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Live from Nieuw Statendam Premier Voyage, December 2018


Vict0riann
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48 minutes ago, scluvsrain said:

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. 

 

Thanks for letting us know. This is disappointing. Imagine building a new house and then letting invited guests light up in your living room! I can't wrap my head around it, but oh well, it isn't my decision.

 

Anyway, I didn't mean to make this thread about smoking, so I will move on now. Thanks for your wonderful insights and pictures! 

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3 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

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

 

CD996E0C-ABFF-4D03-9A8A-2AC07989A65A.thumb.jpeg.3a5987cdd8ae270cd3a8ec351b80074a.jpeg4F9F9A13-1952-4E41-9E7E-C5AF8EF82A17.thumb.jpeg.b8f5b257918e7fcc4831bf8c6fd706b4.jpegDAB1B85C-32AE-4879-B89D-2AB6F49500F6.thumb.jpeg.9a058b98a2c1540db83f6d4f0dc84cb4.jpeg23BD5C07-88A8-45A5-BFF1-7B0EB4DD56FD.thumb.jpeg.83ced8ef7b2d100401bd49a9c3af9d69.jpegD7EA1789-033C-49E9-A538-2054482B48C8.thumb.jpeg.1e2eb5c05d8a1ccd094d6a51e33fddff.jpeg

 

The bell is different indeed, Ann.

 

Nice to see the smoked salmon in that format 😉 

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2 hours ago, scluvsrain said:

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

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Looks very interesting Sherita 🙂 as do the new light offerings.  

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6 hours ago, scluvsrain said:

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!

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I probably missed this in the earlier posts but, what camera are you using? Or is this from a cellphone? 

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All of the photos I’m taking are with my iPhone 8+. 

 

Orlando Ashford held a town hall this afternoon and we learned a bit more about the direction HAL is going - new ideas and how they’ve been implemented both on the Nieuw Statendam as well as

fleet-wide. 

 

The Lincoln Center piano quintet also gave a matinee performance this afternoon and they were absolutely delightful. 

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By the way, I think I like Lincoln Center’s venue change to BB King/Queens Lounge much better than where they were before. It is set up better and reflects a much more intimate environment while giving more seating space. 

 

Something that’s a big bummer - no cup/glass holders in World Stage!!! They have them on the Koningsdam and are great - so very sad to not see them here. 

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20 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

We had lunch in the dining room.  It was well attended, but you do feel you are in the belly of the whale!

 

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I had said the same thing the very first time I saw Koningsdam's MDR; I now know how Jonah must have felt in the whale!

 

Thanks for the great pics, both Sherita and yours. 

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Most of the changes center around the music walk concept and EXC expansion. The music walk venues are being rolled out to the other class ships as those ships go into dry dock. 

 

The EXC program is trying to expand as well - they are working to add depth and value to the ports we visit by including culinary tours local to the destinations, as well as more in-depth cultural tours and programs. The EXC center has some added features to support these efforts. 

 

The shops are in the process of being changed too. More collaborative sales for jewelry with a new partner - you can work with them to customize pieces and create legacy items. Also, new vendors for other

merchandise. 

 

The photo gallery and and ship is also seeing a new upgrade. No more hawking photos - now you can create your own albums and souvenirs using your own photos from your phones or cameras. 

 

Similar approach with with the art. Unique and local artists relevant to the ports you are visiting allow you to purchase pieces that are more custom and meaningful. 

 

Someone also asked Orlando about the shrinking libraries and he said the primary driving factor for removing most of the books was due to people taking them and not returning them, and to replace the books cost over $2 million. He thinks that money can be better utilized elsewhere. I will say that there appears to be more

quiet and comfortable reading areas in the Crows Nest on this ship than on the Koningsdam; I know a lot of complaints had to do with losing that space. 

 

I enjoy a different kind of quiet space - my veranda. 

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7 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

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

 

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VictOriann, thank you for posting all this great information. Looking at the Where & When for this first day at sea, I could not find any cooking demos. Did they swap this for the galley tour for today? Just wondering if those will be included and at what times. TIA

 

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1 hour ago, scluvsrain said:

Most of the changes center around the music walk concept and EXC expansion. The music walk venues are being rolled out to the other class ships as those ships go into dry dock. 

 

The EXC program is trying to expand as well - they are working to add depth and value to the ports we visit by including culinary tours local to the destinations, as well as more in-depth cultural tours and programs. The EXC center has some added features to support these efforts. 

 

The shops are in the process of being changed too. More collaborative sales for jewelry with a new partner - you can work with them to customize pieces and create legacy items. Also, new vendors for other

merchandise. 

 

The photo gallery and and ship is also seeing a new upgrade. No more hawking photos - now you can create your own albums and souvenirs using your own photos from your phones or cameras. 

 

Similar approach with with the art. Unique and local artists relevant to the ports you are visiting allow you to purchase pieces that are more custom and meaningful. 

 

Someone also asked Orlando about the shrinking libraries and he said the primary driving factor for removing most of the books was due to people taking them and not returning them, and to replace the books cost over $2 million. He thinks that money can be better utilized elsewhere. I will say that there appears to be more

quiet and comfortable reading areas in the Crows Nest on this ship than on the Koningsdam; I know a lot of complaints had to do with losing that space. 

 

I enjoy a different kind of quiet space - my veranda. 

6FEEE5A2-644F-4CB5-8C4F-2D59366E8157.jpeg

 

 

Thanks for filling us in Sherita 😄 

 

You scored an aft verandah?  Well done 😄 

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20 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

We are going to eat at Rudi’s Sel de Mer tomorrow.  I understand the menu there has changed, too.  Rudi is on board overseeing all the changes.

 

Canaletto menu has changed, too.  No more Zuppa di pesche ....

 

Thanks for posting the Tamarind menu.  I'm so happy they have kept the Curry Chicken and especially that to die for Tenderloin in Wasabi!

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17 hours ago, cruisingnewtoit said:

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.

 

The one thing we didn't like about the MDR was, when you are not sitting in that open '"rib" area, the ceiling is VERY low so you feel pretty closed in.  This was on the K'Dam.  Honestly, the decor did nothing for us and we never saw that view that has been pictured.  It was like night and day coming in and being seated on the main floor.

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8 minutes ago, bennybear said:

An aft view,  sigh!  My favourite,  enjoy!   

Really wondering about the library,  did they really lose that many books,  find it kind of hard to believe! 

 

On our recent Koningsdam Cruise an officer told us that 50% of the books originally stocked were missing and presumed taken home by passengers. Majority of books now stocked are travel related.

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