Live from Nieuw Statendam Premier Voyage, December 2018

[cruisingnewtoit]

The MDR looks like a banquet hall for a wedding. I love following along on this maiden voyage. Thanks for sharing. I’m booked on NS for Dec 2019.

[kazu]

35 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

Eventually Ann will have the real answer but based on my experience there will likely be one or probably more little gifts over the course of the voyage.  I have never been on an inaugural cruise but during Koningsdam's inaugural season I was given a commemorative plate on the last night.  I imagine there will be more than that on the maiden voyage.

 

Roy

 

We got no gifts on our inaugural Transatantic so time will tell 😉. 

 

Ironically we did get a few lovely gifts after the Grand Voyage.  Guests declined them I guess due to weight.  They were lovely and we had the weight to spare.  But that was a one off for sure.

I hope everone on this cruise gets some piece of memorabilia.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I just spent some looking back at the pictures.

 

This is a ship I would have to avoid -- too many "modern" chairs with no back support.

[aliaschief]

Just got off 21 days of cruising on MS Koningsdam and we are not into contemporary art. That being said we loved the Pinnacle Ship Class experience and all the new venues and options.

 

It was a delightful new cruising experience. Times are changing.

[wdw1972]

The ship looks beautiful to me, and I'm eager to get onboard for the 10-night sailing January 20th.  I also loved the Koningsdam, much to my surprise.  As a somewhat HAL loyalist I expected the narrow promenade deck and bigger ship to make me dislike the ship, but the added "pluses" more than outweighed the negatives.  As Bruce said, times are changing...and to me the changes are overall very good!  Like the Christmas tree as well - it fits with the ship, with the unusual art.  I'm a Disney fan, but don't see "Disneyland" in that tree at all.  It's an interesting and clever interpretation of Christmas tree.  

 

Thanks to all who are sharing information from their inaugural voyage - it's much appreciated!

 

Sue/WDW1972

[bleacher04]

On 12/4/2018 at 4:22 AM, scluvsrain said:

So here is my packed suitcase. Right side with shoes, undies, workout clothes, bathing suit and nightgown. 

 

Left side is rolled garments, there are two layers. 4 pants/slacks. 9 casual and smart casual dinner tops. 2 formal tops. One small dinner purse, orange scarf, socks, leggings, black sweater, and hairbrush.

 

In my backpack are are my toiletries, makeup bag, clothespins, earplugs and earbuds, pens/pencils, 10 foldable plastic hangers (hate the ship hangers), charging cords, wallet, passport, iPad, Iphone, magazines, book, cruise folder, small daypack, crochet project and carry bag, and miscellaneous “stuff” that’s always in one’s backpack. 

 

This is very impressive.  If you are ever on the same ship as I am, I would sign up and pay for a hands-on class!

Edited December 6, 2018 by bleacher04

[rkacruiser]

I do appreciate the photos and the commentary with them.  Makes me more eager to "see for myself" when I embark on January 6th.

 

The MDR's decor reminds me of what I experienced on Celebrity Eclipse.  I don't know who was the interior designer for the Solstice Class ships for Celebrity.  Maybe the same gentleman who designed the MDR's "whale ribs" because they look much like the Eclipse's internal structural supports.

[bleacher04]

Just caught up on all 7 pages of posts!  Great photos everyone!  And best wishes to Ann & Pat and Tony & Martha! -- waiting now for "food porn" photos 

[OVgirl]

4 hours ago, nimiq said:

Amazing thanks for the pics .....Did they gave you any little gift for being on this inaugural voyage ?

It's a tradition for Dutch Sinterklaas to get a chocolate letter. This evening would be when gifts might be exchanged and tomorrow morning everyone will find treats in their klompen(wooden shoes).

[IslaSarah]

Thank you for all the pictures and updates! I have to count down until July!

[Vict0riann]

6 hours ago, POA1 said:

Just got caught up. Great job so far! 

 

POA, I cant find that thread about the Retreat -a poster was asking you about which cabana to book .  I was going to put some pictures on the thread, but maybe you could refer him to Sherita’s photos on this thread.   My feeling is, if money were no object, I might book a family one!  

[Vict0riann]

6 hours ago, rafinmd said:

Eventually Ann will have the real answer but based on my experience there will likely be one or probably more little gifts over the course of the voyage.  I have never been on an inaugural cruise but during Koningsdam's inaugural season I was given a commemorative plate on the last night.  I imagine there will be more than that on the maiden voyage.

 

Roy

 

Yes, Tony said they got a very nice dish on the Koningsdam inaugural TA.  I’m hoping we will get the same!

[Vict0riann]

Bliss!  We slept really well last night on the super duper HAL bed, could hardly feel we were moving, but just a very slight jiggle.  I woke early and had a great shower and we have beautiful fluffy white towels  - we are probably the first users!

 

 

[Vict0riann]

[stickey_mouse]

Dare I ask if N.S. is allowing smoking in the casino? 

[scluvsrain]

4 hours ago, bleacher04 said:

 

This is very impressive.  If you are ever on the same ship as I am, I would sign up and pay for a hands-on class!

Thanks! I’d be happy to demonstrate. 

 

In in the meantime, I awoke to this 

beautiful site this morning! This was taken from my balcony!

[Vict0riann]

7 minutes ago, stickey_mouse said:

Dare I ask if N.S. is allowing smoking in the casino? 

You may dare, and I will ask in the casino.

[Vict0riann]

I am impressed!  The big trays of smoked salmon are back, also trays of rollmops and herring in sour cream!  I am a happy camper.

[Vict0riann]

The latest gadget on the tables, and a bit of breakfast food porn

 

[edgee]

27 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

You may dare, and I will ask in the casino.

I am also very interested.  Thanks in advance for researching and reporting on this.

[POA1]

1 hour ago, Vict0riann said:

 

POA, I cant find that thread about the Retreat -a poster was asking you about which cabana to book .  I was going to put some pictures on the thread, but maybe you could refer him to Sherita’s photos on this thread.   My feeling is, if money were no object, I might book a family one!  

 

I'll look for it Ann.

 

@scluvsrain

Sherita - Thanks for the photos! Congratulations on the packing. My computer bag takes up more than that. 

[scluvsrain]

I think smoking is allowed in the casino. I walked through there last night and it smelled a little smoky in there. But I didn’t specifically look for anyone smoking. In fact, I hit the wall (not literally) during dinner last night and it was all I could do to  stay upright to make it back to my cabin. 

 

After ten ten hours of interrupted sleep I feel mostly human again. Someone called me last night around 9 PM and I know I agreed to meet for lunch today. But I don’t remember where we’re meeting.....

 

My next door neighbors also had their balcony light on all night so that was slightly annoying. I need to quash that right away!

[Vict0riann]

They are using the new Delft China in the Explorations Cafe/Bar, too.

 

 

[scluvsrain]

New “lite” breakfast offering in the dining room. It’s a collard green wrap with scrambled eggs inside. It’s actually quite delish!

[Vict0riann]

I see I posted yesterday’s When and Where instead of today’s.  I needed a coffee...