AlohaPride Posted June 9, 2014 #301 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Yay!! Pictures!! Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted June 9, 2014 Author #302 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Here is a picture of the Amsterdam arriving in Vancouver. She is turning around in the harbour. This was taken from our room at the Pan Pacific so it give you an idea of the view from there. The Zuiderdam is the ship in the front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted June 9, 2014 Author #303 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Yay!! Pictures!! Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk Yes, well better late than never, right! Hey, you'll be able to eat the crab at the PG!!!! It's all crab!! Not a speck of gluten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlohaPride Posted June 9, 2014 #304 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Yes, well better late than never, right! Hey, you'll be able to eat the crab at the PG!!!! It's all crab!! Not a speck of gluten. **sob** I developed a shellfish allergy wish my second pregnancy. Funny story, my first anaphylactic attack happened on a DAM ship. :( Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted June 9, 2014 Author #305 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Here is a picture of the pollen in Alaska. Yes, that is pollen that is dusting (coating) the green leaf! When I get my camera pictures downloaded, I'll attach pictures of the pollen slicks (think oil slicks but yellow) on the ocean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted June 9, 2014 Author #306 Share Posted June 9, 2014 **sob** I developed a shellfish allergy wish my second pregnancy. Funny story, my first anaphylactic attack happened on a DAM ship. :( Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that. Okay, well, the crab was just okay. Does that make you feel better? Oh, all right. I lied. It was really good. Much better than the crab in the MDR which I hear is what the Alaskan locals refer to as snow crab. And I don't think that's a very funny story... Happy that you obviously recovered from the anaphylactic attack, though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted June 9, 2014 Author #307 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Here are some pictures of Abkhazi Garden in Victoria. It is a very nice garden. Small, with a teahouse, and much closer to the port than Butchart Gardens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watson's aunt Posted June 9, 2014 #308 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Here is a picture of the Amsterdam arriving in Vancouver. She is turning around in the harbour. This was taken from our room at the Pan Pacific so it give you an idea of the view from there. The Zuiderdam is the ship in the front. Isn't she beautiful Mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watson's aunt Posted June 9, 2014 #309 Share Posted June 9, 2014 hi anyone have dinner menus from Amsterdam 14 day cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted June 10, 2014 #310 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Here are some pictures of Abkhazi Garden in Victoria. It is a very nice garden. Small, with a teahouse, and much closer to the port than Butchart Gardens. That garden is so very pretty. Seeing the pictures make me want to go even more now! Thank you so much for posting them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liketraveling Posted June 10, 2014 #311 Share Posted June 10, 2014 An update on the cruise win: I spoke with HAL yesterday and a very nice man gave me the details on the cruise win. Yes, it can be used for any itinerary, any length of cruise, not just a 7 day Caribbean or Mexico as stated on the certificate. No, it cannot be used for a Holiday cruise (Christmas & New Year's). That is stated right on the form but I had to ask anyway. Christmas is a good time for me to take vacation. The value of the certificate is $450/person or $900/stateroom. I assume that is in US$. I forgot to mention that I was Canadian. Taxes, port fees and non-commissionable fares are not included. These total approx. $600 on a 7 day cruise to the Caribbean/Mexico in a minimum category interior stateroom. There are other terms & conditions that may apply. That means that no other OBC/amenity offer, such as a free beverage card or Explore4 promo, will be allowed if using the cruise certificate. One cannot use an FCD to apply to the tax portion, either, because the FCD has an OBC component to it. One can, however, still get their shareholder benefit. One last thing is that if one was to book a certain category, the certificate would be applied only if the same promotion of the cabin was the same in all cabin levels within that category. One, for example, couldn't use it on a flash sale pricing because that is typically available to only one or two levels within a category. One could still get upgraded to another category. I did not specifically ask about upsells but I assume that those would still be options, if available. A TA would not get any commission on the certificate portion of the cruise fare. If one takes a longer cruise or a higher category, or both, then the TA receives a commission on the price differential. We have not yet decided where we will go. We couldn't really agree on a future cruise before the win, other than a European river cruise. Good thing there is no expiry date on this cruise certificate! Maybe we'll go back to Alaska in a couple of years since it's a nice easy flight to Vancouver for us. I won the cruise lottery and used it towards a credit on a Canada New England Cruise. They had a flash sale and balconies went down below what I had paid for an ocean view. Five days out I got an upsell offer. If I were do do it again I would stick to what the certificate is for. Since mine was for the lottery I got a 1099 form. The bingo cruise, I do not think you have to pay taxes on it. Congrats and enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcand1923 Posted June 10, 2014 #312 Share Posted June 10, 2014 Hi Alberta Quilter, I'm busy laying out my little schedule for the cruise leaving June 22. I've made notes about the Salmon Chowder and the Gold Rush Dinner, because I love salmon. Did they serve Escargot any night on the Amsterdam during your 14 day cruise? I've read so many good reports about it so want to make certain I don't eat a big lunch that day. Thank you again for your Live From thread. My little schedule has grown and grown because of your detailed reporting. I hope your Mother has recovered from her sinus difficulties. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LVSue Posted June 11, 2014 #313 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Congrats on your cruise win! And I'm sure your tips on the "free" trip, will help others. We saw you and DM leaving the ship, but you didn't hear our cries of goodbye! I'm delighted on all the advice about tea rooms. SIL and I fell in love with clotted cream in St Peter's Port and have been searching for it ever since. I think we'll try James Bay Tearoom next time we're in Victoria (because, yes, we have booked the Statendam next year for the same itinerary)! Can anyone suggest any places on the Canada/New England itinerary for clotted cream? Halifax, PEI? And we are still looking for fish and chips. Icand1923, there is an escargot night. I'm not sure which one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted June 11, 2014 Author #314 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Hi Alberta Quilter, I'm busy laying out my little schedule for the cruise leaving June 22. I've made notes about the Salmon Chowder and the Gold Rush Dinner, because I love salmon. Did they serve Escargot any night on the Amsterdam during your 14 day cruise? I've read so many good reports about it so want to make certain I don't eat a big lunch that day. Thank you again for your Live From thread. My little schedule has grown and grown because of your detailed reporting. I hope your Mother has recovered from her sinus difficulties. Thanks. Yes, there was definitely escargot on the menu for one formal dinner. I can't remember which formal night but but DM and I think it was the third. For sure, it wasn't the first or last. I wouldn't eat a big lunch on any formal day, if I were you. Speaking of food, I didn't speak much about the food other than to tell you what we ate at night, or talk about the Dive In. There were a couple of stand out meals that I mentioned too. One thing that I didn't mention was the temperature of the food. It was almost never hot. MDR, or lido. The only times I had hot food was when having an omelet in the lido. Don't get me wrong, the hot food wasn't cold, it was warm. Just not hot. There were a few complaints about it. I don't think it cooled off while sitting at the steward station, either. The food was served promptly upon arrival at the station. I think it came from the kitchen in a lukewarm state. Hopefully they get that worked out for the subsequent cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted June 11, 2014 Author #315 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Congrats on your cruise win! And I'm sure your tips on the "free" trip, will help others. We saw you and DM leaving the ship, but you didn't hear our cries of goodbye! I'm delighted on all the advice about tea rooms. SIL and I fell in love with clotted cream in St Peter's Port and have been searching for it ever since. I think we'll try James Bay Tearoom next time we're in Victoria (because, yes, we have booked the Statendam next year for the same itinerary)! Can anyone suggest any places on the Canada/New England itinerary for clotted cream? Halifax, PEI? And we are still looking for fish and chips. Icand1923, there is an escargot night. I'm not sure which one. Thanks, Sue. I'm sorry we didn't hear you calling out to us! I'm happy you're doing the same itinerary again. I think we,ll take a year or two off from Alaska. It's DM's turn to choose where we go next. After all, it's her bucket list... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted June 11, 2014 #316 Share Posted June 11, 2014 My first time uploading pictures from my phone... The first picture is the Alaska King Crab for an extra $20. It was very good, and yes, you need two gravy boats of melted butter. Yes, you do! The second picture is the after picture. I think it is self explanatory!:D They look wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted June 11, 2014 #317 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Here are some pictures of Abkhazi Garden in Victoria. It is a very nice garden. Small, with a teahouse, and much closer to the port than Butchart Gardens. The Abkhazi Gardens look lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seabreez Posted June 12, 2014 #318 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Hi Catherine It was a pleasure meeting you and your mom. Remember us watching the snow capped mountains and we started chatting near the enclosed pool area?? I have enjoyed reading your review and wish I would have known about the puzzle. I would have been there too at midnight trying to find pieces. Alaska is now in our blood and we want to return and do what we missed. Now that may take at least 4 more cruises - just too much beauty!!!!!!!! And I thought I was lucky - I won a nice bracelet (value $95) that last Friday morning and then $40 in the casino. But you - a cruise!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Again, it was a pleasure to meet you and your mom. Pat - Seabreez and hubby Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted June 12, 2014 Author #319 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Hi CatherineIt was a pleasure meeting you and your mom. Remember us watching the snow capped mountains and we started chatting near the enclosed pool area?? I have enjoyed reading your review and wish I would have known about the puzzle. I would have been there too at midnight trying to find pieces. Alaska is now in our blood and we want to return and do what we missed. Now that may take at least 4 more cruises - just too much beauty!!!!!!!! And I thought I was lucky - I won a nice bracelet (value $95) that last Friday morning and then $40 in the casino. But you - a cruise!!!!!!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Again, it was a pleasure to meet you and your mom. Pat - Seabreez and hubby Jim Thanks, Pat! And, congratulations to you on winning a bracelet! I'm so glad that you enjoyed your first cruise to Alaska. Do you have a favourite port from our cruise? Our afternoon in Tracy Arm was pretty spectacular! So, have you decided when you're going back? There's still time for this year! Try going from Vancouver next time. The scenery in the Canadian inside passage is amazing! Whatever you decide, I know you'll love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcand1923 Posted June 13, 2014 #320 Share Posted June 13, 2014 Alberta Quilter, This will be a final Thank You for all of your hard work. My "little schedule" has been updated with information from the On Locations that you provided to halfacts.com. I'm a planner to the nth degree, but have never been so well prepared for a cruise as I am for this one thanks to you. NOW, if I can just get that packing done! Thanks, again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverLining4Me Posted April 18, 2015 #321 Share Posted April 18, 2015 I just wanted to thank you for your review. I just discovered it today and read it page by page. We are thinking of taking the 14 day Alaska cruise roundtrip out of Seattle next year (2016) on the Maasdam, so your review was very helpful and gave us lots of ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted April 19, 2015 Author #322 Share Posted April 19, 2015 I just wanted to thank you for your review. I just discovered it today and read it page by page. We are thinking of taking the 14 day Alaska cruise roundtrip out of Seattle next year (2016) on the Maasdam, so your review was very helpful and gave us lots of ideas. Glad you found it helpful. There are other reviews, ones with pictures, from subsequent sailings. Just do a search for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverLining4Me Posted April 19, 2015 #323 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Here is a picture of the pollen in Alaska. Yes, that is pollen that is dusting (coating) the green leaf! When I get my camera pictures downloaded, I'll attach pictures of the pollen slicks (think oil slicks but yellow) on the ocean. WOW ... the pollen seems excessive. A bit concerned that it could trigger my asthma. We have gone to Alaska before but roundtrip out of Seattle and out of San Francisco. Never seen the pollen like this. Glad you found it helpful. There are other reviews, ones with pictures, from subsequent sailings. Just do a search for them. Just starting my research now. Yours was the first day by day review I found. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverLining4Me Posted April 19, 2015 #324 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Found an interesting article about the excessive pollen in Anchorage in May 2013 ... http://www.adn.com/article/20130531/alaskans-suffer-massive-pollen-flare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted April 19, 2015 Author #325 Share Posted April 19, 2015 (edited) WOW ... the pollen seems excessive. A bit concerned that it could trigger my asthma. We have gone to Alaska before but roundtrip out of Seattle and out of San Francisco. Never seen the pollen like this. Just starting my research now. Yours was the first day by day review I found. I understood that the pollen was quite unusual in 2014. At any rate, I didn't hear it to be an issue on subsequent cruises. It could be that I missed it or no one posted about it, though. Here's another review: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2069385&highlight=14+day+alaska And another: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2091549 Edited April 19, 2015 by Alberta Quilter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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