LIVE (hopefully) from the Nieuw Amsterdam's 2nd Alsakan Sailing

[Brentt_M]

1 minute ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Three cheers of embarkation day for the three of you!  I support your comment 100% about enjoying your vacation as the week”s priority. Lisa went above & beyond in laying the groundwork!

 

But as time permits, I think everybody will be enjoying this perspective, too, from a dad with two teenagers on this special Alaska vacation. Have a great time on this special trip together.

Lisa did an amazing job with her report and it will be difficult to follow that, but the fact that our experiences and perspectives will most likely be quite a bit different from hers is one of the main reasons I decided to give a live report a go.

[Brentt_M]

5 minutes ago, liam1965 said:

It’s embarkation day!  It’s embarkation day!

 

(To the tune of the Howdy Doodie theme song)

 

So excited, I couldn’t sleep past 4am.  Well, that and I’m an east coast boy who usually gets up between 6 and 6:36...

But sitting around the hotel just waiting is driving me nuts. I am ready to be onboard that dam ship!

[dobiemom]

3 minutes ago, Brentt_M said:

But sitting around the hotel just waiting is driving me nuts. I am ready to be onboard that dam ship!

Your ship is here. 😉

[Brentt_M]

3 minutes ago, dobiemom said:

Your ship is here. 😉

Yay!  I know there has been a lot of debate about if they are enforcing boarding times, but I have a small feeling show up now probably wouldn't work...

[liam1965]

17 minutes ago, Brentt_M said:

But sitting around the hotel just waiting is driving me nuts. I am ready to be onboard that dam ship!

The only reason I’m less antsy is the Crystal Cruise we disembarked one week ago.  Not a normal thing for us, but fate threw it at us, so we rolled with it.

 

Still excited, just not the jonesing of an addict too long without a fix like we were two weeks ago!

[liam1965]

10 minutes ago, Brentt_M said:

Yay!  I know there has been a lot of debate about if they are enforcing boarding times, but I have a small feeling show up now probably wouldn't work...

I was told by my cruise consultant that they’re rejecting anyone who shows up more than 20 before their listed time.

 

 Then again, with as often as they’ve changed ours, which listed time is that, exactly?

[puppycanducruise]

So exciting!

[Bruinboy]

Thanks for sharing your upcoming cruise experience. Great start. Hope you and the kiddos have a great time and your sweet dog licks your faces off when you all get back.

[AKJonesy]

The Celebrity Edge has been reporting more cases on board, and now some policies have changed including mandatory antigen tests prior to boarding.  I hope someone here will report on all new requirements for each sailing.  I hope this does not lead to canceling cruises.  On the Edge, for those who will test positive, there will be a refund or FCC.  

[Galley Slave]

Will you let us know if people are wearing masks in places where they can't social distance, like the theater or in lines?  We are on the 8/7 cruise and are concerned about the Delta variant being so contagious.  

[NavArch64]

At Radisson SEA-TAC Hotel ... Seems like a long time until assigned 12:40 pm boarding time. 

[liam1965]

10 minutes ago, Galley Slave said:

Will you let us know if people are wearing masks in places where they can't social distance, like the theater or in lines?  We are on the 8/7 cruise and are concerned about the Delta variant being so contagious.  

On the Crystal Serenity on July 17, there was rapid antigen testing for everyone getting on the ship and most people paid $25 for another just before getting off (required by the Bahamas for those staying longer and by the US for those entering the US).  There were no masks anywhere on board but always when off the ship except on the beaches.

 

 I’m looking forward to seeing what HAL does.

[NavArch64]

Why is the ship still CDC Orange?

[Brentt_M]

1 minute ago, NavArch64 said:

Why is the ship still CDC Orange?

A CDC tribute to HAL? 

 

In all seriousness, I am not sure how we are supposed to know the answer to that without it just being speculation.

[Destiny0315]

16 minutes ago, AKJonesy said:

The Celebrity Edge has been reporting more cases on board, and now some policies have changed including mandatory antigen tests prior to boarding.  I hope someone here will report on all new requirements for each sailing.  I hope this does not lead to canceling cruises.  On the Edge, for those who will test positive, there will be a refund or FCC.  

Well if they are going to "86" me from the ships manifest(like lobster tails from the menu), I would prefer it to be at embarkation rather than two ports into the cruise.

[NavArch64]

Apparently the CDC codes are based on data from 7/29 ... Now 2 days old. My guess is that as of today the ship is CDC Green ... We just don't have the current data.

[AKJonesy]

8 minutes ago, Destiny0315 said:

Well if they are going to "86" me from the ships manifest(like lobster tails from the menu), I would prefer it to be at embarkation rather than two ports into the cruise.

I agree.  I would rather have a test at embarkation instead of in port.  

[Sharon in AZ]

@Brentt_M Thank you for sharing your cruise with us!  Enjoy your time with your children. I am so sorry for your loss and I’m sure you all miss her. What a beautiful way to celebrate your late wife. 

[Brentt_M]

Just now, NavArch64 said:

Apparently the CDC codes are based on data from 7/29 ... Now 2 days old. My guess is that as of today the ship is CDC Green ... We just don't have the current data.

I am ok with Orange or Green (obviously green would be preferred). I just don't want to see one of those other colors.

[NavArch64]

Agreed. I trust HAL to keep us safe. Almost 150 years of history supports that.

 

 

Edited July 31, 2021 by NavArch64

[Brentt_M]

Today's activities from the navigator app...

[Brentt_M]

Hmm whenever I click on the dining room or one of the restaurants in the app I am getting a page not found error. Any one else experiencing similar issues?

[Brentt_M]

Here are the hours of the different venues for embarkation day as posted in the app.

 

Not sure why that screenshot is so blurry

Edited July 31, 2021 by Brentt_M

[Brentt_M]

It looks like that my NavPass (keycard equivalent?), and tickets to my booked excursions are already loaded into the app wallet along with our boarding passes.

[bluesplayer]

Deepest Sympathy to you and your family for your loss.  Will be following along on your posts.  Thank you for taking the time to update us on the shore.  Hope you have a wonderful cruise!!!