RetiredMustang Posted August 24, 2014 #1 Share Posted August 24, 2014 (edited) Hello CC’ers, I’m back with another “Live From” blog, this time from MS Amsterdam on a 14-day round-trip Alaska cruise from Seattle. This is my first attempt at love-blogging since Harris became the Internet provider. I have read the reports on the service on board Amsterdam, and may be limited in what I can manage to post. Here is our itinerary: - 24 Aug., sail from Seattle at 4 p.m.; - 25 Aug, at sea; - 26 Aug, Ketchikan 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; - 27 Aug, Tracy Arm scenic cruising noon to 5 p.m.; - 28 Aug, Juneau 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; - 29 Aug, Icy Strait Point 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; - 30 Aug, at sea; - 31 Aug, Anchorage 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.; - 1 Sep, Homer 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; - 2 Sep, Kodiak 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; - 3 Sep, Hubbard Glacier scenic cruising 2-6 p.m.; - 4 Sep, Sitka 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; - 5 Sep, at sea; - 6 Sep, Victoria BC 1-11 p.m.; - 7 Sep, Return to Seaattle at 7 a.m. Here is a map of our itinerary: More later, Dave Edited August 24, 2014 by RetiredMustang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredMustang Posted August 24, 2014 Author #2 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Pre-cruise We arrived in Seattle on Friday, and spent Friday afternoon to Sunday morning with our sons and friends. We have lived in Seattle and visited often, so did not “see the sights.” However, visiting one son involved ferry rides to Bremerton and back on Saturday, so we were treated to the usual spectacular scenery on that route, and were lucky to have glorious weather. We noticed that Westerdam was in port, berthed with a Princess ship at Pier 90: An NCL ship was at Pier 66, as seen in this shot of the Seattle skyline taken from the ferry on the approach to the city: More later, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mtn2Sea Posted August 24, 2014 #3 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Looking forward to another great Live report. Hope you have a fantastic cruise!! Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lazey1 Posted August 24, 2014 #4 Share Posted August 24, 2014 (edited) We had to cancel our July 27, 14 day cruise on the Amsterdam. We will be eagerly looking forward to going along with you. Lots and lots of pictures please. Edited August 24, 2014 by lazey1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredMustang Posted August 24, 2014 Author #5 Share Posted August 24, 2014 (edited) Embarkation Day, Aug. 24 This morning we walked to Pike Place Market to have breakfast at Lowell’s, which has excellent food, good views over Elliott Bay and Puget Sound, and opens at 7 a.m. daily. The day has started sunny and pleasant, with a bit of mist burning off the water. We walked out to the elevator for the parking garage, where we were able to see around the buildings to Pier 90, and were gratified to see that Amsterdam was in port. So, we are here, the ship is here … now for the third thing: us on board Amsterdam. When walking back, we noticed that the mist had risen a bit, and was shrouding the Space Needle, making for an interesting view: Now, we are rechecking our packing, and getting ready to go. In about an hour or so, we’ll take a cab to the pier, and board. My next post, Harris cooperation willing, will be from our cabin. More later, Dave Edited August 24, 2014 by RetiredMustang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted August 24, 2014 #6 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Looking forward to your Live reports Dave. They are always so good. Bon Voyage! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loreto Posted August 24, 2014 #7 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Have a great cruise....we did the 14 day twice, and it is the best of Alaska!:) Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted August 24, 2014 #8 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Love your live from threads. Have some bitterballen for me :D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbhcw Posted August 24, 2014 #9 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Thanks so much for doing a live report on your 14 day cruise!! We have yet to do Alaska...so I love all the reviews..and your reviews are always wonderful:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
innlady1 Posted August 24, 2014 #10 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Dave...I hope you and Mrs. "Mustang" have a wonderful cruise. I, too, love your "live from" reports! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trub Posted August 24, 2014 #11 Share Posted August 24, 2014 ready to be with you on your voyage as you are so good at writing where you are,........have a great cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Himself Posted August 24, 2014 #12 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Dave: It is a great cruise. I did it several years ago and I loved it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJSULIBRARIAN Posted August 24, 2014 #13 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Looking forward to your "Live From" reports. Hope the Internet has improved since we were on the Amsterdam in December (right after the switch) and again in May (when it still was not that great.) We board the Amsterdam the day you disembark so keep her bright and beautiful for us. Barbara Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajkr74 Posted August 24, 2014 #14 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Dave, Hope you and Kathy have a great cruise like we did in June. Looking forward to your excellent photos and commentary. We ordered sun today but no guarantee after today. We have had great warm weather here in he Northwest this summer. Rick & joyce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PathfinderEss Posted August 24, 2014 #15 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Already enjoying your 'live' report, love your photo's, thanks for taking us along for the ride.:D We did this cruise several years ago and really enjoyed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rajkr74 Posted August 24, 2014 #16 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Here is a sniped photo from the web cam over in the Elliot Bay small boat harbor taken at 1:45 pm PDT. Looks a little hazy there and sorry Mt. Rainer is not visable. I will snip another one later when the sun is in a better angle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAOk1945 Posted August 24, 2014 #17 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I'm eagerly following along. We have done two different Alaska cruises and are planning to do another on HAL in 2016. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredMustang Posted August 24, 2014 Author #18 Share Posted August 24, 2014 (edited) Embarkation Day, Aug. 24 (Cont.) We took a cab from the hotel to the pier, and quickly dropped our bags inside the terminal at the drop-off point, and then went up to check in. The 5-star and 4-start area had no line, and we filled out our health questionnaire and got our ship cards quickly. We waited about 20 minutes before being called to board. First called were 5-stars, followed by 4-stars; mobility challenged people were led out a side door closer to the gangway. We went to our rooms, unloaded our carryons and explored the ship a bit before coming back to check on our bags. We found they both had arrived, so while DW unpacks, I am editing photos and registering for the Internet. Attached are the cover of our Explorer booklet: And the On Location pages for today: Amsterdam is an elegant ship and appears to be in great shape. We look forward to getting to know her over the next two weeks. More later, Dave Edited August 24, 2014 by RetiredMustang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAOk1945 Posted August 24, 2014 #19 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Thanks for taking the time to do this review. I'm already enjoying it and looking forward to seeing more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvertoGold Posted August 24, 2014 #20 Share Posted August 24, 2014 (edited) Oooo!! Great!! Thank you, thank you!! Love your live reports and the photos are super! What a treat!!! Is RuthC on this one? And Aloha Pride? What a group you guys will be!! Hope you see them all and say "hi" for all of us here on CC. Enjoy your cruise Edited August 24, 2014 by SilvertoGold Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sppunk Posted August 24, 2014 #21 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Tell Diane Fast hi for me -she is great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted August 24, 2014 #22 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Great, look forward to your report! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
innlady1 Posted August 24, 2014 #23 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Dave, when we did our b2b in '09, RuthC and AloahPride were on the "Good Nuts" cruise with us. When they disembarked, you boarded for the "Voyage of the Pink Flamingos" (don't know how I remember all this!). Please say hello to Ruth and to Mary ("AloahaPride"), Keaka, and their 3 little girls for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starfish the second Posted August 24, 2014 #24 Share Posted August 24, 2014 subscribing to ur review Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted August 24, 2014 #25 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Looking forward to your "Live" report. We have done that itinerary twice -- it is a great one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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