Live From Alaska Aboard Ms Nieuw Amsterdam - May 5-19, 2024

[greensprout]

Aaaaannnd... the "cold" that hub acquired half way through the cruise and that I saw symptoms 3-4 days later, has turned up POSITIVE for COVID.  Both fine pre cruise and fully vaccinated.  One of the two of part\y we were with has tested positive today as well.  

 

Clearly some person with COVID was on the ship and passed it around.  FYI if you have any symptoms after this trip.  We have not had any cold or other respiratory illness for at least 6 or more years,.

 

☹️

[BaileyMJ]

37 minutes ago, greensprout said:

Aaaaannnd... the "cold" that hub acquired half way through the cruise and that I saw symptoms 3-4 days later, has turned up POSITIVE for COVID.  Both fine pre cruise and fully vaccinated.  One of the two of part\y we were with has tested positive today as well.  

 

Clearly some person with COVID was on the ship and passed it around.  FYI if you have any symptoms after this trip.  We have not had any cold or other respiratory illness for at least 6 or more years,.

 

☹️

Think more than one person and towards the second half I saw a-lot more persons wearing masks and more coughing especially on the tour buses.
Just hope you have a fast recovery!

[BaileyMJ]

7 hours ago, booksfan said:

Just out of curiosity, has anyone noticed if the Nieuw Amsterdam has oat milk available for lattes?

I am not 100% sure but think I saw a carton of oat milk in Explorers Cafe.

[Crew News]

Disembarkation Day

As the ship crossed under the Vancouver Lions Gate Bridge, the weather was heavily overcast and chilly.

 

The Lido Market opened at 6:00 AM for breakfast and with a Blue 1 luggage tag for 8:00 AM, I ate breakfast at 7:00 AM and had no trouble finding a table.

 

About 15 minutes before 8:00 AM, I found a seat at the Rolling Stone bar and observed the ongoing disembarkation process.  The pathway to the gangway was created to pass through the Rolling Stone Lounge, between the wall and the counter behind the seats (a narrow passage).  The "Gangway" sign was situated in the middle of the entrance to the Rolling Stone seating area and waiting passengers gathered in the hallway thinking that the seating area was closed.  After watching from my bar seat for about 20 minutes, the Guest Services traffic guard moved the sign a bit and began asking passengers to take seats.  The traffic guard was ineffective, so passengers waiting for their luggage tag color to be called were helping passengers find the narrow passage behind the seating area. 

 

Disembarkation began at least 30 minutes late which caused a backup at the entrance to the Rolling Stone Lounge.  I overheard a number of airport shuttle bus passengers expressing concern about making their morning flights. Interestingly, passengers with their own luggage did not all lineup at the designated 7:30 AM time and wandered toward the gangway all the while I was seated.  I overheard at least two passengers who had left their stateroom cards in their staterooms and could not get back inside to retrieve them.

 

My Blue 1 luggage tag (first of three airport shuttle bus departures) was called at 8:45 AM (45 minutes late) and I entered the narrow passage that led back to the three Deck 2 Security checkpoints.  Yes, despite all of the announcements, stateroom cards could not be found by some passengers when they arrived at the checkpoints.  I appreciated the three checkpoints and I could move to another line.  Passengers were then funneled into the single-lane gangway.

 

The terminal had lots of signs and Canadian guides who remained silent as they just watched the passenger flow.  I spotted a red-haired member of the SHOREX staff (same person who answered my Kenaji Fjords question posted on this thread) and was given amazing instructions how and where to join the correct line for the prepaid airport shuttle.  I followed the far right wall and ended up at the prepaid bus line.  When I saw my luggage loaded into the bus, I boarded the comfortable bus.  My bus departed for the airport as soon as it was nearly full.  It was announced that the bus would make two stops with the first at the International Terminal and the Domestic Terminal to follow.  The bus paused momentarily at a holding area until a terminal unloading spot was available.  I was at my Delta Airlines check-in counter at 10:15 AM. 

 

Global Entry made the Security screening a breeze (no shoes, laptops, liquids, or belts were removed).  A facial recognition photo was taken that immediately recognized me. A few steps latter, I heard my first name called, asked if I had anything to declare, and then a "Welcome back to the USA" greeting followed.

 

I unlocked my front door a bit before midnight. 

 

Photos to follow in the next few days.

[BaileyMJ]

12 hours ago, Crew News said:

Disembarkation Day

As the ship crossed under the Vancouver Lions Gate Bridge, the weather was heavily overcast and chilly.

 

The Lido Market opened at 6:00 AM for breakfast and with a Blue 1 luggage tag for 8:00 AM, I ate breakfast at 7:00 AM and had no trouble finding a table.

 

About 15 minutes before 8:00 AM, I found a seat at the Rolling Stone bar and observed the ongoing disembarkation process.  The pathway to the gangway was created to pass through the Rolling Stone Lounge, between the wall and the counter behind the seats (a narrow passage).  The "Gangway" sign was situated in the middle of the entrance to the Rolling Stone seating area and waiting passengers gathered in the hallway thinking that the seating area was closed.  After watching from my bar seat for about 20 minutes, the Guest Services traffic guard moved the sign a bit and began asking passengers to take seats.  The traffic guard was ineffective, so passengers waiting for their luggage tag color to be called were helping passengers find the narrow passage behind the seating area. 

 

Disembarkation began at least 30 minutes late which caused a backup at the entrance to the Rolling Stone Lounge.  I overheard a number of airport shuttle bus passengers expressing concern about making their morning flights. Interestingly, passengers with their own luggage did not all lineup at the designated 7:30 AM time and wandered toward the gangway all the while I was seated.  I overheard at least two passengers who had left their stateroom cards in their staterooms and could not get back inside to retrieve them.

 

My Blue 1 luggage tag (first of three airport shuttle bus departures) was called at 8:45 AM (45 minutes late) and I entered the narrow passage that led back to the three Deck 2 Security checkpoints.  Yes, despite all of the announcements, stateroom cards could not be found by some passengers when they arrived at the checkpoints.  I appreciated the three checkpoints and I could move to another line.  Passengers were then funneled into the single-lane gangway.

 

The terminal had lots of signs and Canadian guides who remained silent as they just watched the passenger flow.  I spotted a red-haired member of the SHOREX staff (same person who answered my Kenaji Fjords question posted on this thread) and was given amazing instructions how and where to join the correct line for the prepaid airport shuttle.  I followed the far right wall and ended up at the prepaid bus line.  When I saw my luggage loaded into the bus, I boarded the comfortable bus.  My bus departed for the airport as soon as it was nearly full.  It was announced that the bus would make two stops with the first at the International Terminal and the Domestic Terminal to follow.  The bus paused momentarily at a holding area until a terminal unloading spot was available.  I was at my Delta Airlines check-in counter at 10:15 AM. 

 

Global Entry made the Security screening a breeze (no shoes, laptops, liquids, or belts were removed).  A facial recognition photo was taken that immediately recognized me. A few steps latter, I heard my first name called, asked if I had anything to declare, and then a "Welcome back to the USA" greeting followed.

 

I unlocked my front door a bit before midnight. 

 

Photos to follow in the next few days.

While the Embarkation process on day one went smoothly on day 1 my disembarkation was similar to @Crew News experience above with some added delays.

 

My travel home had a 5:52pm departure from YVR therefore I booked the Vancouver Sightseeing tour with Airpot transfer.  It was detailed as a 3 hr tour available for those passengers with flights departing after 2pm.  I received the disembarkation information with luggage tags Pink 3 and listed on the paper a 8:00 am departure.  I left my cabin at 7:45am and thought I could wait in Pinnacle Bar on deck 2 which had the gangway - well deck 2 was packed so I went up to deck 3 Ocean Bar to wait.  As stated by Roger he was Blue 1 called at 8:45am well Pink 3 was called just a couple of minutes before and I proceeded down to deck 2 by stairs and it was so crowded and then following the gangway signs I got to the Rolling stone lounge and pointed to that narrow lane at which time they announced Blue 1 but then the couple in front of me was Green tag which hadn’t been called so more delay for them to move forward so I could depart - it was a mess!  When I got to the luggage claim I noted I was not the last of Pink 3 bags.  The following steps were just as Roger detailed except prior to the numbered lane which you line up in prior to moving to your bus they had a holding line for Pink 3 - I was pretty much at the end - the shore excursion rep Jessica was double checking everyone’s tickets or boarding cards.  Jessica I knew from prior HAL excursions and she is a superstar - her hair is not red but maybe auburn so she nay be the rep Roger mentioned.  Waiting on this line was frustrating- our Tour Guide Jeff was also there and was trying to help some passengers who with canes or walkers by getting some folding chairs for them - no official reason for this delay but first they said waiting for 3 missing passengers and also the delay was that the Pink tag baggage was delayed backup from ship to baggage claim area.  The standing on this holding line for me was maybe 15min but I was in the back.  Next Jessica was then directing us to the final line and we were assigned line 4 and another wait - where all the other lines where moving swiftly but #4 did not - it was in credibly frustrating- especially when you would see other lines move onto their buses - you also noted that the other lines where given a green laminated card for the start of a bus and a red card to the end - we noted no cards on our #4 line.  When we finally departed it was about 10:30am and Jeff our guide had to ask everyone what time was everyones flight time - we had a family with a 2:30pm departure but it was a domestic departure so Jeff assured everyone that we will all arrive at YVR with plenty of time but our 3 tour was shortened.  It was a excellent tour we had 2 short stops at Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park and we got to YVR at 12:15pm.

 

Also when I was waiting on deck 3 I walked around and they had a security entrance/exit set up - there were a few people with some luggage tags thought they were red and I asked - is this the security entrance for embarkation - I got a abrupt No from one of the waiting passengers so I moved on but I took a picture.

 

 

With all the congestion on deck 2 especially with many wheelchairs I don’t understand why they couldn’t have say wheel chair passengers depart from the deck 3 security since it basically is flat out to Canada Place and they could take a elevator down to the baggage claim.

[Crew News]

10 hours ago, scubacruiserx2 said:

  Welcome back Roger . Port Everglades is our home port and the yardstick ( or should I say Meter stick ) by which we measure other ports . We have used Vancouver 3 times and find it lacking . On our last trip to Alaska from Vancouver we entered Canada through Toronto to avoid the Vancouver mosh pit at the airport . It was a breeze until , we tried to board the Nieuw Amsterdam . It took over an hour of crisscrossing the other 2 ships lines until we entered the Suite Line .

 We found it more easy to enter Russia with a Visa and a stay , or a cruise when Medvedev was President than our neighbors to the North 3 X .

Port Everglades is the most efficient check-in process of all HAL ports with the terminals serving only a single cruise line and a ship up to 2616 passengers.  Canada Place supports four ship, several cruise lines, and many thousand more passengers at the same time. 

 

IMHO the processing problem in Vancouver was caused by moving Security screening and US Immigration from the first steps in the check-in process to the last steps.  Add the new rules of roller bags not allowed on the down escalator for Security screening.  The elevator holds only 10 passenger with roller bags while the escalator runs continuously.  Both Port Everglades and the Canada Place Terminal, in combination with their supported cruise lines, post rules but nobody verifies compliance.

 

Kudos to the Canada Place US Immigration folks in changing personal passport inspection to just a brief facial recognition photo, as that eliminated a massive choke point.

 

It must be noted that last year many passengers endured up to four hours in the Canada Place check-in lines.  Much better this year.

[afn10305]

On 5/7/2024 at 12:20 PM, Duane S. said:

enjoying the live feeds and info, many thanks to those who give us all this great info.

 

wife and I are considering a 14 day Alaska cruise next May, thought I would ask current cruisers if they felt like 14 days would be too many?  there are numerous 7 day cruises and some that involve land events but I am not sure I would enjoy the logistics of the land portions, planes trains and hotels, so we are looking at the 14 day which is all ports from Vancouver.

So I am interested in your opinions on my dilemma, 7 or 14 days, what do you all think since you are doing it right now! This is our first trip to Alaska so we know nothing, lol.

 

thanks in advance to any who are kind enough to respond,

@Duane S.

We're  having similar conversations and dilemmas in choosing.  We are not novices to cruising by any means, but we're also looking at next May for our first-ever Alaskan cruise. 

My hubby is still working so as much as we'd like to do a 14-day, we're thinking more of like 9-11 days with a couple of days land tour included.  We would really like to do a northbound to southbound itinerary with a land tour first, and somehow also spending at least a day or two in Seattle since we have some cruise buddies who live there and it's another destination on our bucket list. We're hoping to book something before this weekend.

I'll be reading more on this thread too, and will be interested to see what folks reply to your request.  
 

[maryandmarge]

10 hours ago, BaileyMJ said:

While the Embarkation process on day one went smoothly on day 1 my disembarkation was similar to @Crew News experience above with some added delays.

 

My travel home had a 5:52pm departure from YVR therefore I booked the Vancouver Sightseeing tour with Airpot transfer.  It was detailed as a 3 hr tour available for those passengers with flights departing after 2pm.  I received the disembarkation information with luggage tags Pink 3 and listed on the paper a 8:00 am departure.  I left my cabin at 7:45am and thought I could wait in Pinnacle Bar on deck 2 which had the gangway - well deck 2 was packed so I went up to deck 3 Ocean Bar to wait.  As stated by Roger he was Blue 1 called at 8:45am well Pink 3 was called just a couple of minutes before and I proceeded down to deck 2 by stairs and it was so crowded and then following the gangway signs I got to the Rolling stone lounge and pointed to that narrow lane at which time they announced Blue 1 but then the couple in front of me was Green tag which hadn’t been called so more delay for them to move forward so I could depart - it was a mess!  When I got to the luggage claim I noted I was not the last of Pink 3 bags.  The following steps were just as Roger detailed except prior to the numbered lane which you line up in prior to moving to your bus they had a holding line for Pink 3 - I was pretty much at the end - the shore excursion rep Jessica was double checking everyone’s tickets or boarding cards.  Jessica I knew from prior HAL excursions and she is a superstar - her hair is not red but maybe auburn so she nay be the rep Roger mentioned.  Waiting on this line was frustrating- our Tour Guide Jeff was also there and was trying to help some passengers who with canes or walkers by getting some folding chairs for them - no official reason for this delay but first they said waiting for 3 missing passengers and also the delay was that the Pink tag baggage was delayed backup from ship to baggage claim area.  The standing on this holding line for me was maybe 15min but I was in the back.  Next Jessica was then directing us to the final line and we were assigned line 4 and another wait - where all the other lines where moving swiftly but #4 did not - it was in credibly frustrating- especially when you would see other lines move onto their buses - you also noted that the other lines where given a green laminated card for the start of a bus and a red card to the end - we noted no cards on our #4 line.  When we finally departed it was about 10:30am and Jeff our guide had to ask everyone what time was everyones flight time - we had a family with a 2:30pm departure but it was a domestic departure so Jeff assured everyone that we will all arrive at YVR with plenty of time but our 3 tour was shortened.  It was a excellent tour we had 2 short stops at Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park and we got to YVR at 12:15pm.

 

Also when I was waiting on deck 3 I walked around and they had a security entrance/exit set up - there were a few people with some luggage tags thought they were red and I asked - is this the security entrance for embarkation - I got a abrupt No from one of the waiting passengers so I moved on but I took a picture.

 

 

With all the congestion on deck 2 especially with many wheelchairs I don’t understand why they couldn’t have say wheel chair passengers depart from the deck 3 security since it basically is flat out to Canada Place and they could take a elevator down to the baggage claim.

We were Yellow 1 tags and waited in the World Theater.    We were escorted off of Deck 3 directly to the buses.    We had booked the transfers from the pier to Seattle Airport.    We had no issues on the way up to Vancouver and walked right thru to the ship on May 5th.   We boarded the ship around 2 pm.    The trip back to Seattle wasn’t as smooth.    We left later than we were supposed to.    Our bus driver needed to be better trained on his job.     He did nothing to help people on or off the bus.   Most times he was sitting in his seat playing on his phone.   He never took the time to explain before custom what to expect when we stopped.  He never explained that the restrooms were closed at customs.  It took us an hour to get cleared thru customs.    Finally once we are back on the road he announces that we could stop at rest area either in 10 minutes or 35 minutes.   Everyone said stop at the  first one.   Good thing we did as we hit traffic backups further up the road.     We were back on the road for awhile and he pulls off another exit and into a gas station with a restaurant Donna’s.  He mumbles something as he gets off and comes back 15 minutes later with a drink and sandwich or something to eat.    Really ….

If he needed food on this trip he should have packed his lunch.    He had no concern about people making their flights.  When we got to Seattle one of the passengers had to help unload the bus trying to help others make their flights.    Our PCC told us not to book a flight before 3 pm - the paperwork in our room said don’t book a flight before 4 pm.   I’m going to tell my PCC to tell people not to book flight out of Seattle before 5 pm.   We were lucky - we were booked on the 10:15 pm redeye direct to Cleveland.   I’m not sure the people in front of us on bus were able to make their 3:35 flight as security lines were very long.   
I would take this shuttle again if it comes to that where it was cheaper for us to travel to Seattle rather than Vancouver.    Just watch what time you book your flights.    Hope this helps others make choices.  

[McGarrett5oh]

On 5/21/2024 at 9:54 PM, Crew News said:

Disembarkation Day

As the ship crossed under the Vancouver Lions Gate Bridge, the weather was heavily overcast and chilly.

 

The Lido Market opened at 6:00 AM for breakfast and with a Blue 1 luggage tag for 8:00 AM, I ate breakfast at 7:00 AM and had no trouble finding a table.

 

About 15 minutes before 8:00 AM, I found a seat at the Rolling Stone bar and observed the ongoing disembarkation process.  The pathway to the gangway was created to pass through the Rolling Stone Lounge, between the wall and the counter behind the seats (a narrow passage).  The "Gangway" sign was situated in the middle of the entrance to the Rolling Stone seating area and waiting passengers gathered in the hallway thinking that the seating area was closed.  After watching from my bar seat for about 20 minutes, the Guest Services traffic guard moved the sign a bit and began asking passengers to take seats.  The traffic guard was ineffective, so passengers waiting for their luggage tag color to be called were helping passengers find the narrow passage behind the seating area. 

 

Disembarkation began at least 30 minutes late which caused a backup at the entrance to the Rolling Stone Lounge.  I overheard a number of airport shuttle bus passengers expressing concern about making their morning flights. Interestingly, passengers with their own luggage did not all lineup at the designated 7:30 AM time and wandered toward the gangway all the while I was seated.  I overheard at least two passengers who had left their stateroom cards in their staterooms and could not get back inside to retrieve them.

 

My Blue 1 luggage tag (first of three airport shuttle bus departures) was called at 8:45 AM (45 minutes late) and I entered the narrow passage that led back to the three Deck 2 Security checkpoints.  Yes, despite all of the announcements, stateroom cards could not be found by some passengers when they arrived at the checkpoints.  I appreciated the three checkpoints and I could move to another line.  Passengers were then funneled into the single-lane gangway.

 

The terminal had lots of signs and Canadian guides who remained silent as they just watched the passenger flow.  I spotted a red-haired member of the SHOREX staff (same person who answered my Kenaji Fjords question posted on this thread) and was given amazing instructions how and where to join the correct line for the prepaid airport shuttle.  I followed the far right wall and ended up at the prepaid bus line.  When I saw my luggage loaded into the bus, I boarded the comfortable bus.  My bus departed for the airport as soon as it was nearly full.  It was announced that the bus would make two stops with the first at the International Terminal and the Domestic Terminal to follow.  The bus paused momentarily at a holding area until a terminal unloading spot was available.  I was at my Delta Airlines check-in counter at 10:15 AM. 

 

Global Entry made the Security screening a breeze (no shoes, laptops, liquids, or belts were removed).  A facial recognition photo was taken that immediately recognized me. A few steps latter, I heard my first name called, asked if I had anything to declare, and then a "Welcome back to the USA" greeting followed.

 

I unlocked my front door a bit before midnight. 

 

Photos to follow in the next few days.

Roger - Did you carry ALL your luggage off yourself or did you leave any outside your cabin door the night before and met up with it in the terminal?   Our concern is making sure our luggage gets on the same bus we're on to the airport.   Thanks

[Crew News]

40 minutes ago, McGarrett5oh said:

Roger - Did you carry ALL your luggage off yourself or did you leave any outside your cabin door the night before and met up with it in the terminal?   Our concern is making sure our luggage gets on the same bus we're on to the airport.   Thanks

My luggage (suitcase and duffel bag) was placed outside my door before midnight.  I found it in the clearly marked Blue area (numbers 1-3) in the terminal.  I walked off the ship with my roller and camera bags.  All of my stacked pieces were rolled to the prepaid bus line and to the bus loading area.  As I always do, I watched three of my pieces being loaded under the bus before I boarded and my camera bag sat on my lap for the ride to the airport.

 

It must be noted that my duffel bag was not unloaded at the airport without me pointing to it still under the bus.

 

There were numerous porters with luggage carts available at the luggage drop off point at the airport and a few inside the cruise terminal.

 

As the bus was leaving the terminal, I noted a very long line of taxis waiting to move to the underground terminal as needed.  There is a set fare of $41 CAD to the airport according to my pre-cruise taxi driver

 

FWIW the ramp from the underground terminal is a steep push for luggage if you are staying in Vancouver and not wanting a bus/taxi. 

[McGarrett5oh]

49 minutes ago, Crew News said:

My luggage (suitcase and duffel bag) was placed outside my door before midnight.  I found it in the clearly marked Blue area (numbers 1-3) in the terminal.  I walked off the ship with my roller and camera bags.  All of my stacked pieces were rolled to the prepaid bus line and to the bus loading area.  As I always do, I watched three of my pieces being loaded under the bus before I boarded and my camera bag sat on my lap for the ride to the airport.

 

It must be noted that my duffel bag was not unloaded at the airport without me pointing to it still under the bus.

 

There were numerous porters with luggage carts available at the luggage drop off point at the airport and a few inside the cruise terminal.

 

As the bus was leaving the terminal, I noted a very long line of taxis waiting to move to the underground terminal as needed.  There is a set fare of $41 CAD to the airport according to my pre-cruise taxi driver

 

FWIW the ramp from the underground terminal is a steep push for luggage if you are staying in Vancouver and not wanting a bus/taxi. 

 

Thank you for the detailed response, Roger.  We have a HA prepaid bus transfer to the airport in Vancouver and not only have we never cruised on HA, we have never used the prepaid transfer on any cruise line, so you've helped us understand what to expect.  Cheers!

[Crew News]

1 hour ago, McGarrett5oh said:

 

Thank you for the detailed response, Roger.  We have a HA prepaid bus transfer to the airport in Vancouver and not only have we never cruised on HA, we have never used the prepaid transfer on any cruise line, so you've helped us understand what to expect.  Cheers!

feel free to ask lots of questions.  Those who post on the HAL Forum are willing to share their experiences to help their fellow members be better prepared for pending cruises. 

[McGarrett5oh]

1 minute ago, Crew News said:

feel free to ask lots of questions.  Those who post on the HAL Forum are willing to share their experiences to help their fellow members be better prepared for pending cruises. 

Thanks.  I will.  I'm a bigger contributor sharing our experiences over on some of NCL & Virgin boards, so I'll be happy to tap the experience of the HA cruisers!  Cheers!

[regan3]

Does NA New York Deli & Pizza have deli sandwiches or just pizza and salad?

[Crew News]

21 minutes ago, regan3 said:

Does NA New York Deli & Pizza have deli sandwiches or just pizza and salad?

Just pizza and salad.  There may be few desserts as well.

[Cruise Suzy]

1 hour ago, Crew News said:

1 hour ago, regan3 said:

Does NA New York Deli & Pizza have deli sandwiches or just pizza and salad?

Just pizza and salad.  There may be few desserts as well.

 

On the Signature ships, the NY Pizza has Panna Cotta and Ricotta Bambolone in addition to pizzas and salads.