Rare richwmn Posted December 21, 2021 #1 Share Posted December 21, 2021 For the past few days I have been trying to decide if I should start a Rotterdam Christmas thread, or just post comments in the Daily. Well, I think it is better to have a separate thread, so here it is. I arrived in Fort Lauderdale 12/20 after an interesting day. I had purchased the monitored version of the Binax Covid test and planned to use it before leaving for the airport. I started the process by downloading the app, then started the process on my phone. I got thru the first phase only to find that my phone failed the test for some reason. Luckily I have a tablet that passed and I was able to use it. A short time later I had my negative test so I was good to go. After a short ride (relatively) to the airport I had a long wait for the flight. A nice lunch at an airport restaurant helped and the games on my tablet also helped. The flight to Fort Lauderdale was uneventful and I got to the hotel without a problem. Today has been very relaxing and I have made arrangements to check out at noon. My check-in time is 12:40 so that works out about right. When I board Rotterdam tomorrow it will be 1 day short of 25 months since I departed Noordam in Auckland NZ after a great cruise that departed Vancouver 40 days prior. Like many others, I have had quite a few cruises canceled over the past 2 years. Although I am starting this thread, I welcome anyone on the cruise to add their comments and pictures. 29 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted December 21, 2021 #2 Share Posted December 21, 2021 2 minutes ago, richwmn said: For the past few days I have been trying to decide if I should start a Rotterdam Christmas thread, or just post comments in the Daily. Well, I think it is better to have a separate thread, so here it is. I arrived in Fort Lauderdale 12/20 after an interesting day. I had purchased the monitored version of the Binax Covid test and planned to use it before leaving for the airport. I started the process by downloading the app, then started the process on my phone. I got thru the first phase only to find that my phone failed the test for some reason. Luckily I have a tablet that passed and I was able to use it. A short time later I had my negative test so I was good to go. After a short ride (relatively) to the airport I had a long wait for the flight. A nice lunch at an airport restaurant helped and the games on my tablet also helped. The flight to Fort Lauderdale was uneventful and I got to the hotel without a problem. Today has been very relaxing and I have made arrangements to check out at noon. My check-in time is 12:40 so that works out about right. When I board Rotterdam tomorrow it will be 1 day short of 25 months since I departed Noordam in Auckland NZ after a great cruise that departed Vancouver 40 days prior. Like many others, I have had quite a few cruises canceled over the past 2 years. Although I am starting this thread, I welcome anyone on the cruise to add their comments and pictures. Following along Rich. Wishing you a wonderful cruise and a Happy Christmas on board. Graham. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cat shepard Posted December 21, 2021 #3 Share Posted December 21, 2021 Post wherever you please, Rich - I will find you! Seriously, looking forward to anything you want to share. Have a super cruise. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfish Posted December 21, 2021 #4 Share Posted December 21, 2021 I can't wait to hear of all your adventures. I hope you have a wonderful cruise! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nimiq Posted December 21, 2021 #5 Share Posted December 21, 2021 Hello Ruch, Will be on the same cruise and can’t wait and did the home test yesterday before our flight to FLL and will be able to use those results for tomorrows ship boarding. Today was a little relax and shopping day here and we’ve got the 1:00PM checkin time. Thanks Sea Ya Eric 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianbear Posted December 21, 2021 #6 Share Posted December 21, 2021 Looking forward to following along-thanks for doing this! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StLouisCruisers Posted December 21, 2021 #7 Share Posted December 21, 2021 Thanks so much for starting your Live From thread. We on the Daily will be very happy to hear your reports each day, and I know ALL HAL devotees will be watching and reading to get our fix. LOL! Have a fabulous holiday cruise! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love the beach Posted December 21, 2021 #8 Share Posted December 21, 2021 Bon Voyage! Have a wonderful time! Following along.... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasick Sailor Posted December 21, 2021 #9 Share Posted December 21, 2021 Hi Rich, Have been here on Rotterdam since Dec 12th. Will be here til Jan 16th. Had dinner in MDR tonight. Returned the lobster. Chef came out and agreed the lobster was too far cooked and will take it down to 2nd level kitchen personally. We are having a whopper of a storm right now, sitting in Crow's Nest after dinner. The lightning and thunder are actually quite beautiful up here. The rain sounds like a warm blanket wrapped around the ship. Christmas music has started playing in between other music venues. The gingerbread village and train are up and running. Walls of fresh orchids decorate Tamarind, Dutch Cafe, Front Desk.. Beautiful! Looking forward to seeing you and fellow Daily-ites tomorrow in Ocean Bar. PS.. You do know all our Daily-ites will be visiting both posts, right? It will be like the "Daily-ites at Sea on Rotterdam Inaugural Voyage" 19 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasick Sailor Posted December 21, 2021 #10 Share Posted December 21, 2021 27 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakridger Posted December 22, 2021 #11 Share Posted December 22, 2021 Rich and all, I'm really looking forward to hearing your stories from the Rotterdam. I had decided that I didn't want to ever cruise on the Pinnacle class ships....too dam big I thought.....BUT, I just booked a veranda cabin on the Rotterdam for next November because of the unique Caribbean itinerary. Now I'm excited to hear all things Rotterdam! Thank you for sharing with us and Merry Christmas everyone! ~Nancy 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida_gal_50 Posted December 22, 2021 #12 Share Posted December 22, 2021 Thank you for starting a separate thread. I don’t read the daily. Enjoy your cruise. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dismomx5 Posted December 22, 2021 #13 Share Posted December 22, 2021 Thank you, Rich! Time has been my enemy, so I don't get to The Daily often anymore. Thanks for letting us jump aboard with you all! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieBelle Posted December 22, 2021 #14 Share Posted December 22, 2021 I’m excited to be on this cruise starting tomorrow! Took my Covid test last night and I’m good to go. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ger_77 Posted December 22, 2021 #15 Share Posted December 22, 2021 Thanks for taking us along with you. Bon Voyage! Smooth Sailing! 🙂🙂🙂 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vict0riann Posted December 22, 2021 #16 Share Posted December 22, 2021 Bon voyage, Rich, thanks for taking all us Dailyites along! (Even if only vicariously.) 😀 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted December 22, 2021 #17 Share Posted December 22, 2021 Have a great cruise, Rich! I'm happy that you're finally going to be on the Rotterdam! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare erewhon Posted December 22, 2021 #18 Share Posted December 22, 2021 @richwmn thanks for this live from thread, seems longer than 25 months (thanks to covid) since we met you here in NZ. Hope you have a wonderful cruise. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare erewhon Posted December 22, 2021 #19 Share Posted December 22, 2021 @richwmn where will you be at sail away? will we see you waving to us? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grapau27 Posted December 22, 2021 #20 Share Posted December 22, 2021 8 hours ago, Seasick Sailor said: Lovely photos. You look so happy. 5 weeks on a ship is awesome. Graham. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ski ww Posted December 22, 2021 #21 Share Posted December 22, 2021 Have a great cruise, looking froward to reading about your cruise. Have a very Merry Christmas & a healthy and Happy New Year 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare richwmn Posted December 22, 2021 Author #22 Share Posted December 22, 2021 Rotterdam is in port waiting for us. I have late check out from the hotel so I should arrive promptly at my 12:40 time. Hope to see everyone soon! 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbri Posted December 22, 2021 #23 Share Posted December 22, 2021 Have a great cruise. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare puppycanducruise Posted December 22, 2021 #24 Share Posted December 22, 2021 Thanks for taking us along. Looking forward to reading all about everything. Have a great time. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare richwmn Posted December 22, 2021 Author #25 Share Posted December 22, 2021 Someone asked yesterday where I would be for sail away. On the aft lido deck there is an external stairway. Look for me there with a red shirt. (Go DAWGS!) 9 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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