Umbrella?

[daju22]

Being such a soggy day in the Northeast courtesy of Ivan, I was reminded of a question. Does HAL provide umbrellas to passengers? To pack one or not--that is the question.

Thanks,
Judy

[Bill S]

Judy, the only time we have seen HAL-provided umbrellas is when we have had a Cat S cabin-they were in one of the closets. :cool:

[Krazy Kruizers]

Only the PS and S categories have a large umbrella.

Even though we book suites and there is that umbrella for us to use, we still pack our small collasible umbrellas for tours when rain is expected. Easier to put in a back pack.

[marybeach]

We did a run through the Dollar Tree last week....SO found some fold up magnifiers and a case (usually up to $20 at the airports), and got a small umbrella. Now, if he remembers them, I won't have to read him the menu!;) I also picked up a pair of ponchos that are probably like Saran wrap, but the Disney ones we have are too bulky to take. We can throw them in the bag on days off ship that might have rain.

[daju22]

Bill, you always come through.:D

Will take folding umbrellas and I like the idea of saran wrap ponchos, Marybeach, easy to carry. We can put them over our heavy winter coats while sailing Beagle Channel.

You did wear heavy winter coats-right Bill? From all the pictures I see it looks like they're needed.

Don't need magnifiers yet, but do have to take off bifocals to read!

Now I'm cool like everyone else and I have my own countdown clock!

Can't wait.

[sail7seas]

We always bring fold up umbrellas. While the one they leave for our use in the Suite is very nice, it is not as convenient to carry around all day "just in case" it rains.

[Bill S]

Judy: we did not bring winter coats. Instead, we brought turtleneck shirts, fleece, zip-up or pull-over sweatshirts and a good windreaker w/hood. They worked fine! We also brought earmuffs/ear protectors and gloves. With the hood on our windbreaker we really didn't need an umbrella and we only had one or two drizzly/wet days in 3 weeks. Of course, that was just the luck of the draw, very good luck, indeed.

[daju22]

Judy: we did not bring winter coats. Instead, we brought turtleneck shirts, fleece, zip-up or pull-over sweatshirts and a good windreaker w/hood. They worked fine! We also brought earmuffs/ear protectors and gloves. With the hood on our windbreaker we really didn't need an umbrella and we only had one or two drizzly/wet days in 3 weeks. Of course, that was just the luck of the draw, very good luck, indeed.Bill-Thank you sir! Sounds like your weather was wonderful! I think we go about a month before you went (did you go near Christmas?)

Now I guess we won't bring winter coats. Was your windbreaker goretex or some high tech fabric? What do you mean by "good windbreaker"?



Sail-Will definitely bring folding umbrella for warmer ports and going home.

Neverending questions!:confused:

Thanks,
Judy

[Bill S]

Judy: Our SA cruise was from Dec 18 till Jan 8 - so it spanned both holidays.

With respect to the windbreaker suggestion, if you can get one that "ventilates" like goretex and is water repellant, I think you will appreciate those qualities. We found such windbreakers at a local shop and they were great. My DW and I bought matching bright yellow windbreakers - easy to find each other! :)

[localady]

We sailed the Amsterdam on Dec. 3rd of last year from Rio to Santiago, and found the weather to be splendid!!!! We brought good waterproof windbreaker type jackets that we purchased at REI. We then layered sweaters under that on the few days we needed them. Good idea to remember the warm gloves and ear muffs too!

That said, we had very lovely weather!! It was also downright hot and muggy in Rio de Janiero and in Santiago, so you will also need so warm weather clothes too. One of the lovely thing about the Amsterdam is the fact that you can do laundry on board. With the new 50 lb. restrictions for each suitcase that many airlines are enforcing, they are critical.:eek: You will love this cruise, we sure did!!! We met so many wonderful, well travelled folks, especially our CC buddies:D !

[Jacqueline]

We had 2 in our SS one in each A on the Westerdam.

[daju22]

We sailed the Amsterdam on Dec. 3rd of last year from Rio to Santiago, and found the weather to be splendid!!!! We brought good waterproof windbreaker type jackets that we purchased at REI. We then layered sweaters under that on the few days we needed them. Good idea to remember the warm gloves and ear muffs too!

That said, we had very lovely weather!! It was also downright hot and muggy in Rio de Janiero and in Santiago, so you will also need so warm weather clothes too. One of the lovely thing about the Amsterdam is the fact that you can do laundry on board. With the new 50 lb. restrictions for each suitcase that many airlines are enforcing, they are critical.:eek: You will love this cruise, we sure did!!! We met so many wonderful, well travelled folks, especially our CC buddies:D !Thank you for the clothing and weather tips! Our cabin is across from the laundry. Hope that won't be a detriment. Considering calling and requesting a change if another port verandah cabin is available. Hoping to find someone else on this cruise.

Question- Since we're from PA and you're from CA, I'm not sure what store is REI. Are they in PA?:confused:

Thanks for suggestions!!:D

[daju22]

Judy: Our SA cruise was from Dec 18 till Jan 8 - so it spanned both holidays.

With respect to the windbreaker suggestion, if you can get one that "ventilates" like goretex and is water repellant, I think you will appreciate those qualities. We found such windbreakers at a local shop and they were great. My DW and I bought matching bright yellow windbreakers - easy to find each other! :)Thank you for posting info for me again!:eek:

Now I have to buy another coat. :)

Love to shop anyway!!:D

You're appreciated!

How are the photos coming?

[Bill S]

Judy-I was up until 12:30 this morning working on "album". It seems that I learn a new feature of the photo hosting site every time I use the "preview" mode! :)

I will be trying to put the final touches on it today and will post the link on the SA section of the Ports of Call section as well as here. It is now 9:27 am here in Vegas, so if the NFL games are not too intense today, it should be finished this afternoon!

[daju22]

Will be looking for your links after we are done mowing.

What team do you root for?

Steelers here.

[Bill S]

Judy: Bronco fans here, but also like the Colts and the Steelers.

My photosharing site just went down!!!!!!!!!:(

And I was making good progress-75% done!

[localady]

Judy-

It appears BillS answered your question, he sure is a wealth of information!! Our jackets are a goretex fabric that is quite breathable but very water and wind proof. REI is an outdoor store here on the West coast, I would think you could find a simular jacket at any "Mountaineering" store in your area! You will love this trip, I have no doubt!:)

P.S. There are some posting on the HAL roll call board regarding the Amsterdam's South American voyages, you might search those pages and if you don't find anyone who has already posted your cruise dates, you can post them yourself!:cool:

[Bill S]

Judy & Localady: They are done! I started a new thread about the pictures, but if you read this first, go here: www.buffnbou.funtigo.com (http://www.buffnbou.funtigo.com)

[daju22]

I found REI on the internet. They have a store about 2 hours from me. They seem to have alot of jackets available. I'll look closer to home first.

I have posted on the roll call thread. One other person started it. So far there are 2 of us.

I'm really excited about our trip.

Thanks for your help.:) :)

[daju22]

Fantastic photographs!!!!

I got to #21 Holiday signs on the ship and had to stop. I have dial-up and it's taking a long time to view. Will finish tomorrow.

Do you see the seals and cormorants from the ship or should we definitely do the catamaran to see them? Hard to get on and off catamaran?

You and Carol are a lovely couple!

Don't you wish you were going again?:D

I know I still feel that way about Alaska! and that was three years ago.

So glad you got done!

[daju22]

Bill,

Did you use a telephoto lens? Digital camera?

I'm up to Cape Horn.

Beautiful!!!!

[Bill S]

Judy: glad you got to see some of the pictures! Thanks, too about the lovely couple comment, but if my DW, Virginia, finds out about "Carol" , I will be in big-time trouble!!!!! :eek: I definitely got the better end of "the deal"!

Yes, I would love to go again-but I think that it was indeed, a true, once-in-a-lifetime cruise! We have been to Alaska, twice and will be going again, next May on the Oosterdam. We like the wildlfe aspect of Alaska and it is a lot easier to get to than SA/Antarctica. :)

In Ushuaia, we could only see he wildlife from a distance from the ship, while transiting Beagle Channel. On the catamaran, they take you very close. The catamaran was docked directly across from the Amsterdam on the other side of the pier, so getting on and off is not difficult. The catamaran is fully enclosed, with large windows all around, and there is room outside to get around, as well.

While in Antractic waters, there were cormorants, terns, etc, that would fly alongside he ship, but it was not as easy to get them to pose for pictures!

Sorry about the Steelers today!:mad:

[RuthC]

Oh, Bill! Those photos are spectacular! Especially the shots in Antarctica.
They brought back such wonderful memories for me. How I would love to do that cruise again!

When I did that cruise we were not able to get through the Lemaire Channel. How different it looks when it's not threatening to storm any minute! It did storm that night and I awoke to find two snowmen outside the Lido.

Thank You for posting that link.

[CanSail]

Bill, thank you for such beautiful photos.

[Bill S]

Judy: My camera was an Olympus 3 megapixel camera with a small zoom feature-pretty basic but it took great pictures-I dropped it on the tile bathroom floor of our cabin our last night onboard, and while it still took pictures, the lcd viewing screen shattered, so I was without a menu and viewing screen the last day in Petropolis.

RuthC: glad my pictures brought back memories for you! Our lecturers on-board kept telling us that the weather. sea & ice conditions we were experiencing were very rare, probably only 10% of the summer days were like what we had. By all means, copy whatever photos you like! If you need higher resolution photos, let me know.

[daju22]

Bill,

Sorry about Virginia, but I'm sure you and "Virginia" are a lovely couple also.:eek: Sorry, must have been tired last night.

Steelers-oh well, lots more games to go.

Alaska-What ports will you visit in Alaska next May on the Oosterdam?

Thanks for the catamaran information. Seems like there is much more wildlife in Alaska than on the South America trip.:)

[Bill S]

Judy: we will sail r/t out of Seattle to Juneau, Ketchikan & Victoria. I don't recall that Sitka is on this one, but it could be. We have never done a r/t Alaska cruise, it has always been from Vancouver to Seward. :cool: :cool:

[iluvcruzin]

I pack a small umbrella that is made for travel. It has a flat handle and made by totes. Also I pack those disposable poncho's for emergencies. They have them in the camping section at Walmart.

[daju22]

Bill,

Finished your photos this morning and showed them to my husband. We thing they're great. Wish we were going to Antarctica also. Hope we see an iceburg! Did you enjoy your verandah cabin?

We have one booked on the port side of the ship. Sounds like we will be facing the land at all times. Unfortunately we will be across from the laundry room. Hope that doesn't make for noise and crowds!

Thanks for all your help and knowledge!

[daju22]

I pack a small umbrella that is made for travel. It has a flat handle and made by totes. Also I pack those disposable poncho's for emergencies. They have them in the camping section at Walmart.
Thanks Maureen!

Will take little umbrella and poncho. Will check out Walmart!

[Bill S]

Judy: we loved the verandah! Our first verandah cabin was a free upgrade at check-in and we have always booked a verandah ever since. We had a port side cabin for our SA cruise and the when we were at sea, we couldn't see any more than the starboard side could see, but we still were happy with it.

Glad you enjoyed the pics. You will love your cruise-I enjoyed SA much more than I thought I would, especially Chile.

[daju22]

Bill-

Let's see,


Thanks for Verandah info. Sorry to hear we won't see more, but on our Caribbean cruise we were on starboard Verandah and it seemed that we saw less. Guess it depends on your trip.

Broncos went the way of the Steelers.:( Oh, for the return of the 60's and the steel curtain!


Was it the scenery in Chile that you liked most, or was it the penguins :D ?

Did you read the post on the South A. board from the lady with the 91 year old husband and collapsible wheelchair who made to the top of Corcovado? There are amazing people out there!

Take care-

[Bill S]

Judy: there is always next week for a disappointed Broncos fan!

I just liked everything about Chile: the people, the Andes, the scenery, the food and variety of attactions. The area between Santiago and Valparaiso reminded me very much of Southern California along the coast.

Yes, I read the post about ascending Corcovado-that is amazing. The initial part of the ascent is on a cog-railway, followed by an elevator ride and as I recall, escalators, for the final vertical ascent to the base of the statue.