Johnny B Posted December 22, 2016 #1 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Thursday, December 22, 2016 On Board m/s Amsterdam en route to Puerto Vallarta Well, here we are again! After 28 days on the m/s Koningsdam looking around for our absent friends and having yet another long hike from our fore cabin to the aft pool, we decided that while the K-Dam is a beautiful, shiny new ship with many bells and whistles and wonderful optional restaurants, we just missed our “home at sea,” the Amsterdam. Since it was our daughter’s year to spend Christmas with her husband’s family, we decided it was the perfect time to drive to San Diego, board the Amsterdam there, and join for the 14-day Christmas cruise. The very best thing about our “brilliant” idea was being able to spend time with wonderful cruise friends. We spent the night in a hotel across the street from the port, and were able to have breakfast with our chef buddy George Geary, and our ship “besties,” Ann, Cathy and Jeff. George is hoping to be contracted to do a couple of weeks on the world cruise, as he has in the past, but HAL is being rather difficult about it. They tried to eliminate the guest chef program entirely, but it rather backfired on them, so we will begin the world cruise on its San Diego stop with Denise Vivaldo, another chef we’ve become friends with (on board ship and on Facebook, at least). Even though our hotel was just across the street from the ship, we had to Uber over because of our four huge suitcases and two medium sized ones. It was money well spent. The driver loaded the luggage into his Chevy Suburban and a porter loaded it onto a carrier. The next time we saw it was when it was delivered to our cabin. If it were up to me, I would still be unpacking, but John is far more organized than I am, so it was all done in about 90 minutes. One advantage of the Amsterdam over the Koningsdam is that there is more storage space here - a total of 9 drawers in the desk area instead of 3, along with four closets, two drawers in each nightstand and two drawers at the foot of the bed. Additionally, the cabin is not only longer but wider. Yes, we did enjoy our time on the Koningsdam, but it is just wonderful to be “home.” One lovely tradition of the holiday cruise is the lighting of the Christmas tree in the atrium. There were masses of people around the railings on decks 3, 4, and 5 and they joined in the singing of Christmas carols followed by the lighting of the tree. Crew on deck five then began throwing out handfuls of paper “snow” which actually ended up looking more like snow than litter when it descended on the tree and surroundings. In addition to Jeff and “the sisters,” we have even more friends on board: Alan and Sandra and Susan and Michael. We all sat together for sailaway and then met in the Crow’s Nest at 7:00 for pre-dinner beverages and hors d’oeuvres. When we finally arrived in the dining room, where we sit downstairs with Jeff and company, we even had a view of Alan and Sandra’s table and Michael and Susan’s table upstairs on the railing. The second best thing about being on board is being greeted, hugged and kissed by all our crew and officer friends. Our all-time favorite staff member, Manny, immediately brought us glasses of Pinot Grigio at the sailaway (after exchanging lots of hugs and kisses). I just cannot explain how wonderful it is to be surrounded by such great friends - passengers, staff and crew. The cruise itself is so different from the world cruise. For one thing, I learned at the front desk yesterday (while getting our keys which would actually open our door) that there is not ONE cabin available, which means we must be at about 1400 passengers. We were lucky enough to be offered a paid upgrade on Tuesday (while driving to San Diego), so we’re in a verandah, as we will be for the world, but we have no idea if it will be the same one or not. Moving is a pain, of course, but moving from one verandah cabin to another is such a privilege that I can’t complain. We’ve been told that there are 110 children on board, and while we’ve seen lots of them, they seem (so far) to be rather well behaved. The last time we began the WC from the West Coast there were about 80 kids on board, we never had a problem with them - except that they made me wait in line for the ice cream! The other differences here are interesting. The casino is pretty much standing room only, whereas on the WC there are usually only a few people at any one time. The lines for things are a bit longer and there are more people at the Lido for breakfast and lunch, but overall, passengers seem very excited to be spending the holidays on a cruise and everyone has been very pleasant. This cruise is beginning the way they all should - with two days at sea. It gives everyone a chance to catch their breath and, for passengers new to the ship, to explore their new surroundings. For us, it’s time to relax after an abbreviated but intense “Christmas” season at home and to begin this, my sixth WC blog. We are so looking forward to the next 125 days (amazing, isn’t it?) and I hope you’ll “cruise” along with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windy56 Posted December 22, 2016 #2 Share Posted December 22, 2016 How wonderful for you! My husband and I will be boarding the Amsterdam on January 4th. It is our first world voyage and we are soooo excited! Warm Christmas wishes from our family to yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Higntn Posted December 22, 2016 #3 Share Posted December 22, 2016 I look forward to following your journey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scluvsrain Posted December 22, 2016 #4 Share Posted December 22, 2016 I too, will be boarding on January 4 for my first world cruise. And the Amsterdam is my favorite ship. I also got an upgrade to a veranda and am thrilled about it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scubadawg Posted December 22, 2016 #5 Share Posted December 22, 2016 I too, will be boarding on January 4 for my first world cruise. And the Amsterdam is my favorite ship. I also got an upgrade to a veranda and am thrilled about it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Congrats Sherita, happy for you! We just took an upsell for our asia cruise so pretty happy too! Will be following your blog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easyboy Posted December 22, 2016 #6 Share Posted December 22, 2016 We shall all be thrilled following your blog. Happy holiday sailing! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie68 Posted December 22, 2016 #7 Share Posted December 22, 2016 I always look forward to every one of your blog updates. Happy to be following along, and Merry Christmas!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted December 22, 2016 #8 Share Posted December 22, 2016 See you in a few days on the ship ..Gail and Marty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnlcruise Posted December 22, 2016 #9 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Looking forward to another year of your Excellent World Cruise Reports. Happy Holidays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJSULIBRARIAN Posted December 22, 2016 #10 Share Posted December 22, 2016 It's wonderful that you are blogging again this year. Remember to post the Book Club selections once you are on the World Cruise - always enjoy reading the books. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystymom Posted December 22, 2016 #11 Share Posted December 22, 2016 Welcome back to your favorite ship (mine too). Thank you for taking the time to do your live from report. I always look forward to "sailing" with the two of you. You have a real zest for life so have the greatest time ever! Evelyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ger_77 Posted December 22, 2016 #12 Share Posted December 22, 2016 I love to "sail along" on your marvelous cruises. Bon Voyage and Merry Christmas! Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare erewhon Posted December 23, 2016 #13 Share Posted December 23, 2016 Always enjoy reading your cruising blogs. Wishing you safe travelling. Merry Christmas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted December 23, 2016 #14 Share Posted December 23, 2016 See you in a few days on the ship ..Gail and Marty Won't be long now and we will be joining as well for our first WC :p. I just retired yesterday so lots going on. Keep the ship upright and water tight until Fort Lauderdale! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted December 23, 2016 #15 Share Posted December 23, 2016 John and Diane, so glad you are going on another World Voyage and taking us along! Have a great time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted December 23, 2016 #16 Share Posted December 23, 2016 I too, will be boarding on January 4 for my first world cruise. And the Amsterdam is my favorite ship. I also got an upgrade to a veranda and am thrilled about it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Sorry to highjack the thread but wanted to congratulate you on getting an upgrade to a verandah? Nice to know that it can happen to solo cruisers. Have a great time (you should go again in 2018:D). Kathi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KNOT2L82SAIL Posted December 23, 2016 #17 Share Posted December 23, 2016 So very happy to see this blog. And I too love the Amsterdam. She just has a special feel! Looking forward to all of the postings. Enjoy those 125 days. I know I will enjoy reading about your adventure. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scluvsrain Posted December 23, 2016 #18 Share Posted December 23, 2016 Sorry to highjack the thread but wanted to congratulate you on getting an upgrade to a verandah? Nice to know that it can happen to solo cruisers. Have a great time (you should go again in 2018:D). Kathi Kathi I am doing part of the 2018. Auckland to Hong Kong. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scrapnana Posted December 23, 2016 #19 Share Posted December 23, 2016 Kathi I am doing part of the 2018. Auckland to Hong Kong. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk That's wonderful! It will be great to see you again. May I put you on our roll call list? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
durangoscots Posted December 23, 2016 #20 Share Posted December 23, 2016 Good to see your blog ... now I have something to look forward to these cold, snowy Colorado mornings. I too am a big fan of the Amsterdam and wish I were making this world cruise. Maybe another year. Looking forward to your posts. Susan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scluvsrain Posted December 23, 2016 #21 Share Posted December 23, 2016 That's wonderful! It will be great to see you again. May I put you on our roll call list? Absolutely! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martezz Posted December 23, 2016 #22 Share Posted December 23, 2016 It will be fun to follow your blog of the world cruise, especially since I can put faces to the authors of the blog! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trikeman Posted December 23, 2016 #23 Share Posted December 23, 2016 Glad to see your blog for this cruise. I've always enjoyed reading what you post and looking at Jeff's pictures. It's as close to being there as possible. Thanks for taking the time and expense to do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappy cruiser Posted December 23, 2016 #24 Share Posted December 23, 2016 Thank you so much for taking us along on your adventure!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ski ww Posted December 23, 2016 #25 Share Posted December 23, 2016 Bon Voyage. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Looking forward to reading your blog. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now