LIVE Thanksgiving Review Nieuw Statendam Rome -> FLL My First Transatlantic Nov 26 - Dec 10 🦃

[Haljo1935]

4 minutes ago, cruisinsince75 said:

So, at the M&M this morning,  we were told a large portion of the dry dock work entailed retrofits to get the ship accessible. They're required to conform by 2027 and this is the first ship HAL has brought to standards. Lowering counters and/or adding areas that can accommodate wheelchairs was a major portion of the changes. Changing door swings and how they open (push buttons, handles, etc) - things some people may not notice, but greatly impact navigation and functionality have been done throughout the ship.

 

Thanks for that...

 

That is good news for us.  Both my wife and I have mobility issues and use scooters to get around.  We are in Stateroom 8132 which is accessible.  I wonder is the stateroom door and bathroom door will have push buttons to open.  That would make it even easier to manage.  

 

Let me go look - I have seen them outside doors on deck 5. I will ask Steward if the bathroom doors got push buttons installed and let you know.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

@Haljo1935  Thanks so much, I wonder if it was crazy the first night? Do you know if Club Orange will let us make reservations for a set time? Our biggest problem is that we will be a group of 7 traveling together so may make it a bit difficult.

[Haljo1935]

1 minute ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

@Haljo1935  Thanks so much, I wonder if it was crazy the first night? Do you know if Club Orange will let us make reservations for a set time? Our biggest problem is that we will be a group of 7 traveling together so may make it a bit difficult.

When are you coming? They asked us tonight if we knew what time we'd be coming so probably you can. I've read others say they've done it - I'll confirm tomorrow. 

[Haljo1935]

Bettyann's Tech Tips. Apologies for the shadows. There's a story - geez, Bettyann, can you please get it together?!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

41 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

When are you coming? They asked us tonight if we knew what time we'd be coming so probably you can. I've read others say they've done it - I'll confirm tomorrow. 

We board when you get to Ft Lauderdale on December 10th, I am hoping it will not be crazy that first night for CO. 

We are expecting embarkation to be crazy and very delayed since NS is just arriving back in the US. Boarding times are extremely late. We go Boarding Group A states Priority but time assigned is 1:00 pm some people on our sailing have 2:00 pm boarding time. Pretty sure they are expecting USPH Inspection along with all the crew needing to go through immigration.

[Bxc53]

To the OP:

 

Thanks for the interesting and very informative reports. Your perspective before and after the dry dock is invaluable!

One question on the casino. Did the stairway removal, etc. seal the “ smoke path” to the music walk area, as mentioned in several other reports?

 

 

[cruisinsince75]

5 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Let me go look - I have seen them outside doors on deck 5. I will ask Steward if the bathroom doors got push buttons installed and let you know.

Thank you again!  This is great info.  I really appreciate it.

[Haljo1935]

Good Morning, Alicante!

Sunrise as seen from my balcony. Port seems clean at first peek.

TV says a clear 63° today; phone says 63° w/light showers clearing around 11 w/winds. 

Row, row, row your boat gently through the port.

And they're back.

We're tied and cleared to go ashore.

Edited November 28, 2023 by Haljo1935
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[Haljo1935]

MDR mostly empty, everyone likely up in the Lido.

Hostess was not asking for cabin numbers this morning - she just told the "seater" (her word) the table number, so no paper, for them to look at, they had to remember the number all the way to the table. You know, sometimes they refer to that paper at each table they pass, some are very dependent on it...

The tree might be too tall - is it wearing the 3rd floor as a topper?

Deck 5 aft elevator panel shows library on 2. When I go by it, I'll grab a shot of the ones on 2 & 3 showing library & casino but still has the casino staircase (which has definitely been removed). Collateral needs to be thoroughly updated.

[Haljo1935]

On 2, heading from Bilboard and Rolling Stone to Mainstage is the library. Sign is on the left, doors are on the right. I will try it later to see if it will open for a peek.

[POA1]

Very excited to see your menus popping up in the Navigator app. As a planning people, we like to know. Now we are hoping that (a) wiener schnitzel appears, and (b) it's not on a night we have specialty dining booked.

 

Do we lead exciting lives, or what?

[Haljo1935]

Adios, Alicante!

Sunset as seen from my balcony.

Edited November 28, 2023 by Haljo1935
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[FLCruiser97]

Alicante, Already! Ports come and go so quickly around here!

Did you guys get off the ship to explore Alicante. That will be one of our ports on our TA next Spring. Just wondering how it was. I have been there once, many, many years ago. If I recall correctly, there was a promenade just steps from where the ship docks with many bars/restaurants and shopping.

[Haljo1935]

21 hours ago, cruisinsince75 said:

That is good news for us.  Both my wife and I have mobility issues and use scooters to get around.  We are in Stateroom 8132 which is accessible.  I wonder is the stateroom door and bathroom door will have push buttons to open.  That would make it even easier to manage.  

 

Hey @cruisinsince75 your cabin (8132) does have push buttons on both entry door and bathroom door. No pic of bathroom door, but guest services assured me all fully accessible cabins have push buttons on bathroom doors. 

Here's a couple pieces of artwork from your deck.

Edited November 28, 2023 by Haljo1935
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[Haljo1935]

3 hours ago, FLCruiser97 said:

Alicante, Already! Ports come and go so quickly around here!

Did you guys get off the ship to explore Alicante. That will be one of our ports on our TA next Spring. Just wondering how it was. I have been there once, many, many years ago. If I recall correctly, there was a promenade just steps from where the ship docks with many bars/restaurants and shopping.

Yes, we got off the ship - went on an excursion. There are lots of dining & drinking options w/in walking distance once you get past the gates. It's a bit of a hike to the gates, but doable.

We went to a winery then the castle. 

[cruisinsince75]

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

Hey @cruisinsince75 your cabin (8132) does have push buttons on both entry door and bathroom door. No pic of bathroom door, but guest services assured me all fully accessible cabins have push buttons on bathroom doors. 

Here's a couple pieces of artwork from your deck.

Great News!  Thank you so much for taking your time to find out for us!  It was such a pain on our last cruise trying to hold the door open with my foot while trying to get my scooter in. I am enjoying following this Live thread.

[RuthC]

11 minutes ago, cruisinsince75 said:

It was such a pain on our last cruise trying to hold the door open with my foot while trying to get my scooter in. I am enjoying following this Live thread.

If you have any mobility, and if you are on a ship that does not have the power button, then ask your cabin steward for a rubber door stopper. They all have them to keep the doors open when they are cleaning. 
Keep the stopper in your scooter basket. 

I have done that for years. When I get to the cabin, I grab the stopper, get up and open the door, then get back on my scooter and drive in. 

The power buttons will make it so much easier! It's taken long enough to get them, as they have been around for years. 

[SusieKIslandGirl]

1 hour ago, cruisinsince75 said:

Great News!  Thank you so much for taking your time to find out for us!  It was such a pain on our last cruise trying to hold the door open with my foot while trying to get my scooter in. I am enjoying following this Live thread.

Would an extendable hiking stick help to hold the door open while you motor through?

[Haljo1935]

Good morning, almost Malaga!

We're not quite in yet and it's still dark.

Should be a nice 70° day.

We're making the long drive to visit Alhambra, I hear it's worth it. Here's part of the ship description; we are using Spain Day.

Today's Daily.

[Haljo1935]

Ooh - I looked up from posting and this happened. Almost there.

[oakridger]

Very pretty looking port!  I have been to Spain once but only to Madrid.  I just loved it and hope to return to see much more.  Have a wonderful day in Malaga and the Alhambra.

 

~Nancy

[Haljo1935]

36 minutes ago, oakridger said:

Very pretty looking port!  I have been to Spain once but only to Madrid.  I just loved it and hope to return to see much more.  Have a wonderful day in Malaga and the Alhambra.

 

~Nancy

Thanks, Nancy - this is my first time to this part of Spain. I did a whirlwind tour through Barcelona on way to the airport a few years ago, but I barely count that as I didn't see much. I would like to go to Madrid.

Our view from the bus. 😊

[Haljo1935]

Online weather forecast is very different than what the stateroom TV showed, so who knows.

70° mostly 🌞 or 53° poss rain 🌧 so close, lol

I grabbed an 🌂 and a sweater so should definitely be sunny - you're welcome tour mates!

[Haljo1935]

Wow - so much to see at the Alhambra; sensory overload. Materials are a mix of original and new, but all very lovely.

This was my favorite garden; we saw it at the end of our tour. It's in the area connecting new and old buildings.

The fountains are really cool - all water moves by gravity, not machinery. The smallest bubble fountain leads to some really impressive fountains.

Big fountain has 12 lions - all different. Here's one side. If you zoom in, you can see the water from their mouths.

Be sure to look up - the ceilings are just as beautiful as the walls and floors.

There are 3 rooms like this, but 1 was closed for cleaning, so I could only go in 2. The ceilings are original.

Many of the floors are not original, but are terrific reproductions. Not all original floors are roped off, but some are.

 

More to come...

 

 

Edited November 29, 2023 by Haljo1935
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[madera1]

Thank you for all of your reports.