Mark1513
January 1st, 2005, 12:05 AM
Day 0, Wednesday, December 22
We decided to fly to Fort Lauderdale the day before the cruise departed. Five of us flew from Chicago on the Spirit Airlines 7:15 AM. All of our baggage arrived with us. My oldest daughter flew from Phoenix on American Airlines where she had to change planes in Dallas/Fort Worth. Since it was snowing there, her airplane was delayed in leaving for Fort Lauderdale. One of her two bags arrived with her. The other bag was still in Phoenix. That bag was delivered to our hotel, the Embassy Suites in Fort Lauderdale, just before midnight. We had dinner at “Chuck’s Steak House” located across the street from the hotel.
Day 1, Thursday, December 23
My wife was able to have her glasses repaired at an optometrist located in a strip mall adjacent to the hotel. We were on the hotel’s 11:15 AM shuttle bus to the dock. There was one group of two people in front of us in the suite line. By the time we got our baggage organized, they were done. Since we had filled out the immigration forms on the HAL web site and had completed the other documents before going to the pier, the processing before the security check was very quick. At security they spot-checked that the bottles that were with us had wine labels. We boarded the ship and were escorted to the Neptune Lounge where we had lunch and waited for our suites to become available. Our suites, 7060, 7062, and 7064 were available around 1 PM. These suites were close to the Neptune Lounge. We shortly met Sam, our steward, who locked the doors between our verandas in the open position. After unpacking, we took the spa tour. After the tour we purchased five passes to the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room for the week. Only thirty-five of the passes were available for sale. My wife and daughters made reservations for pedicures and manicures. The captain delayed our sailing for three hours to allow passengers affected by the weather to make the cruise. I think that this was an excellent decision. However, not all of the passengers had all of their baggage when the ship sailed. Since the suite party and our Pinnacle Grill reservation were at the same time, we skipped the suite party. The special china was a “bread and butter” plate as well as a plate to hold a second plate for a special appetizer. They have three different Riedel glasses all of which were present on the table. We especially liked the Dungeness crab cakes. All of us had the seared tender filet. We shared the Baked Alaska, served flaming, and the chocolate volcano.
Day 2, Friday, December 24
We arrived two hours later than the originally scheduled time at Half Moon Cay.
The morning mail contained our new activity schedule. We waited in the Ocean Lounge for our activity to tender to the island. Their room keys doubled as priority tender passes for my two daughters who were scheduled for later activities. The food on the island was OK. My two daughters’ scuba dive consisted of them, two dive masters, and two other very experienced divers. They were definitely being watched on their dive to a depth of forty-five feet. Before their dive, they got us our two clamshells situated near the entrance area. According the HAL people on HMC, the Maasdam did not stop at the Cay as scheduled due to an engine problem, but continued on to St. Thomas. During the afternoon I used the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room for the first time. Tonight was our first dinner in the dining room. We had the early seating in the Lower Vista Dining Room at table 167 that was located one table away from the windows at the stern of the ship. After dinner we went to the Explorer’s Lounge for Bananas Forster and Flaming Spanish Coffee. Both the presentation of the preparation of the coffee as well as the final product were excellent. I enjoyed the show in the Vista Lounge. There was an additional program that evening in the Vista Lounge of songs by the International Christmas Choir.
Day 3, Saturday, December 25
We started the day with midnight Mass. Later in the morning we used the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room. There was one additional person in the Thermal Room. For an additional fee, we “decided to experience Holland America’s first Christmas Premium Wine tasting” in the Pinnacle Grill. There were six wines in the tasting.
MUMM CORDON ROUGE, REIMS, CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE
CHARDONNAY CUVAISON, NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
CHARBLIS PREMIER CRU, WILLIAM FEVRE, CHABLIS, FRANCE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON, ROBERT MONDAVI, OAKVILLE DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA
CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE, GEORGE DUBOEUF, RHONE, FRANCE
ORANGE MUSCAT, QUADY ESSENCIA, MADERA, CALIFORNIA
The Captain’s Reception was later that afternoon. This was another proto opportunity with champagne. The Christmas menu was substantially different from previously published menus.
Day 4, Sunday, December 26
This morning everybody on the ship had the opportunity to go through immigration in St. Thomas. We joined the immigration line at 7:15. Processing started at 7:30 and the line moved quickly. We shortly had our ticket that allowed us to exit the ship and go on our Helmet Dive. Even with the helmet on my head, I had the problem of a lot of negative buoyancy. Yes, I purchased the optional photo to prove I went on the dive. While on the Helmet Dive, two of the kids took the two-tank scuba dive. There were twenty-six divers and two dive masters. There were too many divers per dive master. While the ladies went shopping, I used the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room. The dinner menu looked like Dutch night with “American Port Roast” and no hats. The menu has definitely been changed. After dinner some of us saw “The Stepford Wives” in the Vista Lounge. Evening movies do not have popcorn.
Day 5, Monday, December 27
On St. Maartain there was no customs or immigration. My wife and I went around the island on the “Artists’ Tour” of five artists and made purchases from two of them. Meanwhile, the two divers took another two-tank scuba dive. This dive was much better than the one on St. Thomas with three dive masters for eighteen divers. Since I had been having breakfast and lunch snack in the Neptune Lounge, I walked past the Lido buffet for the first time this noon. I resisted temptation. If I ate there, I would definitely take and eat too much. Anyways, the Neptune Lounge has “Coffee Latte.’ Again, the ladies went shopping and I used the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room. The “Comfort Food” for dinner is the famous “Master Chef’s Favorite Meatloaf.” Three of our group of six selected the meatloaf for their entrée. I also tasted the meatloaf and liked it. Even though there had been Tsunamis in Indonesia, the Indonesian crewmembers put on an excellent show in the Vista Lounge at 11:30 PM.
Day 6, Tuesday, December 28
Today was an overcast sea day that had some rain starting in the afternoon. I used the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room in the morning. The suite brunch was in the Crows Nest. We had an enjoyable conversation with one of the ship’s nurses and one of the ship’s doctors. Later in the afternoon was the “Dessert Extravaganza.” The line for it stretched most of the way from the Vista Dining Room to the middle elevators. Tonight is the second formal night with the “Farwell Dinner.” The food was excellent and the parade of the “Baked Alaska” was fascinating.
Day 7, Wednesday, December 29
Today is another sea day. My wife and I used the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room in the morning. Four other people actually used the Thermal Room while we were there. After my wife used the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room in the afternoon, she said that there were other people in the Thermal Room. I checked our preliminary bill from HAL and it was correct.
Day 8, Thursday, December 30
Today is debarkation day. I checked our final bill from HAL and it was correct. We had breakfast in the Vista Dining Room before leaving the ship. There were no problems with immigration or customs as we left the ship. Our group of six took “A+ Tours & Transportation” from the dock to the airport. The cost was $6 per person plus tip. We spent many hours in the airport. Due to high winds in Chicago, our 5:45 PM flight from Fort Lauderdale did not leave until 6:30.
Overall
I had breakfast and lunch in the Neptune Lounge that had no lines and kept me from temptation in the Lido Restaurant. The food and service in the Vista Dining Room was equivalent to that of a good restaurant on shore. I did not notice any of the problems that were mentioned in other posts. Since we ate in the Pinnacle Grill on the first night, the staff almost outnumbered the diners. The food was excellent and the service was outstanding. The service by our cabin steward Sam was excellent. I keep using the word “excellent” a lot. However, the word is appropriate. I am spoiled and need to start saving for our next cruise.
We decided to fly to Fort Lauderdale the day before the cruise departed. Five of us flew from Chicago on the Spirit Airlines 7:15 AM. All of our baggage arrived with us. My oldest daughter flew from Phoenix on American Airlines where she had to change planes in Dallas/Fort Worth. Since it was snowing there, her airplane was delayed in leaving for Fort Lauderdale. One of her two bags arrived with her. The other bag was still in Phoenix. That bag was delivered to our hotel, the Embassy Suites in Fort Lauderdale, just before midnight. We had dinner at “Chuck’s Steak House” located across the street from the hotel.
Day 1, Thursday, December 23
My wife was able to have her glasses repaired at an optometrist located in a strip mall adjacent to the hotel. We were on the hotel’s 11:15 AM shuttle bus to the dock. There was one group of two people in front of us in the suite line. By the time we got our baggage organized, they were done. Since we had filled out the immigration forms on the HAL web site and had completed the other documents before going to the pier, the processing before the security check was very quick. At security they spot-checked that the bottles that were with us had wine labels. We boarded the ship and were escorted to the Neptune Lounge where we had lunch and waited for our suites to become available. Our suites, 7060, 7062, and 7064 were available around 1 PM. These suites were close to the Neptune Lounge. We shortly met Sam, our steward, who locked the doors between our verandas in the open position. After unpacking, we took the spa tour. After the tour we purchased five passes to the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room for the week. Only thirty-five of the passes were available for sale. My wife and daughters made reservations for pedicures and manicures. The captain delayed our sailing for three hours to allow passengers affected by the weather to make the cruise. I think that this was an excellent decision. However, not all of the passengers had all of their baggage when the ship sailed. Since the suite party and our Pinnacle Grill reservation were at the same time, we skipped the suite party. The special china was a “bread and butter” plate as well as a plate to hold a second plate for a special appetizer. They have three different Riedel glasses all of which were present on the table. We especially liked the Dungeness crab cakes. All of us had the seared tender filet. We shared the Baked Alaska, served flaming, and the chocolate volcano.
Day 2, Friday, December 24
We arrived two hours later than the originally scheduled time at Half Moon Cay.
The morning mail contained our new activity schedule. We waited in the Ocean Lounge for our activity to tender to the island. Their room keys doubled as priority tender passes for my two daughters who were scheduled for later activities. The food on the island was OK. My two daughters’ scuba dive consisted of them, two dive masters, and two other very experienced divers. They were definitely being watched on their dive to a depth of forty-five feet. Before their dive, they got us our two clamshells situated near the entrance area. According the HAL people on HMC, the Maasdam did not stop at the Cay as scheduled due to an engine problem, but continued on to St. Thomas. During the afternoon I used the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room for the first time. Tonight was our first dinner in the dining room. We had the early seating in the Lower Vista Dining Room at table 167 that was located one table away from the windows at the stern of the ship. After dinner we went to the Explorer’s Lounge for Bananas Forster and Flaming Spanish Coffee. Both the presentation of the preparation of the coffee as well as the final product were excellent. I enjoyed the show in the Vista Lounge. There was an additional program that evening in the Vista Lounge of songs by the International Christmas Choir.
Day 3, Saturday, December 25
We started the day with midnight Mass. Later in the morning we used the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room. There was one additional person in the Thermal Room. For an additional fee, we “decided to experience Holland America’s first Christmas Premium Wine tasting” in the Pinnacle Grill. There were six wines in the tasting.
MUMM CORDON ROUGE, REIMS, CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE
CHARDONNAY CUVAISON, NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
CHARBLIS PREMIER CRU, WILLIAM FEVRE, CHABLIS, FRANCE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON, ROBERT MONDAVI, OAKVILLE DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA
CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE, GEORGE DUBOEUF, RHONE, FRANCE
ORANGE MUSCAT, QUADY ESSENCIA, MADERA, CALIFORNIA
The Captain’s Reception was later that afternoon. This was another proto opportunity with champagne. The Christmas menu was substantially different from previously published menus.
Day 4, Sunday, December 26
This morning everybody on the ship had the opportunity to go through immigration in St. Thomas. We joined the immigration line at 7:15. Processing started at 7:30 and the line moved quickly. We shortly had our ticket that allowed us to exit the ship and go on our Helmet Dive. Even with the helmet on my head, I had the problem of a lot of negative buoyancy. Yes, I purchased the optional photo to prove I went on the dive. While on the Helmet Dive, two of the kids took the two-tank scuba dive. There were twenty-six divers and two dive masters. There were too many divers per dive master. While the ladies went shopping, I used the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room. The dinner menu looked like Dutch night with “American Port Roast” and no hats. The menu has definitely been changed. After dinner some of us saw “The Stepford Wives” in the Vista Lounge. Evening movies do not have popcorn.
Day 5, Monday, December 27
On St. Maartain there was no customs or immigration. My wife and I went around the island on the “Artists’ Tour” of five artists and made purchases from two of them. Meanwhile, the two divers took another two-tank scuba dive. This dive was much better than the one on St. Thomas with three dive masters for eighteen divers. Since I had been having breakfast and lunch snack in the Neptune Lounge, I walked past the Lido buffet for the first time this noon. I resisted temptation. If I ate there, I would definitely take and eat too much. Anyways, the Neptune Lounge has “Coffee Latte.’ Again, the ladies went shopping and I used the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room. The “Comfort Food” for dinner is the famous “Master Chef’s Favorite Meatloaf.” Three of our group of six selected the meatloaf for their entrée. I also tasted the meatloaf and liked it. Even though there had been Tsunamis in Indonesia, the Indonesian crewmembers put on an excellent show in the Vista Lounge at 11:30 PM.
Day 6, Tuesday, December 28
Today was an overcast sea day that had some rain starting in the afternoon. I used the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room in the morning. The suite brunch was in the Crows Nest. We had an enjoyable conversation with one of the ship’s nurses and one of the ship’s doctors. Later in the afternoon was the “Dessert Extravaganza.” The line for it stretched most of the way from the Vista Dining Room to the middle elevators. Tonight is the second formal night with the “Farwell Dinner.” The food was excellent and the parade of the “Baked Alaska” was fascinating.
Day 7, Wednesday, December 29
Today is another sea day. My wife and I used the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room in the morning. Four other people actually used the Thermal Room while we were there. After my wife used the Thalassotherapy Pool and the Thermal Room in the afternoon, she said that there were other people in the Thermal Room. I checked our preliminary bill from HAL and it was correct.
Day 8, Thursday, December 30
Today is debarkation day. I checked our final bill from HAL and it was correct. We had breakfast in the Vista Dining Room before leaving the ship. There were no problems with immigration or customs as we left the ship. Our group of six took “A+ Tours & Transportation” from the dock to the airport. The cost was $6 per person plus tip. We spent many hours in the airport. Due to high winds in Chicago, our 5:45 PM flight from Fort Lauderdale did not leave until 6:30.
Overall
I had breakfast and lunch in the Neptune Lounge that had no lines and kept me from temptation in the Lido Restaurant. The food and service in the Vista Dining Room was equivalent to that of a good restaurant on shore. I did not notice any of the problems that were mentioned in other posts. Since we ate in the Pinnacle Grill on the first night, the staff almost outnumbered the diners. The food was excellent and the service was outstanding. The service by our cabin steward Sam was excellent. I keep using the word “excellent” a lot. However, the word is appropriate. I am spoiled and need to start saving for our next cruise.