Amsterdam world cruise crew members blog

[calisota]

The site is back and all seems to be okay again. It looks like I'll probably be getting a bit of a refund for the time it was down along with everyone else who had their sites hosted with the same company.

 

I'm glad it's back.

 

Greg

[jtl513]

I don't know anything about a turnover of staff

According to the Sticky Thread that Copper 10-8 updates, on 4/27 the Captain, HM, Exec Chef, and GRM will be changing.

[Dance2Nite]

Thanks for the kind words Ray, it's always a buzz knowing that someone is reading, let alone enjoying what I write. I am not due to get off the Amsterdam until the middle of June so I should still be there to say hello as you pass through the casino. I doubt you'll have any trouble finding plenty of things to do on board, the daily program is always full of interesting things and I'm looking forward to the scenery in Alaska.

 

Greg

 

Hi, Greg - checking in again. In your latest blog post "Unplumbed Depths", you mentioned needing to gaze inwardly for the next several days due to the recurrence of endless seas in all directions. I commented back to you on the blog that you might want to take the opportunity to give some more details about the Amsterdam. Our May 16 Alaska cruise will be our first time aboard her and we would like some additional information if you care to share.

 

Keep up the good work. I am enjoying it very much.:D

[calisota]

[quote=Dance2Nite;12991587I commented back to you on the blog that you might want to take the opportunity to give some more details about the Amsterdam. Our May 16 Alaska cruise will be our first time aboard her and we would like some additional information if you care to share.

 

Keep up the good work. I am enjoying it very much.

 

Hi Ray. Thanks for reading the blog and I saw the comment you left and I've been thinking that I have a few port manning days coming up soon, Apia and Wellington and since the ship should be a bit quieter with most people off and me stuck on board with nothing much else to do, I might take the time to go for a good walk around and do a post describing it. Anything in particular you wanted to know?

 

Greg

[NapTown Jim]

Greg, I've been curious about your job but didn't know if I should ask in your blog or here....so here it goes....

 

You mention working 'the cage' alot in your posts. Do you only work in that spot or do you ever get to work the tables too? Also...to avoid looking foolish (I'm not much of a casino person) if I want to play blackjack do I need to buy chips at 'the cage' or does HAL only sell chips at the tables?

[Dance2Nite]

I might take the time to go for a good walk around and do a post describing it. Anything in particular you wanted to know?

 

Greg

 

Well, our 'nom-de-plume' (Dance2Nite) describes one of our interests - good ballroom dance venues or instruction. The pool areas and hot tubs are always of interest, and since we have booked an inside cabin (first time), what is it like? We like to look at the art works (paintings, sculpture, artifacts) - are there any must sees? On the Ryndam last year my eye kept being drawn to a demented looking lad in a painting on the starboard side of the lower Rotterdam Dining Room (I can still see him:eek: ). I really don't care to seek out something like that again. I will try to eat my share (and everyone else's) of smoked salmon, so, if you have had it, what is your opinion? Are their things/places to stay away from? Is there a forward observation deck that you can access by going up from the forward Lower Promenade Deck? There are a few ideas.

 

Since I am enjoying your writing so much, I will read with interest anything that you care to offer.

 

Hope the voyage is going well. One day my DW and I want to visit my uncle and aunt in Auckland - maybe our retirement gift:D to each other will be that trip. Take care.

[jtl513]

Is there a forward observation deck that you can access by going up from the forward Lower Promenade Deck?

I'm not Greg, but I know that you can get to a forward observation deck on the Lido deck by going out through the Fitness Center. IIRC there's also stairways on either side where you can go down past the bridge to a forward observation deck on the Verandah Deck. I imagine you can go in and doors on that level too.

 

When you say "can access by going up from the forward Lower Promenade Deck" are you thinking about going out on the bow area? That's generally not allowed when the ship is underway. :)

[bob brown]

We got told yesterday that the ship is so full they have people on a wait list for a wait list. There is somewhere over 1100 people doing the entire 114 days so it's impossible even to get on for just one segment.

 

Greg

Wow! So many going the whole way! Maybe HAL should use the Eurodam for a world cruise?

[Julia_B]

Yes you can go to the bow from lower promenade deck and yes thats allowed when the ship is under way (under normal weather conditions)

 

Some crew members do make less money during a world cruise. Like the spa and shops, and therefore request a transfer to another ship. However there are enough people who prefer to do a world cruise for visiting those nice ports and don't really care about less money.

 

Most of the crewmembers from the hotel department stay for the whole worldcruise so yes, after (and before) the worldcruise there is a huge turnover. About 1 fifth of the total crew.

 

It's interesting to read a blog from another crewmember, specially while I'm not on board. :cool:

[Barocl]

We just booked a segment on the 2008 World Cruise from Istanbul to New York, so there are still cabins available. Take care.

[RedmondCruiser]

Interesting comment this morning on his web site. "Management will not let him make his report on Tonga". Censorship seems to be alive and well at HAL. What makes them so nervous ?? My belief is that they do not want you to know details about what goes on behind the scene. We all enjoy cruising but as in the making of sausage, we don't really want to see how its made.

[RedmondCruiser]

double post

[calisota]

Hi all,

 

Just a quick message to say that for reasons I probably shouldn't go into my post on Tonga only went to members of my private mailing list and not onto the blog.

 

Since then I've continued to post to the blog, including about my place of birth Auckland, and will continue to do so. I hope you keep reading and commenting, it's always interesting to know what others think.

 

Right at the moment we are about to enter Milford Sound before heading off across the Tasman later today to Sydney.

 

Greg

[Sage]

I have so enjoyed your postings and am glad that they have resumed.

[Dance2Nite]

Hi all,

 

Just a quick message to say that for reasons I probably shouldn't go into my post on Tonga only went to members of my private mailing list and not onto the blog.

 

Since then I've continued to post to the blog, including about my place of birth Auckland, and will continue to do so. I hope you keep reading and commenting, it's always interesting to know what others think.

 

Right at the moment we are about to enter Milford Sound before heading off across the Tasman later today to Sydney.

 

Greg

 

Hi, Greg. I posted a comment on your blog but wanted to add one in here, as well.

 

Your comment about the cup of Earl Grey, scones, jam amd Devon Cream brought back some wonderful memories of sitting by the River Dee below the Roman wall in Chester, U.K., munching on tea and scones, jam and cream. In fact, I have a jar of Double Devon Cream:D in my fridge at home just waiting for the next batch of scones that I bring home from the bakery. Life just really doesn’t get much better than that!:D :D When we go to see my Aunt and Uncle who live in Auckland (our retirement trip), we plan to visit Christchurch. I plan to raise a cuppa’ to you and enjoy my scones, every bit as much as you. Anticipating these types of things makes life one fantastic journey!:)

 

Thanks for keeping up the rich travelogue.

[calisota]

Morning all,

This is just a reminder that my blog is still there, still going (57,500 words and counting) and that we are now in Europe, Santorini and Venice in the next couple of days.

 

But I also have a favour to ask. When this contract is over I will be looking for another project and I have always had a desire to spend some time driving around the US getting to know the real America and Americans. While I was mulling over the possibilities and looking at a map I realised that one route would take me past the home town of an artist I admire and I began to wonder if he would be willing to let me buy him a drink. That thought evolved into who else I would like to meet as I travelled and I began to wonder what would happen if I was simply to write to a number of people I either admire, am fascinated by or would simply like to meet and ask them for a few moments of their time. What’s the worst that could happen simply by asking…they say no or don’t answer at all?

My favour is to get ideas and suggestions on who I could meet. I started my own list with the idea of getting 100 names but would be very interested in other suggestions. I don’t care if they are famous, infamous or not known at all, so long as they are interesting.

 

 

If you have a suggestion then please leave it as a comment to my blog post at http://planettrekker.info/cruise/2008/04/02/100-americans/

The names I already have are listed there.

 

 

Thanks

 

 

Greg

[Richard in Panama]

Censorship seems to be alive and well at HAL

 

If this guy is a cashier in the casino he probably doesn't work for HAL anyway, although he works on a HAL ship.

 

Regards, Richard

[darleen1421]

I am looking at booking the Amsterdam Seattle to Alaska in Sept. Is that part of the trip you are on? When do they start going out of Seattle? I am confused. Thanks

[cruisun]

Kind of weird to read your posts and see that there are actual, 3 dimensional people working on cruise ships. Next time I'm onboard I think I'll surprise some random crew member with a $20 tip for something reall small.

 

I find your posts to be almost as annoying as your namesakes speeches:eek:

[NoPiratesPlease]

Hello Greg.

I am the guy who spoke with you on the ship during the last cruise. From England. Just wanted to say it was a pleasure meeting you and yes I did have a nice result finally on the 5 dollar machine!! Enjoy the world cruise.

 

I know that poster! Drop me a line and tell me how yer doin'!

[calisota]

Hi,

 

This is probably way off topic but I know that a lot of people followed my blog while I was working on the Amsterdam doing the world cruise so I thought some might be interested in keeping up with me on my latest adventure.

 

I am spending 9.5 months travelling and will be teaching English to novice Buddhist monks in Laos, working on community projects in Nepal and then taking part in a predator study in South Africa. These are all volunteer projects and are 10 weeks each. In between projects I am resting and relaxing in other places I haven't been before.

 

For anyone who is interested you can go to http://www.planettrekker.info and there are links to subscribe to my mailing list or, if you prefer, to the blog so you can read online.

 

As always, peoples comments are appreciated.

 

Greg