Live From Nieuw Statendam Nov 28 - Dec 12, 2021

[Himself]

16 hours ago, Crew News said:

Day 2 began with warm sun and calm waters.  The Lido less than half capacity with no waiting for any station.  Presty, Lido Manager, saw me in line and asked me if I needed anything and I said, "crackers."  I felt sorry for asking because I am certain from the Alaska threads that crackers have disappeared. I brought my own water crackers.

The morning Meet & Greet had a bit over half participation.  Vanessa, Ship Events Coordinator, was more than gracious to ensure we were happy.  She even contributed a platter of cookies of the same consistency as those in the Grand Dutch Cafe.  Next weeks Meet & Greet should be at least double the numbers of today.  

During lunch at the NY Pizza and Deli, a movie started playing on the movie screen.  I must have been seated under a 2-foot woofer as everything vibrated when bass sounds began.  I brought up the subject of popcorn with the Panorama bartender and he pointed to the palm tree under the movie screen.  One of the servers fetched a tray of popcorn bags for those of us seated at the bar. Evening movies will have popcorn available at the Panorama Bar above the pool..  I experienced the best HAL popcorn in my memory.

A second dinner in the Tamarind ended with a great success.  My server the past two Tamarind meals, Linda, was very  efficient and friendly.  Ask for her if you eat at the Tamarind.  I had the chance to speak with the senior sommelier and peppered her with CC-inspired questions.  On Pinnacle-class ships, there are four sommeliers (Sel de Mer, PG, MDR, and Lido/Tamarind).  Signature-class will have three for PG, MDR, and Lido/Tamarind.  Vista-class will have only two at PG and MDR.  The sommeliers alternate working in the Blend twine-tasting events.  Bar tenders work at the Notes whiskey tasting.

Presty, Lido Manager, and I talked about his CC friends for the GWV and his strange events.
My evening has been spent scanning and trying to post on CC.  It usually takes at least 10 logout/login routines to make a post stick.  

Tomorrow is Amber Cove and just a relaxing day onboard for me as I hope to get all of my scanning and photos in order for updating in San Juan on Wednesday.  I will give my new portable router a try and see if i can connect all of my devices at the same time.

The following are the tidbits I thought I had posted yesterday:

• I now have Half Moon Cay Lobster Shack menu.  Reservations needed onboard to count lobster needed.
• There is a Specialty Restaurant reservation podium across from the spa on Embarkation Day.
• Club Orange furniture looks the same as two years ago.
• I am working on Christmas and New Years Eve menus
• I am working on Caribbean 10/11-day menus.
• Everything has QR codes so make your phone is QR capable.
• Happy Hour is in the Billboard Bar.
• Notes whiskey tasting cost $35.
• Mass daily at 5:00 PM
• No individual milk cartons could be found so glass was filled from pitcher of milk.
• Early dining is 5:00 PM.
• Movie popcorn can be found near the palm tree under the screen and at Panorama Bar.
• 4* and 5* soda discount only from barista terminal in Explorations Cafe.  Not in Dutch Cafe.
• My minibar was cleaned out in less than two hours from requesting.
• Bathroom bar soap replaced my Elmis liquid soap mounted next to sink.
• It takes more than one hour to transfer your Navigator info from HAL to ship.

More tomorrow.

 

A comment on Daily Mass.  When I was offering Mass the rule was Sea days at 8:AM and port days at 5PM.  In the summer of 2019 that changed in Alaska.   However the following Fall it was back to the old way on the NS and the K'DAM

[Crew News]

7 minutes ago, Himself said:

 

A comment on Daily Mass.  When I was offering Mass the rule was Sea days at 8:AM and port days at 5PM.  In the summer of 2019 that changed in Alaska.   However the following Fall it was back to the old way on the NS and the K'DAM

So far, mass has been at 5:00 PM whether in port or not.  I will report if it changes.

[Himself]

6 minutes ago, Crew News said:

So far, mass has been at 5:00 PM whether in port or not.  I will report if it changes.

I have a hunch it will remain at 5PM

[mrspeck]

Hello from San Juan!

Edited December 2, 2021 by mrspeck

[StLouisCruisers]

22 minutes ago, mrspeck said:

Hello from San Juan!

 

A very dramatic photo!  Thank you!

[cccole]

I am hoping that no posts from Crew News means that he is having too much fun to post on cc.  I have been enjoying this thread.  Cherie

[Crew News]

25 minutes ago, cccole said:

I am hoping that no posts from Crew News means that he is having too much fun to post on cc.  I have been enjoying this thread.  Cherie

Just catching up after miserable internet speed and struggle again with CC.

Day 03 in Amber cove began and ended with heavy overcast skies.  Rain had fallen on the early morning hours and my railing was wet, so I discovered when bracing myself against it to take photos of the sail-in.  Not wishing to venture into a potential thunderstorm, I spent my day seeking answers to questions and finding the elusive Christmas and New Years Eve menus.

The low passenger count onboard makes finding a table easy and only a single person in front of you for an omelet or sandwich.  I have noticed a new effort for crew members to approach passengers, much more than usual, asking about their level of satisfaction with their cruise.  I have received a call from the Front Desk each day asking about my Specialty Restaurant meal the night before.  

In my search for post-Covid changes, I have noted the disappearance of milk cartons, boxed cereal, pre-made parfaits, and the 24-inch tongs to select a cookie a mere six-inches away.  Freshly-made parfaits are not as thick as those formerly found in the glass chilled cases, but the fresh fruit are a nice change.  Interestingly, I have noticed fewer passengers washing their hands in the Lido sinks than pre-Covid.

 

Dinner at the Canaletto was most excellent but with only 30% occupancy.  Of note was the excellent service and the frequent staff visits to each table to inquire about the quality of the food. It would be great to see that continue once full capacity returns.

There was no langoustino for my ordered soup so I agreed to accept the largest shrimp I have encountered in my seafood eating career.  Preventive measures required sectioning into three bites to be maneuverable without splattering the red soup broth everywhere.  

Mask discipline remains strong and I caught myself leaving my stateroom without one on two occasions.  My error lasted but a few steps before retrieving my mask.

Post-Covid Comment Cards are no more and feedback via the Navigator app is now in full use.  Within hours of sending kudos to my Tamarind dinner server, she thanked me at breakfast in the Lido Market.

[saxon6732]

Has the Bingo games stopped?  See for the December 5th-12th sailing they now have the schedule for the entire cruise and has not one single game of Bingo the whole cruise.

[Crew News]

12 minutes ago, saxon6732 said:

Has the Bingo games stopped?  See for the December 5th-12th sailing they now have the schedule for the entire cruise and has not one single game of Bingo the whole cruise.

Navigator is incomplete until uploaded onboard.  Bingo every day at 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM.  I will try to upload W&W tomorrow so you can compare to Navigator incomplete presentation.

[mrspeck]

Adios San Juan!…until we meet again!

[cccole]

Crew News thank you for your post, I was getting a bit worried.  Are you planning to go ashore during this cruise?  I hope you are enjoying your adventure as much as I am!!!  Cherie  

[Crew News]

Day 04 began with a repeating theme of heavy overcast skies as we sailed toward San Juan.  Being a repeat visitor to San Juan, my major goal was to replace my broken suitcase with a new one for my return home.  Fortunately, locals near the pier said that the nearest option was a Marshall's.  The taxi driver taking me to the store assured me that there would be taxis nearby.  So with my new suitcase selected from a very limited array of options, I set out in search of the promised taxi to return me to the cruise terminal.  Surprise, no taxis, as confirmed by locals in the area, allowed to take a very long stroll down the steep hill of cobblestone streets with my new suitcase bouncing over each stone, passing three other ships in port, and finally to the last ship in line, Nieuw Statendam.  When I approached the Security scanner inside the cruise terminal, I was asked if I needed help lifting my large suitcase onto the rollers.  I lifted it with my pinky finger.  

Club Orange dinner took less than one hour which made me happy.  The Club Orange extra entree was shrimp fettuccine.  Of note, I think there is only a single two-top back in the corner.  If you want some privacy, ask for it.

When I stopped by The Dutch Cafe for a few almond cookies, I found them sold out because of their immense popularity.  I settled for one of the giant chocolate chip cookies and just a few a few yards enroute to the elevator, was stopped by a group of interested cookie connoisseurs.  As I described the value of butter in making chewy cookies, the need to use only superior-quality chocolate chips, and then advised that only two cookies remained in the display case, two middle-aged men, much to the surprise of their spouses, broke into a sprint to the nearby display case.

 

Tidbits:

• The ship has a fresh supply of flowers that are now appearing on dining tables.
• Why do the forks in Specialty Restaurants weigh so much?
• I have not yet experienced same-day laundry this cruise.
• Soups in the Lido Market are now served by pouring broth over pre-cooked veggies /meat like the MDR.
• No bags of chips at the Lido Market sandwich station.
• The Casino does have a few slot machines in a smoking area.
• Trivia is at 6:30 PM.
• Monday Night Football is shown on the big Lido Deck screen.

Tomorrow is a brand new day for this cruise and all are hoping for sunshine.

Edited December 2, 2021 by Crew News

[Crew News]

45 minutes ago, cccole said:

Crew News thank you for your post, I was getting a bit worried.  Are you planning to go ashore during this cruise?  I hope you are enjoying your adventure as much as I am!!!  Cherie  

All of my booked excursions were cancelled by HAL for various reasons, so any shore events will be unplanned. 

 

If the ship docks in the appropriate St Thomas pier,  I will exit the pier to photograph the iguana siesta time on the nearby rocks.  Returning to the ship after the iguana pictures, I will ponder my HAL-cancelled catamaran ride to St John's, and take ship photos for my website.

 

Great food, excellent service, crew friends on board from previous cruises new crew acquaintances, answers too seek, promoting CC to those who ask about my Cruise Critic lanyard, and the thrill of just being back at sea makes this cruise enjoyable.

Edited December 2, 2021 by Crew News

[jagger16]

Thank you for all of your information. We’ll be on NS December 23rd so we really appreciate all of the tidbits to help us prepare. Do you know what happens to your Mariner discount on specialty restaurants if you pre-book and pre-pay on the app? Do you get a credit added back while on board? We never booked ahead before so I’m not sure what to expect. We also have one dinner included in our perks so don’t know how that works if you book ahead. Thanks for your reply.

[Cruise Suzy]

5 hours ago, jagger16 said:

We also have one dinner included in our perks so don’t know how that works if you book ahead.

Not Crew News, but I have booked several included dinners on HAL's Website. When making the reservation, you will be asked if using a Complimentary dining and for which person(s) on your booking. The screen and confirming e-mail will show the regular price crossed out and a balance of $0.00. Probably similar using the app on a smartphone.

[Crew News]

6 hours ago, jagger16 said:

Thank you for all of your information. We’ll be on NS December 23rd so we really appreciate all of the tidbits to help us prepare. Do you know what happens to your Mariner discount on specialty restaurants if you pre-book and pre-pay on the app? Do you get a credit added back while on board? We never booked ahead before so I’m not sure what to expect. We also have one dinner included in our perks so don’t know how that works if you book ahead. Thanks for your reply.

All of my Mariner discounts appeared as credits to my account on the first day at sea.

 

Note:  Your Navigator will take an hour or two once you are onboard to update with all of the current When & Where information. 

 

 

[DaveOKC]

Crew News - two questions from your above post. 

First, what time do they put the cookies out?  I sure do not want to miss out on that!

Second, you mention slots in a "smoking area" - is that in the main casino area or somewhere else on the ship?

 

Thanks for all the advice and information.  See you in a few days (if all goes as planned).

Dave

 

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

mrspeck - great night photos of San Juan and the ship!

[ger_77]

9 hours ago, Crew News said:

 

• No bags of chips at the Lido Market sandwich station.

Does this mean you can't get chips with sandwiches in the Lido any more?  Or do you have to ask for chips and they'll give some in a dish?  

 

[idiebabe]

27 minutes ago, ger_77 said:

Does this mean you can't get chips with sandwiches in the Lido any more?  Or do you have to ask for chips and they'll give some in a dish?  

 

We were able to get Chips at Bread Board and NY Deli but they serve them to you now instead of the bags.  It was like this on Rotterdam a couple of weeks ago and Nieuw Amsterdam in July so, hopefully, the same on NS!

[Crew News]

43 minutes ago, ger_77 said:

Does this mean you can't get chips with sandwiches in the Lido any more?  Or do you have to ask for chips and they'll give some in a dish?  

 

You can get a pinch of chips upon request or bring your own dish (BYOD) and get more.  I opt for a large green salad bowl and get many pinches to last for the day.

[ger_77]

7 minutes ago, Crew News said:

You can get a pinch of chips upon request or bring your own dish (BYOD) and get more.  I opt for a large green salad bowl and get many pinches to last for the day.

Exactly my thinking; we like to bring some to our cabin to munch on while watching movies late at night.  Thanks!

[Crew News]

1 hour ago, DaveOKC said:

Crew News - two questions from your above post. 

First, what time do they put the cookies out?  I sure do not want to miss out on that!

Second, you mention slots in a "smoking area" - is that in the main casino area or somewhere else on the ship?

 

Thanks for all the advice and information.  See you in a few days (if all goes as planned).

Dave

 

Cookies have been out when I wandered by around 9:00 AM.  To stop by early would be my advice.  

 

The Casino has a small slot machine area that allows smoking (so the sign says).

 

 

[Crew News]

14 minutes ago, ger_77 said:

Exactly my thinking; we like to bring some to our cabin to munch on while watching movies late at night.  Thanks!

My small coffee table has a big bowl of chips right beside my chocolate chip and almond cookie plate.  Add the plate of cheese in my minibar to the water crackers I brought from home, and my stateroom is munchie paradise.

 

Note that there are also round nacho chips available at the sandwich station with accompanying salsa.  Nacho chips were too thick for my taste.

[ger_77]

1 minute ago, Crew News said:

My small coffee table has a big bowl of chips right beside my chocolate chip and almond cookie plate.  Add the plate of cheese in my minibar to the water crackers I brought from home, and my stateroom is munchie paradise.

 

Note that there are also round nacho chips available at the sandwich station with accompanying salsa.  Nacho chips were too thick for my taste.

Still no crackers onboard for the cheese plates?