Live from Nieuw Statendam 4/8/23 TA

[Iamthesea]

1 hour ago, ExpatBride said:

Is there a "yum-yum man" on this ship? I'm sailing her in late July and I credit the Zuiderdam man's post-dinner ginger for keeping me from getting seasick for the first time ever!

There has not been a Yum-Yum man in a few years, unfortunately.  Such a loss along with the dinner bell ringer. 😥  Better to bring your own GinGins.

Edited April 19, 2023 by Iamthesea

[ExpatBride]

2 hours ago, Iamthesea said:

There has not been a Yum-Yum man in a few years, unfortunately.  Such a loss along with the dinner bell ringer. 😥  Better to bring your own GinGins.

 

Thanks for your reply. This is so sad! The yum-yum man and the dinner bell ringer were part of the "je ne sais quoi" that endeared me to HAL despite being a bit younger than their core demographic.

[L454S]

On 4/16/2023 at 3:59 AM, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

It is our favorite. Please make a reservation for us August 2. 6:30  room 1111

 

Earlier in the thread Gail & Marty Sailing Away made this post about Taramind Rest.

 

Good post and I can see why it's their favorite. It was the best of the 3 specialty dining venues. From the medley and tempura shrimp apps to the crusted beef tenderloin and Szechuan shrimp entrees. Then you pick a few sides like in Pinnacle Grill. Very enjoyable....a hidden gem.

[L454S]

It's about 3/4 mi. walk from the ship to the old town bastion walls. If you're not taking a tour of the rock, you might like this. There are signs to guide you. This is a British territory, but they drive on the right side of the street.

 

Lots of shops and some restaurants.

 

 

[L454S]

This morning 4/20/23 is the port of Malaga. Most tours will pick you up at the cruise terminal. If you just want to walk in old town, there are shuttles to old town entrance.

 

After breakfast we got back to our cabin and found these tiles from the Mariner Society. They are Pinnacle Class ship tiles.

 

I know it seems funny, being 7 hours ahead, I am posting this stuff while back home everybody is asleep. 

 

Edited April 20, 2023 by L454S

[Iamthesea]

Thank you for showing us what the new Pinnacle Class tiles look like.  Hearing that there was a shortage of tiles a few weeks back, I went ahead and ordered an older Statendam tile from Ebay to have in case we do not get tiles on our upcoming Nieuw Statendam cruise.  Although the tile is not officially for the N. Statendam, I like the looks of the older tiles, better.  I have a collection of HAL tiles in shadow boxes.  Most of the tiles are cruises DH and I have been on.  A couple of the tiles are from my parents cruising days. At least one is from my grandparents many cruises.  I will place the Statendam tile in the shadow box after we take our cruise.   Not sure if I will use the newer Pinnacle tile.

 

Ebay tile

 

[L454S]

We stayed onboard today instead of going ashore(been here a few times). This sailing had more to do with HAL(as it is today) overall than the ports.

 

We have been very satisfied overall with the product compared to our other preferred lines(cutbacks not withstanding).

 

Future Cruise made us an offer a few days ago that we took. 22 day South America/Antarctica on Jan.6, 2025. Aft Bcy. 5185, Santiago,Chile to Buenos Aires, Argentina. A bucket list for us.

 

Did not care for Celebrity's offering.

Edited April 20, 2023 by L454S

[Sea42]

1 hour ago, L454S said:

We stayed onboard today instead of going ashore(been here a few times). This sailing had more to do with HAL(as it is today) overall than the ports.

 

We have been very satisfied overall with the product compared to our other preferred lines(cutbacks not withstanding).

 

Future Cruise made us an offer a few days ago that we took. 22 day South America/Antarctica on Jan.6, 2025. Aft Bcy. 5185, Santiago,Chile to Buenos Aires, Argentina. A bucket list for us.

 

Did not care for Celebrity's offering.

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us. We board in a little over 3 weeks and it will be our first time on a Pinnacle class ship so I enjoyed getting a preview.

[Unlvswezel]

This is been a great update. Been on the Koningsdam a few times but this will be a first for us this June. In terms of music at Roling Stone and Billboard, good overall? Any casino impressions? Full or busy?

[L454S]

8 hours ago, Unlvswezel said:

This is been a great update. Been on the Koningsdam a few times but this will be a first for us this June. In terms of music at Roling Stone and Billboard, good overall? Any casino impressions? Full or busy?

 

 I enjoyed the music that is piped in very much at both of those venues.

 

I thought I would enjoy the pianos more, but a rock song with guitars, bass, and drums does not come across well on piano. Elton John and Billy Joel do OK.

 

The live band did very well with 45 minute sets. 7:45 to 8:30 and another set later. Could have listened all night. Bravo!

 

Not much of a casino buff, but walked through many times and it was never full.

 

BB King is a large venue that did draw better crowds than I thought they would. I am not into Jazz or Classical music, but evidently some are.

[L454S]

Heading into port of Alicante, Spain this morning . Beautiful sunrise over the Mediterranean. We do have a wine tasting tour today.

 

 

[VMax1700]

Another thread mentions revisions to Nieuw Statendam itineraries due to a technical problem that cannot be fixed until dry dock.  Have you heard anything about this?

Perhaps there will be an 'Meet the Captain' session and you could ask Captain Noel is he disappointed to be missing Cork (his home port) on the August cruise!

 

 

[L454S]

3 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

Another thread mentions revisions to Nieuw Statendam itineraries due to a technical problem that cannot be fixed until dry dock.  Have you heard anything about this?

Perhaps there will be an 'Meet the Captain' session and you could ask Captain Noel is he disappointed to be missing Cork (his home port) on the August cruise!

 

 

 

Have not heard a word about this. Our schedule has been kept on time.

 

We are leaving Alicante this evening and arriving in Barcelona in the morning for debarkation. If I hear anything I will respond with what I hear.

[L454S]

The captain just came over the PA and gave the daily announcement  about time to leave this port as scheduled and how he would do this maneuver, as well as how far to Barcelona and that we would make 17 kts. to arrive as scheduled in the AM.

[robnu]

On 4/16/2023 at 7:14 AM, zuzka61 said:

Can you please tell me if the ship has escargot at any of the restaurants?

yes  Pinnacle and Mdr

[robnu]

On 4/15/2023 at 12:53 PM, Florida_gal_50 said:

If you are so inclined I've heard if you ask for the osso bucco the day before they will make it for you. I wouldn't blame you if you didn't go back. That's the way I feel about the pinnacle. 

 

Pretty picture.  Enjoy your day.

Sorry to hear that, we had 3 meals there on the April 8th cruise. The filet was fork tender and the lamb chops were killer and cooked perfectly.