RetiredMustang Posted January 28, 2016 #1 Share Posted January 28, 2016 Hello all, I’m doing another “Live From” blog, this time from MS Oosterdam on a 21-day Southern Caribbean Seafarer/Wayfarer Collector’s cruise. Here is our itinerary: - Jan 29: Fort Lauderdale, depart 4 p.m. - Jan 30: Half Moon Cay, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. - Jan 31: Grand Turk, noon – 8 p.m. - Feb 01: Samana, Dominican Republic, 10a.m. – 5p.m. - Feb 02: At Sea - Feb 03: Kralendijk, Bonaire, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. - Feb 04: Willemstad, Curacao, 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. - Feb 05; Oranjestad, Aruba, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Feb 06: At Sea - Feb 07: At Sea - Feb 08: Fort Lauderdale, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. - Feb 09: At Sea - Feb 10: At Sea - Feb 11: Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. - Feb 12: Castries, Saint Lucia, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. - Feb 13: Bridgetown, Barbados, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Feb 14: Fort-De-France, Martinique, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Feb 15: Basseterre, St Kitts, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Feb 16: St. Thomas, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. - Feb 17: At Sea - Feb 18: Half Moon Cay, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. - Feb 19: Fort Lauderdale, arrive 7 a.m. Here is a map of our itinerary: This is a special cruise for us. I retired from U.S. Federal service effective last Saturday – the RetiredMustang is now fully retired, so we are celebrating that, in addition to our usual desire to escape the Washington, D.C. winter. And, we have become 5-star Mariners, so we have a few more perks. The bottom line is that we expect to relax and enjoy this cruise even more so than usual. We have been to all the ports on this itinerary before, some many times, but plan to try some new things at some and enjoy old haunts in others (Paradise Point comes to mind). I will attempt to do this as a live blog as I have done before, but it will depend on the onboard internet speeds, and whether I am able to spend as much time blogging, or decide to get a life more often. I will keep track and post reports for each day in chronological order, but they may come after the fact. However, I will keep track of any of your questions and will answer them as quickly as possible; but I just may not get a day’s On Location and my activities posted actually on that day. I have a new toy/tool this time, if I can figure out how to use it properly – a portable scanner that can save scans as either .pdf or .jpg files. With a .jpg file, I can re-size and rotate it, upload it to photobucket or CC photo gallery, and then post it as I did with photos on previous blogs. The main difference is that the scanner hopefully will do a lot better job of keeping the text in focus – I know I did sort of OK most times, but I have had some pretty fuzzy stuff from time to time. Maybe the new scanner will help. What I won’t have is an insta-read thermometer like Crew News did a few weeks ago, so I will not be reporting the temperature of room service milk, eggs, etc. I have to admit that I was fascinated by Roger’s reports; but I just don’t have that technology or skill set. At any rate, we are starting another HAL adventure, which I will report as best I can, and I hope you will come along. More later, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovely other Posted January 28, 2016 #2 Share Posted January 28, 2016 Enjoy your trip and congratulations on your retirement. Yours are always my favourite live from/blogs to read so i was excited to see this post. Have a safe trip x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mtn2Sea Posted January 28, 2016 #3 Share Posted January 28, 2016 Congratulations on your retirement!!! Looking forward to your review. Hope you have a great time on your cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted January 28, 2016 #4 Share Posted January 28, 2016 I'll be following along as much as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvertoGold Posted January 28, 2016 #5 Share Posted January 28, 2016 Congrats on your retirement and the 5 star status! Both are really great!! Make sure you use the 2 complimentary Pinnacles! We book both at the same time and it works out well. Best wishes on all counts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted January 28, 2016 #6 Share Posted January 28, 2016 Happy retirement! I'll be looking forward to however much or little you want to report. It's clear how much effort you put into your live reports. I hope you and mrs. Dave have a wonderful time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freestyling Posted January 28, 2016 #7 Share Posted January 28, 2016 Have an excellent cruise and retirement. I look forward to your reports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredMustang Posted January 28, 2016 Author #8 Share Posted January 28, 2016 (edited) Pre-cruise activity This was almost a déjà vu all over again cruise, like the Snowmaggedon escape we had in 2010. My last actual work day was Thursday, Jan. 21. The weather forecast was for 24-30 inches (60-75 cm) of snow Friday-Saturday, with up to 40 inches (one meter) in the suburbs. We discussed trying to escape Thursday afternoon/evening, but decided to hunker down and wait for the road crews to clear enough for us to get out Tuesday or Wendesday. As it turned out, we got (only!) about 20 inches (50 cm) where we live, but the area northwest of us did indeed receive a meter of snow. On Monday, we decided to leave late morning, and made it south a couple of hundred miles; the Va. Dept. of Transportation had done an excellent job of clearing the roads in a short time. That Monday escape left fairly easy driving days to south Florida. We arrived Wednesday, coming down the Florida Turnpike in torrential rain, but we learned later we luckily missed the tornado by a few hours. We were/are staying in Plantation FL near Ft. Lauderdale and expect to have an easy drive to the port tomorrow. I will check in again either tomorrow morning, or after we are aboard tomorrow afternoon. More later, Dave Edited January 28, 2016 by RetiredMustang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted January 29, 2016 #9 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Congrats on retirement, we are eleven months behind you. Glad you got out of Northern Virginia ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspersmycat Posted January 29, 2016 #10 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Congratulations on your retirement and have a great cruise. I'll be following along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyanne Posted January 29, 2016 #11 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Love your blogs, Dave. You always put so much into them. Congrats on your retirement and so glad you made it out of Virginia! Have a wonderful time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sppunk Posted January 29, 2016 #12 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Congrats on your retirement! Looking forward to your reports. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianbear Posted January 29, 2016 #13 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Oh my-this is the EXACT cruise I want to do so will look forward to all your future posts. Congrats on retirement-it's great! My husband and I love it. (now we just need our Canadian dollar to get back up there so we can plan a long cruise):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaTourist Posted January 29, 2016 #14 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Congrats on your retirement. Can't wait to read your review as I will sail on the Oosterdam April 18 right after dry dock. I also plan on doing a live blog at that time from the Adriatic Sea so I am taking mental notes to cover things people want to see and hear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seafoam Green Posted January 29, 2016 #15 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Hi Dave - I enjoyed your Canada/NE Live thread in the fall. We will be taking the Seafarer portion of your cruise on March 11th and I know you will have lots of valuable info for us. Have a great time on your cruise! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiretwo Posted January 29, 2016 #16 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Congrats on your retirement! I hope all the weather woes leave once you board the Oosterdam. I look forward to your report, as we'll be doing the same cruise in a month.Happy sailing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted January 29, 2016 #17 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Have a great trip, Dave! As you sail by the condos tomorrow, if you notice a lot of air horn noise, it's for you. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted January 29, 2016 #18 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Congratulations on your retirement. It's over 10 years for me, and they still can't slap the smile off my face! :D Looking forward to your reports. They are always entertaining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vict0riann Posted January 29, 2016 #19 Share Posted January 29, 2016 I'm looking forward to your reports. Happy retirement, and have a great cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratheden Posted January 29, 2016 #20 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Love your blogs, Dave. Looking forwrd to your trip. Thank ou for taking the time to post for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMLincoln Posted January 29, 2016 #21 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Congratulations on your milestones! And many thanks for taking us along on your exciting cruise. I always enjoy your reports! May you both stay safe and healthy to enjoy the Oosterdam - I think she's the most elegant ship I've been on, just something special about her. And some of your ports will be new to me so I'm looking forward to hearing about your experiences. Blessings and Bon Voyage! m-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RetiredMustang Posted January 29, 2016 Author #22 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Friday, January 29, embarkation day A quick post to check in. Well, we are aboard Oosterdam. We drove to the port, arriving after 11 a.m. We did a quick check in and were able to board right away. Our cabin was ready, and our bags came by about 1:30. We have unpacked and I was able to create an internet account. I will post more after boat drill (or this evening). More later, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted January 29, 2016 #23 Share Posted January 29, 2016 I have enjoyed your past "live" threads and am looking forward to this one. Thanks for taking us along again. Congratulations on your retirement! The sail-away addicts will be waving as you leave FLL today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaTourist Posted January 29, 2016 #24 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Friday, January 29, embarkation day A quick post to check in. Well, we are aboard Oosterdam. We drove to the port, arriving after 11 a.m. We did a quick check in and were able to board right away. Our cabin was ready, and our bags came by about 1:30. We have unpacked and I was able to create an internet account. I will post more after boat drill (or this evening). More later, Dave Hope your having fun Dave. What kind of Internet account to buy on board??? What were the options? I'm hoping for one of their newer plans after the dry dock in April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted January 29, 2016 #25 Share Posted January 29, 2016 First of all - many congratulations on your retirement! Doesn't it feel good to board a ship knowing that you don't have to go back to work afterwards?:D I am so looking forward to your reports, especially as I am doing this itinerary next year. And please don't worry about not taking food temperatures - I'm not sure how it was relevant anyway, as something like that would vary from tray to tray, room to room, and so on. Bon Voyage! and I will be watching you sailaway.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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