Live from the Westerdam-Join the "Pearls of the Pacific" gang's South Pacific Cruise

[slowmove]

Eagerly following. How many days is your cruise?

20 days before my back-to-back on Norwegian Dawn.

 

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[1of4]

Angie, you were really lucky getting on so fast. We arrived at the port at 10:55 and I did not get on the ship until 1 pm. I won't go into the details (you can read them on my blog if you wish) but it wasn't fun. Felt so bad I went to bed at 6:24 (after the hour change). Feeling totally better today.

 

We had a great M&G with over 100 in attendance. It was nice to put faces and names together.

 

I was able to get my dinner switched to fixed Main with no problem. No idea why they could not have done this some time in the last 11 months!

 

Ugh. I just read your last two entries of the blog and can safely say that I would not have coped well either with the lines. DH and my first cruise on Princess was like that over 10 years ago and we didn't cruise again for 7.5 years. If I remember, last year the people taking the coastal portion of the Panama cruise said they had a similar experience. After we dropped dh off at his hotel, did some shopping and walked back there were no lines.

 

So happy you are feeling better and you could switch your dining time. Sounds like a nice table.

 

Guesstwhat? Over a foot of snow last night!:eek: No school buses on April 4th:mad: Extreme cold weather alert issued. Most snow plough contracts ended with March. Aren't you glad you are sailing.

[rafinmd]

Mom said interdenominational service was SRO. She is napping after lunch in PG, wine tasting, and her first CC M&G while I'm in the PB for Sip&Savor and a royal Manhattan. Love the internet so far. Knock wood

 

Ia there a Protestant Chaplain or is the Priest doing double duty?

 

Roy

[Lizzie68]

Angie, you were really lucky getting on so fast. We arrived at the port at 10:55 and I did not get on the ship until 1 pm. I won't go into the details (you can read them on my blog if you wish) but it wasn't fun. Felt so bad I went to bed at 6:24 (after the hour change). Feeling totally better today.

 

We had a great M&G with over 100 in attendance. It was nice to put faces and names together.

 

I was able to get my dinner switched to fixed Main with no problem. No idea why they could not have done this some time in the last 11 months!

 

Ugh. Your account of embarkation sounded like my idea of hell.:o We have only ever been in transit through San Diego, and that was bad enough. I don't think I ever want to board there.

[Vict0riann]

Ia there a Protestant Chaplain or is the Priest doing double duty?

 

 

 

Roy

 

 

Hi, Roy, The On Location said Father John for Mass, and Reverend James for the interdenominational service.

[Vict0riann]

I thought I would try to post a few photos of the changes to the presentation in the Lido for breakfast. Almost everything is in small dishes, ready to be picked

up.

 

Tables are set with napkins, cutlery, mugs and glasses.

 

 

 

 

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[sapper1]

Ugh. Your account of embarkation sounded like my idea of hell.:o We have only ever been in transit through San Diego, and that was bad enough. I don't think I ever want to board there.

 

I never want to board here again either.

Fort Lauderdale has it down to a well oiled smooth process but San Diego boarding is mass confusion and frustration.

The struggle to get a porter to take our bags was plain ridiculous.

 

However, we have had perfectly calm seas, our cabin is in fine shape and we are relaxing here in the Crows Nest at 8:45 AM. I think the PTSD from boarding is passing and we are going to have a wonderful cruise.

 

At noon today we are scheduled for our first roll call group Pinnacle Lunch, followed by the roll call slot pull in the casino.

[1of4]

 

<snip>

 

However, we have had perfectly calm seas, our cabin is in fine shape and we are relaxing here in the Crows Nest at 8:45 AM. I think the PTSD from boarding is passing and we are going to have a wonderful cruise.

 

At noon today we are scheduled for our first roll call group Pinnacle Lunch, followed by the roll call slot pull in the casino.

 

I am glad to read things are improving and Day 1 sounded horrible by most accounts. Such a shame.

 

As for lunch...I am hungry can I join you? :eek: :p

 

Glad the seas are being kind too. Hope you continue to report everything is positive after the debacle of embarkation!

[1of4]

I thought I would try to post a few photos of the changes to the presentation in the Lido for breakfast. Almost everything is in small dishes, ready to be picked up. Tables are set with napkins, cutlery, mugs and glasses.

 

 

How do you like it? Does it work well or is it difficult to find a table that has been reset?

 

I guess it makes it easier and quicker.

[SilvertoGold]

We've boarded in SD at least 6 times and it almost always a zoo. I think to avoid this you would need to arrive around 3 pm! Early doesn't really help.

[MsABGilroy]

Angie, you were really lucky getting on so fast. We arrived at the port at 10:55 and I did not get on the ship until 1 pm. I won't go into the details (you can read them on my blog if you wish) but it wasn't fun. Felt so bad I went to bed at 6:24 (after the hour change). Feeling totally better today.

 

 

 

We had a great M&G with over 100 in attendance. It was nice to put faces and names together.

 

 

 

I was able to get my dinner switched to fixed Main with no problem. No idea why they could not have done this some time in the last 11 months!

 

 

Cathy, we were able to change to fixed dining easily once onboard. Ill have to get the link to your blog so I can read it. Had to leave the M&G early to attend the ukulele class--so much to do, so little time!

 

 

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[RuthC]

Tables are set with napkins, cutlery, mugs and glasses.

I see they have the new, larger, glasses, which are great for ice water. Or if you like a lot of juice at breakfast.

But they still have the old mugs. The new coffee mugs are about twice the size. Perfect for that first cup of coffee. ;)

[Lizzie68]

We've boarded in SD at least 6 times and it almost always a zoo. I think to avoid this you would need to arrive around 3 pm! Early doesn't really help.

 

Good to know! That might actually be the answer, as long as they have cleared most of the masses by then.

[TiogaCruiser]

Do the pre-set tables make it hard to identify an open table?

[Vict0riann]

Do the pre-set tables make it hard to identify an open table?

 

 

Yes, you have topeer inside a mug to make sure there's no coffee in it![emoji849]

[RuthC]

Do the pre-set tables make it hard to identify an open table?

I didn't think so on the Nieuw Amsterdam. When people left, their debris was clear, and unless they left an indication that they were returning, you could leave something of your own to claim the spot.

I found that stewards were prompt to clean up and reset; frequently I could catch a table while that was taking place.

Once the table was reset, and not claimed, it was easy to put something down, then head off to get my meal.

[MsABGilroy]

Susie, where are you? Today is lunch in the Pinnacle Grill!

 

 

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[Despegue]

Not a fan at all of these Supersize glasses and mugs to be honest, although that is a personal thing and I do understand why some much prefer them.

I prefer however to try different kinds of juices each breakfast...

 

How is the fresh orange juice served with this new concept? Do they come around? This sounds fine in theory, but waiting for half an hour fto get an overworked server's attention is not my idea of a relaxed breakfast or lunch...Is staff increased at the Lido Market?

 

Are the other chilled juices still available?!

 

Sorry to be a nag...:p

[shrimpboat123]

We were on the NA the end of January for 2 weeks. We liked the new Lido concept.

 

The tables were easy to figure out if anyone had claimed it. We liked the table service for drinks and coffee. Especially like a large glass of OJ in the morning. :)

 

The Orange Juice, however, didn't appear to be fresh squeezed anymore. It was more like a watered down version of Tropicana. There were large pitchers of OJ at the serving stations and I noticed that the pulp was settling and you had to make sure the OJ was stirred before you got your OJ poured or you ended up with mostly water and very little OJ. :mad:

 

Anyone noticed this on the Westerdam?

[Scrapnana]

A little food porn from our Pinnacle Grill lunch. I had the crab cakes, beef tenderloin and strawberry Pavlova. All delicious.

 

 

 

Unfortunately, we were not big winners at the slot pull. We each put in $15 and got back $10. Sapper1 was our big winner with a $14 payout.

[kazu]

We were on the NA the end of January for 2 weeks. We liked the new Lido concept.

 

The tables were easy to figure out if anyone had claimed it. We liked the table service for drinks and coffee. Especially like a large glass of OJ in the morning. :)

 

The Orange Juice, however, didn't appear to be fresh squeezed anymore. It was more like a watered down version of Tropicana. There were large pitchers of OJ at the serving stations and I noticed that the pulp was settling and you had to make sure the OJ was stirred before you got your OJ poured or you ended up with mostly water and very little OJ. :mad:

 

Anyone noticed this on the Westerdam?

 

The orange juice is real orange juice - at least the Orange juice that we have been having Glen;). Any time oj is poured in a pitcher it has to be stirred. It's the nature of the beast.

[kazu]

Here is the dining room menu from night one. I had the chicken which was very nice and DH had the steak. I asked him about it as I had read reports of it being thin and tough. His looked good and he said it was.

 

 

 

Here is the Embarkation On Location.

 

 

 

 

Going to try to get some pics transferred and I will be back shortly to get caught up. Lunch and the spa are calling though. Will back track to our pre-cruise dinner and our meet and greet is today. Busy, busy, busy :)

 

 

 

 

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Could people let me know if they can read these or not please? I will gladly post the menus and On Locations, but not sure if I should be choosing the larger sized pic or not. I don't want to widen the screen for reading but I do want them to be legible if people want them posted?

 

Those on tablets, iPads can expand them but those on computers can't. Not sure the best way to proceed IF people want them posted. IN serious catch up mode. Been a busy two days.!!

 

 

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[kazu]

Jacqui's explanation of anytime dining being moved to the third level explains why everyone was eating when we walked into the third level to take our fixed dining table for two The waiter welcomed us by name as we sat down.

 

There was also a lineup there, which I found strange, but Jacqui's post now makes clear.

 

I am guessing that the only way they could accommodate our request for a two top was to put us in the anytime area. No problem as service was exceptional.

 

Looks like I was a bit incorrect in my report. It seems that there is fixed dining on both deck 2 and 3 and open dining on both deck 2 and 3. Our table is on the lower level and I have to say I prefer the upper. BUT our service has been fabulous.

 

Food last night was very good again and this cruise is very promising food-wise :). It's gala night tonight and I am looking forward to my escargots!!! That will be the real test.

[RuthC]

Could people let me know if they can read these or not please?

Since you asked...

I had to strain a little to read the easiest part. The rest would have required too much straining to try to get it all.

 

But, I can pass on reading them if it's too much trouble to make the pictures bigger.

I have images turned off, but for those who don't, making the screen too wide can be more of a problem than missing the info in those pics.

[ger_77]

Could people let me know if they can read these or not please? I will gladly post the menus and On Locations, but not sure if I should be choosing the larger sized pic or not. I don't want to widen the screen for reading but I do want them to be legible if people want them posted?

Those on tablets, iPads can expand them but those on computers can't. Not sure the best way to proceed IF people want them posted. IN serious catch up mode. Been a busy two days.!!

/quote]

 

The dessert menu was a little out of focus, but you had me at "Chocolate Caramel Tart". LOL Hope you're having an awesome time!

 

Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :)