Prinsendam Amazon Explorer, November 26-December 22, 2013

[rafinmd]

The Prinsendam is at sea on her way to Fort Lauderdale to pick me up. The Crystal Symphony is on her way to Bridgetown, Barbados(I'll be there December 15).

 

I slept till a bit past 6 and went for a walk about a mile to the inland waterway and back.

 

I paid a morning visit to Miramar United Methodist Church. Pastor David Range grew up in my church and I've been friends with his family for over 40 years now. David and his wife CJ Walter (now a pastor at a nearby church) served as missionaries for about 2 decades in Ireland and Jamaica before engaging in parish ministry in Florida. David's church has a largely Caribbean makeup, and they make a big deal of thanksgiving. We started by carrying to the alter a massive array of donated food. After the service Pastor David and I reminisced about old friends, some of whom have retired to south Florida.

 

I did a bit more shopping after church and am slowly getting together what I need for computer service on my next voyage. I am hopeful that the Prinsendam will have some useful classes in dealing with Windows 8; I can really use them. I also took a little time to watch a webcam sailaway of the ships from Ft. Lauderdale, knowing that my turn is just 2 days away. Sailaway weather was decent for the first ships out but very wet for the later ones.

 

Today's parting shot comes from Pastor David's message. I may not have the words quite right, but the thought is there: “If your current address is Grouchy Junction, you need to relocate to Thankfulness Avenue." Amen

 

Roy

[rafinmd]

The Prinsendam is at sea on her way to Fort Lauderdale to pick me up. The Crystal Symphony is on her way to Bridgetown, Barbados(I'll be there December 15).

 

When I started my walk it was quite windy. I walked across the Intracostal Waterway to the beach, and found the blowing sand stinging enough that I had to retreat inland a bit. The day stayed rather chilly and had rain off and on. I did not do a lot outside, and spent some of my time preparing my Cruise Critic review of the Taste of the Tropics cruise.

 

"Background:Crystal is absolutely my favorite cruise line but I booked this cruise with some doubts. I had a lingering suspicion that using Crystal for what is essentially a routine Caribbean cruise is a bit like using a Ferrari to drive to the corner drug store. I booked the cruise only for a unique circumstance. I had 2 bucket list cruises, New York to Miami on the Symphony and the Prinsendam to the Amazon 10 days later from Ft. Lauderdale. I wanted to do something in those 10 days I wouldn't do normally, and my initial reaction was Epic, Allure, or Oasis. I eventually decided that while I wouldn't normally book those I was free to do so anytime and a convenient (for me) Crystal Caribbean cruise was a very rare event.

 

Ship info: The Crystal Symphony was built in 1995, and has been updated regularly since then, most recently in 2012. It is moderately large, and extremely spacious for the passenger capacity. My voyage was completely sold out, but never crowded. The open decks are especially spacious, and there is a wide, wrap-around Promenade Deck.

 

Staterooms: With the exception of the penthouses on deck 10, the rooms are essentially the same. There are only 8 categories, 3 for penthouse, regular and deluxe verandas, depending on the deck, and 3 categories of penthouse cabins. The rooms are well equipped, especially the baths, with a full tub in even the lowest category rooms. There is ample storage space.

 

Dining: Until recently, dinner in the main dining room has always been served in 2 seatings, usually 6 or 6:30 and 8:30, but Crystal now offers an option of a flexible dining time . In addition to the Crystal Dining Room, there are 2 specialty restaurants, Silk Road with Japanese cuisine and Prego with Italian cuisine. These restaurants require reservations but have no surcharge other than a suggested gratuity. The Lido Cafe does not typically open for dinner but will once or twice most cruises (but not this one). The Lido Cafe serves breakfast and lunch, starting with coffee and pastries around 5AM. There are special theme buffets in the lido, typically about every 3 days. While nominally a buffet, the lido is staffed by several incredible stewards who greeted me by name by day 3, learned my preferences, and generally provide very personal service. A grill midships on the lido serves a late breakfast plus burgers and sandwiches with a few extras. The selection of side dishes is limited, but it is just steps from the Lido Cafe, so these extras are readily available. The Crystal Dining serves a traditional breakfast and lunch with open seating, with one grand gala luncheon buffet sometime during the cruise. The Bistro a deck above the dining room serves pastries and other snacks. Dining as such pretty well closes after dinner, but each room has a refrigerator and is stocked with beverages and fruit, routinely restocked by the Stewardess on her regular visits. Light snacks are served in the lounges in the evening, and there is excellent 24-hour room service..

 

Activities and entertainment: Activities are geared to a mature demographic and a wide variety are offered. Many cruises have a theme. The Crystal Visions Enhancement is very strong, even on a cruise like this, always providing opportunities for ample feedback from the audience.

 

The spa and fitness staff is very strong, including 2 innovative programs for walkers. The walkvest program uses vests with removable weights (up to about 16 pounds) to improve the strength benefits of walking. A new program uses trekking poles to get more muscles involved in the walking process. There is a log sheet on the Promenade deck where passengers can record their progress and receive shirts and certificates at the end of their cruise celebrating their progress. One slight disadvantage of the ship's design is that the Promenade doors are frequently subject to wind turbulence and often closed, but the aft doors are almost always available.

 

Other regular enhancement activities include computer and other classes and excellent dance instructors.

 

There are daily activities including bingo, team trivia, concerts, and movies in the Hollywood Theater. There are 4 significant routine venues for activities, the Palm Court (Deck 11), and the Galaxy Lounge, Hollywood Theater, and Starlite Club on deck 6). It is routine to see simultaneous activities in 3 of these venues, and not unusual to have them in all 4.

 

In the evening there are several venues featuring several varieties of musical entertainment, and a daily presentation in the Galaxy Theater. The excellent Crystal Ensemble of Singers and Dancers presents about 5 or 6 shows per voyage, with other headline entertainers brought on board for the remaining nights of the cruise.

 

Children: There is a children's program with 2 facilities set aside for programs, one for younger children and another for teenagers, but most of the cruises I have been on do not attract a large number of children.

 

Disembarkation: Disembarkation was smooth and easy.

 

Summary: Crystal provides a stunningly superior product in every respect. While I can say it was my best Caribbean cruise ever, I didn't feel like the Crystal difference came through as much as it does on a typical itinerary. Just one example: On mass market cruises shore excursions typically join the mass exodus from the ship and line up to assemble at a dock. With Crystal we wait in a lounge and the tour goes out in a group with an escort and directly boards the bus. Here the process started in typical Crystal fashion, but once on the dock we still lined up and waited for the guides to come. Not quite mass market but not quite Crystal either."

As today's parting shot, welcome to Ft. Lauderdale to all my fellow cruisers preparing to board the Prinsendam, and a bon voyage to those who will be boarding the Crystal Serenity Wednesday for her first voyage after her recent drydock.

 

Roy

[kazu]

Thanks for the very interesting synopsis on your Crystal Cruise Roy.

 

Bon Voyage to you on the Elegant Explorer. We'll be watching you sail a way on your grand adventure :D

[innlady1]

Bon Voyage, Roy! Very much looking forward to your reports...have a grand time...and a lovely Thanksgiving wherever you are!

[dorisis]

It is one I would love to do - but it is hard to justify Celebrity's prices when one can book an Oceana Penthouse Suite for less! I am comparing to an S fare.

 

We did it a few years ago and will be going again on the same Oceania ship.The small ships are better for the Amazon and I like the Oceania Regatta itineary because it starts and ends in Miami. NO airtravel which is fine with me.

[Vict0riann]

Bon third voyage today, Roy! Hope you have a wonderful trip up the Amazon.

[Funsun60]

Hope you have a great cruise. If you happen to run into a couple, Frank and Evelyn (from Alberta, Canada) say hi to them from their sister. This is a cruise my brother has waited for..he has always had the Amazon on his bucket list.

[Vict0riann]

This is what we hoped it would look like when Prinsendam left Fort Lauderdale this evening:

 

 

This is what we got:

 

Edited November 27, 2013 by Vict0riann

[Vict0riann]

Are you there, Roy?

 

[aliaschief]

Roy, Enjoy your cruise; we are getting pretty envious or very jealous on your recent cruising marathon.:cool:

 

Sorry tonight's Sail Away was over schedule.

 

If I was on-board I would be the one with the Cheshire Cat grin.:D

 

Happy Holidays, my friend, and wonderful memories for your next great adventure .o

Edited November 27, 2013 by aliaschief

[Scrapnana]

We waved when you eventually sailed out. Hope everything got onboard that needed to! Looking forward to hearing all about the Amazon.

[kazu]

We waved when you eventually sailed out. Hope everything got onboard that needed to! Looking forward to hearing all about the Amazon.

 

yes, indeed. There were some diehards that hung on to watch her sail away :D

[rafinmd]

The Crystal Symphony is on her way to Bridgetown, Barbados(I'll be there December 15).

 

After rising at 5 it was about 6:45 before I started my walk in a nearby park. It is still windy, cloudy, and we had a bit of drizzle near the end of the walk that quickly passed. I left the hotel about 8:45 for a 9AM breakfast with Cruise Critic members IRL_Joanie and Crew News (leaving Friday on the Zuiderdam) and SophiePrincess (on my cruise). I left with about a 20-pound carryon, and my backpack and wheeled bag were about 50-pounds each. Hardly light but I'll live with it for a 2-month trip.

 

A waitress took a picture for us, but somehow only Joanie's shoulder made it into the view. I left the diner about 10 and dropped off the rental car just a half mile away. Their shuttle van had me in terminal 21 (which appears to have no wifi) about 11. At that time check-in was reasonably quick (8 minutes) and I was assigned boarding group 13.

 

HAL typically starts boarding at 11:30 but a sign in the terminal said 12, and a staff member announced that it would be further delayed until 12:30 due to the length of coast guard inspections. The joys of sailing on the first cruise after a long European season.

 

I was waiting in a lounge on the upper level of the terminal and could see crew members on deck in a muster drill. I'm not sure if it's required for every cruise, for the first cruise after reaching US waters, or just for crew joining the ship here. Boarding began as stated at 12:30, first with suites. Groups were called quickly (about 30 seconds apart) and I was on board about 12:40.

 

When I went to the dining room they were not serving the Mariners lunch (perhaps due to preoccupation with the Coast Guard visit). With the delayed boarding I think nearly everybody on the cruise descended on the Lido at once and it was quite chaotic. When I returned from lunch one of my checked bags was sitting at my door. The other arrived about 2:10. I was mostly unpacked by the 4:15 muster.

 

Somewhere around 4:45 Captain Gunderson came on the PA to say our departure would be delayed to wait for some late arriving stores and the departure was pushed back from 5PM to 6PM. I wanted to be on deck for sailaway making my 5:30 early dinner seating problematic. I went to the dining room at 5:30 (I'm at table 151 in the big dining room, an 8-top) and told my waiter and tablemates I would get my entree in the lido and join them for coffee and desert. I got a nice plate of freshly made pasta when the Lido opened at 6. Sometime after 6that the Captain came on again and advised the supply truck was stuck in traffic and our departure would be 7PM or later. I went back to the dining room about 6:45 and desert was finished around 7:30. We were still docked but at least the weather cover had been removed from the control panel on the bridge wing.

 

A number of on the Holland America forum at Cruise Critic love to watch Ft. Lauderdale sailaways on a web cam there. A “white truck” is a common term there as the line handlers who remove the mooring lines use a white pickup truck to move around the port and the white truck's arrival signifies an imminent departure. This time we were waiting on a different “white truck” a large box truck which finally arrived about 8:30. Supplies were quickly moved to the ship and the expected white truck came at 8:50. I watched the sailaway from deck 13, immediately above the bridge wing. The Captain worked from there until we were almost at open water and then went inside.

 

When we cleared the port inlet and entered open water around 9:10 I went down to the showroom at sea for the welcome aboard show. The Cruise Director Christina (Pulham I think) introduced the heads of the various departments and violinist David Levesque performed. Billed as a comedy violinist I did not find him particularly funny but he was different and quite amusing. Among other weird things he did one number standing on his head. I basically did nothing after the show as we moved our clocks forward an hour and it was 11:30 by the revised clock when the show ended and midnight when I got to bed.

 

Today's parting shot may also be a bit of a fact checking trial as other people are likely more familiar with the story. I had boarded the ship expecting Andre von Schoonhoven to be Captain. I think Captain Halle Thon Gunderson is something of a legend. As I understand it he has been with this ship virtually all of her time. He was the Captain when the ship was released from the shipbuilding yard as the Royal Viking Sun, and has been with her throughout her career as the Seabourn Sun and finally as the Prinsendam. Captain Gunderson retired this January. After the muster drill a 3rd officer was nearby and I asked about the change. Captain Andre has had some medical issues but is recovering and is due to rejoin the ship December 15, beginning the last week of my cruise. Captain Gunderson came out of retirement to fill the gap. I had assumed that when Captain Gunderson retired I would never get the opportunity to sail with hem and feel very fortunate to get the chance. I have sailed with Captain Andre (on the Zaandam), and it sounds like his situation is under control. While I will be sorry to see Captain Gunderson leave, I look forward to Captain Andre's return.

 

Roy

[hypercafe]

Roy, I really enjoyed the first half of your trip as I will be on the Symphony in June, NY to Iceland, this will be my first Crystal trip. I think I was with your new CD on the Ziderdam, if it her she is quite a singer. I must say you are more of a traveler than I would be by myself. I am looking forward to this half as I was looking at a trip like it on one of the Oceania small ships.while you are gone we will be on the new NCL ship from NY, I will catch up when I return as it is just a quick week trip. Have a safe and wonderful time!! A question, did you have to get shots to go down there??

 

Tom

[rafinmd]

ThaThe Crystal Symphony is in Bridgetown, Barbados(I'll be there December 15).

 

I rose at 5 but with the wind howling at over 40kt, I delayed the start of my reduced walk until about 7, walking 7 laps in the morning and another 7 in the afternoon.

 

I have said several times that Crystal is my favorite cruise line and that the Prinsendam is hands down my favorite non-Crystal ship. That is still true, but as much as I loved my first time on the Elegant Explorer this cruise is looking significantly better. I will save the physical changes for later, but in the past I have found Holland America's enrichment programs (or lack of them) a very weak point. My anniversary transatlantic on the Rotterdam was an exception with good programs by Bill Miller and Stephen Card, even my Arctic Prinsendam cruise had little to offer on that front. With the hectic morning schedule I almost completely forgot about the Cruise Critic meet and greet in the Crows Nest. I got up just as it was winding down but did meet a few of the other Cruise Critic members on this cruise.

 

I believe we also have 3 chaplains on this cruise. I know there is a Rabbi present for a Hanukah candle lighting, I think but am not sure he is a HAL chaplain. In addition to the Priest, we have a protestant chaplain on board. Bob Paulen is a retired Methodist minister actually from my Baltimore Washington conference. Interestingly, his wife Sandy is a Catholic employed by the Washington Diocese. Quite a combination. We will have short meetings on all sea days as well as Sunday services.

 

Captain Gunderson gave his update at 1PM. It is still quite windy and we are taking the shelter of the Bahamas and Caribbean islands where possibility, but will have some motion at times. We had team trivia at 1:30, my team scored 13 of 18, while the winners had an amazing 17. That was followed quickly by a talk on our first 3 ports by out tour guide Lisa, and then “Globalization One” by Werner Salinger. I had intended to go to afternoon tea but there was just no time. I did squeeze in 7 more laps on the promenade deck between 4PM and dinner for a total of 3 1/2 miles between the 2 sessions.

 

I do want to try the Prinsendam's new Canaletto Italian restaurant but table 151 has been quite cohesive and I'm having trouble deciding on a night where I'm willing to be absent. Our waiter Payzil has been giving me copies of the menus which I have scanned and will post when internet performance permits.

 

The evening entertainment was a dance show by Katia and Ilia. Their show included a number where they dressed in suits with LED lights reminiscent of Crystal's show Imagine, but on a much smaller scale. After the show I spent some time in the Crow's Nest with Derek at the piano.

 

As today's parting shot, by the time I post this it will be Thanksgiving in the US, and Hanukah will have celebrated. May the holidays you observe be filled with joy and thanksgiving.

 

Roy nk you Tom. Have a wonderful cruise.

[kazu]

Great posts Roy. :D I think it will be nice that you will be able to sail with both Captain Gundersen and Captain Andre.

 

You deserve an excellent voyage after the delays and seas you've encountered.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Love your doing a "Live" review.

[cruz chic]

I'm anxious to get your take on the new menu in Canaletto if you go. I'm thinking it would be the same one that they had on the Oosterdam in the summer. The appies were good but the entrée was mediocre at best.

[rafinmd]

Great posts Roy. :D I think it will be nice that you will be able to sail with both Captain Gundersen and Captain Andre.

 

You deserve an excellent voyage after the delays and seas you've encountered.

Sorry about the misinformation I posted on the Captain. The seas haven't been bad, just a bit much wind. Lorikauf, I don't know if the new Canaletto menu is being used on the Prinsendam yet.

 

The Crystal Symphony is at sea in route to Devils Island, French Guyana. (I'll be there December 3.)

 

Let me start by clearing up a bit of misinformation I posted. On embarkation day I had said that Captain Gunderson was replacing Captain Andre von Schoonhoven due to some medical issues and that there would be a transfer of command December 15 in Barbados. At the toast tonight Captain Gunderson confirmed everything the Third Officer had told me but I had made one incorrect assumption based on preliminary information. On December 15 number 2 on my list of favorite captains (after Crystal's Ralf Zaander), Captain Tim Roberts will rejoin the ship. I am delighted to have the opportunity to sail with Captain Gunderson and looking forward to Captain Roberts return, but saddened to hear that he has had some issues.

 

When I went out on deck a little after 5 it was windy but not quite as rough as Tuesday. Pausing for coffee and some internet work, I completed my 5 miles (20 laps) about 7:30. It was a hectic day but a bit more relaxed than Wednesday. There was only 1 lecture today, Steven Sloan on "The Fundamental Aspects of National Security", leaving me some time to catch up on my own activities.

 

We have recieved letters about the situation in the Philippines. HAL is funneling donations recieved through their foundation and the Philippines Red Cross.

 

http://amazonextended.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/haiyan.pdf

 

Late this morning I enjoyed the luxury of pouring my own cup of coffee, as the 48-hour ban on Lido self service had ended, and enjoyed it in the new extension of the restaurant.

 

Holland America has a history of taking ships into drydock and making changes that make them less attractive. The Prinsendam was in drydock about a year ago. The changes were not extensive, but I believe they were quite positive.

 

On deck 12 aft there had been sort of a golf putting course that apparently was never used and made walking in the area very difficult. That course was removed and replaced with a grass mat that looks like some holes may support temporary golf tees on one side, and a shuffleboard court on the other.

On deck 11 aft there had been a seating area behind the Lido that was pleasant in nice weather but had a canvas cover that leaked badly and was only useable in good weather. That section has been enclosed with windows and a roof and no provides additional reliable seating for the Lido restaurant and I believe the best located Canaletto restaurant in the fleet.

 

At his daily update Captain Gunderson reported we would be arriving early in Road Town and would share the port with 2 other ships. We will have some motion overnight but expect good weather in port.

 

My trivia team answered 15 out of 17, but there was a tie between 2 teams with perfect scores. The ship was riding smoothly, but somehow the motion stirred the aft pool which developed rouge waves breaching the ends and eventually needing the pool to be drained. I did enjoy some time in the hot tub there along with some great scones at afternoon tea in the Dining Room.

 

The Jewish contingent seems very welcoming and greeted me warmly when I stopped by the Candle Lighting Service in the Stuyvestant Room. They were even gracious when I left a bit early to meet with my private tour group for Manaus. I was lost with the Hebrew prayers but was surprised to see that we shared the music for what I consider a Christian Hymn, "We Gather Together".

 

http://amazonextended.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/chanukah.pdf

 

This was the first of 7 formal nights on the cruise. Holland America's minimum requirements for formal nights are probably somewhat similar to Crystal's Elegant Casual requirements, so the 7 formal nights in 26 days are pretty comparable to the 3 each elegant casual and black tie optional nights I had in 21 days on the Symphony. Most people appeared to have exceeded those minimum requirements, although one man did appear to be donning a jacket furnished by the staff. Everyone at table 151 (including the 2 Canadians) went for the traditional turkey dinner.

 

The Welcome Toast followed dinner at 7:45. HAL does not really do cocktail parties, but near the start of each cruise all guests are given champaign before the evening show and the Captain introduces the senior staff. He also reported we have passengers from about 16 countries.

 

This evening's entertainment was flautist Clare Langen. She played a variety of music ranging from Bach to Beatles and Big Band, did one duet with the orchestra head, and closed with "Time to Say Goodbye".

 

Today's parting shot is a pair of Clare Langen's little quips. "If you're not living on the edge, than you're taking up space", and "If you find a job you love, you'll never work a day in your life".

 

Roy

Edited November 29, 2013 by rafinmd

[rafinmd]

This is what we hoped it would look like when Prinsendam left Fort Lauderdale this evening:

 

 

This is what we got:

 

 

Wow. Trust me, I am there somewhere, but it's sure hard to tell.

 

Roy

[mamaofami]

Roy, thank you for taking us along with you. Sorry I didn't hold on till your ship left, but it got really late. Keep enjoying.

[Barrheadlass]

I very sadly left the Prinsendam the day you got on. I'm surprised to hear that Dave Levesque and Clare Langan are still on, but enjoyed them both...the last night of the cruise they did a combination show. Christina Purcell is your CD. As for the captain...we loved Captain Gundersen! What a charming man. Every day during lunch he'd come on for his daily report, starting with "It's me again." It always made us laugh.

I hope there aren't any toilet issues on your cruise, it was the only sore spot on mine. I'm looking forward to your reports...enjoy yourself!

 

Edited to add that Dave Levesque also lectures, and although I didn't attend any of his talks, I heard he was very good.

Edited November 30, 2013 by Barrheadlass

[cruz chic]

Thx for the info on Canaletto. I'm enjoying your thread.

[Loreto]

Thank you for your posts, Roy! The Amazon Explorer was a great adventure with Capt. Gundersen last year after dry dock with many problems. I wish him smooth sailing this time! I hope you have a fantastic cruise!

 

Karen

[holomuku]

So- if in your trivia games you see a 60ish (pushing 70ish....) lady, very tiny maybe 5'2" and thin- with very short hair- it could be my very dear friend Germaine Brown. She and her husband are on board, they live in Princeville, Kauai, however they also have a home in Lake Tahoe, CA.

 

We'll be meeting them in Fort Lauderdale on the 22nd as you folks get off the Prisendam and we get on the Nieuw Amsterdam for a short 7 day pre-Christmas cruise. Now- how strange is this- they live in Hawaii, we live in Washington state and we meet up in Florida? Hey, whatever works.

 

We have cruised with them a couple of times, once on the Statendam for our 25 year wedding anniversary which was a few years ago. Since they were at our wedding, it did seem appropriate! I hope you have a great cruise and thanks for letting so many of us have a "virtual cruise" with you!

 

Sally