Just Back from Nieuw Amsterdam, July 24th Sailing!

[idiebabe]

Day 7 – Sea Day

 

Since clocks went ahead an hour last night we woke up later than planned and right before Room Service delivered.  We had been invited to the Mariner Reception but were running a little late and never made it. 😢  At 11:00 we went to the Ask the Captain which was enjoyable.  He told all about what the Ship had done and the places they went to get Crew home, etc.  We then had lunch and went to play Trivia with Seth at 1:30 p.m. in Billboard.  That was a lot of fun!  I’ve been playing Trivia with Seth just about every Tuesday since the Pause so it was great to actually now do it in-person! 

 

The last day is always a bit depressing since it’s now time to get off!  We went and packed after Trivia and then went to finish up in the Casino.  They had announced everyone be Cashed Out by 9 pm.  The day went by too fast and before we knew it we were doing 6:30 Trivia and watching Billboard before going for our Last Supper! 

 

After Dinner hung out on Lido for a little while and then headed back to finish packing and called it a night.

 

Another great day on the Nieuw Amsterdam!

[idiebabe]

Debark Day:

 

We signed up for Port Valet and this was our 2^nd time doing it.  It is GREAT!  We had a Noon flight and planned on taking a Taxi and leaving the Ship between 8:30 – 9:00.

 

 On the last night they do not give a Room Service Menu to hang out.  Our Room Attendant told us to call to place the Order.  When Mike called in the a.m. he missed the cut off so, again, if anyone is interested in Room Service on Debark either order the night before or ask what time the cut off.  Mike decided to go up to Lido and grab something to eat and bring back to the Room.  Couldn’t find his Room Key!  He said I’ll just use the Nav App and then decided he’d go down to the Desk and get a replacement (just in case).  He left it in his Pants from Dinner which was packed.  Now you know who my Daughter takes after in this area! 😂

 

We left the Ship around 8:45 and walked right off, right through the Terminal and had a Taxi right away.  Flights home were on time but it was a long day especially with the time change.  We arrived home around 11 pm (EST) and so happy to see our Pups! ❤️🥰

 

Wonderful Cruise but 7 Nights is just way too short!

[Lido deck main]

Great review, thanks so much for posting.  Like the way you write.

[idiebabe]

Some Final Thoughts!

 

I went on this Cruise not expecting normal and was very surprised!  It very much felt like normal!

 

Entertainment:  BB King and Billboard were very good!  We didn't go to Lincoln Center on this Cruise.

The Show Times were not good especially for those who do Late Seating.  The Comedians were in BB King at 8:30 pm. when we're at Dinner.  The Show Times were:  7 pm and 9 pm.  At 7 pm there are too many from Open Seating, Early and Late going to the Show.  They need to go back to either 7:30 and 9:30 or 8:00 and 10 pm.  

 

The Menus in the DR:  Overall, we thought the food was very good but the Menus felt a lot of the same.  I chalk this off to Product shortages plus getting this Cruise up and going.   We own a Restaurant and know what we are going through with the Product Shortages especially items like Shrimp, Clams, etc.  Hoping this isn't the new "Norm" and things will improve in this area as Product becomes more available and life goes back to Pre-Covid times.

 

Our Waitstaff was excellent and it worked out with the Have It All package for us.  We did miss having our Wine Packages and they were offered but stayed with ordering by the Glass.  I forgot to mention and I believe it was the night of Sitka our Wine order was taken by our Server but a Bar Server brought them to us.  This continued throughout the rest of the Cruise which I was happy to see.  There is no way the Waitstaff will be able to handle taking, getting and delivering the Drinks on top of their Server responsibilities in a busier Dining Room.  Anyone who thought they could and made this decision doesn't get out from behind his Desk often! 

 

We really are happy we went and very much enjoyed all aspects of this Cruise!  It was great to be back Onboard a "Dam" Ship!  We were a little out of normal Routine with going more to the Specialty Restaurants but we will make up for that on the Rotterdam in November!  

 

I will try and post some Pics later and also if I think of anything else or if anyone has any questions I'll be happy to answer!  

 

Everyone who has an upcoming AK Cruise I wish you a wonderful Cruise, great Weather and hope you have as good a time as we did and Bon Voyage!  😀

 

 

Edited August 3, 2021 by idiebabe

[idiebabe]

20 minutes ago, Lido deck main said:

Great review, thanks so much for posting.  Like the way you write.

Thank you!  Appreciate that! 😀

[julia]

Very enjoyable review, thx sooo much!  How was your departure at SeaTac?  Crowded?  Not crowded? Security lines?

[idiebabe]

27 minutes ago, julia said:

Very enjoyable review, thx sooo much!  How was your departure at SeaTac?  Crowded?  Not crowded? Security lines?

Thank you!

 

The Security Lines weren't long at all (maybe 10 minutes to get through) but the Gates and Airport were crowded.  We had a full Plane from SEA to ATL.  

[alohayall]

Since this a US-destination cruise, do you have passport checks/ customs as you disembark?

[idiebabe]

6 minutes ago, alohayall said:

Since this a US-destination cruise, do you have passport checks/ customs as you disembark?

They did have us show Passports when leaving but it was just a walk-by!  

[PSR]

2 hours ago, idiebabe said:

Day 5 – Sitka

 

Another beautiful day!  We were on the fence about Tours for this Port and went back and forth between the Sea Quest Otter and Fortress of the Bear or the Bears, Birds and Barnacles.  We decided on the BB&B at 11:15 a.m.  In Sitka there are Free Shuttle Buses that take you to the center of Town to get your Tour.  It’s about a 6 mile ride and about 10 minutes.  We took the Shuttle and met up with the Tour where they scanned our Tour Tickets on our Phone.  We were assigned Bus #51 and Bobbie was our Driver.  She was quite the character and told jokes while telling us about Sitka. 

 

Our first stop was the Raptor Center to see the rescued Birds and the Bald Eagles.  We had a tour, watched a short presentation and one of the Trainers brought out a beautiful Bald Eagle.  After that there is a Gift Shop and Birds in Cages out on the Grounds.  Next stop was the Science Museum which was interesting.  They had a touch and feel tank and also a Hatchery where they told about the Salmon Process.  Next stop was the Bears. Bobbie told us the history of the Bears and why they were there and where some of them came from.  The Black Bears where quite the “Hams” and were posing for us.  The Brown Bears were also “Hams” and the one was playing on her back in the Water with a small Barrel. So cute! We’ve seen Bears in the Wild a couple of years ago (including seeing a Black Bear while driving a couple of blocks from my house) but it was fun to see them close up, playing and able to get some really good Pics of them.  It was an enjoyable Tour.  (Note:  Each location had clean Restrooms.)

 

Bobbie announced that anyone who wanted to go straight back to the Ship she would drop us off there.  YAY  We were starving!  Ordered Dive-In on the App and only waited a few minutes or so for the food.

 

The Hunt for Sugar Free Red Bull:  My Daughter drinks Sugar Free Red Bull instead of Coffee or Tea.  The Lido Bar was out and went to another Bar that was out.  They called another Bar and they were out.  The Bar Server then made a call and was told they’d bring some up from Storage the next morning.  We were in Ketchikan the next day so could pick it up there but Mike called Guest Services to confirm they would be able to get it the next day.  They said they would double check for us.  We went to 6:30 Trivia and hit the Casino for a little while before Dinner (Billboard was off tonight).  When we stopped back in the Room before Dinner sitting on our Desk was 10 Cans of Sugar Free Red Bull.  Thank you, Guest Services….great job!  After Dinner we decided to just hang out on Lido Aft for a little while before heading back to our Rooms.  Another great day!

I only wanted to ask about the shuttle to town in the first paragraph. First, were passengers from the other ship docked in Sitka (I'm assuming there was one) also taken with passengers from HAL? Second, did any tours leave from the dock, or do all have to take the shuttle, and third, did the actual excursion you took only have HAL passengers? Thanks for any information; worried a little about passenger mingling from a less-vaccinated cruise. 

[Sharon in AZ]

1 hour ago, idiebabe said:

Our Waitstaff was excellent and it worked out with the Have It All package for us.  We did miss having our Wine Packages and they were offered but stayed with ordering by the Glass. 

I’m trying this for the 3rd time so hopefully haven’t duplicated anything. 
 

First, thank you so much for sharing your cruise with us. I’ve enjoyed reading everything. 
 

About The Have it All package— did you ever order a second glass of wine? If so, were you able to get it quickly?  This will be our first time using the package. We always did a wine package before and it was so nice having a bottle at the table. 

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for all the info ..

[wdw1972]

Thank you for your wonderful report!  Your kids sound terrific, and I'm happy you were able to have such a nice cruise - and especially happy you chose to share it with all of us who couldn't be there 😉  

 

Sue/WDW1972

[rkacruiser]

2 hours ago, idiebabe said:

The Show Times were not good especially for those who do Late Seating. 

 

Nothing new to experience there.  This has been an issue for quite some time.

 

2 hours ago, idiebabe said:

The Menus in the DR:  Overall, we thought the food was very good but the Menus felt a lot of the same. 

 

I have been checking menus from my 2019 and 2020 cruises that have been posted and comparing with those posted.  Some are almost carbon copies of what I was offered.  Most of the current menus, in comparison, are lacking as to the selections available, however.  Product availability; the need to stock the ship on apparent short notice (30 days prior to sailing):  this is probably contributing to what is being offered on the current menus.  

[BSR]

Enjoyed reading your review. 

[idiebabe]

1 hour ago, PSR said:

I only wanted to ask about the shuttle to town in the first paragraph. First, were passengers from the other ship docked in Sitka (I'm assuming there was one) also taken with passengers from HAL? Second, did any tours leave from the dock, or do all have to take the shuttle, and third, did the actual excursion you took only have HAL passengers? Thanks for any information; worried a little about passenger mingling from a less-vaccinated cruise. 

We had a RCL Ship in Sitka with us.  The Shuttle was taking Passengers from both Ships but the Tours were ONLY  HAL Passengers.   I’m not aware of any Tours that left from the Dock but Lisa (LaffNVegas) maybe can answer that since she took the Sea Otter Quest Tour which is a Boat Tour.   All the Land Tours had to take the Shuttle into the Center of Town.  
 

If it helps, Mask were required on the Shuttle Bus and the Tour Buses.  Also, IIRC, Seth had mentioned on one of his “Lives” that Alaska required only Vaccinated Cruises.  

[idiebabe]

38 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Nothing new to experience there.  This has been an issue for quite some time.

 

 

I have been checking menus from my 2019 and 2020 cruises that have been posted and comparing with those posted.  Some are almost carbon copies of what I was offered.  Most of the current menus, in comparison, are lacking as to the selections available, however.  Product availability; the need to stock the ship on apparent short notice (30 days prior to sailing):  this is probably contributing to what is being offered on the current menus.  

Agree! Also the Product Shortages can affect quality.  We thought the food though was very good and some of the dishes were excellent.  We love the Onion Soup and it was spot on whenever we ordered it.  The Bread is now served to you instead of the Basket on the table but we never lacked for bread and a couple of times ate too much of it!  

 

I  really applaud HAL for making this Cruise happen and for giving us all such a great Cruise!  I can’t say enough about this wonderful Staff and Crew.  They were very friendly, very accommodating and so happy to be back!

 

I was talking with a Server on Lido Aft.  He’s from the Philippines and I asked him how he made out during the Pandemic.  He has a Motorbike and did delivery for GrubHub.  Had no idea the Philippines had GrubHub!  

[rkacruiser]

12 minutes ago, idiebabe said:

 We love the Onion Soup and it was spot on whenever we ordered it.

 

 

Thanks for your post!  Onion Soup?  Good to know that it was as good as it has always been.

 

Your comments about the Lido staff member is interesting and I appreciate you posting it.  I have thought about those HAL staff members whom I have met over the years and have wondered how they fared during this pandemic.  (As well as before, as well.  On one cruise,  I remember my MDR Steward's goal was to open his own restaurant in Jakarta.  Did that ever happen?  Was it successful?  Then, I wonder about my Cabin Steward who "jumped ship" in Singapore because of family issues that he was having.  What happened to him and his family?)
  

[idiebabe]

A few Pics!  
 

Fortress of the Bear

 

 

[idiebabe]

Science Museum and Raptor Center

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 4, 2021 by idiebabe

[rwmiller]

We took the early Birds, Bears and Barnacles tour that left at 8:30 and I picked us up at the pier but only had NA passengers on board. 
 

Bob

[idiebabe]

Lucy and Jerry Lee almost had a Friend!  Mike wanted to take this Cutie home (so did I). 
 

 

Our  Musher Shaynee

 

 

The Pup next to my Daughter completed the Iditarod in 2018.

 

 

 

 

Our Team at the Summer Camp

 

 

[idiebabe]

10 minutes ago, rwmiller said:

We took the early Birds, Bears and Barnacles tour that left at 8:30 and I picked us up at the pier but only had NA passengers on board. 
 

Bob

You lucked out!  We had to take the Shuttle!  

[PSR]

7 hours ago, idiebabe said:

We had a RCL Ship in Sitka with us.  The Shuttle was taking Passengers from both Ships but the Tours were ONLY  HAL Passengers.   I’m not aware of any Tours that left from the Dock but Lisa (LaffNVegas) maybe can answer that since she took the Sea Otter Quest Tour which is a Boat Tour.   All the Land Tours had to take the Shuttle into the Center of Town.  
 

If it helps, Mask were required on the Shuttle Bus and the Tour Buses.  Also, IIRC, Seth had mentioned on one of his “Lives” that Alaska required only Vaccinated Cruises.  

 

Thank you very much for the info! We are doing a Land Tour in Sitka so I guess we will have to take the shuttle. Hope everyone is vaccinated on the RCCL ship that is in Sitka with us later this month; I thought I heard that they were allowing unvaccinated children.

[idiebabe]

8 hours ago, PSR said:

 

Thank you very much for the info! We are doing a Land Tour in Sitka so I guess we will have to take the shuttle. Hope everyone is vaccinated on the RCCL ship that is in Sitka with us later this month; I thought I heard that they were allowing unvaccinated children.

You're Welcome!  

 

The RCL Ship pulled in later than ours and we had already been Docked for awhile.  Bob had the 8:30 Tour and he said they went from the Pier.  Since ours was at 11:15 we had to take the Shuttle.  Do you have an early Tour?  Good chance if you do, you'll be able to avoid the Shuttle!