Dave’s Live from Amsterdam 14-day Alaska, August 24 – September 7, 2014

[Bead Babe]

I'll be on the Amsterdam on Sept. 7th so I'm looking forward to your review. Thanks for being there for us.

[Watson's aunt]

Hi

 

Thanks for your review. I was on the Amsterdam on June 22.

 

Mary

[rajkr74]

Well looks like you are ready to leave the Port of Seattle. Here is a picture of the Amsterdam with better lighting in the afternoon. Shot about 3:15pm PDT.

 

 

And a picture pulling away from the dock at 4:28pm PDT.

 

 

Have a good cruise...:)

[Copper10-8]

Well looks like you are ready to leave the Port of Seattle. Here is a picture of the Amsterdam with better lighting in the afternoon. Shot about 3:15pm PDT.

 

 

And a picture pulling away from the dock at 4:28pm PDT.

 

 

Have a good cruise...:)

 

Nice captures! :) Have a great 2 weeks Dave and please say hello to Mary, Keaka and the 3 girls for me

[erewhon]

Thank you for beginning your "live" review, I always enjoy your reviews.

 

Bon Voyage.

Edited August 25, 2014 by erewhon

[RetiredMustang]

Embarkation Day, Aug. 24 (Cont.)

 

 

We were third (last) of the three ships to depart Seattle today. The NCL ship (Norwegian Jewel?) left first from downtown, then Grand Princess from Pier 91. (I remember Piers 90 and 91 from a long time ago, and assumed it was 90 where the cruise ships docked – it is actually Pier 91).

 

Captain Mercer told us, after the lifeboat drill, that we were waiting for a couple of passengers before departing. They obviously arrived shortly thereafter, since we set sail about 20 minutes later.

 

I found it interesting that the lifeboat drill has changed since just 6 months ago on Ryndam in the Caribbean. There were actually three alarms sounded. Captain Mercer explained that the first was to alert the crew to a situation. Passengers were to stay out of the way and leave the affected area. If the crew contained the situation, everyone stood down. The second alarm was the one in which passengers should go to their cabins, put on warm clothing and shoes, gather meds and glasses, etc. and don lifejackets, but to stay in their cabins until all clear was announced, or the final alarm went, which was the familiar seven short blasts and one long one. That was when the passengers should go to the lifeboat stations. I wonder if this is common on Alaska cruises, or at least MS Amsterdam, or if this is in response to the earlier fire on Westerdam. In any event, the drill was over fairly quickly, and we were able to repair to the Ocean Bar for a pre-dinner wine.

 

We sailed and proceeded up past Bainbridge Island and on past Whidbey Island toward the San Juans. During our early fixed time dinner, we turned into the Straits of Juan de Fuca and headed out to sea. Our cabin is on the port side, and I was able to recognize that we had just passed the Dungeness Spit and were near the town of Sequim (pronounced “Skwim”) at about 8 p.m.

 

Sheila, John et al -- Yes, we are on board with RuthC and Aloha Pride, but I have not run across them yet. The M&G is at 11 tomorrow, and I hope to meet them then. I will pass on your greetings. I also understand that RevNeal and his mother were to have joined the cruise.

 

 

More later,

Dave

Edited August 25, 2014 by RetiredMustang

[RetiredMustang]

Embarkation Day, Aug. 24 (Cont.)

 

I have decided not to try to post photos of the menus this blog, since I can never seem to get them in very good focus/contrast. Instead, I will just type them (I’m a quick and not too error-prone typist, so it probably won’t take much longer than trying to get/crop/post readable photos).

 

Here is tonight’s menu:

 

Appetizers

 

- Fresh Fruit Medley

- Citrus Alaskan Seafood Cocktail

- Chilled Green Asparagus and Oven-Roasted Tomatoes (with buffalo mozzarella)

- Mussels a la Mariniere

 

Soups and Salad

- Ketchikan Fisherman’s Chowder

- Cheese Tortellini and Vegetable Soup

- Chilled Mixed Berry Soup

- Mixed Seasonal Greens

 

Entrees

- Penne Primavera

- Fresh Catch Sauteed Rockfish Fillet

- English Roast Beef

- Whiskey-Glazed Barbeque Pork Ribs

- Roasted Chicken with Sausage Cornbread Stuffing

- Eggplant Canelloni Parmegiano

 

The “Always Available” menu was called “Master Chef Rudi’s Collection”

- French Onion Soup “Les Halles”

- Classic Caesar Salad

- Grilled Salmon with Ginger-Cilantro Pesto

- Oven-Roasted Chicken

- Broiled New York Strip Loin

- Baked Potato, White Rice, Steamed Vegetables

 

Here is the dessert menu:

 

Desserts

- Devil’s Food Cake

- Viennese Apple Strudel

- Lemon Torte no sugar added

 

Frozen Treats

- Vanilla Ice Cream

- Rum Raisin Ice Cream

- Lemon Sherbet

- Chocolate Frozen Yogurt

- No sugar added Vanilla Ice Cream

- No sugar added Chocolate Ice Cream

- Hot Fudge Sundae

 

Espresso Drinks

- Espresso $1.25

- Cappuccino $1.75

- Extra shot $0.50

 

Available Daily

- The Gold Rush Baked Alaska

- Recommended Cordial of the Day: Mocha Mint (Kahlua, Crème de Menthe and Crème de Cacao White)

- Fruit Crisp of the Day: Banana Crisp

- Sliced Fruit Plate

- North American Cheese Plate (Maytag Blue, Brie de Nage, Gouda, Leiden)

 

 

More later,

Dave

Edited August 25, 2014 by RetiredMustang

[clogaltocruise]

My mouth is watering!!

[Copper10-8]

....................................

I found it interesting that the lifeboat drill has changed since just 6 months ago on Ryndam in the Caribbean. There were actually three alarms sounded. Captain Mercer explained that the first was to alert the crew to a situation. Passengers were to stay out of the way and leave the affected area. If the crew contained the situation, everyone stood down. The second alarm was the one in which passengers should go to their cabins, put on warm clothing and shoes, gather meds and glasses, etc. and don lifejackets, but to stay in their cabins until all clear was announced, or the final alarm went, which was the familiar seven short blasts and one long one. That was when the passengers should go to the lifeboat stations. I wonder if this is common on Alaska cruises, or at least MS Amsterdam, or if this is in response to the earlier fire on Westerdam. In any event, the drill was over fairly quickly, and we were able to repair to the Ocean Bar for a pre-dinner wine.

 

..................................

 

It's called the "3-Alarm system" and all fifteen ships are going to it. It stems from studies conducted as a result of the Costa Concordia tragedy

[Krazy Kruizers]

Embarkation Day, Aug. 24 (Cont.)

 

 

We were third (last) of the three ships to depart Seattle today. The NCL ship (Norwegian Jewel?) left first from downtown, then Grand Princess from Pier 91. (I remember Piers 90 and 91 from a long time ago, and assumed it was 90 where the cruise ships docked – it is actually Pier 91).

 

Captain Mercer told us, after the lifeboat drill, that we were waiting for a couple of passengers before departing. They obviously arrived shortly thereafter, since we set sail about 20 minutes later.

 

I found it interesting that the lifeboat drill has changed since just 6 months ago on Ryndam in the Caribbean. There were actually three alarms sounded. Captain Mercer explained that the first was to alert the crew to a situation. Passengers were to stay out of the way and leave the affected area. If the crew contained the situation, everyone stood down. The second alarm was the one in which passengers should go to their cabins, put on warm clothing and shoes, gather meds and glasses, etc. and don lifejackets, but to stay in their cabins until all clear was announced, or the final alarm went, which was the familiar seven short blasts and one long one. That was when the passengers should go to the lifeboat stations. I wonder if this is common on Alaska cruises, or at least MS Amsterdam, or if this is in response to the earlier fire on Westerdam. In any event, the drill was over fairly quickly, and we were able to repair to the Ocean Bar for a pre-dinner wine.

 

We sailed and proceeded up past Bainbridge Island and on past Whidbey Island toward the San Juans. During our early fixed time dinner, we turned into the Straits of Juan de Fuca and headed out to sea. Our cabin is on the port side, and I was able to recognize that we had just passed the Dungeness Spit and were near the town of Sequim (pronounced “Skwim”) at about 8 p.m.

 

Sheila, John et al -- Yes, we are on board with RuthC and Aloha Pride, but I have not run across them yet. The M&G is at 11 tomorrow, and I hope to meet them then. I will pass on your greetings. I also understand that RevNeal and his mother were to have joined the cruise.

 

 

More later,

Dave

 

 

On our last Nieuw Amsterdam cruise, there was an announcement made that we were not to report to our lifeboats until the final set of alarms were sounded. Think they were starting to get this new concept into place then.

[POA1]

Very excited to see that you've got a new Live From thread! :)

[RetiredMustang]

Monday, Aug. 25, at sea

 

The Captain had said we might encounter some fog during the night, and several times I woke up and could hear the ships horn blowing. It now seems to have stopped, but I think it still overcast as I can’t see any stars. I am early riser anyway, and still have my East Coast body clock, so I was up at 4 a.m.

 

Today is a day at sea, with many activities. DW pointed out that there was an Alaska beer tasting, but the copy says it is an opportunity to learn about the beers – I’m more interested in just drinking them, so may just buy one at a bar. I have had Alaskan Amber before and it is good; maybe the IPA would be a good one to try.

 

Lots of other stuff going on, and I hope to be able to get photos of the ship. And, the CC meet and greet is at 11.

 

Here are today’s On Location pages:

 

 

 

More later,

Dave

[1of4]

Thank you for doing this again. Love seeing your photos and reading your "live from". Fantastic way to start the day. Enjoy your cruise.

[RetiredMustang]

It's called the "3-Alarm system" and all fifteen ships are going to it. It stems from studies conducted as a result of the Costa Concordia tragedy

 

Thanks for the explanation – I figured you would know and hoped you would enlighten us!

 

It is a more comprehensive drill, and covers a wider range of emergency response, which is a good thing. But, although the crew is no doubt highly trained in all of this, it will take some time to train us passengers, I’m thinking. We were in our cabin and got the initial word to stay put until the alarm sounded, so we did. But, when the second blast hit though, we leaped out of our skins and then jumped up and headed for the lifeboat.

 

It wasn’t until we were there at the lifeboat station (thinking “look at those two doofi who can’t follow directions and are wearing their lifejackets”) that we realized we weren’t supposed to be there yet and we went “wait, what …. Oh yeah, so are we apparently.” But, we were far from alone in our doofishness -– probably only about 10 percent passed the test and actually waited until the third signal to come down to the muster station. Oh well, we’ll get it eventually … I guess we need to book four or five more cruises just to make sure.

 

Dave

[Mtn2Sea]

Dave,

I can see how the new procedures for the lifeboat drill would be confusing. Did you have written instructions for the 3 alarm system. When you go to the muster station, do you wear the life jacket or do you just practice putting it on and off while in the cabin? I want to be one of the ten percent when I go on our October cruise!

Robert

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for the review..

[Copper10-8]

Dave,

I can see how the new procedures for the lifeboat drill would be confusing. Did you have written instructions for the 3 alarm system. When you go to the muster station, do you wear the life jacket or do you just practice putting it on and off while in the cabin? I want to be one of the ten percent when I go on our October cruise!

Robert

 

Each of the three alarms is accompanied by a P/A announcement from the Bridge (coming into your cabin) with instructions for crew and pax. Life vests are not to be worn by pax if the alarm involves a drill such as the one on embarkation day

[VermeulT]

Thanks Dave for doing this. Since I had to back out of this year's trip - I NEED to live vicariously through you. I appreciate this Live From... and am counting the days (364) until I get to do this itinerary, finally, myself.

[innlady1]

Thank you, Dave, for your report. Sorry to see the crème brulee is no longer on the "Available anytime" dessert menu.

[durangoscots]

I echo the "thanks for doing this"..... I did this cruise earlier this year and will be reliving it through your posts. Interesting about the new 3 tier life boat drill.... we all are going to have retrain ourselves and at my age I retrain rather slowly. Know you are in for a great time.

 

Susan

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

They were testing the new 3 alarm system on the Zuiderdam in May; we were sitting next to the ship's nurse who explained the concept to us. The previous week on the Amsterdam, we had the old system. Sounds like the new method is ship wide.

[RetiredMustang]

Monday, Aug. 25, at sea (cont.)

 

This morning, as I was at Explorations Café waiting for my latte to be brewed, I saw this wall display that explained the 3 alarms:

 

 

Clearly, I had missed it, being so focused on the tasks at hand (I call it “focused”, DW calls it “oblivious”), but it probably had been going since we boarded.

 

Later, we attended the meet and greet, and I was able to meet several CC members I had only known virtually, including RutchC, Jaspersmycat, 8pawz and AlohaPride (Sheila and John, I passed on your greetings, and she appreciated it, although she wished you were on board with us). Ruth told me that RevNeal and his mom had had to cancel, which was disappointing news.

 

I’ve been taking photos around the ship, and will post them as I go. Here are a couple of the cabin (before we really started living in it):

 

 

 

 

And, here are some shots of the Sports (Casino) bar:

 

 

 

 

More later,

Dave

[cruisinjudy]

"Thank you, Dave, for your report. Sorry to see the crème brulee is no longer on the "Available anytime" dessert menu."

 

 

No! Say it isn't so! What will I possibly find to have for dessert now? Creme Brulee was the only thing on the menu I could eat except vanilla ice cream and I don't like their vanilla! I may have to go back to Princess.

 

Edited August 25, 2014 by cruisinjudy

[JimAOk1945]

Monday, Aug. 25, at sea (cont.)

 

I’ve been taking photos around the ship, and will post them as I go. Here are a couple of the cabin (before we really started living in it):

 

 

 

 

 

More later,

Dave

 

 

Hi Dave,

 

I'm enjoying your review. Your cabin looks comfortable. What category is it?

Edited August 25, 2014 by JimAOk1945

[Bead Babe]

Do you post the really tasty items you try from the menu or is this too personal? Hoping to know what to order for dinner. It all sounds yummy and not the kind of thing I eat every day. I'm counting the days until my Amsterdam Alaska adventure. Please let me know if there is any menu item you really don't feel is up to par. Thanks so much.