Join Pete and Judy on their FIRST World Cruise on the Amsterdam

[jig]

No I meant the survey for the cruise you are on now. You might feel differently 15 days latter.

 

 

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[The-Inside-Cabin]

I figure we will get the standard email survey after the cruise...

Edited April 25, 2016 by The-Inside-Cabin

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

I too want to add my thank you for all the time, diligence, and funds you spent taking us along with you on the World Cruise. Your posts have been fabulous and gave such an insight as to what it is like being on the Grand Voyage. I especially appreciate your telling us of the Book Club selections as I love to read and some of the books are ones I never would have found otherwise.

[StLouisCruisers]

I would just like to let you know that many of us have enjoyed your very detailed reporting of your fabulous world cruise. Extraordinary!

 

I am looking forward to the information you mentioned about reporting on applying for an Indian Visa, when you return home. I'm sure it will take a while to get to that, but I am interested since I plan on applying for one after my summer cruise to Norway. Immediately after! Second week of July so I will be watching for it!

 

Thanks!

[jig]

I figure we will get the standard email survey after the cruise...

 

 

Ok, I remember that from the Volendam last year. Will see what happens on the Veendam

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Day 111, Sailing toward Fort Lauderdale

 

We continued to pitch with the occasional roll all night and into the morning. It’s been a while since we have had a steady deck, but it’s not really affecting much that I can see, unless you wanted to get into a pool as they still have the net covers installed.

 

The wind across the deck is over 30 knots but the temperatures have warmed up, so it is fairly pleasant on deck as long as you stay out of the wind. I haven’t been down to the promenade deck but I suspect that they may be getting spray and one side or the other might be wet most of the time.

 

Comedian Buzz Sutherland was the guest on Good Morning Amsterdam. This was one of the longest shows of the cruise as we didn’t get out of the theatre until almost 10 am. Buzz likes to talk and if you ask him what time it is, he will likely tell you how to build a watch.

 

 

We didn’t do much in the morning and for lunch we grabbed some food from the Lido and took it back to the tables by the Seaview pool to eat. By now, the ship has settled down, and we no longer had any water sloshing around the deck. Captain Mercer said that more bad weather lay ahead but he would continue to deviate to the south as much as he could to avoid the worst of it while still making it to FLL on time.

 

I got another haircut today- $25 plus a 15% tip. My first two haircuts were with the male barber. Today I had the woman barber – or hairdresser as she referred to herself – as she washed my hair before she started cutting. This was a first for me, but Judy says that this is SOP for most salons.

 

The main event this afternoon was the Guest Talent Show. There were about 15 people participating. Show host Erin hosted the event. She stands for Gene on various occasions to get some experience as she will be filling in for Gene this summer for a few weeks when Gene takes some time off while the Amsterdam cruises Alaska.

 

Each guest was allocated 3 minutes, but some were less and a few ran as long as 6 minutes. No one got the hook and everyone was allowed to finish. The acts ran the gamut from standup comics, poetry readings, vocalists, pianists and ball room dancing demonstration. Everyone was pretty good and no once was wince worthy. The people who ran long were better than average so that was OK. The theater was about 95% full and every act received enthusiastic applause with the occasional standing ovation.

 

 

Judy Carmichael, the Jazz Pianist from a few nights ago, was our guest for dinner this evening. She was a lot of fun and we enjoyed hearing some of her adventures over the years as a guest entertainer. My Judy found out that they grew up about 10 miles from each other in Southern California. Small World. The main entrée this evening was the huge 24oz porterhouse steak that we had once before on this cruise. It was pretty good, but it is hard to cook a steak that big and have it end up with the same doneness everywhere, so some parts were medium rare as ordered while other parts were closer to medium well.

 

Island Magic, a steel drum band from Trinidad, were the guest entertainers this evening and they were fantastic. They played the William Tell Overture, Memories from Cats, Phantom of the Opera and more Broadway and classical hits. The crowd was expecting the typical steel drum calypso and island music instead of Broadway and classical but they hinted after the show that they may play some of those songs during their expected encore performance later this week.

 

Tomorrow is our final Gala Night and Masked Ball, the Grand Buffet and our final pillow gift. Looking forward to a great day.

 

More on the blog at http://www.theinsidecabin.com

[The-Inside-Cabin]

I too want to add my thank you for all the time, diligence, and funds you spent taking us along with you on the World Cruise. Your posts have been fabulous and gave such an insight as to what it is like being on the Grand Voyage. I especially appreciate your telling us of the Book Club selections as I love to read and some of the books are ones I never would have found otherwise.

 

 

 

You are welcome...glad you enjoyed it....I will be continuing the blog thru San Diego, May 16th. Will be reporting on the transition to a standard cruise from a Grand Voyage...

[The-Inside-Cabin]

I would just like to let you know that many of us have enjoyed your very detailed reporting of your fabulous world cruise. Extraordinary!

 

 

 

I am looking forward to the information you mentioned about reporting on applying for an Indian Visa, when you return home. I'm sure it will take a while to get to that, but I am interested since I plan on applying for one after my summer cruise to Norway. Immediately after! Second week of July so I will be watching for it!

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

 

I should have that wrapped up by the end of May, along with other insight and tips...Please send me any other areas you would like covered....

[The-Inside-Cabin]

We received World Cruise Plates tonight for our final gift. They appear to have correct ports except for last minute swap of Townsville for Mooloolaba. Lookin good!

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Day 112, April 26, Sailing toward Fort Lauderdale

 

Good Morning Amsterdam was canceled this morning due to a crew drill. This gave me time to check out one of the morning exercise/dance classes led by one of the passengers, Linda, who has also been our tablemate and friend for the past 4 months.

 

Her class was held in the Crow’s nest at 9:00 am and was also listed today in the On Location Guide. About 25 ladies turned out which was pretty amazing considering that the deck was still moving a little, plus it was getting toward the end of the cruise and many people were in their cabins starting to pack. Linda is a professional dancer and choreographer and led the group thru a high tempo workout, including warm up and cool down. Her routines consisted of familiar dance steps but linked together in an interesting way and all the while she provides her motivational commentary. This was my first time watching the class, but she has maintained a loyal following all cruise.

 

 

The Grand Show Buffet was today – which was like the Sunday Buffet on steroids. Planning and preparation took over 5 days and we were allowed to walk around and take pictures from 11-Noon and then they would be open for diners from Noon to 1PM. Executive Chef Petr Nozicka was the chief architect of the Grand Show Buffet. This was not a brunch, as I originally thought as there weren’t any egg stations or breakfast items.

 

The displays were amazing, particularly the Leaning Tower of Pisa made from bread. Normally you can sneak into Deck 5 and take pictures of the buffet below thru the opening, but today they had that entrance guarded so everyone had to stay on Deck 4.

 

 

We came back at 12:15 and had to wait about 10 minutes to get inside as the Buffet had attracted quite a crowd when it came time to eat. Picture time was less crowded and there wasn’t any waiting for that from 11 to noon.

 

There was plenty of delicious seafood to choose from and we filled our plates with the shrimp, mussels, and a very interesting lobster chunk on a stick wrapped in bacon. A few slices of tenderloin and horseradish completed out selections and we found a table with Zulie and Karl who we had met earlier on the train to Borobudur. (Shout to their son, Mark, who reads this blog.) They are both avid Bridge players and we enjoyed hearing about the ins and outs of life in the cruise ship Bridge Room. One person has earned 17 masters points so far this cruise, which I will leave to others to decide if that is a big number for a cruise of over 100 days.

 

Judy was off to Crafts in the afternoon while I went to the casino for the Texas Hold’em game. For crafts today they decorated a note card with a Get Well theme that included band-aids and little squiggly eyes.

 

During the last Texas Hold’em game tablemate Rick and I were eliminated in the first hand as 3 of us went “all in” and neither of us prevailed. The winner bet big on a flush draw, that never materialized, but he managed to draw 2 pair on the turn and the river which beat my pair of Queens. Today was different and Rick and I maneuvered thru the first hour of poker to end up facing each other as the last 2 people in the game. On the final hand, I had a K 8 in the pocket and went all in. Rick called with his 7 3, the flop gave me a pair of Kings, but the Turn and the River were both 3’s giving Rick the winning hand – 3 of a kind.

 

Tonight featured the Mariners Appreciation receptions – and since we were on second seating, ours started at 6:45. As we entered the Queens Lounge we chatted briefly with Capt Mercer, Henk and Gene and all three offered to shake hands despite the notice on the invitation that hand shaking was suspended.

 

We met our tablemates at some tables near the stage while waiting for the festivities to begin. Most everyone was wearing their Holland America medallions of various colors. We were looking for some folks to be wearing all of the various colors like an Olympic Champion, but we didn’t see anyone wearing more than one. Waiters were wandering about with all sorts of appetizers and trays of drinks, but they would cheerfully take an order for anything you would like, so don’t think you are limited to what drink is on the tray.

 

They started by recognizing Dolly, who has been on every World Cruise since the Amsterdam first sailed – Wow! They didn’t announce her total number, but we learned that she has been cruising since she was a teenager when she stowed away on a cruise ship to Hawaii!

 

After Dolly, they called up all the Presidents Club members and worked their way down to those folks with over 300 days. The rest of us were recognized as a group and we were all able to come forward for individual pictures with the Captain and Henk.

 

It was now pushing 8PM so we were off to the dining room for our last Gala Dinner. This menu and every dinner menu for the cruise is on the blog at http://www.theinsidecabin.com. I had the Caviar and Escargots, the Wild Mushroom Soup followed by the Filet Mignon and the Lobster Tail with Macadamia Nut ice cream for dessert. As expected, the food was all delicious and served perfectly.

 

We had some special guests this evening: Julie, the HR Manager, Sarah Coles – FEDEX shipping specialist from Vancouver Office and Rebecca from Shore Excursions. They all shared their very interesting backgrounds and we had a wonderful time.

 

Tonight was also our final themed event: The Masked Ball. We were all provided masks during dinner to wear to the ball that would start at 9:30 in the Queens Lounge. Judy and I brought our own masks that we bought in San Diego before the trip. Note to future cruisers. You will received a booklet with lists all the special nights and themed parties so you can shop for these events before you leave.

 

 

These theme parties are one of the many special features of a Grand Voyage and especially a Grand World Voyage. Where else could you participate in a masked ball anymore? Toga Party? Mardi Gras etc.. All these events are loads of fun and the high participation we had from all the new cruisers made these events extra special. It’s not much fun having a masked ball if only 20 people show up.

 

The HAL band played dance music and the center of the Queens Lounge was cleared for dancing along with most of the stage. Everyone was dressed in tuxedos or suits and most people were wearing a mask and were fully engaged. The party was moved to the Crow’s nest at 10:30 where it continued in full swing.

 

Back in the room we discovered our Final Pillow Gift: A Royal Goedewaagen Grand World Voyage Plate. A list of all the Pillow Gifts, along with photos, is on the blog under World Cruise Reference.

 

[travelbug615]

Day 112, April 26, Sailing toward Fort Lauderdale

 

". This gave me time to check out one of the morning exercise/dance classes led by one of the passengers, Linda, who has also been our tablemate and friend for the past 4 months. "

 

 

Did Linda prearrange to lead this class before she boarded? or was this something arranged after she boarded? Is her classed listed in the "On Location" or did her participants find out about this some other way?

 

This makes me curious if many non-official interest groups form during the voyage to help fill up sea days.

 

Still reading your wonderful posts everyday. Many thanks for your time and effort. I am taking notes for WC 2018.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Day 112, April 26, Sailing toward Fort Lauderdale

 

 

 

". This gave me time to check out one of the morning exercise/dance classes led by one of the passengers, Linda, who has also been our tablemate and friend for the past 4 months. "

 

 

 

 

 

Did Linda prearrange to lead this class before she boarded? or was this something arranged after she boarded? Is her classed listed in the "On Location" or did her participants find out about this some other way?

 

 

 

This makes me curious if many non-official interest groups form during the voyage to help fill up sea days.

 

 

 

Still reading your wonderful posts everyday. Many thanks for your time and effort. I am taking notes for WC 2018.

 

 

 

It was arranged before cruise via our roll call. Received no official publicity till yesterday....first and only time.....word of mouth.....

 

Chess group gets a daily mention as do crafters. Others can usually get a mention if you ask

[The-Inside-Cabin]

I too want to add my thank you for all the time, diligence, and funds you spent taking us along with you on the World Cruise. Your posts have been fabulous and gave such an insight as to what it is like being on the Grand Voyage. I especially appreciate your telling us of the Book Club selections as I love to read and some of the books are ones I never would have found otherwise.

 

 

 

I was told they get different books for each world cruise....no repeats!

 

Thanks for reading.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for all your post.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Day 113, Sailing toward Fort Lauderdale

 

Island Magic was the guest on Good Morning Amsterdam this morning. They are the steel drum band that wowed the crowd the other evening. They got their start playing calypso music by the pool on cruise ships in the Caribbean. They wanted to move off the pool deck and into the showroom, but they realized that they needed to develop a new sound to separate themselves from all the other steel drum bands sailing in the Caribbean. Their genius was arranging classics and show tunes for the steel drums. Their new play list earned them a spot on the main stage and they never looked back.

 

 

Today was our turn for the Mariners Lunch in the main dining room which was at 1100 on Deck 4. We arrived a little after 11 and were greeted by the Captain, Hotel Director Henk, Cruise Director Gene and the Future Cruise Consultant Joanne. No handshaking today, we all nodded, exchanged greetings and moved on.

 

 

The menu for the luncheon is posted on the blog under World Cruise Reference. Complimentary champagne was already waiting on the table and once we were all seated, Gene thanked us all for our loyalty and we all toasted to a wonderful cruise.

 

I had the Dover Sole and the Seafood Cocktail which were both wonderful. Shortly after we were seated they distributed the tiles used to commemorate these events. It turns out that they were distributing two types of tiles – the old design and the new design. We got one of each and copies of both are on the blog under World Cruise Reference.

 

Today was the last Craft Day. In honor of Koningsdad, they fashioned a tulip out of construction paper. Judy and Linda brought their flowers to dinner to add to the table’s small floral centerpiece.

 

 

On the way to the Filipino Show we stopped by the photo lab to look at the winners from the latest photo contest. They have been using a variety of staff officers this cruise as judges rather than passengers voting which only resulted in a the winners turning into a popularity contest. The photographs from the Mariners reception with the Captain and Henk were available for pickup and are complimentary for everyone who received a medallion award.

 

The Filipino Crew show was held at 3pm and featured many of the people working the front desk and others that work behind the scenes – for example the person who runs the Amsterdam’s print shop. Their show was very colorful, extremely well produced and a joy to watch. We enjoyed it very much.

 

We stopped by the Piano Bar at 7pm and watched Debby Bacon as she revisited many of our ports through song. She always puts on a very entertaining show.

 

Our guests for dinner were 2 of the members of Abba Fab: Katrina and Scotty. We always enjoy hearing about how the guest entertainers got established on the cruise ship circuit and some of the challenges they face as they move around the world. We learned that Abba Fab will be in San Diego this July and we will have a chance to see them again.

 

There was a wide variety of interesting choices on the menu this evening. I tried the “Babi Guling” Balinese Slow Roasted Suckling Pig. It was very good.

 

Since today is Koningsdad in the Netherlands, the waiters and most of the passengers were wearing orange. Despite all our other planning, we missed this holiday and didn’t have anything orange to wear.

 

Tonight’s entertainment featured the HAL singers and dancers in their show “The Midnight Hour” where they sang and danced great songs including: “Fever”, “Stuck in the Middle with You” and “Valerie”. Their high energy production always has you smiling before it is over.

 

 

More on the blog at http://www.theinsidecabin.com

[jig]

On a world cruise they should have a special lunch for non Mariners. They could have it in a closet. Was there anyone on board that this was their first HAL cruise?

 

 

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[rafinmd]

On a world cruise they should have a special lunch for non Mariners. They could have it in a closet. Was there anyone on board that this was their first HAL cruise?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

There will always be a few but only for one segment, as Mariner Status is recalculated at the end of each leg. There are even a few people who will do a full World Cruise as their first ever cruise, but on HAL they would be at least 2 stars (and almost 3) by this point.

 

Roy

[The-Inside-Cabin]

On a world cruise they should have a special lunch for non Mariners. They could have it in a closet. Was there anyone on board that this was their first HAL cruise?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

There is at least one person where this was their first cruise ever

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Day 114, April 28, Sailing toward Fort Lauderdale

 

Today was the last day for Good Morning Amsterdam. Event Manager Mark joined Cruise Director Gene and Culinary Arts Center Host Donna for a reflective discussion of the previous 114 days. For future cruisers, I highly recommend putting Good Morning Amsterdam on your must do list. Gene is a wonderful host and you always get a few tid-bits of ‘off the record’ commentary and a chance to listen to the fascinating stories of the guest entertainers. Today we learned that this World Cruise had more, high quality entertainers, lecturers and other enrichment activities than any other world cruise that Gene has been associated with. We can personally vouch for the entertainers as Judy attended every minute of every Queen’s lounge show (except when we were overland) and I only missed 2 of over 100 performances.

 

 

We have been told that past world cruises spent money on an expensive celebrity – Desmond Tutu for example – but that on this cruise, the money budgeted for that single event was spent to get more, high quality acts across the board and that Gene had significant input into which acts were booked. While attending live shows is not for everyone, I strongly recommend that you fit it into your schedule and enjoy some entertainment that you would probably never see otherwise.

 

We had our final Cruise Critic Meet and Greet today, attended by maybe 20 people. Note to future Meet and Greet planners. I would continue to have a M & G monthly, but reduce your expected attendance by 25% each time. Don’t bother inviting officers, they won’t come, plus you will see them and hear them numerous times over your world cruise so you will have enough time to chat with them on other occasions.

 

Our final opportunity for Grand Dollar Redemption was this afternoon. I accumulated 1500, of which 1000 was due to our attendance at one of the Murder Mystery Dinner where we each received 200 dollars in addition to those donated to us by our tablemates. I traded my 1500 Grand Dollars for 5 8GB Flash Drives which are probably worth about $5-$8 each.

 

I had to chuckle when I overheard someone commenting on how silly it was to try an accumulate Grand Dollars, all the while this person was in the line to exchange Grand Dollars. Go Figure.

 

Today was the final day for crafts – which was a discussion of what people would like to see on future cruises and then the instructor presented a small gift to all the craft people in attendance.

 

The highlight of the day was the Captain’s Farewell Reception in the Queens Lounge. They had two receptions, one for each dinner seating. The Captain spoke briefly and provided a broad overview of the cruise. Location Guide Barbara followed with a 5 minute slide show giving the highlights of our various ports. Gene followed with a brilliant 5 minute video that provided a humorous look at the various departments on the ship. The movie was amazing and will be posted on Gene’s Facebook page – a definite must see. I put together a 3 minute video showing about 30 different acts for 5 seconds each that Gene said he will be putting on his Facebook page as well. I will post a link to my YouTube page once I get to a place where I can upload a large video file. Gene's facebook page can be found on the blog.

 

 

 

Tonight was the Chef’s Farewell Dinner. The featured entrée was a Filet Mignon, which is always good, but only a few people ordered it as most chose from some of their other favorites – e.g. Fish and Chips or the Chicken Pot Pie. The meals on this Grand Voyage have been so incredibly outstanding that trying to top the daily standard with a special menu is pretty difficult. We had some fellow passengers as our guests this evening: Keegan, Deana and Anthony. They were on the Taj Mahal trip with us.

 

The Baked Alaska parade appears to be a distant memory, but maybe they will do it tomorrow. One nearby table tried to get a parade started when they collectively started waving their napkins in the familiar circular pattern over their heads. This didn’t work and alas there was no parade – yet.

 

Tonight show featured the final Guest Entertainer of the cruise – Terry Davies along with Abba Fab. Terry imitated the style of Billy Joel and Elton John and wowed the crowd with an amazing 45 minute show. This may have been the top show of the cruise – don’t miss this talented bunch if they come to your neck of the woods. Tomorrow night will be a special presentation by the HAL orchestra.

 

More on the blog at http://www.theinsidecabin.com

[jig]

There is at least one person where this was their first cruise ever

 

 

Wow. We did 44 days on the Amsterdam once and met a couple that had never been on a cruise before. What if you don't like it? Oh well

 

 

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[jig]

There will always be a few but only for one segment, as Mariner Status is recalculated at the end of each leg. There are even a few people who will do a full World Cruise as their first ever cruise, but on HAL they would be at least 2 stars (and almost 3) by this point.

 

 

 

Roy

 

 

Didn't realize that but still it's amazing that this would be anyone's first cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[KirkNC]

Didn't realize that but still it's amazing that this would be anyone's first cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

I am surprised as well. I guess if you really did not like it you could just get off and go home.

 

I have people here at home ask me about cruising and I always tell them it is not for everyone.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

I am surprised as well. I guess if you really did not like it you could just get off and go home.

 

 

 

I have people here at home ask me about cruising and I always tell them it is not for everyone.

 

 

 

I think that you should do at least a 21-28 day cruise as a trial run before making a world cruise commitment.

[1of4]

Surprisingly, there was a world cruise blogger a few years ago where it was their first time on a cruise ship. Even their TA tried to tell them it wasn't a good idea. They documented everything including a detailed list of EVERYTHING they packed. The complaints started before they even set foot on the airplane to Fort Lauderdale. They never stopped complaining all the way around the world. Incredible as it seems, it is true that some people have to learn the hard way. The term "more money than...." came to my mind every time I read the blog, but it was a moth to flame scenario for me.

 

Pete and Judy - it has been a pleasure to follow your adventure. You will never know the tough times you pulled me through with your positive and comprehensive blog. For that I thank you and will continue to read as to transit the Panama Canal for the second time in the same direction!

[clueless2]

Thank you for spending your time and money to let us follow along on your journey. Not only do you take the time to write your journal, you scanned "On Locations" and menus every day and uploaded photos and other documentation.

 

Your InsideTheCabin blog has to be the most organized cruise journal website I've seen. I hope folks went to your website and didn't just read CC. If they didn't they missed a lot.

 

Congratulations on a job well done.

 

Hopefully you'll do it again in a couple of years.