Grand World Voyage 1st leg Ft.Laud - Sydney

[Viceroy]

We are novices and have booked the Jan 5 departure for the 35 days to Sydney (a bucket list...go big or go home thing) on the Amsterdam. We're curious about a number of things and any assistance/advice will be appreciated. First: Does HA and the ship have an advance list/schedule of special events onboard (dressy functions, masquerade party, equator crossing festivities, etc.)? Second: The "tennis court" onboard...really...any experiences? Third: As we will be in an inside or ocean view cabin, are there any recommended deck/outside areas to hang out (read, doze, chat, idle away the miles)? Fourth: With two pools one must be better to swim/aquasize than the other and/or the best time of day to do so? Fifth: We're sociable but not "party hardies" at 60 (Liz) and 69 (Richard) and wonder if we should look for any particular activity or group? Sixth: We're both sailors/pleasure boaters and I've got charts and a sextant of the Pacific and wonder if ship officers are willing to share their knowledge?

Okay much more for our inquiring minds but for now...your responses will be welcomed. Cheers, Richard.

[arzz]

Check in with the folks on the roll call for this cruise. What has not already been answered in the posts that are there now the folks on this thread will be happy to help you with !

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1844310

[take us away]

We are novices and have booked the Jan 5 departure for the 35 days to Sydney (a bucket list...go big or go home thing) on the Amsterdam. We're curious about a number of things and any assistance/advice will be appreciated. First: Does HA and the ship have an advance list/schedule of special events onboard (dressy functions, masquerade party, equator crossing festivities, etc.)? Second: The "tennis court" onboard...really...any experiences? Third: As we will be in an inside or ocean view cabin, are there any recommended deck/outside areas to hang out (read, doze, chat, idle away the miles)? Fourth: With two pools one must be better to swim/aquasize than the other and/or the best time of day to do so? Fifth: We're sociable but not "party hardies" at 60 (Liz) and 69 (Richard) and wonder if we should look for any particular activity or group? Sixth: We're both sailors/pleasure boaters and I've got charts and a sextant of the Pacific and wonder if ship officers are willing to share their knowledge?

Okay much more for our inquiring minds but for now...your responses will be welcomed. Cheers, Richard.

 

We can help a bit but arzz is correct about going to the specific cruise thread.

 

1. You will get a listing of events, i.e. ball themes and other such as the Equator crossing are listed in the daily event schedule.

 

2. The 'tennis court' is better suited to pickleball ( a compressed version of tennis)

 

3. The open promenade deck is my favorite to watch the world go by and enjoy the sea air on sea days.

 

4. The Amsterdam has 2 pools, one in the middle of the ship with a retractable roof which has more activity than the other pool on the back of the ship. The midship pool has a bar, a grill food station, a buffet station which is usually Mexican, and several events throughout the day. The aft pool is much more quiet with minimal activities, a bar and is our favorite.

 

5. The daily program will have lots of activities for you to chose from depending on what you like.

 

6. Wow - I would live to sail with you. The officers should be more than willing to share their experiences, Each day the captain will provide information, there are monitors throughout the ship for location, etc. Would recommend you talk with customer service (may be Crystal Meinke) and she should be able to assist in this.

[cnbfrank]

On our Veendam SA/Antarctica cruise in 2011, there was a laminated chart spread out in the Crow's Nest, with our projected and actual routes around the Antarctica peninsula marked out. Also a handsome young officer, on occasion, to update it and answer questions :)