HALLO from the AMSTERDAM

[PRINSENDAM]

I'm sittng in a small internet cafe in Kona. Day 9 of our AMSTERDAM Circle Hawaii Cruise.

 

The weather has not been the greatest. Distinct lack of sunshine and some rain but the roof over my cabin doesn't leak so I'm not complaining!!!!!:rolleyes:

 

Ruth and I are enjoying the ship immensely. Everything is up to scratch.... as expected. A few pax are down with tummy problems but the ship is taking extra precautions to control the situation.

 

We are still thinking very much about the NOORDAM's Inaugural Voyage. Can it be just two weeks ago? We miss the ship and the great people... mostly CC'ers, that we met on board. Sure do wish you guys were with us here on the AMSTERDAM!

 

Best,

 

Stephen

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Hi Stephen, So glad you can check in. You are in my very favorite place in the whole world (except for a HAL Ship;) ) I love Kona, that is one place I could see my self living. That is too bad the weather has not been great but then you are in Hawaii in a great Dam Ship:D I am sure you both are still enjoying yourselfs.

Thanks for reporting in.:)

[kakalina]

Stephen & Ruth,

 

So good of you to take the time to say hello. How is the Amsterdam now? We were on her last month for the 35 day South Pacific. We did exactly what you are plus. Are you having a wonderful time? Don't they do the dining room entrys really nice?

 

I'm sure you're having a great time say hi to Nisa in the Explorers Lounge. Tell her I'm the one who told her her name was on the wall at Bloody Marys :rolleyes: .

 

Thanks again for posting, can't wait to hear more!

 

Trisha

[Copper10-8]

Hey Stephen; Aloha and thanks for checking in! Sure hope the weather improves and hope you have a great remainder of your cruise on A'dam! Mahalo for autographing your new book via Vic! :) Much obliged!

Take care and be safe!

[localady]

Stephen-

I read yesterday that in Kauai part of the main road to Princeville had washed out due to a earthen dam break with fatalities.:o Even in the wet garden island of Kauai, they are getting too much rain!!:eek:

Stay dry and look forward to hearing your thoughts on the Amsterdam. We cruised on her around South America and found her to be a lovely Ship!

Mahalo!:cool:

[Krazy Kruizers]

Have been thinking about you - Hawaii - rain, etc. - and wondering if you post.

 

Were any tours cancelled on Kauai? We have booked a tour for there.

 

Any other tours cancelled?

 

I keep reading about all the rain and bad weather.

 

How have the seas been?

[FlorenceItaly]

Thanks so much for posting. It seems Hawaii is having unusually bad weather at this time. Nonetheless, I am sure you are making the best of it.

Wishing you calm seas on the rest of your voyage, and some sunshine too :)

 

 

Marie

[jhannah]

Hey, Cap'n! Good to hear from you. I really like Kona. Beautiful place. Enjoy a great cup of "the real deal" coffee while you're there!

[sail7seas]

Stephen......How great to hear from you. I was hoping you'd take a moment from your enjoyment of the beautiful Amsterdam to say "hi" to all of us.

 

Robert and I so enjoyed being with you and Ruth on Noordam. Hard to believe it was weeks ago, already.

 

Sorry to hear the weather is less than great but I'm sure you're having a great time anyway........as long as your 'roof doesn't leak' :) [DH just came in the room and asked me to be sure to send his greetings.]

 

Hope you continue to enjoy.

 

.....fair winds and a following sea.

[ekerr19]

Stephen -

 

Great to hear from you! Sorry to hear about the weather - we were extraordinarily lucky on Noordam's inaugural, thankfully.

 

I took the sketch to be framed, will be posting a photo of it once I've picked it up - it will have a nice home in our bedroom sitting area. :)

 

Hello to Ruth!

 

Regards -

Laura & Sonny

[dougnewmanatsea]

Stephen,

 

Glad to hear that all is well aboard AMSTERDAM... Sorry about the weather though. When one goes to Hawaii one tends to think of sunshine, and not the liquid sort!

 

Hope you and Ruth enjoy the rest of your cruise and have a chance to check in before SAGA RUBY.

[kryos]

Ruth and I are enjoying the ship immensely. Everything is up to scratch.... as expected. A few pax are down with tummy problems but the ship is taking extra precautions to control the situation.

Thank you so much for reporting in and making me sooooo homesick for that beautiful ship. :) Bad weather, rough seas ... nothing could spoil the effect she had on me. I miss her so much and can't wait to get back onboard in October.

 

You and Ruth have a great cruise ... despite the weather challenges ... and say hi to all those wonderful folks in the Explorations Cafe for me. Tell them I'll be back for my large white hot chocolates (with a glob of whipped cream) real soon. :)

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[Aussie Gal]

Hi Stephen,

 

What a shame you are experiencing such bad weather. The weather here is wonderful. You should be here barracking for Bermuda in the Commonwealth Games. I watched a couple of your swimmers today, they performed creditably.

 

You are having a wonderful time cruising the world at the moment. We loved our 7 week South American trip and are looking forward to our next cruise in September.

 

Jennie

[Cristiano]

Hi Stephen,

sounds like a marvellous and blessed life travelling the high seas......sorry I was unable to catch up with you in Sydney before you left...2 grandchildren, business and slightly too much os travel....let me know when you are back and we can meet up for a drink......as long a it is not in May as I will will be in Europe....I would like your views on the Statendam and the new Noordam.......we would like to do the XAtlantic on her and perhaps the Kiwi cruise next January on the S.....This cruising bug has bitten quite hard thanks mainly to the good people on this board and in particular GP1's travelog last year on the Princendam..this is a marvellous medium to exhilarate the mind and senses....have a great time......catch up soon,

regards,

Cristiano.

[Himself]

Stephen:

Stephen:

Do you mean you were on the NOORDAM for the innagural cruise and now you are sailing on the AMSTERDAM? You are lucky indeed!

 

I am sorry to hear about the inclement weather. On the Kona side of the Big Island, this is most unusual. I know Hilo gets lots of rain but over on the Kona side it is usually quite arid.

 

I have never been on the AMSTERDAM but I have heard nothing but good about this ship since she went on line back in 2000 or so.

 

As I write this you must be getting close to Ensenada which means reality is about to set in. I was on the STATENDAM last fall and I noticed the weather got a lot warmer as we neared Hawaii and got a lot cooler as we headed North-East to Ensenada and then San Diego. Have a good rest of the cruise.

[bepsf]

Himself--

Not only was he on Noordam, but he and Ruth flew to NYC directly from a Statendam Aus/NZ cruise, and after Amsterdam they board Saga Rose!

Stephen--

Is Ruth still suffering from those awful nightmares?

Any more strangers invading your suite? ;)

Looking forward to seeing you both again here in SF!

[Himself]

bepsf:

 

Isn't grand to be able to do all that cruising! It sure beats staying at home.

Someday..........................................................!!!!!!!

[RevNeal]

John ... John ... you know perfectly well that, like the Holy Father, you're gonna work until you drop! :D

 

Ditto ... even if it means taking an appointment as an Associate in some big church someplace.

Though I've promised myself to take a long sabbatical after I hit mandatory retirement age and do the world cruise. That means I've gotta wait 31 years. OUCH. Of course .. that also means 31 years to save up for it.

[kryos]

Though I've promised myself to take a long sabbatical after I hit mandatory retirement age and do the world cruise. That means I've gotta wait 31 years. OUCH. Of course .. that also means 31 years to save up for it.

Don't worry, Rev. As you know, the good Lord will always provide for his children. :)

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[bepsf]

Don't worry, Rev. As you know, the good Lord will always provide for his children. :)

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

 

Especially those children who provide for the Lord...

...you shoulda seen the future tithing that the good Rev was racking up in the casino!!!

;)

[RevNeal]

Especially those children who provide for the Lord...

...you shoulda seen the future tithing that the good Rev was racking up in the casino!!!

;)

 

LOL ... sigh. Yes ... but, then, somebody's gotta do it.

[dougnewmanatsea]

Not only was he on Noordam, but he and Ruth flew to NYC directly from a Statendam Aus/NZ cruise, and after Amsterdam they board Saga Rose!

Yes, I knew several people on both the STATENDAM and NOORDAM cruises but Stephen and Ruth were the only ones who did both!

 

And I did not get to go on either :( !

 

As for their next cruise, you've got the wrong ship - Stephen and Ruth are sailing in RUBY, not ROSE this time around.

 

I think it will be their first time aboard (not counting her previous lives as VISTAFJORD and CARONIA), or at least it will be their first time sailing in her as such, anyway!

 

Of course this is a "working holiday" for Stephen since will be on as a lecturer, painting.

 

Those Saga passengers are lucky! It must be fascinating watching Stephen paint. Someday I will comission a painting from him and fly out to Sydney to watch him paint it. Well, maybe on second thought that's a bad idea - I'd probably keep interrupting him as he tried to work, and then he'd have to throw me out ;) !

 

It would be fun to have him paint on a cruise though.

[jhannah]

Reminds me of a sign I once saw in an auto service bay:

 

Hourly Rates

Repair Work $40

While You Wait $50

While You Watch $70

While You Help $100

[bepsf]

Doug--

 

Ruby/Rose

Vistafjord/Sagafjord

I'm always getting those two mixed up

;)

[seabourndt]

just seen the thread did not realise you wrere doiung the amsterdam too! are you gewtting off in san fran then. hope you had a good time. iam doing a tour of the AMSTERDAM in may in dover lookimng forward to that. still hoping you get a chance to see if i can get onboard the ruby in bermuda if there any chance try to let me knoew either on liners list or start a thread on the ruby. only 2 weeks to go till i leaqve the uk for new york. hope i meet you in bermuda don't forget to call me at the hotel. will there be plenty of copies of your hal bookm on the NOORDAM? have a great time on the ruby i hope i get the chance of trying out saga sometime.

see you in bermuda.

dave