Live from the Majestic Japan Cruise on Westerdam Sept 1 - Oct 24, 2024

[SUESEABE]

Fabulous itinerary! Thanks for the live thread...following along.

 

[atexsix]

@richwmn

 

It appears I missed everybody at the casino this evening.  I asked 2 or 3 people if they were part of the cruise critic party and nobody knew what I was talking about.  One lady said she was only waiting for one person, but then a group of 4 or 5 appeared that she seemed to know so maybe that was you, but again, she didn't know cruise critic.  So I gave up and left.

 

It occurred to me I probably should have inquired on what people looked like first.  I'm so used to the meet and greets on ships when we all have name tags on. 

 

But I'm sure we'll meet on a future cruise at some point.  

[USN59-79]

39 minutes ago, atexsix said:

@richwmn

 

It appears I missed everybody at the casino this evening.  I asked 2 or 3 people if they were part of the cruise critic party and nobody knew what I was talking about.  One lady said she was only waiting for one person, but then a group of 4 or 5 appeared that she seemed to know so maybe that was you, but again, she didn't know cruise critic.  So I gave up and left.

 

It occurred to me I probably should have inquired on what people looked like first.  I'm so used to the meet and greets on ships when we all have name tags on. 

 

But I'm sure we'll meet on a future cruise at some point.  

I remember seeing Rich on a cruise once and if I remember right, he had a very impressive beard.  Could recognize him from twenty feet away.

Ray

[richwmn]

Saturday Evening.

 

It has been a very busy day today. I met up with Sue, Steve, and Connie who are also staying at this hotel and had a very nice conversation with them before heading across the street to the Silver Dollar Casino to meet up with Carolyn @Cruising-along and Henry. We had a very nice meal, mine was a french dip, others had fish and chips, and a blt. Everyone agreed that the food and service were both good.

My French Dip -

 

It appears we had a missed connection with Bruno @atexsix, I’m very sorry you made it to the restaurant and we didn’t have a chance to meet. Hopefully it will happen soon.

 

 

[EJLobster]

Thanks for taking me along!  I have a cruise around Japan and trans Pacific booked for next April- we will visit several of the same ports as you-  looking forward to seeing what you do in ports!  Have a great trip.

[Cruising-along]

2 hours ago, atexsix said:

@richwmn

 

It appears I missed everybody at the casino this evening.  I asked 2 or 3 people if they were part of the cruise critic party and nobody knew what I was talking about.  One lady said she was only waiting for one person, but then a group of 4 or 5 appeared that she seemed to know so maybe that was you, but again, she didn't know cruise critic.  So I gave up and left.

 

It occurred to me I probably should have inquired on what people looked like first.  I'm so used to the meet and greets on ships when we all have name tags on. 

 

But I'm sure we'll meet on a future cruise at some point.  

Oh dear, I must be the lady you spoke to outside the casino. DH said someone had asked him inside (he was looking for Rich) about a Cruise Critic party but we never thought of this as a CC party, but meeting with an old friend. So that kind of went over our heads. If you had asked about Rich I would have figured it out that you’re Bruno— I’m so sorry!  I wish we had been more on the ball and realized you could be Bruno. 
Oh yes, I wasn’t expecting 4 people but Rich and Sue brought another couple (Connie and Steve) over from the hotel too. Very nice to meet them too. 

Edited September 1 by Cruising-along

[erewhon]

@richwmn  Rich, Thanks for your live blog, we wish you a wonderful safe, healthy cruise.

[ski ww]

Bon Voyage to all 

[seagarsmoker]

Bon Voyage! 

[AV8rix]

11 hours ago, atexsix said:

@richwmn

 

It appears I missed everybody at the casino this evening.  I asked 2 or 3 people if they were part of the cruise critic party and nobody knew what I was talking about.  One lady said she was only waiting for one person, but then a group of 4 or 5 appeared that she seemed to know so maybe that was you, but again, she didn't know cruise critic.  So I gave up and left.

 

It occurred to me I probably should have inquired on what people looked like first.  I'm so used to the meet and greets on ships when we all have name tags on. 

 

But I'm sure we'll meet on a future cruise at some point.  

My bad.  I didn't feel like doing the 85-mile roundtrip in Labor Day weekend traffic.  But I wouldn't have minded meeting you in Bellevue and carpooling.  I know Rich so I could have been a guide.  Sorry.

 

Anyway, bon voiyage to Rich.  Always following your terrific live-from threads.

[richwmn]

09/01/2024 Seattle, Washington 0700-1700

 

Good morning, it is embarkation day. Breakfast is done, and in a few minutes I will pack up everything that I have used over the past few days. I have a shuttle coming for four to take us to Smith’s Cove. We should arrive a little before noon, and hopefully the early birds will have cleared and be on the ship.

 

It has been a very nice stay in Seattle over the past few days. The weather has been beautiful, and it has been very relaxing. While there is not much other than hotels around here, I did get a couple of good walks in. I met some nice people, and re-connected with a couple from a previous cruise.

 

After a shower and repacking everything, I will go downstairs around 10:15 to check out and wait for the shuttle.

 

[smitty34877]

Bon Voyage! 
Thank you for doing this. I will be following along.

[Haljo1935]

 🐇 🐰 🐇 Bon Voyage ⛴️🍾

[atexsix]

1 hour ago, AV8rix said:

My bad.  I didn't feel like doing the 85-mile roundtrip in Labor Day weekend traffic.  But I wouldn't have minded meeting you in Bellevue and carpooling.  I know Rich so I could have been a guide.  Sorry.

 

Anyway, bon voiyage to Rich.  Always following your terrific live-from threads.

 

10 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

Oh dear, I must be the lady you spoke to outside the casino. DH said someone had asked him inside (he was looking for Rich) about a Cruise Critic party but we never thought of this as a CC party, but meeting with an old friend. So that kind of went over our heads. If you had asked about Rich I would have figured it out that you’re Bruno— I’m so sorry!  I wish we had been more on the ball and realized you could be Bruno. 
Oh yes, I wasn’t expecting 4 people but Rich and Sue brought another couple (Connie and Steve) over from the hotel too. Very nice to meet them too. 

 

11 hours ago, richwmn said:

It appears we had a missed connection with Bruno @atexsix, I’m very sorry you made it to the restaurant and we didn’t have a chance to meet. Hopefully it will happen soon.

 

 

 

 

12 hours ago, USN59-79 said:

I remember seeing Rich on a cruise once and if I remember right, he had a very impressive beard.  Could recognize him from twenty feet away.

Ray

I don't think it's anything for anybody to feel bad about, just one of those things.  But we still met, in a way.  I was dressed in an unrecognizable way, very casual, normally I don't wear shorts when I'm out, but the heat lately has been so intolerable which is common with neurological conditions and I was worried about issues.  And I did see everybody from a distance so now I do know the man with the beard was Rich.  I'm glad you all had fun and if anything it got me out of the house for a little while.  

[atexsix]

1 hour ago, AV8rix said:

My bad.  I didn't feel like doing the 85-mile roundtrip in Labor Day weekend traffic.  But I wouldn't have minded meeting you in Bellevue and carpooling.  I know Rich so I could have been a guide.  Sorry.

 

Anyway, bon voiyage to Rich.  Always following your terrific live-from threads.

There was definitely a lot of traffic, and normally it would have bothered me, I avoid it like the plague because it causes overload on my brain, but strangely I enjoyed the time out.  I wish I had been in a cute little sports car though instead of the suv tank I was driving but that's a topic for another time.  

[Cruising-along]

1 hour ago, AV8rix said:

My bad.  I didn't feel like doing the 85-mile roundtrip in Labor Day weekend traffic.  But I wouldn't have minded meeting you in Bellevue and carpooling.  I know Rich so I could have been a guide.  Sorry.

 

Anyway, bon voiyage to Rich.  Always following your terrific live-from threads.

 

26 minutes ago, atexsix said:

 

 

 

 

I don't think it's anything for anybody to feel bad about, just one of those things.  But we still met, in a way.  I was dressed in an unrecognizable way, very casual, normally I don't wear shorts when I'm out, but the heat lately has been so intolerable which is common with neurological conditions and I was worried about issues.  And I did see everybody from a distance so now I do know the man with the beard was Rich.  I'm glad you all had fun and if anything it got me out of the house for a little while.  

 

21 minutes ago, atexsix said:

There was definitely a lot of traffic, and normally it would have bothered me, I avoid it like the plague because it causes overload on my brain, but strangely I enjoyed the time out.  I wish I had been in a cute little sports car though instead of the suv tank I was driving but that's a topic for another time.  

If we'd been able to really plan this out, DH and I could have picked up Susan @AV8rix and Bruno @atexsix and we could have carpooled.  We did make stops on the way at DD's house and DS' house, so I didn't think that part would be fun for you...but yes, some time we'll meet up!  And Bruno we did meet in a way LOL.

[atexsix]

27 minutes ago, Cruising-along said:

 

 

If we'd been able to really plan this out, DH and I could have picked up Susan @AV8rix and Bruno @atexsix and we could have carpooled.  We did make stops on the way at DD's house and DS' house, so I didn't think that part would be fun for you...but yes, some time we'll meet up!  And Bruno we did meet in a way LOL.

We can do it like that next time.  And yes, it was a bit last minute so we couldn't do much prep ahead of time.  

[Cruising-along]

30 minutes ago, atexsix said:

We can do it like that next time.  And yes, it was a bit last minute so we couldn't do much prep ahead of time.  

I see you changed your profile pic -- DH said "yep that's him!"  Sorry I didn't recognize you last night.  If Rich and Sue were going to be around Seattle at the end of their cruise we could carpool then -- but unfortunately they're both flying out immediately so we won't see them.  If you sail on the 28-day Alaska, you'd meet a lot of us on that cruise -- including Rich's friend Sue. 🙂  

[ottahand7]

Bon Voyage to you and the gang!  🍾🛳️

[atexsix]

42 minutes ago, Cruising-along said:

I see you changed your profile pic -- DH said "yep that's him!"  Sorry I didn't recognize you last night.  If Rich and Sue were going to be around Seattle at the end of their cruise we could carpool then -- but unfortunately they're both flying out immediately so we won't see them.  If you sail on the 28-day Alaska, you'd meet a lot of us on that cruise -- including Rich's friend Sue. 🙂  

Yes I thought a more recent picture was in order.

 

I started the roll call for the 2026 cruise, I think a 14 day will be a lot more doable for many people than the solstice sailing.  

Edited September 1 by atexsix

[atexsix]

Well, they should all be about to embark their ship, it's 11:30ish pacific.  How exciting!  I haven't been on the Westerdam in years.

[richwmn]

09/01/2024 Seattle, Washington 0700-1700

 

 

I had arranged for a shuttle to take us from the hotel to Smith’s cove. It was me, Sue, Steve, and Connie. The shuttle was scheduled to arrive at 11am. Sue texted me at a little before 10 that she had checked out and was sitting downstairs. I went down at about 10:15, Steve and Connie about 10:20. We had just settled down outside to sit and wait for the shuttle when I got a text that he had arrived. So at 10:41 we jumped into the SUV and had a nice ride to the pier. I had expected a bit of traffic due to activities, but we really didn’t encounter much.

 

After wheeling our luggage into the building, we went to check in. The priority line was very short, and after filling out Canadian custom forms we were on our way to the ship. I dropped off my hand baggage and went to the Dive Inn for lunch, which was ordered by 12:15. After lunch, back to the cabin where I started getting things ready. My luggage was delivered at 1pm, and I got most things put away by 2 when it was up to the Sea View bar. I have encountered several people from previous long cruises, it seems there is a bit of a fraternity involved there. I have now completed the safety requirements and will head back to the Sea View at 4:30 for sail a way. Anyone aboard, please look for Santa and join me.

 

Ship’s Officers

Captain – Vincent Smit – Netherlands

Cruise and Travel Director – Karlijn Verpalen – Netherlands

Staff Captain – Leon Luncan – Romania

Chief Engineer – Robert Vlaardingerbroek – Netherlands

Environmental Engineer – Stephen Rockliffe – United Kingdom

Hotel General Manager – Francois Birarda – France

Assistant Hotel Manager – Johan De Vries – Indonesia

Food & Beverage Manager – George Nurchandra – Indonesia

Executive Chef – Noorul Ali – India

Future Cruise Consultant – Melane Bruwer – South Africa

 

Today’s Activities –

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is now almost 4:30, and I'm headed for the SeaView pool for sail a way. Hope to see those aboard there!

 

Edited September 1 by richwmn

[DeeniEncinitas]

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺Aloha Rich!

Have a wonderful cruise and to all our DAILYITES on board!

Love  the itinerary and have done this cruise 🚢 and like I told my sis Joy enjoy each and every moment, and the food and people are spectacular!

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Mahalo

Denise😌

[RobTheGob]

I’m looking forward to following along! We’re on the Zaandam in three weeks for the Tales of the South Pacific, but I’m ready to go now…

 

I’ll come down and wave when you’re in Victoria tomorrow!

[atexsix]

Did the Westerdam get a water salute during sail away?  It was hard to tell on my little phone screen.  If so, why?  Westerdam's coming back, it's not the final cruise of the season.