Liveish MS Rotterdam Partial Panama Canal, November 12-24

[rafinmd]

1 hour ago, aliaschief said:

Did you bring some Orange clothing Roy? I know you’ll have the ship rocking at the party!😁

I do but will not be at the party as I'll likely be headed to bed by then.

 

15 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Koningsdam did transit the canal westbound on April 11, 2020:

 

 

 

There was that one time but it was special circumstances and without passengers.  I don't expect to see either Koningsdam or Nieuw Statendam to go through the canal in service.

 

Roy

[BetsyS.]

Roy - I'm glad the passengers who were medically evacuated are doing well. 

[rafinmd]

Wednesday, November 22, 2023, Montego Bay, Jamaica

I was surprised that I slept until 5:45.  I caught the sun coming up over the lido about 6:30. 

I prepared a final bag of laundry before setting out to Club Orange for breakfast, French Toast and Bacon this morning.

 

For the first time of the cruise my room had not been made up when I returned from breakfast, and when the time came I waited out on the balcony.  It was extremely hot on the sunny side of the ship and my stewards were quick to help me back into the room when they were done.

 

The weekly drill for this week began about 10, and was quite extensive, continuing I think until almost 11:30.

 

It was after 12 when I went up to the Lido for lunch.  The carvery station had a very nice lamb that tasted great but the Lido was packed; apparently I went up just as many tours were returning.

 

In the afternoon I got a start on my packing although only a little stuff was truly packed.  Things I will still use on the ship are still in the closets and I have 2 large bags, one for things I will not use until I get home and another for things I will access on the road. In the other.  Once things come back from the laundry packing will become more organized.

 

All aboard was 1:30 and I went out on the balcony (now shaded) for a last look at Montego Bay.  I don’t think there was anything of interest anywhere near the port.

There were a number of tours and stragglers arriving well past 1:30 and I finally saw water between us and the ship just after 2.  While it is less than 500 miles to Fort Lauderdale we must sail over 700 to make our way around Cuba.

Dinner at Club Orange was Classic Caesar Salad (no dressing or anchovies as usual), Chicken Parmigiana, and Strawberry Ice Cream.

The Orange Party was held in the BB King Blues Club but I did not stay up.

 

Roy

 

[USCAdventurer]

thanks for today's commentary, roy..  so i guess you have one more day at sea and then arrive in ft lauderdale on friday morning, right?  when does the car train leave for maryland?  safe travels and enjoy the ice creams.

[ski ww]

It's been great following along on your cruise, hope your foot problem gets sorted out soon.

[rafinmd]

8 hours ago, USC Adventurer said:

thanks for today's commentary, roy..  so i guess you have one more day at sea and then arrive in ft lauderdale on friday morning, right?  when does the car train leave for maryland?  safe travels and enjoy the ice creams.

I leave Tuesday arrive Wednesday.

 

Roy

[horseymike]

Happy Thanksgiving Roy.

Thanks again for sharing your cruise with us.

Safe travels home . 👍🍀

[BetsyS.]

Roy - Happy Thanksgiving! I hope that HAL will have a good turkey dinner for you. 

Thanks for all your reports and pictures. 😊

[WannaSea]

Thanks for taking the time to share your adventures. Hope your Thanksgiving is a nice day for gathering happy memories. Best wishes, Roy!

[rafinmd]

Thursday, November 23, At Sea, MS Rotterdam

I was up about 5 but did not leave my cabin until almost the time the Lido opened at 7.  I thought I could catch the sunrise from my balcony but got just a bit of color as we were following the Cuban coast and the angle for sunrise was not good.

 

After breakfast we had On Deck for A Cause at 9, a 5K non-competitive walk to raise money for Ukraine.  I did not actually walk this year but was there for the sendoff.

After the first lap was done I did a token walk from midship to the forward elevators.

Lunch was milk and fries from Dive-In.  In his noon update Captain von Dreumel indicated we had

sailed 429 miles since leaving Montego Bay and needed 19kt to arrive in Fort Lauderdale on time.  The temperature in Fort Lauderdale will be 76 with a chance of rain.

 

My final and Thanksgiving dinner in Club Orange was Chilled Apple and Carrot Soup, Baked Honey-Ham, and Apple-Cranberry Crisp.

I put the bag out about 7:30 and continued work on my carryon stuff.

Roy

[horseymike]

Have a safe trip home Roy

[cat shepard]

Safe travels, Roy!

[USCAdventurer]

safe and happy travels roy!

[BetsyS.]

Roy - Thanks for all your reports and pictures. I've enjoyed them.  Have a good weekend before you get on the train next week.

[aliaschief]

Roy thanks for sharing your cruise with us. Safe and timely travels home.

[510picker]

Safe travels home to you, Roy! It was nice meeting you. 

[travelnap]

Roy, Hope you have a safe trip back home.  Thanks for taking us along with you.

[rafinmd]

Just now, rafinmd said:

Currently at a Panera killing time before heading to the hotel.  Checkin is at 3 and I’ll arrrice early afternoon but nowhere near this early.  On an IPAD but at least one with a keyboard so it’s a bit easier than hunt and peck with a finger.

 

Roy

 

[Cruisercl]

Thanks for the great review Roy!

Continued safe travels.....😊😎

[momatibm]

Roy, I've enjoyed both your crui criticism post a s your blog for years. Please keep posting.

[rafinmd]

Friday, November 24, 2023, Disembark MS Rotterdam, Fort Lauderdale, FL

I was up just about 5 and on my balcony for the final sail-in to Port Everglades.  My final meal on Rotterdam was a ham omelet and toast.

The sun came up over the port while I was eating.

My disembarkation window was 8:00 to 9:30 and I had originally thought 9 but decided I needed extra time and left with thanks to Gus and Aires about 8:20.  I was probably not up to the amount of walking required, but got to the luggage ok and rested for a while on my big bag before calling for a porter.  Unlike previous years there was no cut through for porters and we walked through the maze but the facial recognition re-entry was very easy.  It was a longer walk to the car than I expected but my porter waited patiently while I took a break, about 3/4 of the way.  We made it up to the elevators and my car was close by, he stowed my bags and I hope my gratuity was up to his kindness.  I was out of the garage about 9:15.

 

I’m at the Comfort Inn and Suites South in Dania.  Checkin was at 3PM and I stopped at a Panera South of the hotel to kill some time.  I made it to the hotel about 12:30 and of course the room was not ready and the lobby was quite crowded but I did get some work done on my laptop.  

 

The desk clerk was quite accommodating and called out to me that a room was ready about 1:45, and I started unloading the car.

 

I left a little before 5 for a stop at Publix and dinner, returning about 6:15.  I definitely felt the stress of the day and pretty much crashed about 8, but did not actually end up in bed until about 9.

 

Roy

 

[USCAdventurer]

thank you for your commentary on your final day daparting the ship.  did you book any future cruises while you on board the rotterdam?  do you have future cruise booked with any cruise line?  i hope so because i really enjoy reading your adventures on these cruises and viewing your photographs.  enjoy south florida for a few days.

[POA1]

Thanks for taking us on your trip, Roy!

[horseymike]

Hi Roy ,

I thoroughly enjoyed your reports and pictures. 
Hope you have a safe trip home , Happy Holidays.

[rafinmd]

30 minutes ago, USC Adventurer said:

thank you for your commentary on your final day daparting the ship.  did you book any future cruises while you on board the rotterdam?  do you have future cruise booked with any cruise line?  i hope so because i really enjoy reading your adventures on these cruises and viewing your photographs.  enjoy south florida for a few days.

At this time I do not.

 

Roy