BTimmer's Almost Live from the Nieuw Amsterdam - Sea to FLL 10/2-23/21

[NCTribeFan]

I so wanted to be on this sailing.  I got a "free" casino offer but as a CPA (who hasn't quite been able to retire yet), I have the 10/15 deadline that kept me from being able to book.  I am on NA in December for 12 nights, so I've been reading every review since she resumed sailing.

 

Thank you for taking the time to post.  I look forward to reading more.

[scubacruiserx2]

14 hours ago, Btimmer said:

We're on board after the fastest  embarkation ever! Less than 30 minutes!

 

We depart at 5pm which is 30 minutes from now and we'll be enjoying dinner in the Tamarind.

 

I need to figure out the picture rotation issue.

 

Here you go . Have a great trip and we're looking forward to hearing about it .😊

 

[Btimmer]

I'm a retired CPA.

[Btimmer]

Per the cruise director, there are 1300 guests that boarded in Seattle and 300 will board in San Diego.  So we'll be at about 60% capacity.
 

Here's food pics from last night.

 

 

[12cruise2]

We're On right now with you--BEWARE OF PASSENGER LADY WEARING TURQUOISE MASK WITH LOTSA Sparklies--its a fake mask full of holes, like huge holes in a screen-type material.  I complimented her mask as we were standing waiting for the Mariner's Lunch--She said oh, I can breath right into my ear, up close and persona and said she got it on Amazonl  Then she pulls it out from her face to show me that it isn't really a mask--PROUD!  I said, what are you doing--we need to protect each other from germs on this 21-day cruise, she says oh I was tested, I said that was 3-4 days ago, you could have become infected since that tme.  I said I don't want your germs on me, I'm moving away from you and not interested in talking with you.  I was furious--so BEWARE--we've got foolish people right from the start on board.  And this is an hour after we all receive notice of Covid testing tomorrow morning--antigen, no cost to us.  She was so proud to show me the "holy" mask, I couldn't believe it.

[BrownieCruises]

We are onboard as well.  Just did the Mariners Brunch!  Good!  Got back to room and found a notice that everyone has to be COVID tested 3 to 5 days of departure.  We have to go on Tuesday! 

[Cruise Suzy]

23 minutes ago, 12cruise2 said:

BEWARE OF PASSENGER LADY WEARING TURQUOISE MASK WITH LOTSA Sparklies--its a fake mask full of holes, like huge holes in a screen-type material. ...  She was so proud to show me the "holy" mask, I couldn't believe it.

 

I think I would have reported her.

[NCTribeFan]

1 hour ago, Btimmer said:

I'm a retired CPA.

I thought I might be retired by now but I got a "late start" and never had any interest in becoming a partner (plus I was a single mom and put myself and my DD through school and it took a while to get those student loans paid off!).

 

I turn 69 on Eurodam next month.  Plan is to only work part time mid-Feb to 4/15, then mid-Aug to 10/15 because I'll always need some supplemental income.  Except the partners don't yet know that I have cruises over both 4/15 and 10/15 next year.  Oh well!  I may end up fully retired after all! 😁

 

It must feel good to be able to travel and leave the deadline headaches to others.  Maybe next time I get a great offer like that (can't beat "free" can you?), I'll be able to take advantage of it.

 

Hope you have a fantastic cruise.  I'll be reading every word!

[12cruise2]

2 hours ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

I think I would have reported her.

So it's now several hours after the lady flashed her "holy" mask.  I called the front desk and they said we can advise, we can educate, etc. etc. as if they couldn't put her off.  Too bad I didn't report her to ALL the ship's officers who were standing just inside the door facing us just before the Mariners' Brunch began.

Secondly, re the covid testing, front office said testing is a requirement of Carnival Corp. for cruises lasting more than 20 days.  I see testing is spread over several days--ours is tomorrow morning 9:30-10:00, I see some of you are a day or two or three from now on the roll call.

Edited October 3, 2021 by 12cruise2

[Florida_gal_50]

1 hour ago, 12cruise2 said:

So it's now several hours after the lady flashed her "holy" mask.  I called the front desk and they said we can advise, we can educate, etc. etc. as if they couldn't put her off.  Too bad I didn't report her to ALL the ship's officers who were standing just inside the door facing us just before the Mariners' Brunch began.

Secondly, re the covid testing, front office said testing is a requirement of Carnival Corp. for cruises lasting more than 20 days.  I see testing is spread over several days--ours is tomorrow morning 9:30-10:00, I see some of you are a day or two or three from now on the roll call.

No surprise there.  If you would have mentioned it to the officers I’m almost positive they would have said nothing.  It’s not only on ships it’s all over where I live.  That’s all you ever hear, we prefer to “educate”.  How slow are people that they aren’t “educated” 1 1/2 years into this?

[scubacruiserx2]

5 hours ago, 12cruise2 said:

We're On right now with you--BEWARE OF PASSENGER LADY WEARING TURQUOISE MASK WITH LOTSA Sparklies--its a fake mask full of holes, like huge holes in a screen-type material.  I complimented her mask as we were standing waiting for the Mariner's Lunch--She said oh, I can breath right into my ear, up close and persona and said she got it on Amazonl  Then she pulls it out from her face to show me that it isn't really a mask--PROUD!  I said, what are you doing--we need to protect each other from germs on this 21-day cruise, she says oh I was tested, I said that was 3-4 days ago, you could have become infected since that tme.  I said I don't want your germs on me, I'm moving away from you and not interested in talking with you.  I was furious--so BEWARE--we've got foolish people right from the start on board.  And this is an hour after we all receive notice of Covid testing tomorrow morning--antigen, no cost to us.  She was so proud to show me the "holy" mask, I couldn't believe it.

 

Was it a mask like this ?

[Btimmer]

Our second day at sea was a lazy one spent in the fog with the fog horn blowing every 2 minutes.  A real highlight today and quite a surprize was the wine tasting.  For the first time in many tastings, we liked every selection! I'll put more in my daily blog post at the link I provided earlier.
 

[luvteaching]

11 hours ago, Btimmer said:

I'll put more in my daily blog post at the link I provided earlier.
 

Hi Tim, 

Where is the link to your blog? I didn't see it earlier. 

Thank you!

 

Karen

[Btimmer]

The link is:

 

https://timmer2021seatofll.blogspot.com

[aliaschief]

It’s a beautiful morning at sea. Smooth ride!.

 

 

[albingirl]

Thanks for posting and have a great cruise

[mocruzer]

Tamarind dinner looks great.  Could you post their menu, Sel de Mer and Pinnacle menus please?

[Btimmer]

We're at Avalon! And we got a reward for taking the Covid test.  Plus sushi for lunch.

 

 

[cal56girl]

On 10/3/2021 at 12:45 PM, Btimmer said:

Per the cruise director, there are 1300 guests that boarded in Seattle and 300 will board in San Diego.  So we'll be at about 60% capacity.
 

Here's food pics from last night.

 

 

Sounds like it might be higher than 60%. 
I thought the ship passenger capacity was around 2100. Still under 100% which is good for all. 
Have a great trip!

[bcummin]

Thank you, Tim and Angela, for bringing us along.

I was born and raised in Southern California.  One very special childhood trip was taking the ferry from Newport Beach to Catalina Island.  My mother was so worried that we might get seasick on the ferry.  The glass bottom boat used to be popular, and the casino was a landmark.

Your inside cabin described in your blog sounds acceptable.  Without a sofa, do you at least have two chairs on which to sit?

Barbara

Edited October 6, 2021 by bcummin

[Btimmer]

I've had a lot of trouble posting on this site. I finally switched  browsers to Firefox on my iPhone.
 

We had a nice day in San Diego and are now headed south.  We rode the HOHO trolley morning most of the day today with stops in Little Italy, Old Town, and Sea Port.

 

Below is a dinner view picture plus some from today.  My blog has many more details. .

[Btimmer]

11 hours ago, bcummin said:

Thank you, Tim and Angela, for bringing us along.

I was born and raised in Southern California.  One very special childhood trip was taking the ferry from Newport Beach to Catalina Island.  My mother was so worried that we might get seasick on the ferry.  The glass bottom boat used to be popular, and the casino was a landmark.

Your inside cabin described in your blog sounds acceptable.  Without a sofa, do you at least have two chairs on which to sit?

Barbara

Barbara, good to hear from you.

 

No, we only have one chair and barely enough room to use it.  Fortunately we are rarely in the room.  
 

In our hallway section on deck 7 aft portside, most of the rooms across the hall and next door became occupied today

[Btimmer]

Another observation I would make is that the Casino is EXTREMELY busy.  It's packed.

[aliaschief]

I’m enjoying your live; while actually enjoying it live. Great cruise, so great to be back. Thanks.

[aliaschief]

3 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

Another observation I would make is that the Casino is EXTREMELY busy.  It's packed.

Agree It’s like folks have been saving their pennies. Seen quite a few folks with Player’s Club shirts.