A Grouch Does the Prinsendam – Live

[KirkNC]

Thomas Stearns Eliot

 

Mrs. Hudson

 

Dr. John H. Watson

 

Gordons London Dry

 

Very good but you have to swear you did not Goggle any of that :p

[kazu]

Whogo - you must be a vacuum magnet:p:p

 

Me thinks you are going to have to hit the Lido or the sea view pool to avoid those vacuum fanatics:D

 

Nice to hear there was a collectors' lunch - I doubt anyone noticed if you crashed:p

[Krazy Kruizers]

Love your reporting.

Do agree about the dust that comes out of the vacuum cleaners when they are turned on.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Whogo - you must be a vacuum magnet:p:p

 

Me thinks you are going to have to hit the Lido or the sea view pool to avoid those vacuum fanatics:D

 

Nice to hear there was a collectors' lunch - I doubt anyone noticed if you crashed:p

 

kazu

On our Collector's Cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam, intransit people were led to believe that the Indonesian lunch was suppose to be only for us -- all 104 of us. When we got the main dining room I noticed that quite a few stations were set up for the buffet. Far more than what they needed for so few of us. Within a few minutes nearly the entire upper level of the dining room was filled. I asked where are these people came from. Found out that the buffet wasn't just for us -- anyone could stop in and have the Indonesian lunch.

[kazu]

kazu

 

On our Collector's Cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam, intransit people were led to believe that the Indonesian lunch was suppose to be only for us -- all 104 of us. When we got the main dining room I noticed that quite a few stations were set up for the buffet. Far more than what they needed for so few of us. Within a few minutes nearly the entire upper level of the dining room was filled. I asked where are these people came from. Found out that the buffet wasn't just for us -- anyone could stop in and have the Indonesian lunch.

 

Thanks KK - it's no biggie either way - if our roll call is any indication of the rest of the passengers on the ship - there will be a lot on the collectors' cruise. Thanks for the heads up though:D:D No expectations at all from yours truly - we'll just go and enjoy:)

[christy744]

We had a great CD on the Statendam this past August. I am not great at names but I might recognize it if I saw it again. He is a former actor and vey personable.

 

My evil twin and I (and hubby) just got off the Statendam on Friday. Cruise Director was Anthony Choice and he was great albeit a little loud on those 9 a.m. annoucements. I don't know if this is the same guy from your August cruise. He was from Boulder, Co.

[christy744]

Dear Whogo:

 

Thanks for the fun posts. It's always great to find someone determined to have a good time and succeeding. I'm writing to Hal in Seattle now to suggest they get Carlos a cordless microphone. They can charge it to the safety program.

 

Happy sails to you....

[crazy4cruisn]

whogo, Thanks for taking us on the cruise, especially since we had to cancel 2 days before the sailing. I looked forward to your postings each day and smiled as I read them. It was really thoughtful of you to take the time and expense of doing this.

 

I trust you managed to outsmart the spies and solve the closet light mystery. Maybe you can post hints.

 

Have a safe trip home and many other adventures!

 

Nan

[catl331]

WHOGO: we are waiting for the grand finale of your cruise. Or were you tied up by your room seward and kidnapped to Freeport this afternoon to help wash windows for a few wks??:)

[kazu]

WHOGO: we are waiting for the grand finale of your cruise. Or were you tied up by your room seward and kidnapped to Freeport this afternoon to help wash windows for a few wks??:)

 

Too funny Carole - are you spying on the stewards that spy on Whogo? i suspect poor Whogo hit the same problem I did on the p'dam - internet and then so busy having fun - didn't know it was working:):)

[whogo]

November 13, 2012

 

For Pogo fans, Friday the thirteenth falls on a Tuesday this month. Some different entertainment last night, Cabaret in the Crow's Nest with Prinsendam performers singing to piano man Daryl's accompaniment. They added rows of folding chairs and had a packed, appreciative house.

 

We stayed up later than usual last night, wanting to view the dessert extravaganza. The long line kept us away. A crew member said it was open until midnight, but when we returned at 11:35 it was all torn down. Published hours were 10:30 to 11:30.

 

Rumor has it (a cruiser heard it from staff) that the average passenger age on this cruise is 75. Could be true, there are only a handful under 50. The ship was dead at 11:30 PM, three people in the casino, ten in the Crow's Nest, eight in the Ocean Bar. Daryl is scheduled to play in the Crow's Nest until closing, allegedly 12:30.

 

Japanese breakfast in the dining room featured a dinner sized piece of salmon. I am afraid to look up what miso soup is made of, I never need another bowl of it. I wish the spying stateroom attendant would service the room while I am at breakfast. While other cruisers complain that they have no hot water, we have too much and risk scalding. The coolest shower setting is almost too hot for me. Even our cold water is warm. The toilet bowl gives off a little heat. Perhaps the plumbing has not been changed from Arctic setting to Tropical.

 

Rainy and windy start to the day, the American lunch buffet was moved from Lido deck to the dining room. We have been unlucky with weather on this cruise. Those who said that the upcoming dry dock would not affect our cruise were incorrect. The aft Lido deck is closed for awning removal. I have lowered my opinion of the AB cabins on deck 8. If they experience vibration like the aft restaurant does, they would be a nightmare. The vibration is irregular, but thrums up to a tableware and chandelier shaking level often. It is unpleasant to dine with the vibration and dull roar, trying to sleep would be worse. Sorry to be negative, but I did put “grouch” in the thread title.

 

Formal dinner surf and turf was excellent, with shrimp cocktail, escargot, and good company. The movie “Darling Companion” was a waste of time and there was no popcorn. It is a great cruise.

[whogo]

November 14, 2012

There is one on every cruise. There is one person that you need to avoid, maybe a complainer, maybe an Amway salesman, maybe a boor, maybe a weirdo. I have not run into that person on board, but with one on every cruise I realize that I must be that one person. Bummer. I am not an Amway salesman but can't rule out complainer, boor, or weirdo.

 

I have been able to use every internet website I have tried, but have been unable to connect to Cruise Critic. My posts on this thread will be late. The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if Holland America is blocking me or if it is the usual FBI, CIA or NSA. I am not paranoid.

 

Scandinavian breakfast this morning completed my menu bingo card. I tried them all. Bacon and eggs American breakfast will remain my “go to” breakfast of choice. I do not need herring, hollandaise sauce, or beans for breakfast and I do not need miso soup any time. Ever. Returned from breakfast to my cabin to find the luggage mats out. Double bummer.

 

Beautiful weather, partly cloudy skies, light breeze, temps in the 80's, perfect day to sit out on the promenade deck and read, except every deck chair pad is wet. Did a number of laps and sat and read in one of their upright chairs. Our last relaxing sea day had the dark cloud of packing hanging over it.

 

I was frustrated in my attempts to print boarding passes in the Explorer's Lounge. First the printers did not work for anyone and after being credited for time wasted I hit the print button with no luck. I blasted the computer and printer with an imaginary ray gun. The printer worked for others. I am not paranoid.

 

We finished in the money in team trivia. Guess what? All the prizes had the Holland America logo on them. Who'd have thought it?

 

International dinner was a disaster. The party planner's speech was too long and then the crew member's speech was longer. I do not see the need to applaud our servers or cooks, yeah, they do a fine job, but they are food service workers, not entertainers. The any time dishes were not available, there were three courses instead of five, service was unbelievably slow. Fellow diners felt that baked alaska should be flaming and served sliced, not in a goblet.

 

Packing went better than expected. I watched the first 75 minutes of War Horse and will save the last 75 minutes for another day. Still unable to connect to Cruise Critic.

[cruising cockroach]

Whogo. You were missed at the M&G (had a turnout of just over 50%) on the 1st full day so it was surmised you were one of a few who had missed sailing from Rome. Lovely to put all the old people out in the wind and rain for lifeboat with in-charges who had no waterproof paper and couldn't hear for the wind so in the event of stormy seas and rain in a real emergency, there'll be no effective roll call. Every man for himself.

 

Did note that 8 people who did not appear to be entertainers embark in Alicante and came across one couple from the U.S. who stupidly had arranged their flights with HAL who would not arrange to fly them out of NY ahead of Sandy. They were diverted via Casablanca and boarded in Malage (missed 2 whole days, 3 nights).

 

As for the average cruiser's age, my partner and I must have been the 2nd or 3rd youngest couple at 50. There was a Swiss(?) couple in their late 20s/very early 30s and one teenager.

 

Don't try the miso soup for the Japanese breakfast. Insipid. Had it on my first day and never again. The corn beef hash as a strange tomato base added to it.

[kazu]

Whogo. You were missed at the M&G (had a turnout of just over 50%) on the 1st full day so it was surmised you were one of a few who had missed sailing from Rome. Lovely to put all the old people out in the wind and rain for lifeboat with in-charges who had no waterproof paper and couldn't hear for the wind so in the event of stormy seas and rain in a real emergency, there'll be no effective roll call. Every man for himself.

 

Did note that 8 people who did not appear to be entertainers embark in Alicante and came across one couple from the U.S. who stupidly had arranged their flights with HAL who would not arrange to fly them out of NY ahead of Sandy. They were diverted via Casablanca and boarded in Malage (missed 2 whole days, 3 nights).

 

As for the average cruiser's age, my partner and I must have been the 2nd or 3rd youngest couple at 50. There was a Swiss(?) couple in their late 20s/very early 30s and one teenager.

 

Don't try the miso soup for the Japanese breakfast. Insipid. Had it on my first day and never again. The corn beef hash as a strange tomato base added to it.

 

My you are just a ray of sunshine;) maybe I have been in the shade too long;) Somehow I have a feeling that some of the older passengers may have been more young at heart but I am just basing this on my own experiences :D A shame that the couple missed so much - we don't book with HAL for flights - but we also do the expense of arriving early to make sure we are on board. Welcome home:D

[kazu]

November 14, 2012

There is one on every cruise. There is one person that you need to avoid, maybe a complainer, maybe an Amway salesman, maybe a boor, maybe a weirdo. I have not run into that person on board, but with one on every cruise I realize that I must be that one person. Bummer. I am not an Amway salesman but can't rule out complainer, boor, or weirdo.

 

I have been able to use every internet website I have tried, but have been unable to connect to Cruise Critic. My posts on this thread will be late. The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if Holland America is blocking me or if it is the usual FBI, CIA or NSA. I am not paranoid.

 

Scandinavian breakfast this morning completed my menu bingo card. I tried them all. Bacon and eggs American breakfast will remain my “go to” breakfast of choice. I do not need herring, hollandaise sauce, or beans for breakfast and I do not need miso soup any time. Ever. Returned from breakfast to my cabin to find the luggage mats out. Double bummer.

 

Beautiful weather, partly cloudy skies, light breeze, temps in the 80's, perfect day to sit out on the promenade deck and read, except every deck chair pad is wet. Did a number of laps and sat and read in one of their upright chairs. Our last relaxing sea day had the dark cloud of packing hanging over it.

 

I was frustrated in my attempts to print boarding passes in the Explorer's Lounge. First the printers did not work for anyone and after being credited for time wasted I hit the print button with no luck. I blasted the computer and printer with an imaginary ray gun. The printer worked for others. I am not paranoid.

 

We finished in the money in team trivia. Guess what? All the prizes had the Holland America logo on them. Who'd have thought it?

 

International dinner was a disaster. The party planner's speech was too long and then the crew member's speech was longer. I do not see the need to applaud our servers or cooks, yeah, they do a fine job, but they are food service workers, not entertainers. The any time dishes were not available, there were three courses instead of five, service was unbelievably slow. Fellow diners felt that baked alaska should be flaming and served sliced, not in a goblet.

 

Packing went better than expected. I watched the first 75 minutes of War Horse and will save the last 75 minutes for another day. Still unable to connect to Cruise Critic.

 

sorry whogo -I don't buy that you are the one complainer:D won't work.

 

I had the same issues when I was on the prinsendam and another ship as well - turned out when I got home I asked and cruise critic had been having some issues - I don't think they are stalking/censoring you:) I am not paranoid

 

sorry to see your cruise is nearly ending - we've been enjoying cruising vicariously through you and following your tremendous posts.

 

Smooth seas and safe travels home if you can't post again - and if you can - we are all the richer for it:):)

[Airnocker]

November 14, 2012

There is one on every cruise. There is one person that you need to avoid, maybe a complainer, maybe an Amway salesman, maybe a boor, maybe a weirdo. I have not run into that person on board, but with one on every cruise I realize that I must be that one person. Bummer. I am not an Amway salesman but can't rule out complainer, boor, or weirdo.

 

I have been able to use every internet website I have tried, but have been unable to connect to Cruise Critic. My posts on this thread will be late. The conspiracy theorist in me wonders if Holland America is blocking me or if it is the usual FBI, CIA or NSA. I am not paranoid.

 

Scandinavian breakfast this morning completed my menu bingo card. I tried them all. Bacon and eggs American breakfast will remain my “go to” breakfast of choice. I do not need herring, hollandaise sauce, or beans for breakfast and I do not need miso soup any time. Ever. Returned from breakfast to my cabin to find the luggage mats out. Double bummer.

 

Beautiful weather, partly cloudy skies, light breeze, temps in the 80's, perfect day to sit out on the promenade deck and read, except every deck chair pad is wet. Did a number of laps and sat and read in one of their upright chairs. Our last relaxing sea day had the dark cloud of packing hanging over it.

 

I was frustrated in my attempts to print boarding passes in the Explorer's Lounge. First the printers did not work for anyone and after being credited for time wasted I hit the print button with no luck. I blasted the computer and printer with an imaginary ray gun. The printer worked for others. I am not paranoid.

 

We finished in the money in team trivia. Guess what? All the prizes had the Holland America logo on them. Who'd have thought it?

 

International dinner was a disaster. The party planner's speech was too long and then the crew member's speech was longer. I do not see the need to applaud our servers or cooks, yeah, they do a fine job, but they are food service workers, not entertainers. The any time dishes were not available, there were three courses instead of five, service was unbelievably slow. Fellow diners felt that baked alaska should be flaming and served sliced, not in a goblet.

 

Packing went better than expected. I watched the first 75 minutes of War Horse and will save the last 75 minutes for another day. Still unable to connect to Cruise Critic.

 

 

I know your not paranoid, but we have been watching you. I cannot state which agency. But we are for your next cruise.

Eric

[Krazy Kruizers]

Whogo. You were missed at the M&G (had a turnout of just over 50%) on the 1st full day so it was surmised you were one of a few who had missed sailing from Rome. Lovely to put all the old people out in the wind and rain for lifeboat with in-charges who had no waterproof paper and couldn't hear for the wind so in the event of stormy seas and rain in a real emergency, there'll be no effective roll call. Every man for himself.

 

Did note that 8 people who did not appear to be entertainers embark in Alicante and came across one couple from the U.S. who stupidly had arranged their flights with HAL who would not arrange to fly them out of NY ahead of Sandy. They were diverted via Casablanca and boarded in Malage (missed 2 whole days, 3 nights).

 

As for the average cruiser's age, my partner and I must have been the 2nd or 3rd youngest couple at 50. There was a Swiss(?) couple in their late 20s/very early 30s and one teenager.

 

Don't try the miso soup for the Japanese breakfast. Insipid. Had it on my first day and never again. The corn beef hash as a strange tomato base added to it.

 

We won't use HAL or any cruise line air -- always make our own flights.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Whogo

 

You are so funny!!

[josie724]

OMG....Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I have never enjoyed a thread as much as I enjoyed and looked forward to this one.

[Bluwater7]

Hope you got to see the last 75 minutes of War Horse ..... really enjoying your cruise with you. Looking forward to more.....

[whogo]

November 15, 2012. Ft. Lauderdale Out on deck at 5:00 AM to the best promenade walking weather of the cruise. Just my luck to get good weather for just the last three hours of the cruise. Flying home weather should be good, anyway. Supervised our docking for a while, then left it up to the captain and harbor pilot. The wooden railing was wrapped in old carpet strips or plastic in preparation for the dry dock. First breakfast of fruit and fresh squeezed orange juice in the Lido followed by second breakfast of eggs and bacon in the dining room should keep me fueled for the trip home.

 

Full marks to Holland America for a trouble free debarkation. Walked off when our number was called at 8:30 and found our luggage without difficulty. Acceptable queue at customs and immigration with the official admiring my dimples in the photo and in person. The little tease! My wife was right there beside me and I had a plane to catch.

 

I know better than to buy a Holland America transfer to the airport, but did not know that transfers were hidden in the price I paid until it was too late for a refund. My mistake. With no rush, we used the transfer and survived a long wait to load luggage. Just a friendly reminder to everyone that a taxi is cheaper, faster, and easier than using a HAL transfer to the Ft. Lauderdale airport. Flight home was as pleasant as coach travel can be these days. The airport has free wi-fi. The taste of Minute Maid orange juice was a shock after 15 days of fresh squeezed and we got nothing to eat, not even a bag of mini pretzels. Arrived home on schedule to find the house in good shape and no notes from the neighborhood committee demanding that we rake leaves in a more timely manner.

 

I still can not access Cruise Critic with my Macbook. If anyone has any idea how to undo whatever HAL, the FBI, CIA, or NSA did, let me know, and don't expect me to tell you about the computer that works. Anyone else notice that Holland America joins the government snoops in having three letter initials? Coincidence? I don't think so. I am not paranoid.

[kazu]

Ahhh Whogo - it's over:( I was so enjoying your posts:)

You are a talented writer and gave us all a lot of joy:)

 

 

Thanks so much for taking us along - it's been a hoot.

Now I know why you were having problems - it's the Mac attack:) btw - that is another three letters;)

I don't have a Mac but i did have to tell my virus protection that cruise critic was a safe site - it seemed to think it wasn't!

Welcome home - get those leaves raked - and thank you again for a wonderful thread:)

[Barrheadlass]

I hope you embark on another cruise soon so we may enjoy going along with you! Thanks so much for your entertaining posts. I particularly loved all your "Its a great cruise."

[vicocala]

Thank you so much whogo, it has been a pleasurable read! I look forward to many more in the future. I am glad you are safely home.

[Bluwater7]

Many thanks Whogo for help in putting in these first weeks of November. Really enjoyed cruising along with you .... wish you where going on the Rotterdam in Jan. would like to have you aboard with us. Looking forward to cruising along with you on your next voyage here on cc.