Prinsendam 2005 World Tour... it has begun

[goblue]

Grumpy,

 

thank you for your latest report. really enjoyed reading it.

 

but, what is a 'flat stanley' ??:confused:

[richnorto]

:) hmm... I think you have to know a second grader to know Flat Stanley. He's almost as much a world traveler as Grumpy and Slinkie!!!!:D He ships himself off all over the world to travel with friends and family and comes back with great stories, pictures etc... Not a bad idea.. anyone have extra space in their bag?:D

 

BTW, Love the ongoing commentary!

[Aussie Gal]

Slinkie and Grumpy,

 

I am so glad you got yourselves to Stanley Market and at least had a good look around and bought some goodies. Hong Kong has certainly changed since we first went there in the 70's. It was a shoppers paradise then, great bargains but of course they have caught up with the world and there are very few bargains to be had now.

 

Sorry about the weather. February is usually the coldest month in Hong Kong but it must have moved into March. My sister lived in HK in the early 80's and they used to freeze for that one month before the warmer weather returned.

 

You are going to get a huge surprise with Bangkok. It is a crazy city and please keep your wits about you as the traffic is horrendous and doesn't stop for anything. Have fun with the shopping. There should be some good bargains around due to the low level of the Baht.

 

Jennie

[Aussie Gal]

Nita,

 

Thanks for the compliment. Thought I would make my posts a little more personal with a new avatar.

 

Jennie

[Sail With Me]

Hi Grumpy and Slinkie,

 

Great to hear from you. We were worried that you were lost in Hong one of our favorite cities to eat and shop. The Peninsula Hotel is an awesome place to stay. Does not sound as if you got there for tea or a meal. Also loved the Jumbo floating restaurant. We found that the shopping was great and bought much more than we should have. You will love Singapore for shopping as well. Guess you did not visit the Hong Kong tailor because we believe you have one on board do you not?

 

We keep hoping that you will post some pictures so we can visually share your voyage. Which has been your favorite port so far. Do you find that there is enough room in the cabin for all of your things. We cannot even imagine what it is like to pack for a World Cruise.

 

The at sea days sound wonderful. Those are some of our favorite times just to relax. Do you find that there is enough going on onboard when you are at sea to keep you interested and occupied or do you just take that time to relax with new friends you have made? How would you rate the food overall and how do you keep from gaining a bezillion pounds on a cruise that long?

 

Enjoy your days at sea and your next port. We will look forward to your next installment. You guys are the best for sharing so much with all of us!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rosarymb]

I was attending a computer security meeting in Charlotte, NC, last Thursday. The topic of cruises came up, and one of the guys at our table started talking about this couple doing a round the world cruise. I asked, "You mean Grumpy1 and Slinky?" We immediately started talking about your exploits, and everyone else at the table was scribbling down the CC website addy. Small planet!

[Grumpy1]

Prinsendam 2005, March 16, Day 62

 

Ah....much better, now... temperatures warmed up into the 70's almost as soon as the Prinsendam sailed out of Hong Kong... Grumpy's thinking the weather in HK was all lipopop's fault... all of those disparaging remarks about the government... they gave the Prinsendam a VERY chilly reception... just don't say anything about the Thai Royal Family, please... They don't take kindly to insults... and Grumpy has no desire to earn a long term stay...

 

Right now, the Prinsendam is sailing the South China Sea along the coast of Viet Nam. The course that is plotted on the chart that is posted by the forward port doors to the lower promenade deck shows a direct line from HK to a point about 100 miles off the SE tip of Viet Nam, but Grumpy's GPS says they are not following that course. Leaving HK, they sailed on a SW course for about 24 hours and then headed south. The seas have been quite smooth, but they are cruising along pretty slowly at 14 to 16 knots instead of the usual 19 to 20.Wwatching CNN, Grumpy sees a typhoon bearing down on the Philipines and travelling due west at about 12.2 degrees N latitude. The Prinsendam is currently at 13.35 degrees N and headed for 8.5 degrees N before turning. Grumpy's wondering if the Prinsendam is hanging back to see which way the typhoon is going to go before making a commitment that would take her right into the path of a typhoon... That could be an interesting ride to say the least... Travelling at the current speed won't get the Prinsendam into port on schedule so the speed needs to increase pretty soon.

 

The maintenance crew has been doing a lot of painting for the past couple of weeks. While in Hong Kong, they had an aerial platform on the dock and were painting the starboard side of the ship. They are also working on painting the verandahs. Slinkie and Grumpy's got painted today... sure looks a lot better. A couple of days ago, they refinished the teak ceiling along both sides of the Lido pool area and painted the metal ceiling forward of the pool. It's a never ending project to keep everything looking good.

 

Slinkie and Grumpy are booked on a 10 hour tour for the first day in Thailand... with very little shopping time... first is a river cruise into Bangkok and into the canals past the houses on stilts and the royal barge dockyard... then on a bus for a ride through Chinatown commercial district and a stop at the flower market... Next is the Marble Temple, then "if time permits" some shopping time. Should be an interesting day. Day two is unplanned at this time.

 

Localady, Slinkie and Grumpy wish you a Bon Voyage for your Easter cruise on the Zaandam... and, yes, you have to get in line behind Lynnaldo (and a bunch of other family members) for that personal secretary job... Sorry...

 

Now Grumpy's thinking Rotterdam is a dayum troublemaker... suggesting Grumpy should reimburse Sis with a world cruise?... more like a dinner cruise on the Naples Princess...

 

Cristiano, afternoon tea at the Peninsula was mentioned by Frank during his port talk, but he cautioned that reservations are required and normally not available on short notice. Grumpy didn't check it out.

 

Cuttle, Slinkie isn't the one to blame for the overtime shifts at the Jade carvers... she doesn't care much for jade and didn't purchase any in HK... might have been a few others on board that made up for her lack of purchases, though.

 

Sinbad37, Cabin 197 is probably the best Cat A or AA cabin (along with 196) on the ship. Everyone that Grumpy has talked to that has had those cabins really like them. The verandah is very large, larger than any other Cat A, and the deck aft of those cabins is semi-private. Most of that deck is under cover, but there are areas for lounging in the sun also. There is a hot tub right outside of the cabin and just up one flight to the aft pool. Most of the time, the ride aft is smoother than it is forward. There have been several times that things were pretty smooth in the dining room, which is aft, but very rough in the Queens Lounge forward. Center cabins on a lower deck would have the least motion, though if that were an overriding concern. Any outside area can get some soot when wind conditions are just right, but it probably won't be any worse there than anywhere else. Grumpy would book that cabin in a heartbeat if he were looking at that category.

 

BC HappyGal, Grumpy has no firsthand information about the configuration of the inside cabins, but will make a few inquiries.

 

Rosarymb... Grumpy isn't sure how the conversation on computer security got around to cruising... but welcome to the group... along with the others that you introduced to the CC website... the more the merrier...

 

More later...

 

Grumpy and Slinkie... just lazily cruising along...

 

[stanford's girl]

Glad you and Slinkie are having a great time. Loving the reports and always look forward to the next one.:)

[Aussie Gal]

Grumpy and Slinkie,

 

One word of warning when on the canals in Bangkok. Make sure you keep your mouths completely shut or put a handkerchief over them. The canals are so badly polluted that if you happen to swallow any water you can get very sick. The water sprays up from the side of the boats especially if you are in the boats with the engines on the outside and at the back. You will know what I mean if you are in one.

 

Jennie

[blackbird71]

Grumpy and Slinkie,

 

One word of warning when on the canals in Bangkok. Make sure you keep your mouths completely shut or put a handkerchief over them.

 

Jennie

 

Must add mask to World Cruise spreadsheet.. :p. between Grumpy's writing and others the tips on this thead are great and it is the little things that can make a difference.... Thanks all

[KathieKata]

Shhhhhhhhhhhh some of those late night posters must still be !!

Grumpy & Slinkie I'm still reading all your reviews and can't wait for the next one. I'll really hate to see this cruise end!! Stay safe Bangkok, hate to see you get sick on the water.

[Rotterdam]

Grumpy.....

 

Just trying to get your sister to have the same experience! Trouble maker...never! You menioned Repulse Bay...I was there 2o years ago - just put my toes in the water...the old club was closed. Is it renovated now? - it was a nice spot.

 

 

Full moon, smooth seas(and 50% off in the gift shops onboard).

[JaniceB]

I am glad to hear the weather has improved. I certainly hope you do not have a typhoon in your path.

I really look forward to reading about your journey.

Janice

[MarciaL]

Grumpy, hope you stay out of the way of that storm..... As you said, that would be quite a ride. Not one I would want to take. Lot to check your posts. Keep them coming. ..

[Pudgesmom]

Grumpy,

 

I am so enjoying your posts, I can't wait for my turn!

 

Is your life at home this interesting, maybe you could just keep on posting when your cruise is finished? :rolleyes:

 

Beth

[pmts]

Thanks again for the wonderful description of your adventure. I'm sure when you return, you'll be asked by Cruise Travel Magazine to become a contributing reporter.

[bepsf]

Grumpy--

 

Thanks for the update! Hope the weather holds for you!

I might suggest borrowing "The King and I" from the Neptune before pulling into Thailand...

...now if you can only get Slinkie to wear hoop-skirts and teach you to waltz ;)

[DesrtDrmr]

We are still enjoying your reports so much, that when you finish, you'll have to go again..............we'll suffer withdrawal from your reports!!! Perhaps you could post Slinkie and Grumpy in Florida......... :)

Thanks for broadening our knowledge...........it never occurred to me that Hong Kong might be cold...........glad you are warming up, but hoping you will stay far away from any typhoons.

Looking forward to your next post..

[slgjhg]

Hi There,

 

Can't wait to see what you think of Bangkok. It is one of my favorite cities in the world. We were last there in October, for five nights at the Peninsula, following a Princess cruise of 30 days.

 

I am loving your posts and look forward to the next one. We miss you in the Floataway Lounge.

 

Regards,

 

Shannon

[emerald777]

Wow! I've sat here for the last 3 hours reading your epic journal and I'm only up to 1 February! Loved every bit of it though! I was planning my RTW cruise by page 4...... I'm a little leery of long cruises because I have a little problem staying out of the casino..... Does the Prinsendam have one? Thank you for your wonderful reports and hope you are having smooth sailing and following seas!

[ARICAL2]

Read your post from your sea log re Hong Kong and the Stanley Market visit with Jack and Lynn. They are our very dear friends and we havent heard from them via e mail. Could you tell them we have mailed them several times without reply.Have read your reports and for those wishing they could have made the cruise this is one vicarious thrill. John and Nancy Next trip sept 24 Rotterdam out of Venice

[Himself]

Have you guys gotten "cabin fever" from being at Sea so long? How do they keep you entertained?

 

Himself

[emerald777]

I've finally caught up to present time. Going half way around the world in just 2 days has totally worn me out! I did see a reference made to a casino on board, Wish I had your ability to abstain! I have been practicing though, on my last 4 cruises I've managed to cut my gambling budget in half from the preceding cruise. By the time I can manage a RTW, I should have my resistence bulked up enough to avoid being made to swab that soot off the decks or given galley duty........ Now that I'm all caught up, I can wonder "What are they doing RIGHT now??"

[Cuttle]

I'm following your itinerary and see you are in Bankok today, Sunday March 20 - Spring Day! Looking forward to hearing all about Bankok and your days at sea from Hong Kong. Your posts are addictive!:)

Regards

[KathieKata]

GRUMPY & SLINKIE must be having fun in Bankok!

I miss the review already!! :(