John and Diane's LAST Round the World Adventure

[sallycruiser06]

Thoroughly enjoying your posts which remind me of visiting many of the same places. Thankyou. Looking forward to following you on the WC.

S

[dave_k58]

Wednesday, December 24 - At Sea between The Bahamas and St. Thomas

Day 2 (Too tired and jet-lagged yesterday to write)

 

Well, we’ve done it again! I’m sure this has been the most bizarre way to get to a world cruise that there ever was. We wanted to see Burma (Myanmar) because it’s just opening to tourism, so we thought, what the heck, we’ll do two of the four segments of the world cruise, sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to Dubai. Then, since we’d never been to Dubai, we’d stay three nights and then fly home. Sounds like a plan - right?

 

Didn’t work that way. First, we watched the prices on the Caribbean 14-day “pre-cruise” go down and down and finally decided we’d do that, staying on for the passage to Dubai. Then John, in his wisdom, decided that, since we’re not (REALLY!) doing any more full world cruises, we really ought to do the whole thing this time. There was a fly in the ointment, however. We had promised our daughter and our only granddaughter that we’d be at her 9th birthday party on April 11, so the discussion between John and Courtney did not go well. Two days later, however, John had a “jacuzzi moment.” Those occur when he’s sitting in the spa and I go out to chat and he says, “I have an idea.” I should have turned around and run, but I stayed and listened.

 

Here’s his brilliant idea: we stay on for the whole cruise but fly home from Alexandria (Cairo) on April 7, spend time with Jessica and go to the party, and then fly back to rejoin the ship in Rome. I swear, it makes me tired and jet-lagged just writing it. But . . . that’s what we’re going to do. I don’t know if we’re fools or good grandparents, but everything is now booked and we have air transportation (mostly on miles), a rental car, and a hotel. Now all we need is a birthday present.

 

One of the best parts of being on this cruise was the arrival. We had not told our friends Jeff, Ann and Cathy we were going to be here, so it was great to surprise them, Jeff at the pool and the sisters in the Crow’s Nest before dinner. They are our “besties” on the ship, and although we have a four-top table for the two of us (all the easier to invite guests), we share their table for formal nights - like tonight. The other wonderful thing about arriving is being greeted like family by officers and crew that we’ve known in the past. Willie, the Bar Supervisor saw us and said, “Welcome Home,” and that’s the way it feels. When I changed my mind about where I was going and turned around on the stairs, a man laughed at me and said, “I got lost a lot on my first cruise too.” I just laughed with him.

 

So . . . here we are on the Amsterdam yet again. It’s our 5th full world cruise, but the Caribbean portion is very different from the WC. First of all, it’s a LOT more crowded.

There is truly “no room at the inn,” with every cabin booked. Even though the ship is supposed to hold about 1300 people, it’s closer to 1400 during holidays when families occupy a stateroom. The WC, however, usually has closer to 1000 passengers, and it just feels so much emptier. There are some other differences that are pretty obvious: the casino and the bars are a lot busier on shorter cruises.

 

One big difference we’ve noticed is in the decorations. Last year, we took the trans-canal cruise from San Francisco before the WC, and the ship just sparkled with Christmas trees. I asked Eddy and Calista, the ship’s florists, how many trees there were and they said there were more than 50. This year I think there’s a maximum of 10. When I asked Eddy about the difference, he said that HAL had changed floral supply companies and they provided less decorative material for this cruise. Eddy and Calista do such a lovely job with the floral decorations, however, that they cannot be faulted. I guess it’s just another cutback from HAL, probably finding a floral supply company that gives them a better deal.

 

Yesterday was our first “port,” HAL’s private island called Half Moon Cay. If you ever wanted to run away to the perfect island, this would be a good choice. It was about 85 degrees, the water was perfectly clear and turquoise, and the sand was more like baby powder than sand. There are horses to ride (for a price), trails to walk, and one of the most creative bars I’ve seen. It’s called Captain Morgan’s, and it’s built in the shape of a huge pirate ship, complete with make-believe cannon-ball holes in the sides. We stuck to Diet Coke, but it was a great place to find a lounge chair and just relax between trips into the water to cool off. Lunch was a barbecue, with hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecued fish, chicken and ribs. We loved everything about the day and came home only a little sunburned.

 

We’ve begun a wonderful adventure and hope you’ll share it with us. Stay tuned for 126 days of “John and Diane’s Last Round the World Adventure.”

 

Love the beginning of this review. Sounds great so far!

[Johnny B]

January 3, 2015 - At Sea

 

Ahhhhhhhhhh. That’s the sound I’m making at the joy of a sea day after eight straight port days. While I do like ports and find them interesting, I’m really used to a sea day or two after every port. This cruise just had too many ports in a row, but I guess that’s the way it is on Caribbean cruises, since all those cute little islands are just so darned close to one another.

 

Although it’s a more leisurely day, our morning routine doesn’t change much, but the rest of the day does. Today began with our usual trip to the gym, followed by a light breakfast on the open-air midships Lido deck. From that point, there was business to be done: I had to talk to Made (mah dee), the head housekeeper, about the location of four pieces of laundry which seemed to have become lost on their way back to our cabin. Since 2008, our first world cruise, I’ve never had to do any laundry on these cruises. On the first two, we paid a lump sum for unlimited laundry, but then when we got to 4-star status, the laundry was free. The service has, for the most part, been great. We send laundry out one morning and it comes back clean, pressed and folded the next. In fact, on this cruise, since most people have to pay for their laundry, there is so little that it has come back the same day! I figure that if I’m on vacation, I’m really on vacation, and that should include laundry. I’m looking forward to seeing if Made can find our three tee-shirts and a tank top. Stay tuned.

 

Now I’ve retreated to the large, beautiful marble table at the end of the library, where I find the best chance of quiet in order to write. I’m surrounded by books and people who are reading, and that’s the best company I can imagine.

 

Today will be an extremely relaxing day, complete with reading on the verandah or in the library - both overlooking a beautiful blue sea, but tomorrow will be another story. For this 14-day cruise, we’re in one cabin, but for the WC, we’ll be moving across the ship and down a bit, so it’s packing all over again. I’ve asked for a clothes rack so that everything that’s hanging in our closets can just keep hanging and be placed in our new closets, but the things in the drawers will have to go back into suitcases. Since everyone has to be off the ship by 9:30, and because our new cabin will have to be cleaned before any of our things move in, we’ll have to have everything organized for our room stewards to move it while we’re off the ship. Once we reboard at about 10:00 or 10:30, we get to do limited unpacking, since all we have to do is hang things up and put folded things in the same drawers. We should be well done with that before meeting our Ft. Lauderdale friends, Gene and Shirley, for lunch.

 

Now that I’m exhausted just writing all of that, I think it’s time for a little reading.

 

P. S. By the time I had returned to the room, Made had found our missing laundry and sent it to our room, and then showed up personally to apologize. I just love HAL crew members; they make the whole cruise experience wonderful.

[johnlcruise]

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[Huskerchick]

I wondered if you were keeping the same cabin for the WC thanks for adding that info. Sounds like you've had a great time and are off to a good start. Can't wait to follow along as the WC starts on Monday. Safe travels

 

 

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[cruz chic]

I'd heard that they would just take the drawers out of one room and switch them with the new room. Is that something that's can't be done?

[Infi]

I always love reading your world cruise reports, but am especially enjoying this report as our friends are on the Amsterdam for their first Christmas cruise. We did the Amsterdam last year and raved about it so much that they booked it for this year, so I am eager to hear their thoughts when they return. On that note, I'm sorry to hear the holiday decorations are more limited this year. We so loved and appreciated all of the gorgeous trees and sparkle on the Amsterdam last year. Seems to be the trend, though - we just got back from the Prinsendam's holiday cruise yesterday and were also surprised by the limited decorations onboard.

 

Thank you for taking us along on your cruises - your writing style is a pleasure to read and makes it feel like we're right there with you both.

[Johnny B]

Sunday, January 4 - At Sea

 

Well, the two week cruise is coming to an end and it looks like almost all the folks on board are trying to make the most of their last day. The aft Lido deck is packed (except when a bit of rain comes), the Lido buffet has people queueing out to somewhere, and the lines of people with bills in hand at the front desk are way too long to even consider. We, however, are just doing what we usually do: hanging out, reading, napping, trying to find a place to sit for lunch, and listening to kids play “Marco Polo” in the midships pool. In addition, we attended a meeting this morning for the 60 of us who are going to be “in transit” tomorrow, getting off the ship just to get back on as soon as it’s cleared.

We learned that we should be out of our cabins by 9:30 so that the crew can clean them, and that any transit passengers who are still on the ship at 10:15 will meet in the Wajang Theatre to be escorted off the ship and through customs. In transit passengers will be able to re-board at about 11:00, and since we’re changing staterooms, that will allow us time to put our things away before meeting our friends Gene and Shirley at 12:30.

 

Even though the experience is very different, we have enjoyed these two weeks a great deal. There are about 65 children on board, almost all of whom are well-behaved, and who were just too cute sitting on Santa’s lap Christmas morning. There are a lot more people in almost every nook and cranny of the ship for shorter cruises, and it will be nice to have a bit more space for ourselves, but we believe that any time one spends at sea is good time.

 

Speaking of that, thank you for the comments about a positive outlook. We do realize how lucky we are and have been, and we always look for new adventures, new places, new people and new foods (I mean, I can have a hamburger at home). These world cruises that we’ve been fortunate enough to take have introduced us to some wonderful places and people, and we strongly believe that if someone on a world cruise complains about it, he or she should think about where they are and how lucky they are. So . . . while there are always going to be a few negatives, they are not what we see; it’s the amazing world out there that we’re looking for and that’s what we see.

 

P. S. Art and Vicki, we send your good wishes to Bill and Joan and they said to tell you hi.

Regarding the delectable fries at the Dive In, I think they dip them in flour before deep frying, but I'll double check and let you know.

[windsor26]

Regarding the delectable fries at the Dive In, I think they dip them in flour before deep frying, but I'll double check and let you know.

 

Thank you Yvonne

[Johnny B]

Monday, January 5, 2015 - Day 1

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

 

It’s Here! Today’s the day! In 2008, when we took our first world cruise, I thought I’d never be so excited about sailing, but it’s just as exciting every time. In addition, it’s like “Old Home Week,” with friends from past cruises waving, hugging, and talking about what’s been going on for the past year. It really is a wonderful experience to begin a 114-day Round the World Cruise.

 

We set the clock for 7:00 this morning, but were awake at 5:00 and, after trying unsuccessfully to go back to sleep, got up at 6:00. After quick showers, we had some breakfast and then had to figure out how to entertain ourselves until the “in transit” passengers were to meet in the Wajang (Wah Yang) Theatre at 10:15 to go through a very quick customs interview. We spent the time putting away everything in our new cabin, wandering the ship, reading, finally getting some free internet (hooray!), and when it was time, the 60 of us were assembled, taken into the terminal where we had a cursory check by a customs agent, and, 10 minutes later, allowed to reboard the ship.

 

One upsetting bit of information came to us by way of a staff member who has become a good friend. Apparently in the last 24 hours of the Caribbean cruise, enough passengers cancelled their $11.50 per day per person service charge to total $30,000 taken out of the crew’s tips for that cruise. There are lots of excuses people give for doing that. Some say, “I’d like to tip directly to my room stewards and dining room waiters,” but they usually never do. Others say that they had a bad experience (usually one bad experience in 14 days) and use that as an excuse. Because we were on Deck 6 (also true on 7), we were assessed $12 per day per person, but we’re happy to pay it. There are very few people we’ve seen who work as hard and as long as the crew members on this ship. They have 8-month contracts, during which they work 12-hour days 7 days a week - doncha think they deserve those tips? We certainly do!

 

A highlight of the day was being collected by our 2008 WC friends Gene and Shirley Pontrelli for lunch and a bit of shopping. If you were on that cruise, or a Prinsendam cruise around South America, you may remember Gene - otherwise known as “Trumpet Man.” Gene loves to travel with his trumpet and plays it as much as possible. They took us to a wonderful German restaurant and then to a supermarket where all our shopping needs were met.

 

Afterwards, they dropped us off at the ship and we proceeded to the back deck and found Jeff with Alan and Sandra Benson, cruise friends whom we just love. We sat and chatted, met a new friend (and fellow Oregon fan) named Jeri, and then headed down to Deck 3 for the mandatory boat drill. In a new twist, this will be the ONLY boat drill that we will have to attend for the cruise, unlike the once per segment in the past. Only new passengers at the beginning of each segment will have to attend.

 

This evening’s entertainment is a new one. Since we’re not sailing until 10:00, the ship is hosting a Bon Voyage Sailaway Fest around the midships Lido pool, including “festive complimentary drinks, market style snacks, and music played by the Neptunes.” Sounds like fun, although why I’d want snacks right after dinner is really beyond me! It is a good excuse to get together with old friends, and that’s always worth it.

 

We are so glad to be beginning the world cruise, and I hope that you’ll follow along for all 114 days.

[thetexasaggiecruiser]

That's really a shame that such a significant number of passengers cancelled their service charges. These folks work SO hard.

 

Sounds like you had a great day reconnecting with friends. Off you go - have a great cruise. Thanks again for taking us along!

[cruz chic]

That's really a shame that such a significant number of passengers cancelled their service charges. These folks work SO hard.

 

Sounds like you had a great day reconnecting with friends. Off you go - have a great cruise. Thanks again for taking us along!

 

It really is terrible about the hsc. I don't know how people sleep at night.

[shrimp56]

It really is terrible about the hsc. I don't know how people sleep at night.

That's why we leave the service charge on and tip stewards, waters and bartenders nicely in addition. We're not rich folk, but I know how hard they work and that they deserve more than they get.

[whogo]

"Apparently in the last 24 hours of the Caribbean cruise, enough passengers cancelled their $11.50 per day per person service charge to total $30,000 taken out of the crew’s tips for that cruise." Sorry to hear this. If my figures are correct, that is about 186 passengers on a 14 day cruise or 13.3% of your estimated head count of 1400 for the cruise. I wonder if this is higher than usual? BruceMuzz reported that 10% of passengers on his cruise line can't cover their onboard expenses. My best guesstimate would be that more than 10% do not tip on an average cruise. I would also guess that many cruisers feel that tipping for a child is unnecessary. I have overheard enough people remove gratuities that I know it happens too darn much.

 

Thanks for taking us along on your world cruise. I hope we fume in silence about the cruisers who stiff the staff and do not turn your thread into a tipping thread.

[cruz chic]

That's why we leave the service charge on and tip stewards, waters and bartenders nicely in addition. We're not rich folk, but I know how hard they work and that they deserve more than they get.

 

Likewise. On my last cruise I left more in extra tips then was charged to my account. Just to clarify I left the hsc in place. I'm not rich either but I do ok ( while I'm still employed) but it makes me feel good to leave extra for those that work so hard.

Edited January 6, 2015 by cruz chic

[sppunk]

If it continues to happen HAL will smartly roll it into the fare and advertise "free gratuities" to everyone.

 

Do it, Seattle. Your employees deserve it.

[cruz chic]

If it continues to happen HAL will smartly roll it into the fare and advertise "free gratuities" to everyone.

 

Do it, Seattle. Your employees deserve it.

 

Too funny but I agree. I'd be all for it.

[BellBoys]

That is really a shame, these are the same people who should have their Mariner numbers tagged as do not upgrade or upsell. Let them get what they paid for and nothing more.

 

We always tip above and beyond, in fact we started bringing our own envelopes as we run out to tip all the staff that have done a great job in making us feel spoiled for the entire cruise.

[Huskerchick]

Just watched the Amsterdam sail by. Have a wonderful cruise! Look forward to following along.

 

 

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[erewhon]

Thanks for taking us along on your world cruise. Always enjoy reading your interesting reports.

 

Watched the Amsterdam departing from Port Everglades on the webcam.

 

It's very disappointing that passengers cancel the Hotel Service Charge, they should be increasing the daily fee, rather than cancelling.

 

Wishing you a truly wonderful world cruise.

[Johnny B]

Tuesday, January 6 - Day 2

At Sea en route to Colombia

 

What a wonderful sailaway we had yesterday! As I said, the best part was greeting old friends and catching up, but last evening’s unique sailaway celebration was just the best. It was called a “Sailaway Fest,” and boy was it ever a festival. It ran from 9:00 until 11:00, and then moved upstairs to the Crow’s Nest. There were tables set up all around the midships Lido pool holding, alternately, drinks and snacks. Even though we had just finished dinner, those snacks looked darned good, but I was too full to enjoy them. The beverages, however, were another story. It was open bar - full speed ahead! Many people took a little too much advantage, and the noise level increased as the evening wore on.

 

John and I took a couple of slow laps walking around the pool area, greeting old friends and making a few new ones. We spent some time with Gene Young, our cruise director, wishing him well on his new marriage (last August) and apologizing for not being able to attend. Then we chatted with Jodie, his absolutely beautiful new wife, getting to know her a bit better than we did last cruise. She teaches aqua aerobics, meditation, and a few other classes - very well, I must say.

 

The officers and crew couldn’t do enough for the passengers last evening, and when we finally settled at a table (near the bar - accidentally, of course), they kept coming by and trying to bring new drinks or refill old ones. I stuck to Diet Coke since I’d already had wine at dinner, and my tolerance level is pretty low.

 

At 11:00, when the festivities were to end, about half dozen of us brave souls headed upstairs to the Crow’s Nest, where we “bellied up to the bar” and enjoyed a bit more of our beverages of choice while taking breaks to dance to “Darcy and the HAL-Cats,” a great dance band. I decided to live dangerously, so I ordered a Diet Sprite (oh, the adventure!). When it came, I asked the bartender why the ice was pink and he said it was because I had ordered it with bitters. Did I mention that it was a bit noisy up there? Anyway, I tried it and have discovered a new favorite!

 

Finally, at about 12:15, we decided that these old folks had had enough and we headed off to bed, ending one of the best cruising days we’d ever had. Anyone who missed that party really missed a great deal of fun - even while drinking Diet Coke! We are just loving our cruise so far.

 

P. S. Thanks for your supportive comments about the hsc. I'm all for HAL rolling it into the fares.

Edited January 6, 2015 by Johnny B
left out words

[cccole]

"Our" 2015 adventure has begun and it sounds like a fabulous sail away party. Jeff's pictures show big smiles!!!!!!

 

If you get a chance, can you give us an idea of the makeup of the cruise. If most have been on a WC cruise before or for most it is their first time? There seems to be so many friendships developed among those that do the WC often that I wonder if the "newbies" find it difficult to fit in. I would love to find out one day!!!!!!

 

Thanks for taking us along, Cherie

[harrodsfan]

If it continues to happen HAL will smartly roll it into the fare and advertise "free gratuities" to everyone.

 

Do it, Seattle. Your employees deserve it.

 

I think this is what all cruise lines should do..

[Lizzie68]

What really bothers me is - it's not the crew's fault when passenger have issues on the ship. It is usually due to poor maintenance, breakdowns, too many cutbacks etc etc. But now we know - it's the crew that pays for it when pax remove the HSC, and it doesn't touch HAL's bottom line at all. It makes me quite angry because many people are continuing to cruise on HAL only because of the fantastic crews. Without them, the so-called Signature of Excellence does not exist at all anymore.

[Johnny B]

Wednesday, January 7, 2015 - Day 3

At Sea en route to Santa Marta, Colombia

 

One of the great joys of cruising is having the chance, every single evening, of attending a live performance. It’s something that is so very uncommon that we really do have a great appreciation of that opportunity. Some performances we enjoy more than others, and I’d be prevaricating if I said that we attended every night. We really enjoy singers, comedians, classical performances and the Amsterdam Singers and Dancers (who are better than ever this year), but we’re not so fond of magicians and ventriloquists. If you love those two categories, I apologize for our lack of interest.

 

On the world cruise, the level of performances is much higher than on shorter cruises, and last night was an excellent example. The singer was Bobby Brooks Wilson, the son of Jackie Wilson, singer of “Lonely Teardrops” in the 1950’s. In a word, he was fantastic! His show was called “A Tribute to the Motown Years,” and his talent was amazing. He performed songs by such singers as Little Richard, Elvis (a good friend of his father), Stevie Wonder, and Johnny Mathis - and we would have sworn it was the original performer singing that song. He had the entire audience singing along, dancing, and clapping, and that doesn’t happen very often. At the end, he sang a couple of his own songs, and they were wonderful. We’re pretty sure he’ll perform again - and we can’t wait.

 

We’re in the middle of three blissful sea days, and at 11:45 on such days our Trivia team assembles. There are six of us: Barbie, Maureen (who used to teach Arts and Crafts), Cathy (one of our “sister” friends), Pamela, John and me. Yesterday was the trial day, and we did fairly well, coming in second. Gene, our cruise director, is in charge, and we do have a good time. Our goal, as always, is to come up with the correct answer. Failing that, however, the goal is to come up with the funniest answer possible, and we do that quite well. Some people take Trivia too seriously, but we do try to remember that this is a trivial undertaking and act accordingly.

 

While I come early to reserve “our” place, John has gone to a lecture on Santa Marta and the San Blas Islands, our first two ports of call. These lectures, which will continue throughout the cruise, are given by Barbara Haeni, whose title on this cruise is “Location Guide,” but has been “Port Lecturer” and other such things in the past. She is amazing; she knows more about more ports than anyone I’ve ever met. If you want to know where to find an Indian restaurant in Papeete, she’ll tell you. If you want to know the five “must see” things in Sri Lanka, she’s the go-to person. This cruise just wouldn’t be as good without her.

 

Tonight is the first formal night of the WC and, as usual, we will join Jeff’s table for the event. Sometimes it’s nice to have a large group at dinner, but usually we enjoy our little 4-top for the two of us, especially now that we are surrounded by friends. Behind us are Alan and Sandra (Alsas), in front of us are Ellen and Aart (she used to be the Cruise Specialist escort), and across from us are two of our favorite people, Barbara and Marty Schacter. If you’ve ever been on a WC for the talent show and seen Barbara, you’ll certainly remember her stand-up humor.

 

Prior to dinner is the Captain’s Cocktail Party, at which he introduces his officers and pours free drinks for the assembled multitudes. (There’s also a lot more of that on the WC). It’s another opportunity to catch up with old friends, both passengers and officers, so we’ll be there with bells on.