LAFFNVEGAS "LIVE" from the Nieuw Amsterdam, First HAL Ship to Sail!!

[canadarocks]

Sounds like you have a perfect day and evening planned Lisa! Enjoy!!

[zelker]

1 hour ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Good morning from Glacier Bay National Park Alaska on board the Nieuw Amsterdam. 
About 6:30 we slowed way down and I assumed we were picking up the Park Rangers to come on board. At 7 they are up in the Explorations Cafe aka Crow’s Nest.

we have an beautiful sunny clear morning here at Glacier Bay, it should be amazing viewing this morning at all three Glaciers. 
We finish the viewing at around 12:30 and we have lunch reservations in Pinnacle at 12:45, then the ship heads to Icey Strait Point for 6:00 arrival. We will be getting off the ship for a Evening Whale Watch. 

Stunning blue skies ... looks like the weather gods are cooperating now that you're in our glorious 49th State!  Looking forward to reading about the day in the various parts of Glacier Bay.  

[aliaschief]

Hal Blog had a nice article and pics of Nieuw Amsterdam sailing last Saturday.

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/destinations/alaska/holland-america-line-sets-sail-for-alaska-on-first-cruise-from-seattle/

[LAFFNVEGAS]

6 minutes ago, zelker said:

Stunning blue skies ... looks like the weather gods are cooperating now that you're in our glorious 49th State!  Looking forward to reading about the day in the various parts of Glacier Bay.  

Lol it was not long after we entered Glacier Bay the clouds suddenly appeared. But that is still good 😊 

We are currently in the Lido with a lite breakfast. We stopped up to Explorations first for Coffee, the area was busy with people and talking to the Glacier Bay Guides and information people.

Updated information we are not going to John Hopkins, I thought that was the case. Too early to get in, although they may sail by the entrance and we should still be able to see.

 

[LAFFNVEGAS]

The Glacier pic above is Reid Glacier, windows are a bit dirty so pic not perfect.

We are going to head to our stateroom for some aft viewing. Not sure where we will head for Marjorie Glacier.

[zelker]

4 minutes ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Lol it was not long after we entered Glacier Bay the clouds suddenly appeared. But that is still good 😊 

We are currently in the Lido with a lite breakfast. We stopped up to Explorations first for Coffee, the area was busy with people and talking to the Glacier Bay Guides and information people.

Updated information we are not going to John Hopkins, I thought that was the case. Too early to get in, although they may sail by the entrance and we should still be able to see.

 

 

Sorry - hope I didn't jinx your weather  😉.  We've been there when it was bitter cold and precipitating and when it was crystal blue skies ... either way, it's wonderful and didn't keep us from oohing and aahing the scenery.

 

Hopeful that since we're still 5 weeks away from visiting GB, we'll be able to get into Johns Hopkins.  

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Correction I believe this is Reid Glacier 

 

[Overhead Fred]

Hi Lisa, I am enjoying your reports!

 

I posted something about this on the Daily thread, but you might be too busy to notice it. The current wine list I downloaded through the Navigator app shows some drastic reductions in wine-by-the-glass prices making many more wines (26 by my count!) part of the SBP. If you (or others onboard) have a chance, can you confirm this? If the app is accurate, it makes me wonder if upgrading to the EBP is worthwhile from the wine perspective.

 

Smooth Seas!

[atexsix]

21 minutes ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Lol it was not long after we entered Glacier Bay the clouds suddenly appeared. But that is still good 😊 

We are currently in the Lido with a lite breakfast. We stopped up to Explorations first for Coffee, the area was busy with people and talking to the Glacier Bay Guides and information people.

Updated information we are not going to John Hopkins, I thought that was the case. Too early to get in, although they may sail by the entrance and we should still be able to see.

 

Weather there can turn on a dime 😞

[LAFFNVEGAS]

13 minutes ago, Overhead Fred said:

Hi Lisa, I am enjoying your reports!

 

I posted something about this on the Daily thread, but you might be too busy to notice it. The current wine list I downloaded through the Navigator app shows some drastic reductions in wine-by-the-glass prices making many more wines (26 by my count!) part of the SBP. If you (or others onboard) have a chance, can you confirm this? If the app is accurate, it makes me wonder if upgrading to the EBP is worthwhile from the wine perspective.

 

Smooth Seas!

Yes it did appeared many were moved to the lower price. I actually decided against upgrading and had totally planned to.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

They just told us we will be going by John Hopkins shortly, ok I am back tracking I could not hear all the announcements but that for picture of glaciers was correct of being Reid Glacier and those last pictures were of Lamplough. We are just drastically ahead of schedule of the times they told us. At this rate it will easily be 10 when we arrive at Marjorie Glacier  we actually had great view from the aft.

[zelker]

2 minutes ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

They just told us we will be going back John Hopkins shortly, ok I am back tracking I could not hear all the announcements but that for picture of glaciers was correct of being Reid Glacier and those last pictures were of Lamplough. We are just drastically ahead of schedule of the times they told us. At this rate it will easily be 10 when we arrive at Marjorie Glacier 

 

Interesting on the schedule.  Any mention of getting to ISP earlier? 

[LAFFNVEGAS]

2 minutes ago, zelker said:

Interesting on the schedule.  Any mention of getting to ISP earlier? 

Scheduled arrival is still 6 but guessing it may be more like 4:30 or 5

[LAFFNVEGAS]

36 minutes ago, zelker said:

Sorry - hope I didn't jinx your weather  😉.  We've been there when it was bitter cold and precipitating and when it was crystal blue skies ... either way, it's wonderful and didn't keep us from oohing and aahing the scenery.

 

Hopeful that since we're still 5 weeks away from visiting GB, we'll be able to get into Johns Hopkins.  

They won’t get in close till probably the September 4th sailing which will be 6 weeks away although if they still see seal pups they may not go. Once we made it in for September and another time we could not in September.

[1ANGELCAT]

Lisa, I’m glad you’re having a wonderful day in one of the most beautiful places on this planet.

It’s nice to see the people from Alaska Geographic are back on board , great organization to support, I have to renew my membership. 
        Enjoy your lunch in the PG 🍾

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

52 minutes ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Lol it was not long after we entered Glacier Bay the clouds suddenly appeared. But that is still good 😊 

We are currently in the Lido with a lite breakfast. We stopped up to Explorations first for Coffee, the area was busy with people and talking to the Glacier Bay Guides and information people.

Updated information we are not going to John Hopkins, I thought that was the case. Too early to get in, although they may sail by the entrance and we should still be able to see.

 

Everyone looks happy.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

We are now approaching Marjorie Glacier, they stated we will be here about an hour. 
And for those that asked yes definitely had the delicious Pea Soup 😋

[SparklingPinkDaisy]

On 7/25/2021 at 5:35 PM, Suzanne123 said:

I bought the thermal suite pass for couples on line last week, and it was $299, same as on the ship.

I can book a thermal pass for one person for $139 right now on the website but if I waited until the cruise, according to the photo lisa posted, I'd be paying $199.  guess I'm booking ahead! 

[rothbury]

Copper, Just got around to reading your REACT post!  A little 10-96 there!  😂  Maybe it's time to go 10-7 for awhile!  Hahaha  When are you 10-76 to your next task?

[1ANGELCAT]

Pea soup looks good, it’s been a long time since I’ve had some.

[rkacruiser]

On 7/26/2021 at 2:02 PM, LAFFNVEGAS said:

No, said we did not need it so the bed was NOT turned down. But everything else is the same lol

 

I have not had the bed turned down on HAL for several recent cruises.  I am not sure this is much of a change.  

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Marjorie Glacier was extremely quiet, we heard no White Thunder so saw no calving maybe others did but not a lot of floating ice either so don’t think she has been too active. We are turning around now but is turning counter clockwise so not placing the aft cabins in front of the glacier. We did go up to the Lido back pool area for some viewing. 
 

[Lido deck main]

Beautiful picture of  Glacier Bay.  Wow.

[rkacruiser]

15 hours ago, Crew News said:

Deleted – entrée – Roasted Pork Belly Siu

 

No loss.  Not sure, but I wonder if the Pork Belly fad is over?

 

Other items on the menu sound very tempting!

[SparklingPinkDaisy]

23 hours ago, julia said:

Well, just read this entire thread, (after booking the Sept 25th NA sailing!), and it's quite a joy to see the ships in Juneau.  The view looks beautiful, and I'm sure the town will be welcoming.  I fondly remember the San Diego waves...  we lived there at the time.  Lisa, we last crossed paths on the Eurodam in Nov, 2019, and it's so fun to see some familiar names posting here.  Thx for sharing so much information (I laughed at the packing comment... before Covid, I could pack in my sleep, but now?... not so sure!) 😯

Oh, by the way, we'll have the cabin directly above yours, so would appreciate comments on movement, quiet, etc?  Thx!

 I'll be on that sailing too on September 25!