Live from the Prinsendam as the wizard & witches cruise May 17 - June 17, 2013

[1of4]

As have I. Thanks Gail. There are quite a few there to choose from.

 

I got back from the AGM just in time to see her disappear off the edge of the screen. Then the camera man adjusted the camera and followed her round the top to the island.

 

I thought sailing between the big ships would be it so I sent you the screen shots....then it just kept following and following.

 

I hope I didn't send too many....:o

[innlady1]

LOL:D No problem for me - just Jose. I packed ginger pills and he is eating the candied ginger every night. He learned after the last TA when he was not feeling well that some good old things like green apples and ginger can really help. I also bought him new adjustable sea bands if he needs them;) None for this girl:D

 

I hope Jose does OK if the seas are not cooperating!

Neither DH nor I are bothered by rough seas...but one time on Noordam - from NYC to the Caribbean - with 18 foot waves was enough for me to pack all things ginger! I usually bring a few ginger tea bags as well.

[Krazy Kruizers]

LOL:D No problem for me - just Jose. I packed ginger pills and he is eating the candied ginger every night. He learned after the last TA when he was not feeling well that some good old things like green apples and ginger can really help. I also bought him new adjustable sea bands if he needs them;) None for this girl:D

 

Keep feeding the candied ginger and ginger pills to Jose.

So far we have been fortunate that neither of us have gotten sea sick.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Suite fans - there was no sparkling wine in the Neptune Lounge - instead there was a bottle in the room along with the bottle of water. In our case we did not receive the Pol Clement, but the REAL Mum's champagne. It just hit me yestereday:D

 

For those who have not been on the Prinsendam, the Neptune Lounge is on the port side of the ship - has the stained glass you see in the brochures and a verandah. The captain's wing is just to the left of it (yes he stands outside when coming to port and leaving).

 

Also, we received the most beautiful assortment of bath oils, soaps and various such things (a huge box) from our hotel manager last night. Very nice. Never seen it before. It went to all of the suites. Wow! Thank you Firmen.

 

For those interested in Collectors' cruises - we are getting a special Indonesian lunch at some time in our cruise (or so the welcoming letter said). As well, we may have to disembark for a short time in Tilbury - no biggie - somehow I didn't think it would be necessary but Jose and I had some plans for that day anyways.

 

I ordered hors d'hoeuvre for my guests today and they were wonderful. Very impressed. We can order them basically any time in the afternoon - so it works out well for the roll call's wine wrapping contest and wine tasting:D

 

signing off from the Elegant Explorer - time for dinner:D

 

Jacqui -- we have not gotten the sparking wine in the Neptune Lounge either.

For the first time, we got a bottle of Mum's in the Pinnacle suite on our recent cruise. In the past it has not mattered whether we were in the PS or a Neptune Suite -- we got the Pol Clement.

[jgw321]

I hope I didn't send too many

 

I did wonder if they would stop, but you can't have too many. It gives a better choice. I have put all yours and Glen's together with mine in a folder which I'll give to Jacqui when on board.

 

I think that's it for web cams now I think. I know Tilbury doesn't have one.

[kazu]

Day 3 - May 19th, 2013 This was our formal night (2nd sea day)

 

 

 

It was also one of the first 'group' meetings for some of the members of our roll call.

We have a number of group activities planned for those for whom it may be of interest. (none of them are mandatory).

 

Today was the photo club meeting discussion. I had signed JOse up for it and he actually went! He thought it was quite good. People just helped each other or discussed tips.

 

After that the trivia buffs headed to trivia and we ore silly people (like me) headed off to Bingo. We couldn't play the day before because we didn't have enough people, but today we made it. My friend John and Mary Lou from our roll call joined me. John is usually pretty lucky and I had hoped some of his luck would rub off on me. But believe it or not "Bob" won 3 of the 4 games!! Mind you he had to split the last game with another person but he walked off with the bulk of the money. Thank heavens he didn't win the jackpot. He might not have gotten out of the room alive. LOL

 

We decided to try lunch in the Lido again - and DH was delighted with his tilapia.The ambience in that aft Lido area is very nice. Despite being on the ship before, I discovered a staircase there that takes you down to the sea view pool. Much easier than going through the spa - so I'll be using that in the future. OMG - another secret staircase!

 

Went to the wine tasting at 2:30 and the cellar master is Canadian. He just got on the ship in Fort Lauderdale and this is his first cruise ship. It might be his first but he is certainly doing it with finesse. He is very congenial and goes through the dining room in the evening talking to the guests and pouring wine if glasses are empty!

 

I don't know what happened to the rest of the day but it seemed to slip away - I headed back to the;gift shop to see if they had found more of what I had requested for the cabin hosts for our crawl as gifts and YES, they had located them! happy camper

 

Then it was off to see the person in charge of our meet and greets to change our meet and greet times for the next two so they didn't conflict with t trivia (we have some serious addicts in our group). She was very helpful and asked about our private tours and meeting places. Not to worry she said,, I do private tours myself! She endorsed our meeting place and made a note of it and made arrangements so that I would be able to pick up all 30 tender tickets for St. Malo for our group so they could relax in the ocean bar until it was time to go. Just SUPER service!! Thank you!!!

 

Then - I headed to the Crow's Nest to work on my 'pages' on my Ipad. Didn't get too far as there were several cc members there and I ended up chatting with them. Oh, life is rough when you have such marvelous people on a cruise!

 

 

The next thing I knew it was time to get ready for the Adagio Strings and dinner. Adagio is two people here like the other ships now - pianist and violinist. While I and others missed the strings I must say that the two are excellent musicians and very entertaining. Very accomplished. Quite the duo as the violinist is quite young and the pianist is older. What a contrast - the violinist is using an ipad for his music and the pianist

has two piles of sheet music. It got funny when the pianist. suggested a piece and the violinist couldn' t find it - so he played over the pianist's shoulder so he could read the sheet music.

 

After an hour of the glorious music it was time for dinner. ON the menu - surf and turf - lobster thermidor with filet. I'm sure you can all guess what we all ordered - yup the lobster thermidor. Now, I know people complain about the quality of the lobster in the MDR, but I have to say that the filet was so tender you could cut it with a fork. The lobster thermidor was absolutely delicious, not too much sauce, very tasty and very large! Everyone agreed that it was wonderful. (keep in mind I am a maritimer so I am relatively fussy).

 

Wonderful meal and everyone left full and content. I heard no discontent in the dining room that night - LOL.

 

We bopped around with our friends to the casino and a few other places and then decided to hit the Crow's Nest. There we found more cc friends and a had a great time!

 

The next day was Bermuda and, despite promising ourselves we would hit the hay early, we failed to do so but promised ourselves we would be mobile by the time the ship was ready for us to disembark on the morrow.

 

The entertainment that night was Juan Pablo Subirana - a Latin American pianist - for whatever reason we didn't go. Those that joined us later seemed to have mixed reviews. One really liked him and others said he was too much like Liberace and too focused on himself. Of course, he was also plugging his cd big time. Doesn't sound like it was the end of the world that we missed it.

[kazu]

Day 4 - Monday May 20, 2013 - Hamilton Bermuda

 

After two full days at sea we are scheduled to arrive in Hamilton. Being an early riser, I got up, grabbed my cappuccino from the Neptune Lounge and sat on my balcony admiring the exquisite scenery as we approached Bermuda. Chuckled as I saw the two cruise ships at King's Wharf as we passed them to head directly to Hamilton and dock downtown.

 

The captain had announced the night before that we may be a few minutes late as they were quite strict here about going through the channel in the daylight hours.

 

When we arrived CD Gene announced that there would be a wait as they were waiting for the ship to be cleared and to please wait for the announcement. LOL - less than one minute later he was back on saying - that was quick - the ship is cleared! So off everyone went. Ruth Ann (ncgolferette) had a nice private tour arranged of the island for those who had not been. Jose and I opted to take it easy here - we have been before and I have a lot of tours planned for the remainder of the cruise so I wanted a laid back day here with no agenda. We wandered front street for a bit, actually found a couple of 'bargains' and then the wine section of Marks & Spencer which had some nice choices despite a grocery store I had previously found. Close to the ship, we decided to pick some up and cart it back in our Total Wine bags, drop off our other packages and head back so that we weren't loaded down. Since we were going back anyways, I decided to pick up my Ipad and my key board in the hopes of finding some free wifi. As we walked near the library, we spotted the Lemon Tree - a very nice outside area with drinks and food and decided to grab a beer and I would try to catch up a bit. Poor Jose ended up taking a walk to give me a few more minutes. The beers were relatively costly ($7 each) but after all we're in Bermuda and certainly much cheaper than the ship's wifi.

 

We wandered around a bit more to catch in the sites. The day was vey nice in Bermuda - just warm with a gentle breeze so it was neither too hot nor too cold. Looking at our watches we decided to head back, hit the grocery store to get my 'must haves' - clamato juice, lemon juice, tabasco sauce and wine. We have the ship's vodka but some of us prefer caesars so we thought we would stock up a bit.

 

Back on board we had invited Georgina & Gerry & John & Jane to our cabin for some drinks and munchies to enjoy the sail a way. Magnificent scenery and wonderful selection of hors' d'houevres.

 

Later at dinner the asst dining room manager asked if we liked them and I thanked him very much.

 

Service in the MDR was very good again. Dinner was so so (at least for some). The appetizers were excellent. DH liked his chicken Caesar salad. Some of us ordered the duck. Some said there wasn't enough sauce - on mine there was way too much. See you can't make everyone happy! Overall, though it was certainly edible and no left hungry. We all had dessert and I was surprised to find that dessert was very good. This could be deadly. The one failing I have found with HAL is that desserts are not palatable. I might have to do more walking on this cruise. LOL!

 

Hit the casino - watched Jane & John win and me lose and then caught a smidge of the show which seemed to be very good. DH and I were tired though so we caved and headed to our room.

 

Tomorrow would be the first of our 7 sea days before we hit St. Malo France.

 

I don't why we needed to rest up - I guess we did a lot of walking in Bermuda.

[1of4]

Oh Jacqui, you are telling enough details that I can just imagine being there.

 

I will have to search for my red sequined shoes when I get home and go out and find that yellow brick road! Maybe if I click them together I will be transported to the Prisendam in time to help celebrate your birthday!:D

[hpf]

Here you go with my pleasure and the permission of wonderful Captain Andre.

 

His schedule:

 

Now until July 15/13

Oct. 14 - Dec 11, 2013

Mar 14 - June 15, 2014

 

Captain Tim Roberts:

 

July 15 - October 14, 2013

December 22 - March 14, 2014

 

 

Who is the Captain from Dec 11 to Dec 22 ?? My Dh and I will be on there then, and I certainly don't want him doing the driving and I know I couldn't.:eek:

 

Helen

[rafinmd]

Here you go with my pleasure and the permission of wonderful Captain Andre.

 

His schedule:

 

Now until July 15/13

Oct. 14 - Dec 11, 2013

Mar 14 - June 15, 2014

 

Captain Tim Roberts:

 

July 15 - October 14, 2013

December 22 - March 14, 2014

 

 

Who is the Captain from Dec 11 to Dec 22 ?? My Dh and I will be on there then, and I certainly don't want him doing the driving and I know I couldn't.:eek:

 

Helen

 

Jacqui, correct me if I'm wrong, but I suspect that's a typo and Captain Andre is on through December 22. I can't imagine him leaving the ship in Alter Do Chao.

 

Roy

[mamaofami]

Jacqui, sounds like you're off to a really great start. We used wi fi in Lemon Tree last June in Bermuda. Enjoy.

[Scrapnana]

Enjoying your live report. Sailaway from Bermuda was amazing on the webcam. We could watch the Prinsendam for almost an hour.

 

For those who are visiting the Normandy beaches for the first time, it is a stirring experience. I did a 50th anniversary D-Day tour and we visited all five beaches as well as the American and Canadian cemeteries. Something not to be missed.

[sail7seas]

 

Jacqui, correct me if I'm wrong, but I suspect that's a typo and Captain Andre is on through December 22. I can't imagine him leaving the ship in Alter Do Chao.

 

Roy

 

 

I agree..... the eleven day break in the scheduling doesn't make sense.

 

It likely is an error.

 

Jacqui...... Sounds like you are having a great time. :)

Enjoy.

[JamesEM]

Thanks for keeping us posted, looing forward to your next report(s).

[Copper10-8]

 

Jacqui, correct me if I'm wrong, but I suspect that's a typo and Captain Andre is on through December 22. I can't imagine him leaving the ship in Alter Do Chao.

 

Roy

 

You are correct!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you Jacqui for the Live reports.

Glad you had a wonderful day in Bermuda.

[elizabeth612]

Jacqui, I feel like I'm right there along with you. Thanks for the reports and keep 'em coming, please!

E.

[innlady1]

Jacqui...thank you so much for your reports...they are fabulous!

[kazu]

 

Jacqui, correct me if I'm wrong, but I suspect that's a typo and Captain Andre is on through December 22. I can't imagine him leaving the ship in Alter Do Chao.

 

Roy

 

I suspect so too - I think there may have been an error when it was written out for me;). After all it was the suite reception and I am sure Captain Andre was smidge busy.

 

 

 

sitting in the Crow's Nest listening to Buddy just checking .... Another report coming tomorrow.

 

TEASER ....we did the Canaletto tonight..Yummmmmmm!!!!!

 

candy floss lives in the Elegant Explorer:D

[innlady1]

Can't wait to hear about Candy Floss!

[hpf]

 

You are correct!

 

Thank you Copper, I didn't want to get lost sailing the Amazon. LOL :D

 

Helen:)

[sapper1]

I just want to chime in here and give a bit of praise.*

 

I have never had good results in using any HAL ship's laundry service so I sent a bag of laundry out and really didn't have any expectations.*

 

To my surprise the whites came back sparkling white and the coloureds were the same shade as they were when sent out. Nothing looked beaten up.*

 

The laundry on this ship has got it right and I will be able to use it with confidence. Since it is a long cruise that is a big plus. Since I have complained many times on CC about the laundry services I thought it only fair that I should point it out when I was very pleased.

[1of4]

I just want to chime in here and give a bit of praise.*

 

The laundry on this ship has got it right and I will be able to use it with confidence. Since it is a long cruise that is a big plus. Since I have complained many times on CC about the laundry services I thought it only fair that I should point it out when I was very pleased.

 

Good to know Sapper, thanks for telling us. That is one less thing off your plate. Clean laundry is essential to enjoying your long-awaited voyage.

[1of4]

 

Another report coming tomorrow.

 

TEASER ....we did the Canaletto tonight..Yummmmmmm!!!!!

 

candy floss lives in the Elegant Explorer:D

 

 

I can't wait!!!

 

This is what I have been dealing with at home:

 

 

So I am hanging on your every word as the tornado season has started in Orangeville. Those houses you see are on the other end of our street close to highway 9 & 10.

[jgw321]

I thought it only fair that I should point it out when I was very pleased.

 

Thanks for that Bobby, Carol will be pleased. She needs the laundry with me to look after.