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

[atexsix]

2 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

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

Now that you mention it....trying to recall what a turned down bed would look like, all this time I thought it was being turned down when it probably wasn't. 

[StLouisCruisers]

4 minutes ago, atexsix said:

Now that you mention it....trying to recall what a turned down bed would look like, all this time I thought it was being turned down when it probably wasn't. 

 

I think turn down service means they remove the long tubular throw pillows and the "bed scarf" from the foot of the bed.  They also plump up the pillows and smooth out the comforter.  They make the bed look fresh but don't actually turn down the comforter.  

[atexsix]

5 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

I think turn down service means they remove the long tubular throw pillows and the "bed scarf" from the foot of the bed.  They also plump up the pillows and smooth out the comforter.  They make the bed look fresh but don't actually turn down the comforter.  

thanks.  I didn't know if it meant pulling down the sheets and blanket so you can crawl into them, which is what I think of "turndown" at home.

[rkacruiser]

4 minutes ago, StLouisCruisers said:

They make the bed look fresh but don't actually turn down the comforter.  

 

Once upon a time, more than that was done.  The comforter and the top sheet were turned down, inviting entry into the bed.  

 

This certainly is a "small potatoes" item, but it is a change from the service that HAL's Stewards once provided.  

[StLouisCruisers]

2 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Once upon a time, more than that was done.  The comforter and the top sheet were turned down, inviting entry into the bed.  

 

This certainly is a "small potatoes" item, but it is a change from the service that HAL's Stewards once provided.  

Yes I would call that small potatoes.  I'm fine with the service they give.  

[aliaschief]

Many of these small changes may eventually return to what we have grown accustomed to.  For us the important thing is to get back on a Dam ship!

[atexsix]

23 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Once upon a time, more than that was done.  The comforter and the top sheet were turned down, inviting entry into the bed.  

 

This certainly is a "small potatoes" item, but it is a change from the service that HAL's Stewards once provided.  

How delightful!

 

Sometimes I feel like I missed the boat on classic cruising, pun intended.  

[rkacruiser]

1 minute ago, atexsix said:

How delightful!

 

Sometimes I feel like I missed the boat on classic cruising, pun intended.  

 

You are not alone my friend.  I "missed the boat" on classic cruising prior to 1970 because of still growing into adulthood, needing to get an education, and a career that would provide me with the financial security to begin cruising and experiencing the world.  

 

Visiting ships on sailing days in New York as well as in Fort Lauderdale only whetted my desire to "I have to experience this!" prior to 1970.  

[dobiemom]

1 hour ago, Seasick Sailor said:

We've been on many Alaska cruises. Once on NCL I asked a server on deck that was sellIng hot toddies "where's the pea soup"?? He said "wrong ship"

😄😄😄

[StLouisCruisers]

1 hour ago, atexsix said:

How delightful!

 

Sometimes I feel like I missed the boat on classic cruising, pun intended.  

 

I hardly recognize you with the new avatar photo.  LOL

[ger_77]

Lisa, the question was asked on another site, are there people that you are aware of on the ship who are not vaccinated?

 

Smooth Sailing! 🙂🙂🙂

[atexsix]

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

I hardly recognize you with the new avatar photo.  LOL

 

Well I hope you like my bag!

[StLouisCruisers]

4 minutes ago, atexsix said:

 

Well I hope you like my bag!

 

Of course I do!  

[Boytjie]

7 hours ago, 1ANGELCAT said:

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

 

I have gotten very good at making pea soup during the pandemic! 😄

[Traveling Dot]

2 hours ago, ger_77 said:

Lisa, the question was asked on another site, are there people that you are aware of on the ship who are not vaccinated?

 

Smooth Sailing! 🙂🙂🙂

You had to show your covid vaccine card before you could board and sign all those forms when you check-in online.  So why would you think anyone on the cruise is not vaccinated.  

[bluesplayer]

Thank you for the updates  photos and memories..  pea soup and glacier viewing!!  Happy memories..  

  I hear newer ships with Dutch Cafe have  pea soup every day??  Hoping so..

[atexsix]

2 hours ago, Boytjie said:

 

I have gotten very good at making pea soup during the pandemic! 😄

I enjoy it too, but it doesn't always agree with me.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Good Evening, so sorry for being MIA and that is not the city in Florida 😂😊 internet on the ship totally went down around 11:30 ship time 12:30 Pacific time. When we got to Icy Strait Point still no internet and the cell service was not working at all for most of us , even on roaming. 
it’s was a very full day with Glacier Bay we missed it but Marjorie Glacier was active just not when we saw it.

We had lunch with Seth Wayne, Pinnacle practically had to kick us out we were sitting and talking so long.

Tonight at Icy Straight we went on a Whale Watch, saw LOTS of flapping Whale Tales. We got back to the ship after 9 so only thing to eat is NY Pizza so Tom went down to get one. 
I will attempt to upload pictures, I have a lot of them but internet does not appear strong.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I saw there were lots of questions, I will try to go back later tomorrow afternoon to answer them, but a bit exhausted tonight.

The next set of pictures are lunch in Pinnacle Grill.

Sorry I cannot believe I totally forgot to take pictures of entrees but We were too busy talking 😂

 

[atexsix]

9 minutes ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Good Evening, so sorry for being MIA and that is not the city in Florida 😂😊 internet on the ship totally went down around 11:30 ship time 12:30 Pacific time. When we got to Icy Strait Point still no internet and the cell service was not working at all for most of us , even on roaming. 
it’s was a very full day with Glacier Bay we missed it but Marjorie Glacier was active just not when we saw it.

We had lunch with Seth Wayne, Pinnacle practically had to kick us out we were sitting and talking so long.

Tonight at Icy Straight we went on a Whale Watch, saw LOTS of flapping Whale Tales. We got back to the ship after 9 so only thing to eat is NY Pizza so Tom went down to get one. 
I will attempt to upload pictures, I have a lot of them but internet does not appear strong.

I would have gone with room service 😃Those pizzas take FOREVER!!

 

 

Edited July 28, 2021 by atexsix

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Last group of photos are just a few of our whale watch at ICP. 
I was please to see the excursion was handled by Allen Marine and actually the boat we were on we have sailed on previously out of Juneau called St Maria. The St Maria has been recently sailing out of Sitka and they brought her and a sister ship up to ICP, after dropping us off after  9 this evening the crew and the ship had to head back to Sitka, which was going to take them slightly over 6 and a half hours. Our guide said it would be after 2:30 in the morning, then the St Maria sling with the other one that was with us at ICP and several others will be doing our tours tomorrow of which we have one at 10:30 Otter Quest then Fortress of the Bear. All pending cell service I will attempt reporting in from Sitka, then tomorrow night try to answer questions I missed.

[atexsix]

4 minutes ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Last group of photos are just a few of our whale watch at ICP. 
I was please to see the excursion was handled by Allen Marine and actually the boat we were on we have sailed on previously out of Juneau called St Maria. The St Maria has been recently sailing out of Sitka and they brought her and a sister ship up to ICP, after dropping us off after  9 this evening the crew and the ship had to head back to Sitka, which was going to take them slightly over 6 and a half hours. Our guide said it would be after 2:30 in the morning, then the St Maria sling with the other one that was with us at ICP and several others will be doing our tours tomorrow of which we have one at 10:30 Otter Quest then Fortress of the Bear. All pending cell service I will attempt reporting in from Sitka, then tomorrow night try to answer questions I missed.

Is this a tender stop? I've never been there.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Here are whale 🐋 pics

Yes saw LOTS of tail. One hit his or her tail well over 10 times in a row, never seen that before.

I did see a full breach but did not capture on camera.

 

[LAFFNVEGAS]

3 minutes ago, atexsix said:

Is this a tender stop? I've never been there.

No they now have two docks, fairly new for Holland America to stop here. I think May have started in 2018.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

21 minutes ago, atexsix said:

I would have gone with room service 😃Those pizzas take FOREVER!!

 

 

Actually I think Room Service was probably a longer wait, Tom came back fairly quick despite being pack and his and my plain cheese pizza is already gone 😂