'Twas Two Weeks Before Christmas - Live from the Nieuw Statendam, Dec. 10 - 17, 2023

[POA1]

Just now, keeponcruising said:

Hello Poa1, I am greatly enjoying following along with you and it is building my anticipation even more for my cruise in a few weeks on the Rotterdam.  In the middle of the night  I had the thought that during happy hour, I wonder if the beverage package can be used to get a more expensive drink that would be over package limits. Example would be a glass of wine is $20, but with the 50% off it puts it within the package limits.  I wonder if the Institute of Cheer can do some research on that??

No, you cannot. With a beverage package, Happy Hour is just Hour.

 

Good thinking though.

Edited December 13, 2023 by POA1

[POA1]

This morning's research project had to be canceled. The Retreat area is closed due to high winds.

 

We're looking for an emergency fill in, substitute project now.

[POA1]

We're hanging out at the Royal Dutch Café to give our room stewards time to tidy up.

The holiday display in the little alcove by the café. I couldn't get a good photo because a woman has stationed herself in the window to make a call. She's been there for a while now. Perhaps I should hand her a poinsettia so she looks more festive.

 

I reviewed the always depressing disembarkation paperwork. No change for CO other than they bring the luggage tags to you. You can leave any time before 9:00.

[Haljo1935]

27 minutes ago, POA1 said:

This morning's research project had to be canceled. The Retreat area is closed due to high winds.

 

We're looking for an emergency fill in, substitute project now.

Hey @POA1 I do have an important but rather large research project that I would like to submit for consideration. I was remiss in completing during my time on NS and trust your abilities far exceed mine, so 🤞

Would love to see pictures of each piece of art deck-by-deck, location-by-location (aft, mid, fwd) 🤔🫣

Is this considered official submission request or does the Institute require a fancy form?

[POA1]

Just now, Haljo1935 said:

Hey @POA1 I do have an important but rather large research project that I would like to submit for consideration. I was remiss in completing during my time on NS and trust your abilities far exceed mine, so 🤞

Would love to see pictures of each piece of art deck-by-deck, location-by-location (aft, mid, fwd) 🤔🫣

Is this considered official submission request or does the Institute require a fancy form?

I cannot promise anything because that's a pretty big ask and we're only on a 7 day cruise. I'll see what I can do.

 

You'll like the next post though.

[POA1]

The bookmobile was here! The library is open and well stocked. (It reminded me to recommend the Finlay Donavan books by Elle Cosimano. We love them. They have surprising plot twists.)

 

Without further ado... The elusive Library. It's on the starboard side, forward between the Rolling Stone Rock Room and the main showroom. There is no background music and the club chairs are comfy.

 

Sign out in the corridor.

Ironically, the NS Library is not among the 1,000 Places

 

 

 

 

 

 

[*Miss G*]

@POA1, you are so right about the red wine!  Drives me crazy.  I’ve been known to put the bottle into the white wine ice bucket.  Usually, after they see that, it comes a little cooler for the rest of the cruise.

 

I will have to challenge you on the bathroom size.  I also like that it’s not fleshy pink. 

 

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

Hey @POA1 I do have an important but rather large research project that I would like to submit for consideration. I was remiss in completing during my time on NS and trust your abilities far exceed mine, so 🤞

Would love to see pictures of each piece of art deck-by-deck, location-by-location (aft, mid, fwd) 🤔🫣

Is this considered official submission request or does the Institute require a fancy form?

 

Holy!  That’s a HUGE task!  I wouldn’t have done that on my own sailing either.  🤣

 

Sorry to hear you can’t use the Retreat, today, @POA1!  I’d be less ticked off with wind closures than with being chased away due to blasting music from the Goofy and Princess ships.  Was. Not. Happy.  😠

 

 

Edited December 13, 2023 by *Miss G*

[hrhdhd]

I wish they'd post the library's hours in the daily.

 

I am anxiously awaiting Finlay Donovan #4.

[POA1]

We had a light lunch at Royal Dutch Café. Michelle had the ham and cheese sandwiche. I had the veal kroket. We added fries because we wanted a vegetable. The fries come with mayo and a spicy peanut sauce. Michelle's sandwich came with curry ketchup so we had three fry sauces.

 

 

 

Edited December 13, 2023 by POA1

[POA1]

Just now, hrhdhd said:

I wish they'd post the library's hours in the daily.

 

I am anxiously awaiting Finlay Donovan #4.

There weren't any hours posted in the library itself. Or at least that we remember seeing. It has both the "new furniture smell" and new book smell. 

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, *Miss G* said:

Holy!  That’s a HUGE task!  I wouldn’t have done that on my own sailing either.  

I know - imagine, I managed to not get it done during 4 weeks, 1 of which was all sea days 🫣

And the ones I did get, I did not properly note the location, so I awarded myself a grade below failing, whatever that is, lol. But I did get some points for posting quite a few on my Live From, if that counts.

[Haljo1935]

4 minutes ago, POA1 said:

There weren't any hours posted in the library itself. Or at least that we remember seeing. It has both the "new furniture smell" and new book smell. 

Ooh, library unveiled - yay!! Your wife is a lucky woman - you know the way to a woman's ❤ 🤍 💙 🧡 

It does look really nice, glad you guys are able to access it.

[VMax1700]

6 hours ago, POA1 said:

We have had two quibbles this trip. Both are fairly minor. The first is the serving temperature for red wines. It's a little warm. We are sticklers for a proper 65°F for most red wine. (That's 18 1/3 degrees Celsius if you are drinking metric wine.)

You would be shocked to be in Southern Spain (Andalucia) during the summer months and find the vino tinto served to you directly from the chiller!  It is an acquired taste, but I am happy to report that after sufficient practice it can be acquired!

[*Miss G*]

7 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

And the ones I did get, I did not properly note the location, so I awarded myself a grade below failing, whatever that is, lol

 

I love looking at the art around the ships.  I wish they’d put together some sort of booklet to describe some of the pieces with the artist’s concepts or something.  Would love to know the background on some of them.  Even a scavenger hunt on sea days would be fun!  Or maybe that’s just me.  🤭

[Cruising-along]

10 hours ago, erewhon said:

Thanks for sll your information and photos.

Is Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc no longer available on HAL, or did I miss it on the wine lists?

It showed on Tamarind's menu that Lisa posted last night (I remember because it's what I would order) 😉  

[POA1]

Just now, VMax1700 said:

You would be shocked to be in Southern Spain (Andalucia) during the summer months and find the vino tinto served to you directly from the chiller!  It is an acquired taste, but I am happy to report that after sufficient practice it can be acquired!

Thanks. You know we'd be willing to put in the hard work.

[POA1]

Just now, Cruising-along said:

It showed on Tamarind's menu that Lisa posted last night (I remember because it's what I would order) 😉  

Some restaurants have their own lists. I believe all the specialty restaurants have their own lists. You might be able to persuade your MDR wine steward to bring a bottle down. We have in the past, but we're really nice people.

 

I'll post the specialty menus at some point. Here's the Tamarind Bar - because you seem like a lovely person interested in these scientific pursuits.

 

 

 

There is the wine you are seeking!

[POA1]

Just now, *Miss G* said:

 

I love looking at the art around the ships.  I wish they’d put together some sort of booklet to describe some of the pieces with the artist’s concepts or something.  Would love to know the background on some of them.  Even a scavenger hunt on sea days would be fun!  Or maybe that’s just me.  🤭

They used to have narrated audio tours for all the ship artwork. The files were in iPod aif format. I still have them somewhere, both in the Apple format and converted into MP3.

[Cruising-along]

12 minutes ago, POA1 said:

I'll post the specialty menus at some point. Here's the Tamarind Bar - because you seem like a lovely person interested in these scientific pursuits.

Thanks POA!  I was just answering @erewhon who asked if it was available on the ship.

Didn't mean to step on any toes!  I'm thoroughly enjoying your blog. 😀

[Haljo1935]

33 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

 

I love looking at the art around the ships.  I wish they’d put together some sort of booklet to describe some of the pieces with the artist’s concepts or something.  Would love to know the background on some of them.  Even a scavenger hunt on sea days would be fun!  Or maybe that’s just me.  🤭

Not just you - I'd participate. And would love to have that book!

[Haljo1935]

So enjoying this Live From, as if there was any doubt! Completely respect Poohby Joe's commitment to always looking his finest. Will he host how-to seminars or has he published? I have a pup in need of a mentor or role model.

[albingirl]

2 hours ago, POA1 said:

The bookmobile was here! The library is open and well stocked. (It reminded me to recommend the Finlay Donavan books by Elle Cosimano. We love them. They have surprising plot twists.)

 

Without further ado... The elusive Library. It's on the starboard side, forward between the Rolling Stone Rock Room and the main showroom. There is no background music and the club chairs are comfy.

 

Sign out in the corridor.

Ironically, the NS Library is not among the 1,000 Places

 

 

 

 

 

 

This would be the happiness post for many cruisers who have lamented the lack of libraries on many ships.  Thanks for the photos.

[keeponcruising]

3 hours ago, POA1 said:

No, you cannot. With a beverage package, Happy Hour is just Hour.

 

Good thinking though.

Thanks for your quick response.  Wishful thinking on my part!

[POA1]

Just now, Cruising-along said:

Thanks POA!  I was just answering @erewhon who asked if it was available on the ship.

Didn't mean to step on any toes!  I'm thoroughly enjoying your blog. 😀

No worries. We had cocktails and snacks in the Tamarind Bar on Sunday at 5. I did not really pay attention to the wines. We were focused on the drinks.

 

I'm glad you mentioned it. The more people know, the better off we are!

[POA1]

Just now, albingirl said:

This would be the happiness post for many cruisers who have lamented the lack of libraries on many ships.  Thanks for the photos.

I meant to check out the Library but finally got around to it today. It's still in the hidden gem category, but I'm sure word will get out. I thought the selections were good. We're big readers, so we've read quite a few of the titles they have on the shelves, but there looks to be something for everyone.