Rare whogo Posted January 21, 2015 #1 Share Posted January 21, 2015 P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }We will see if I can do another live cruise thread. It depends how my internet minutes and my mood hold up. If you are looking for news of my interaction with the captain, you won't find it here. I am never sure which one is the captain. Want descriptions of the Neptune Lounge? We aren't entitled. Want to hear beautiful descriptions of exotic ports? If only I had the ability! This ain't literachur. Want lavish praise of the hard working cruise? I am not good at gushing. I have never had a bad cruise, but as a pessimist I always expect the worst. The advantage of being a pessimist is that things always turn out better than feared. Our flights did not arrive late or go down in flames. I even had a delicious in flight meal (that I brought from home). It's great! Things may continue to go well, but I will post anything that does not as long as I can remain anonymous. I am not looking for special treatment, good or bad. Everyone else on board will have a different cruise than I do. I am bound to have a better cruise than my wife as I have a better traveling companion than she does. If you want honest, biased opinions that does not sound like HAL marketing, stay tuned. If not, get out now, you were warned. If you want rainbows and unicorns, I can post a spoiler. Woke up January 20, 2015 to find the Veendam parked outside my room at the Wyndham. Parked? You won't hear nautical terms either, I am from the prairie. It was a short walk with wheeled luggage to the pier and a mass of humanity. Everyone arrived at 11:30. The hoard was handled efficiently and we boarded to find our room ready and in good shape. After a massive breakfast at the Boar's Head I was not ready for our regular Mariner's lunch in the dining room. We had a light meal at a surprisingly civilized, uncrowded buffet where it seemed all the staff were named “Lido”, there were many missing name tags. ¾ of our bags were delivered before we left the ship, DW took a left to tour the maritime museum, I turned right to visit the Midway. The aircraft carrier Midway makes an awesome museum with great docents, plenty of aircraft and interesting stuff and lots and lots of stairs. Seems I spent most of the day going up and down stairs. First hand experiences, recorded and live, gave me an idea of what shipboard life was like. Muster drill was fairly painless in the shade in pleasant weather. Few cruisers wait in their cabins until ordered to their muster stations. We did a lousy job of keeping a walkway clear and roll was called too slowly for my liking, but we finished roll call before others. The drill lasted about 25 minutes unless you add in the 45 minutes of preliminary announcements. We chose a bad time for any time dinner in the Rotterdam Dining Room, as did everyone else. It involved a wait. For anonymity's sake I will not detail my experience with staff or the beeper. We ended up with delightful dinner companions, nice scallop appetizer and roast beef that was rare, just as I ordered it, excellent meal. The captain announced before the 9:30 show that we had turned around to return to San Diego to give proper care to an ill passenger. He could not say how it would affect our cruise schedule. I was happy to see the Showroom crowd took the news well. I wish the passenger a speedy recovery. The half hour performance showed off all the entertainers, a male singer made the best impression on me. I woke at 5:30 to find us sailing southwest (that is toward Hawaii) and wondered if the ill passenger had been evacuated or if his condition had stabilized for better or worse. I overheard from a family member that the passenger had been evacuated. Time for breakfast. Until tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qsuzi Posted January 21, 2015 #2 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Your post has me smiling. Looking forward to reading more. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vict0riann Posted January 21, 2015 #3 Share Posted January 21, 2015 This is one I really want to do. Count me in!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madera1 Posted January 21, 2015 #4 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Thanks for taking the time to share. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare rafinmd Posted January 21, 2015 #5 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Happily, I won't be reading much of your thread because I'll be at sea. Have a wonderful cruise (sounds like you're off to a great start) on what I consider to be HAL's most improved ship. Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mtn2Sea Posted January 21, 2015 #6 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Looking forward to your review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qsuzi Posted January 21, 2015 #7 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Happily, I won't be reading much of your thread because I'll be at sea. Have a wonderful cruise (sounds like you're off to a great start) on what I consider to be HAL's most improved ship. Roy Bon Voyage Roy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PathfinderEss Posted January 21, 2015 #8 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Whogo, thanks for taking us along on your cruise. Already enjoying your reports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted January 21, 2015 #9 Share Posted January 21, 2015 I have to remind myself to keep up with this thread. Sorry that you had to turn back -- hope the passenger is all right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pv girl Posted January 21, 2015 #10 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Looking forward to following along with you and your sweet wife. Aloha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oahucruiser Posted January 21, 2015 #11 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Living in Honolulu, we are always happy to read of passengers' experiences here. Gorgeous weather all this week. Enjoy!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOcruiserman Posted January 21, 2015 #12 Share Posted January 21, 2015 We were on the Veendam this summer and enjoyed every minute of our cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted January 21, 2015 #13 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Thanks for sharing with us....... Off to a good start. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxie99 Posted January 21, 2015 #14 Share Posted January 21, 2015 __ :)__ ohhh this is going to be good, carry on,,, :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ger_77 Posted January 21, 2015 #15 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Bon Voyage - I hope things continue to be better than expected. ;-) Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted January 21, 2015 #16 Share Posted January 21, 2015 I thought I was the only one that didn't know who the captain is:D. Looking forward to your updates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbRN Posted January 21, 2015 #17 Share Posted January 21, 2015 Keep up the reports, I'm in! Looking forward to my HAL cruise in two weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubba54 Posted January 22, 2015 #18 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I thought I was the only one that didn't know who the captain is:D. Looking forward to your updates. :D:D Too funny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare erewhon Posted January 22, 2015 #19 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Enjoyed reading your report, thanks for reporting "live". Have you heard a progress report of the ill passenger? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodroe Posted January 22, 2015 #20 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Thank you for taking the time to do this. We will be on for the March 2st/28th sailing - first time on the Veendam so this is very timely. Have a wonderful cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Copper10-8 Posted January 22, 2015 #21 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Keep up the good work and enjoy your voyage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare whogo Posted January 22, 2015 Author #22 Share Posted January 22, 2015 January 21, 2015 The captain announced during breakfast that we had docked in San Diego at 1:00 AM for the transfer of our unwell passenger to a waiting ambulance and on to hospital. I slept soundly through it all. The captain reported that the passenger was now in good spirits and his condition had stabilized. The decision to return to San Diego had been made in consultation with the Coast Guard and corporate medical personnel. The captain praised the work of the crew involved. It must have been a busier night than the captain had anticipated. The captain also gave us the good news that barring unforeseen sea conditions we should reach Lahaina, our first port, as originally scheduled. DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART Tue Jan 20 San Diego, CA 5:00pm Wed Jan 21 At Sea Thu Jan 22 At Sea Fri Jan 23 At Sea Sat Jan 24 At Sea Sun Jan 25 At Sea Mon Jan 26 Lahaina, Maui, HI 10:00am 11:00pm Tue Jan 27 Honolulu, Oahu, HI 7:00am Wed Jan 28 Honolulu, Oahu, HI 6:00pm Thu Jan 29 Nawiliwili, Kauai, HI 8:00am 5:00pm Fri Jan 30 Kona, Hawaii, HI 8:00am 5:00pm Sat Jan 31 Hilo, Hawaii, HI 8:00am 5:00pm Sun Feb 1 At Sea Mon Feb 2 At Sea Tue Feb 3 At Sea Wed Feb 4 At Sea Thu Feb 5 At Sea Fri Feb 6 Ensenada, Mexico Noon 6:00pm Sat Feb 7 San Diego, CA 7:00am I forgot to stop by the Lido for a first breakfast of fresh squeezed orange juice and fruit. Second breakfast in the dining room was excellent, I will see how much of the breakfast menu I can work my way through, although eggs and bacon are hard to beat. Mrs. Whogo's team beat us by one point, we lost by four points at 11:30 trivia. Ouch! Phil and cruise director Marco have both run excellent trivia contests. We have yet to be led directly to a table in the dining room, there is always some delay. Anyone heard of cobia? I had not either, apparently a freshwater fish, the flesh is firm and a bit bland. The accompanying snap peas were the hit of the meal. I expect to be given a beeper again tonight, our preferred dining time was not available for reservation. As You Wish has always been a poor name for the dining options, I call it As Hal Wishes. Continuing my perfect record, we lost again at food trivia in the Mix. With staff showing up fifteen minutes late we were all treated to a drink. Nice gesture. Delightful dinner companions after a ten minute wait for a table (no beeper) and good food. Open seating is working well for meeting a diverse group of cruisers. Rainbow trout with a corn flake coating was excellent. Still time to lose again, this time at Broadway Name That Tune with piano man Lee. Trivia and eating are the theme of this cruise. I have spent some time reading, too. Weather has been a little too cool for sitting on deck. Stairs and announcements have decreased. Hawain comedian Kermet Apio was funny, explained some of his jokes for the under 30's who were not really in attendance. The late show crowd was ready for bed instead of comedy. Good show. I can't think of a gentle way to put this. There are a lot of old and infirm people on this cruise. I have been concerned for their safety, glad I'm not responsible for it and know some of the spouses are overwhelmed. I hope all goes well for them. Off to bed before I turn into a pumpkin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbhcw Posted January 22, 2015 #23 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Enjoying your review...one of our best cruises was a Hal cruise to Hawaii and back....Enjoy:):):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare puppycanducruise Posted January 22, 2015 #24 Share Posted January 22, 2015 I'm enjoying your review, and I look forward to reading more. Hope you have a good cruise. Good luck with the Trivia contests! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted January 22, 2015 #25 Share Posted January 22, 2015 January 21, 2015 The captain announced during breakfast that we had docked in San Diego at 1:00 AM for the transfer of our unwell passenger to a waiting ambulance and on to hospital. I slept soundly through it all. The captain reported that the passenger was now in good spirits and his condition had stabilized. The decision to return to San Diego had been made in consultation with the Coast Guard and corporate medical personnel. The captain praised the work of the crew involved. It must have been a busier night than the captain had anticipated. The captain also gave us the good news that barring unforeseen sea conditions we should reach Lahaina, our first port, as originally scheduled. DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART Tue Jan 20 San Diego, CA 5:00pm Wed Jan 21 At Sea Thu Jan 22 At Sea Fri Jan 23 At Sea Sat Jan 24 At Sea Sun Jan 25 At Sea Mon Jan 26 Lahaina, Maui, HI 10:00am 11:00pm Tue Jan 27 Honolulu, Oahu, HI 7:00am Wed Jan 28 Honolulu, Oahu, HI 6:00pm Thu Jan 29 Nawiliwili, Kauai, HI 8:00am 5:00pm Fri Jan 30 Kona, Hawaii, HI 8:00am 5:00pm Sat Jan 31 Hilo, Hawaii, HI 8:00am 5:00pm Sun Feb 1 At Sea Mon Feb 2 At Sea Tue Feb 3 At Sea Wed Feb 4 At Sea Thu Feb 5 At Sea Fri Feb 6 Ensenada, Mexico Noon 6:00pm Sat Feb 7 San Diego, CA 7:00am I forgot to stop by the Lido for a first breakfast of fresh squeezed orange juice and fruit. Second breakfast in the dining room was excellent, I will see how much of the breakfast menu I can work my way through, although eggs and bacon are hard to beat. Mrs. Whogo's team beat us by one point, we lost by four points at 11:30 trivia. Ouch! Phil and cruise director Marco have both run excellent trivia contests. We have yet to be led directly to a table in the dining room, there is always some delay. Anyone heard of cobia? I had not either, apparently a freshwater fish, the flesh is firm and a bit bland. The accompanying snap peas were the hit of the meal. I expect to be given a beeper again tonight, our preferred dining time was not available for reservation. As You Wish has always been a poor name for the dining options, I call it As Hal Wishes. Continuing my perfect record, we lost again at food trivia in the Mix. With staff showing up fifteen minutes late we were all treated to a drink. Nice gesture. Delightful dinner companions after a ten minute wait for a table (no beeper) and good food. Open seating is working well for meeting a diverse group of cruisers. Rainbow trout with a corn flake coating was excellent. Still time to lose again, this time at Broadway Name That Tune with piano man Lee. Trivia and eating are the theme of this cruise. I have spent some time reading, too. Weather has been a little too cool for sitting on deck. Stairs and announcements have decreased. Hawain comedian Kermet Apio was funny, explained some of his jokes for the under 30's who were not really in attendance. The late show crowd was ready for bed instead of comedy. Good show. I can't think of a gentle way to put this. There are a lot of old and infirm people on this cruise. I have been concerned for their safety, glad I'm not responsible for it and know some of the spouses are overwhelmed. I hope all goes well for them. Off to bed before I turn into a pumpkin. At 54 I'm scared to death about having so many sea days and being so far away from land in case of any medical emergency. I've got to hand it to people that are in somewhat bad shape throwing caution to the wind. Thanks for the update. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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