kydems Posted January 7, 2016 #126 Share Posted January 7, 2016 I will enjoy following your travels. This voyage is on my bucket list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woldridge Posted January 8, 2016 #127 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Thanks for posting. Love following world cruisers. Is this your first world cruise? Barb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindaler Posted January 8, 2016 #128 Share Posted January 8, 2016 I am so excited to see this cruise through the eyes of a first timer. It is definitely on my list of cruises I must take, but for now I am enjoying taking it with you guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchip Posted January 8, 2016 #129 Share Posted January 8, 2016 All of Judy's projects can be tracked on Raverly under her name Judyzz. Follow her progress! I will upload a picture of her stash later. OH my, talk about small world. I was just looking at some instructions on Raverly right before I came to check out CC! I'll look for Judy's projects! Have fun. Enjoying your writing and photos already and you have just gotten started. Cheers, Denise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 8, 2016 Author #130 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Thanks for posting. Love following world cruisers. Is this your first world cruise? Barb Yes, this is our first world cruise. We have about 75 days on HAL - not counting bonus days for spending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 8, 2016 Author #131 Share Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) Here is a copy of our Gangway pic starting the cruise. We love these photos - great memories. Still working the post for today. Will be up in the AM. Thanks for everyone's kind comments. Appreciate it very much. Edited January 8, 2016 by The-Inside-Cabin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kasi1979 Posted January 8, 2016 #132 Share Posted January 8, 2016 thanks for your postings, if you don´t mind my question, how much is a picture package for the world cruise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsas Posted January 8, 2016 #133 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Love your blog thank you for posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 1of4 Posted January 8, 2016 #134 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Great picture! Thanks for sharing it. Lucky Amsterdam to have such fun loving people on board! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martezz Posted January 8, 2016 #135 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Enjoying your blog. Thank you for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I&J Cruisers Posted January 8, 2016 #136 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Enjoying your trip with you. Thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 8, 2016 Author #137 Share Posted January 8, 2016 thanks for your postings, if you don´t mind my question, how much is a picture package for the world cruise? $550 for every picture taken, including formal nights. $750 for the hard copy and digital version Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 8, 2016 Author #138 Share Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) Good Morning Amsterdam! That is the name of the live closed circuit TV show hosted by the Cruise Director, Gene, every morning around 9:30 AM . I attended the first show in person in the Wajang Theatre. Gene explained to us how the show was going to start: He would say Hi to the guest and the co host who in turn would say hi to Gene and then each other, followed by the audience shouting out “Good Morning Amsterdam” and followed by the theme music. After Gene explained the process, it was time to go live. They made the intros and the audience shouted “Good Morning Amsterdam!” and then the ships loud speakers blared: “This is a drill; this is a drill” – as the Bridge started a series of announcements about a simulated emergency. Gene started the show over as the opening was ruined and this would be replayed throughout the morning on ships TV. Take 2 We get to the same spot in the opening and the Bridge provides a valuable update – ruining the second attempt at the opening. Take 3 Once again we get to the same spot and now there is an announcement – “Will the cruise director Gene Young please report to your emergency station.” Gene picks up his cell phone and calls the bridge and reminds them that he was excused from the drill by the Captain as he was taping his show. Take 4 goes smoothly and we are off and running without further interruption. The show is lively, interesting, and gives insight to a crewmember and what they do around the ship. It was a fun time and I plan to try and make this show often. As a special treat, the entire “studio” was given 5 Dam dollars. Dam dollars are awarded for winning and or participating in various events around the ship – from Trivia to a bean bag toss. After each segment they will set up a bazaar where you can spend you Dam dollars for a variety of logo items or other prizes. Not sure what $5 in dam dollars will ultimately be worth – maybe a paper coaster? Barbara is the location guide and is on her 16th world cruise. She knows ports, what to do and how best to do it. She gave her first lecture in the Queens Lounge, an overview of her background and her services, followed by an introduction to our first Port: Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. Very interesting and her wealth of experience will be very valuable as we progress around the globe. After we left the port lecture, we wandered into the shop that was selling the 2016 Grand World Voyage logo wear. They had caps, shirts, jackets and more. We were looking at a nice T shirt with 2016 Grand World Voyage on the front and a list of all the ports we would visit on the back. Wonderful - except the ports listed on the T Shirt were from the past 2015 World Cruise not the current 2016 World Cruise. The staff noticed the error and was busily starting to pull them off the shelves and box them up to be returned. Before they were gone, we bought two of the misprinted shirts which are now collectors’ items as they may be the only 2 shirts like this in circulation. Judy spent the morning with the “Knit and Stitch” group which met in the Explorers Lounge. This exact time and place will vary throughout the cruise. Thirty women arrived to knit, stitch and share their stories. There were two very large boxes of Acrylic yarn which has been donated over the years and will be used to knit blankets for the Linus Project throughout the cruise. I stopped by an hour after they started and there were still about 10 women busily knitting and having a great time. You really have to plan your day as many events take place simultaneously and the only regret is there isn’t enough time to do them all. Next up for us was a quick lunch in the Lido followed by Crafts. We have yet to find any kind of a crowd in the Lido – never a line for food or a wait for a table – service for everything is almost instantaneous, but not overbearing. The Crafts group met at 2 pm and I joined them with Judy for the project of the day. Judi, the craft instructor, is outstanding and she has prepared projects for every sea day on the cruise – all 68- and shipped 300 lbs of supplies that will eventually get used up as the cruise goes on. We made a small frame that holds a note card printed with helpful reminders before you go ashore. Don’t forget your ID etc. We were provided a magnet so it would stick on the inside of your cabin door. GALA NIGHT There has been much discussion recently over the change in dress code and the introduction of the term “Gala Night”. I was pleased to observe that our first Gala night on the Amsterdam was the most formal and elegant of any formal night I have experienced. I didn’t wander around during early seating, but from 6:30 pm on – there were many, many men in tuxedos with most of the remainder in dark suits. I didn’t see a single person who didn’t meet the “old school” standard of tux or dark suit. There were probably a few out there, but I didn’t spot any. The Captains reception was at 7pm in the Queens lounge. A fast moving reception line backed up beyond the reception desk on deck 4. Entering the Queens lounge we were greeted by the Cruise Director, Gene Young, and the Hotel Director Henk Mensink. With over 75% of the ship repeat World Cruisers, Henk and Gene seemed to know everyone, but they greeted the newcomers with the same enthusiasm as the rest and we felt at home immediately. The reception was first class all the way. On shorter cruises, your beverage selection for these events is usually Champagne or a simple cocktail. Tonight they had a full range of cocktail or soft drinks to choose from and to my surprise a very good Martini was sitting on the tray just for me. We found some seats and were pleasantly surprised that even the ever present nut jar wasupgraded from what I recall being available on an Alaska Cruise. IT’S A SMALL WORLD Everyone we have met so far is very friendly and in a constant good mood. While many people knew each other from previous journeys, it was always easy to join in and you were warmly greeted immediately. We greeted the couple sitting next to us and quickly discover that we went to the same high school! It was a big school, and we were separated by a few years, but it was amazing to meet someone who was in your same high school under these circumstances. The Captain took the stage and proceeded thru the introduction of his team who are all very experienced as you would expect for any cruise and especially a Grand World Voyage. The party broke up about a quarter to 8 and the group proceeded aft toward the dining rooms. We squeezed past long lines of guests who were waiting to get into the show room for the first show – another reason to enjoy main dining – you never wait to get into a show. The dining room was all white. White table clothes with white chair covers – a very elegant introduction to our first Gala night. Our table has settled on 7 guests, but for tonight we were joined by the Ships Medical Officer and her husband – an accomplished magician we would learn later. The dining room staff squeezed in an extra setting – so we were 9 - but the table didn’t seem cramped in the least. Escargot and Shrimp Cocktail started the meal with a filet and broiled shrimp as one of the selections. The entire menu is posted on the blog. Dinner was a joy and we had wonderful conversations about their experiences in Halifax (their home town) as well as their cruises with Holland America over the years. Tonight’s show was “An Evening with the Finkels” We were not familiar with their show, but it was wonderful and received a rare standing ovation. The two brothers, Xylophonist Ian Finkel and Concert Pianist Elliot Finkel peformed a delightful arrangement of songs before being joined by their 93 year old father, Fyvush Finkel, who required an escort to the stage as he appeared quite frail. But his voice and energy otherwise were over the top as he sung “If I Was a Rich Man” and followed by amazing stories and jokes. He stole the show which lasted over 1 hour with everyone frozen in their seats. We returned to our cabin thru the Casino, deserted except for a lively Texas Hold-em game, and reflected on our wonderful day. Pictures on the blog.... later today..... Edited January 8, 2016 by The-Inside-Cabin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roberts2005 Posted January 8, 2016 #139 Share Posted January 8, 2016 $550 for every picture taken, including formal nights. $750 for the hard copy and digital version Great blog and reports Is this for the segment or the whole world cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMLincoln Posted January 8, 2016 #140 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Nice to hear that they had the old style Captain's Welcome, HAL didn't have that on our last cruise and we never saw the captain the whole cruise - it felt distant and a bit uncaring to me. Glad that everyone seems welcoming to first time World Cruisers! Very encouraging. Thanks for the report. Enjoy, m-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jig Posted January 8, 2016 #141 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Enjoying your updates. We got two jackets from our dam dollars. They used to be fleet wide but we don't see them anymore. Not many games anymore. Enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsas Posted January 8, 2016 #142 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Love your blog we board in HK and looking forward to seeing all our friends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 8, 2016 Author #143 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Here is a picture of our table where we were joined by the Chief Medical Officer and her husband. Menus and other stuff on the blog under daily activities We are on for the entire cruise to answer a question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted January 8, 2016 #144 Share Posted January 8, 2016 You all look fabulous. So nice to see the tuxes.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted January 8, 2016 #145 Share Posted January 8, 2016 (edited) Thx for the update. You all look great in your gala attire. I checked out the gala menu on your blog assuming the menu would be better than the short cruises. I was disappointed to find it wasn't. Interesting about 75% being repeaters of the world cruise. That's a huge amount. Edited January 8, 2016 by cruz chic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scluvsrain Posted January 8, 2016 #146 Share Posted January 8, 2016 You write wonderfully! Enjoying it so much. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelbug615 Posted January 8, 2016 #147 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Thank you so much for taking the time to share your cruise. My husband and I plan to do the 2018 world cruise. I have already made a couple notes from what you have written so far. Will be following your blog as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillside Posted January 8, 2016 #148 Share Posted January 8, 2016 Thanks for sharing your world cruise. We hope to do one soon! Love HAL and have followed the WC cruisers blogs the past few years. You're doing a great job! Enjoy this wonderful opportunity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeniEncinitas Posted January 9, 2016 #149 Share Posted January 9, 2016 What a great photo! Fabulous! Denise:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted January 9, 2016 #150 Share Posted January 9, 2016 A fine looking bunch. Any word how open dining is going? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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