's always great to meet new friends while on board ship.

We went to lunch in the Main Dining Room with some extremely pleasant company on our table of six. DH and I always seem to end up amongst people who laugh a lot and that's just the way we like it.

This afternoon was a pleasant, restful enjoyment of our surroundings before joining the Trivia quiz in the Crow's Nest. There were lots of people there, not all playing Trivia, because it was also happy hour. Needless to say our team didn't win but it's more about the fun of taking part for us.

Tonight is Gala Night. We like to dress up for the occasion but not as much as we would when on a Cunard ship. However, I personally feel that a bit of glamour doesn't go amiss on a cruise ship. I've heard that the younger, more casual, cruise lines often have a greater percentage of men wearing Tuxes on their formal nights than on other lines. I guess the younger set prefer it that way. I just hope people here make some effort and don't disrespect those who want to dress up.

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We had a great Sailaway. We joined Sapper1, Lizzie68 and Scrapnana and made a party of it. Our Captain gave the horn a good toot as we approached the Lion's Gate Bridge. It warmed the hearts of our little Sailaway Gang. Whooping, cheering and waving to people watching from the bridge was all part of the fun.

It's ironic that we have the Explore 4 package and yet today we have had at least 4 complimentary drinks. However, I was very impressed by the drinks service in the main dining room this evening. The wine steward took our order and put it through on an iPad and, seemingly, in no time our drinks arrived.

It was a bit chaotic getting into the dining room. There were so many people for any time dining but we only waited 20 minutes for a table for two. We like to eat on our own as it preserves some time just for us. We spend a lot of time socialising otherwise and need to devote time just for ourselves to maintain the equilibrium. Many people were giving up with waiting and going to the Lido but I'm sure this was just first night teething troubles and things will settle down from now on. We were actually seated in the upper dining room and our dining steward, Herman, was a delight.

After our meal we made for the Piano Bar where Mike did a good job of entertaining us, improved by the fact that we joined him at the piano. Everyone seemed so stand offish and sat at a distance but once we took up position and got some banter going the place started to fill, others joined us at the piano, and the place livened up considerably.

Looking forward to our Meet and Greet tomorrow.

Don't expect me to write this much all the time. I might be having too much fun!!!

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Well I thought I was going to be able to report on an Oceanview cabin but thanks to the up-grade fairy at the check-in we find ourselves in our customary balcony room. What a very nice surprise!

We went along to the Mariner's lunch which was very unexciting but adequate. We're now sitting in the Crow's Nest enjoying a glass of 'champagne' (sparkling wine) thanks to the Mariner Society. There are very few people here. I guess people are more interested in getting their luggage and getting unpacked than drinking at the moment.

Embarkation was reasonably smooth given the long lines to clear US Border Agency. The automatic machines were not working for US and Canadian passport holders which didn't help.

Another surprise was that our TA has provided us with dinner at the Pinnacle Grill. This is unusual for us Brits. We hear our Canadian and American friends get this quite frequently. Now we just need to co-ordinate our bookings with our fellow CCers to be sure the fun and laughter abound.

The internet package is purchased and I'm off now to find some more to report on.

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Woo hoo!!!!! The upgrade fairy visited us at check-in. We now have a balcony on deck 8!

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Waiting for our suitcases to be collected from our hotel room. The next time we see them will be in the cabin. [emoji41]

On the subject of our cabin, we decided to take an Oceanview this time - something we've never done before but not only does it cut down on the cost of our usual balcony room, we also thought we'd be spending so much time out and about on the decks on this trip that it would be a good time to give it a try.

We tried an inside cabin when we did out Transatlantic a couple of years ago and couldn't stand the complete blackout so an Oceanview could be better. We'll post again once we've tried it.

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Have a great time! I wish we were with you - DH told me the paper said there are 8 ships in Vancouver today - think you'll find yours?:D

Ours is exactly where we want her. [emoji1]

There she is waiting for us.

Currently enjoying breakfast at Scoozis. Cinnamon buns to die for!!! Sorry We ate it before I remembered to take a photo. [emoji849]

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My first live thread of my own on this 7 day round trip to Alaska with friends. Please feel free to join the fun and laughter as we journey together.

Friday 6th May 2016. It was rather chaotic at the Pan Pacific during the day as there were 3 ships in and the pavements were clogged up with luggage for a good part of the day. Having met up with friends earlier in the day for a bit of shopping the fun really began when 9 of us met up for a reunion meal at Mahoneys right across from the hotel. After some very nice food we adjourned to the lounge at the Pan Pacific for more drinks and very many laughs as we recalled our antics from past cruises together.

At about 10pm we all went out to the terrace to wave off the three ships before retiring ready for our exciting day with our own Sailaway tomorrow.

Saturday 7th May 2016. The day has arrived. As I look out of this beautiful hotel room I can see that our ship has arrived and will soon be our home for the next 7 days. I'll get a picture when we go down for breakfast in a while.

Really looking forward to enjoying the camaraderie on a DAM ship once again.

I know some people really like it Lizzie. I was hesitant as I like to make my own as well, but they will add as much or as little of each thing as you want.

 

 

 

Sometimes I get some toppings from the taco bar and make my salad and then get a few things from them ;)

 

 

 

But today, we are not worried about that as we have our roll call group PG luncheon. Always a nice thing to do on a sea day IMO :)

I wonder if the small plates are a different way round avoiding Noro? Less people dipping in to large bowls of salad or cutting their own pieces of cheese. It's probably more hygienic.

Seems like we missed most of the action. Finally got organised to make sail away and then forgot that US clocks have already gone forward. :o

Bother! Sorry to have to leave so soon. Called out.

Hope to join you again soon.

Here's wishing all the Nieuw Amsterdam passengers a great cruise.

I second that.

Thank you for the zoom. :)

She's on the move. Pretty please can we have a zoom. :)

Made it here for the first time in ages.

We've used Larry's Limos twice - excellent!

A baseball cap? Is that the same religion that people who wear a patch behind their ear belong to? :)

 

I often wondered when I was growing up why was it "proper" for women to have their heads covered and men uncovered? Who made up these rules? And why is it that women no longer have to cover up yet men should still uncover? :confused:

Women covering up comes from the writings of St Paul. Men being uncovered is by tradition, which is frequently broken by Bishops in mitres and priests in birettas.

I did once sit at dinner in the MDR with a youngish man wearing a baseball cap. It bothered me, but only a little, because I had wondered if he had a medical reason to wear it and I didn't want to pry. In the end it's my problem whether I choose to be bothered or not. But hey, there are far more important things to worry about in the end. It didn't spoil my cruise.

We're done. See you all another time.

Thanks Lou and Dave. :D

Have a great cruise Peter. :D

Good one, Mumsy!

 

Did you notice, we get on NA three months from today!

Woo hoo!!! :D :D

Turkey boat. Mooning it's way out of the dock.:eek:

Has the Eurodam pulled out yet? Did I miss it?

She's not gone yet. :)