maxie99

No further words needed........ :D

 

thank you, ,that brought me to tears---she was my first in 88--since then iv been on 16 more hal ships---:D

:) _ same here _ i luv the retreat cabanas, I all ways book them on the NA and the Eurodam__. I settle in and I can do my reading ,writing, and do a little watercolour painting and leave my stuff there while I do other things,,:)

T'was brillig and the slithy roves did gyre and gimble in the wave and the momeraths outgrabe ........

 

I guess things will be all sixes and sevens for a while - but gloom and doom, I don't think so. Think autonomy and partnering with the go it alone economies of Scandinavia ....... cream always rises to the top and the UK has always been the cream of Europe. Keep calm and carry on. (!)

- wow- you have just made me tear up,, of course, it is in our DNA--:D

here in the ottawa valley, 30*c summer temperatures are pretty common and we have high humidity in both summer and winter, so heading to the caribbean in summer wouldn't offer a great change from what we enjoy at home. But when it's -20*c, before adding wind chill, those caribbean temperatures are so-o-o-o inviting. :)

- -so agree- :d-

I always carry a cheap 'dollar-store' wallet in my back pocket, filled with ID, showing that I'm the Prime Minister of Canada along with a few Monopoly bills.

 

I could use Canadian bills, but it would probably be found strewn on the street anyways.

 

Only taken once, but heck, I missed out on the entertainment when I finally noticed that it has been removed .

-:D-HA-luv it-

PRE-CRUISE

Kansas City, Friday 6/10, 1 day before cruise

 

We had a 6:00 am United flight to Denver, where we would change planes for Vancouver BC Canada. I only slept 2 hours the night before, finishing off all that I needed to get done from work. Breezed through security with my newly minted PSA pre-check certification, which I'm very glad I finally did. Arrived in Denver on time. Got to next gate. When It came time to board for Vancouver, I could not locate my passport. I must have it to board plane to Vancouver. I asked, but my passport card won't do. I was carrying my and DW's passport with me in a Scottevest travel vest, secured in a zippered pouch. But only her passport was there. We had used both to get on plane in Kansas City., so we did have them. We think mine was lost when we went to the gate agent to ask a question, handed him both boarding passes and both passports, but he must have given us just one passport back. But, he says no. In any event, no passport for me. Cannot go to Vancouver.

 

Trip is over. So disappointed. This CAN'T be happening. I called the US passport office. They said may be a chance to replace it same day. I have to get myself to a passport office. I will need to arrive with a form filled out, new passport photos, proof of ID, proof of birth/citizenship. It is now 8:00 am. Aurora, Colorado, a Denver suburb, has such an office. The US Passport office arranged for me to get an "appointment" there, but I must be at the office by 9:30 am (last available time today). I got an appointment and confirmation number. Ran to exit airport and get a cab while DW stayed behind, worked with airline. No checked bags to worry about (one bag traveler!). In cab, talked with travel agent and surfed internet on iPhone. Cabbie knew the passport office. There's a FedEx a few minutes away. I called them. They'll do passport photos in minutes. Got there. Cabbie waited, motor running. Went in, got photos, went on line, printed form DS11, printed copy of old passport from travel agent's email (I forgot to make a copy before left home - I usually do have that, though). Got back in waiting cab. Cabbie got me to building for passport office, gave him a generous tip. Into building. Wrong building. Walked a few blocks. Right building. Found passport office. A security line and X-ray, a line to check in, a line tell my story, more forms, then a piece of paper with my number to be called for my "appointment." All the people I talked to were behind plexiglass windows, everyone very nice, actually, but rules to be followed. I was told there was "a chance" I may get a passport today, so I could make my cruise tomorrow, 6/11. The room is filled with people in various stages of crises or needs. It's now 9:40 am. The office would be closed today at 2:00 pm. Not open again till 6/13, two days after cruise.

 

My number is called. Another plexiglass window. This is my "appointment." Very nice lady. Lots of questions. She asked "when are you traveling?" I laughed and said 3 hours ago! But now we had a rebooked flight for 7:12 pm. Had to give flight #, confirmation code, etc. My passport card was ok as proof of citizenship. Paid a fee. Showed my drivers license, boarding pass, gave my copy of passport, info on my parents and wedding date and other things. She says they would go over all this for a few hours to see if my photos and such match up and if what I've said is "factual and true." If they judge so, I'll have a new passport between 11:30-12:30, so come back then. I got a slip of paper to present at that time.

 

If there is no passport today, I can't fly to Vancouver for cruise tomorrow. My TA said our insurance likely would cover cruise but unsure. I kinda don't care, emotionally, because I'm already functioning with the money gone -- I wanna go on the cruise! And, my cousin and her husband are flying to Vancouver. Right now.

 

To pass the time, I went across street where there was a local hotel, waited in lobby, used wifi, had a cool drink, called and updated everyone. Back to passport office at 11:30. Again security, again X-ray. Again a line. At plexiglass window, I slid the paper I was given. A minute later, the lady came back.

 

Here is your new passport.

 

Uber back to Denver international airport (never Uber-ed before; very cool). Back at DIA and rejoined DW 12:30 pm.

 

Landed in Vancouver 10 pm.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

-:eek:-OMG, your story was giving me a heart attack--iv gone through something similar but not that bad--looking forward to this cruise with you guys:D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehxiSLzP7Lc&t=1m48s

 

http://mvwildblue.blogspot.ca/2016/0...ity-float.html

 

The Pearl made a clean exit into the heavy winds. Then Infinity started approaching from the north. As she nosed her bow towards the City Float cruise ship dock, a big gust pushed her bow even further towards shore. Moored just to the north of City Float is the Zaandam. Having watched many a ship dock here in Ketchikan, it appeared to Alex, that Infinity was too close to shore, and too close to Zaandam! Alex stated this fact out-loud, but failed to start rolling the cell phone video. Darn!

 

Both the Infinity's stern and bow thrusters running hot apparently couldn't keep the ship from gaining towards shore and the moored Zaandam. A bow only starboard thrust would allow a soft landing square to the dock, but would push the stern to port and shore-ward, and since

the Infinity's stern was overlapped with the forward part of Zaandam, a collision would occur

. The pilot's only choice was to

continue thrusting to starboard and moving forward

.

 

When the forward sections of the Infinity hull ground into the City Float piling, a loud metal-on-metal noise could be heard. Once clear of Zaandam's bow, the stern thruster helped square up the boat. But the cruise ship dock, catwalk, piling, auxiliary inside float and Infinity's port side suffered.

 

Sounds like they were describing a handbrake parking.

 

I wonder what happened to those cruisers who had private tours booked.... was there refunds for the delays?

--:eek:-- I would have luved to be on the Zaandam's bridge at that moment- to see the reaction of the crew--holy moly--:eek:

Ohh ,, i really needed that,,working 7 days a week right now, and no time to shop for food,, so im getting creative and using what i have in the pantry--thks-- joani

:)- just wonderful,, :)--

Maybe it's too dark to sail . . . lol

:)--good one-

the last time I saw her leaving from here was Jan. 2015-- I was waiting to get on the NA the next day-- I was at the Marriott on the beach and had the best view--and I kept on saying "she really looks like a floating jewel "-- ill be here to watch her leave again- :)

-:)-:)- that's fantastic, now if HAL would consider a way or choice to have a table and chairs in the retreat cabanas,- I thought about sneaking them on when the guys are getting lunch orders, but I can see it now ( "cruiser kicked off ship for rearranging furniture" )---:)- joanie

I'm not complaining. I'm just saying I won't cruise on the K-dam because I like to cruise on ships with acceptable cabanas. The photos are pretty clear; no table, no armchairs and canvas sides. That is not an acceptable cabana to me. YMMV.

:cool:-so true

I also noticed that they have curtain dividers rather than the solid walls. I'm guessing that one will also lose some privacy that way.

OH, your right OVgirl,, did not see that,, when I was on the Eurodam this Feb. the storm going to and the day in Key west, was really bad, and the winds would have shredded those curtains,, but the walls on the Eurodam held okay, so much so we had a birthday party in one ,, it was a wild ride and lots of fun --:D

Having just gotten off the NA and after spending 19 days in our side Cabana (rain, wind or shine!) it certainly seems to be not as wide, not as long and if they don't end up with a table and chairs, I'm not interested in the Koningsdam. We agreed that we are only sailing on ships with Retreat Cabanas in the future and the lack of a table is a deal-breaker.

same here:(

I also thought that they looked small. I'm hoping that by our November cruise, there have been some positive changes. I'm not really enthused about these cabanas anymore....I was really looking forward to my own retreat, not just two lounge chairs.

oh yes, you can see on the 3rd photo, the loungers take up all the space, from the rail to the wall,-- I always adjusted the loungers so I can get better access to the table for my art supplies--and there was plenty of room--J

Im not a happy cruiser__:(--I do all my reading, writing , painting and lunch at those tables--- and I think I used a lounger once , for a hour, in the cruises I've sailed on the NA once and Eurodam, twice.. and the glass on the aft view is terrible, all you will see is the reflection of what's behind you, that's why I don't like the side cabanas, no good for photos, I rarely ever complain, but this is a big disappointment---:(---joanie

Has anyone been able to re-claim Mariner stars from a long time ago? We sailed on HA on the old Veendam to Bermuda in 1982 and on the old Nieuw Amsterdam in 1983 on one of it's "shake out" cruises to Bermuda and the Caribbean. We had stars for those trips and even got the Mariner magazine for a while...still have the dutch caps and hats they used to give out on "Dutch Nite" in the MDR. We sailed in the Med on the Eurodam in 2014 and are scheduled for the Konigsdam on April 27. HA said only with the boarding passes...but they are long gone...any passenger lists????

- I was lucky. in 1988 I was on the old Rotterdam and I received my mariners # in the low 6 digits,-they must of changed things in those 5 years, I would keep on trying to get those points if I was you :)-- it would be great PR for them---joanie

Also checking in.

 

Skoogs - where exactly do you drive/park in order to get to the jetty? Would be fun to do that on the day before the cruise.

Hi, that's easy, just drive to the public beach park, lots of parking, maybe its a 2 mile walk,, well that's how it felt to me on my first visit,, ( but then im 65 and am not a small girl ;)) and I had just got off the plane from snowy Toronto with my winter jeans on -- so the next time I got a room at the Marriott, half way down, its a lovely walk---joanie

I'm going to wave at the people on the Zuiderdam from the jetty. I did it yesterday to the 6 cruise ships that left, tomorrow we'll be on the Maasdam. See you guys later.

SOO that's what its called- iv been calling it " the rocks at the end of the channel-"its a great spot to watch the parade, lots of seating on the rocks, and its handy if your a guest at one of the hotels, just walk down the beach,, but this Feb. I asked the bartenders at one of the beach bars and I got a ride down in their sand buggy,, lots of fun, -- have fun on my Maasdam, my first ship from 99'--:D

Purell may not do what I think it does, but it keeps me from putting my hands on my face or any part thereof. Helps that way.

--bingo, I so agree, with that goop on your hands, I don't touch my face at all, after a while ,it becomes a new habit

I spoke with the young looking guitar player (who is awesome by the way) and he told me that their contract just got extended 7 months.....I would book a cruise they were playing on just to hear them! :)

-I so agree-- I was also on this cruise and watched from the bar every night and through many of there sets-- the best came later in the night---

im flying down . for the Eurodam on sunday, so I will be able to see her in real life-:) :) -- joani

www --

thks---it looks good ,, im on her on sunday,,