Oosterdam TA Mar13-April1 my impressions

[mountainmare]

We just returned from this sailing Ft. Lauderdale to Rome followed by a few extra days in Rome. Here are my good and bad impressions from this sailing. We are experienced independent traveler comfortable with travel in Europe and our traveling companions were going to Europe for the first time. We had all sailed the Oosterdam before (when she went through the canal to reposition on the West coast) and it was our first transatlantic crossing.
HAL is our preferred cruise line, but we tend to pick the itinerary instead of the ship so it has been a few years since we have sailed HAL. In between we have sailed Celebrity (Millennium and Galaxy) and last Feb the Costa Concordia to Greece Turkey and Egypt. We did notice some changes since our last time on HAL.
We used HAL air (with deviation) because the price was great and flew in same day non-stop from Newark. The only disadvantage was that this made for a very long frst day and we were tired, but we did have time to stop at Total Wine and Publix before we got to the ship.
We flew non-stop home from Rome--the airline was Continental and both flights were very good.
So here are the good (and not so good).

[sizzle_sisters]

I was on your other thread, keep going, you're doing a great job.

[mountainmare]

Cruise critic group: we had a very active rollcall and this was the nicest group of cruise critics I have ever had the privilege of sailing with. A HUGE thank you to Marty, our fearless leader, who arranged two meet and greets and a private galley tour...and to Gloria who arranged the wave--I FINALLY SIGNED THE BANNER!!! (did anyone see our wave??)
We had sort of a vertical cc party with the aft balconies on decks 4,5 and 6--it was so much fun.

Our tablemates: Norm, Thelma, Louise and Bob (the names have been changes to protect the innocent) were from various parts of Canada and were great fun. Every evening we had wonderful conversations--and that is hard when you have seven straight sea days. We missed them the one night we had dinner in the Pinnacle.

Our Captain--Captain Arjen Van Der Loo--he was funny and approachable, very visible around the ship. He took a more southern route to keep us in good weather and his daily reports were something to look forward to.

Thermal suite package--thanks to cruise critic I ordered this for the whole cruise in advance. I was charged $369 and I knew that this might be wrong--the price was $299. FYI, when you buy something in advance it just goes onto your cabin account--so I essentially started out with $369 cabin credit--at the end of the cruise I was charged the $299, so it really was not hard to fix (I just had a smaller bill at the end of the cruise). We had seven straight sea days, nine sea days in all on this 18 day cruise with very intensive ports when we got to Europe. I used the pool, steamroom and loungers almost every day. I was even able to use the pool on embarkation day at 5pm. Some days I had the pool and thermal suite all to myself--I personally never had to wait for a lounger.

Mariners luncheon--I like this better than the other thing in the theater.

Room steward--Rio did not work as part of a team because he was assigned to the cabins in the back of the ship--he said he likes this better because he has more time to get to know his guests. I also like that you can request which fruit you want every day.

Diningroom server and wine person--here is where I really saw a change since our last HAL cruise, they were more rushed than in the past and seemed to be more rushed than service on Celebrity or Costa. I put this under good because of personality and grace under pressure. Twice at our table the kitchen ran out of what we had ordered and I felt that our table staff did everything they could to make things right. The wine server was fun, I had a wine card and the first night ordered white, the next night he had a glass of white wine ready for me but I wanted red, each night he would then ask what I wanted, until one night he said--"I have your glass of red wine ready", I asked how he knew--He grinned and said "I looked at the menu" and he was right.

The food--even though I will confess by the time we got to Funchal I wanted to eat something that was not ship food--the food was very good at all meals, sometimes there was a miss--but in general no complaints. The lido food was good, but I did learn to love "sit down" breakfast and lunch. AND breakfast on our huge aft balcony made me feel like a queen.

The passengers--in general this was the nicest group of passengers I have sailed with (except for one couple at sit down breakfast!!) just plain fun and pleasant people.

Our wonderful aft balcony cabins--we had 5180 and 5181 and opened the partition--need I say more? Sailing to the east we had warm sunny days--glass like seas and sunsets from our HUGE balcony. A bonus was we had the best seats on the ship to watch the space shuttle launch. I'm sad that they changed the ship.

The ports: I love traveling in Europe http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=962710 here is my mega report on the ports.

[mountainmare]

On an 18 day cruise everything isn't perfect: There were nit picky things--the dam dollar evebts were disorganized and rushed, the library had a very limited selection (possibly they were packing for dry dock), our travel mates had a horrid ship tour--as did other people on the same tour but in a different group and they had major damage to two suitcases when they got the in Civitavecchia. I lost a luggage tag (do I get free cruise?)

Embarkation: We flew same day and knew that we could not get into the terminal until 11. Even after our Total Wine run we got to the pier shorty after 10 and it was a mob scene. Apparently there was an immigration inspection and a delay getting people off the ship--there were lines of passengers getting off the ship looking for taxis. It didn't help that there were alot of ships in port either. So we found our friends waiting by a door to the terminal--they had knocked at the door and were told to wait there until 11--this is where you check -in. There were no HAL reps outside the terminal at this time. I asked the porter and he didn't know where we should go--so we waited by the door. Other people came to the door, some waited, some who looked like crew went in. I knocked on the door and asked where to go--I was told to wait there. No rep outside the terminal and more passengers are arriving and coming to the door--soon I see them directed somewhere else--I decide to poke around and go up an elevator--where people are being checked in. There was no rep outside the terminal to direct people--even on Costa in Civitavecchia there was someone outside the terminal when you got out of a cab or off the bus to tell you where to go next.
We checked in and were allowed on the ship shortly after noon--it was not HALs fault that things were late due to the immigration inspection, but when we got on we were just told to go to the lido on deck 9, they seemed rushed and the welcome was lukewarm at best (ok I like the champagne white glove deal on Celebrity and on Costa someone escorted you to the elevator--and to your room later). We found a lounge on deck two to check our carry-ons (we were just walking by--no one offered that information) and went to the Lido--it wasn't completely set up so we made the wonderful choice to eat in the diningroom.
First impression of the room: At 1 there was an announcement that rooms were not ready, but probably would be ready at 1:30. At 1:30 there was an announcement that rooms were not ready. At 2 there was an announcement that there would be an announcement when rooms were ready--we were meeting for the wave at 2:30 that's about when they made the announcement that rooms were ready...we had more important things to do--we went to the wave.
When we did go to our room it reeked of smoke--you could smell it in the hall--there were full ashtrays and full ashtrays and spilled ashes on our balcony. Someone walked by our room and said--oh my that's really bad. Someone in another room was handing out a full ashtray saying get rid of this--NOW!! We did get the super spray right away because we were not going to have our clothes stink and it does work really well.

I went into detail because if I was a first time HAL cruiser the disorganization at the pier, the luke warm welcome and delay in having the rooms ready would have been a bit of a turnoff--my friend said that day "I don't think HAL is as classy as it was before" Follow that with people going out to the elevator area and getting their own luggage--some people did not get luggage until after 7 and the day was not the easiest sailaway I have had.

[mountainmare]

Last year we sailed Costa--we expected smokers--it wasn't too bad. For this cruise the smoke smell in our cabin was fixed with the super spray, but the smoke smell in the hall to our cabin was horrible everyday of the cruise--I took a different hall because it was so bad. There were smokers in the two balconies right below us--annoying in the morning and evening. For our location on this particular sailing we had more smoke than on Costa. I did get the on board open booking but will sail Celebrity or Azamara until HAL changes their policy, this is why we have choices.

[mountainmare]

Because of cruise critic I knew that the Oosterdam was going into drydock after our sailing. I did not worry about this since it was planned and not a result of damage or engine(pod) problems. I did not think it would affect my cruise--WRONG!!!
As the cruise went on they started packing up the library--especially when we started to get to ports. Minor but hey--I'm still on the ship!!
In Barcelona a work crew came onboard, their presence throughout the ship and their demeanor in the lido changed the atmosphere a bit. OK--I'll say it--they were a bit intimidating--but I'm sure they didn't think they fit in with us either..but hey--I'm still on the ship!!
After that--since we were in the section that was being dismantled there were people working in the ceiling, cutting wires etc. One port day it was announced that the water was all turned off for an hour and then later the water was turned off with no warning while people were getting ready for dinner--het--I'm still on the ship!!!
The clincher was when we returned to our cabin and there were masking tape stickers all over the room--on all the furniture, the rug, everywhere. I asked about it and was told that they were getting ready to take off my cabin--hey--I'm still on the dam ship!!!
When we docked in Civitavecchia they immediately started loading containers on the lido deck..so it was time to get off the ship.
We got our stuff--went through the final scan and I turned around to see if DH was behind me--the security person said--"Move it along" not move it along please, not move it along m'am, just plain old move it along.
So like the welcome, the goodbye lacked a bit of class.

[mountainmare]

HAL is still our favorite cruise line, but having been away from HAL for a few years I now feel that the line has changed to the point that I am not as loyal as I once was. The smoking in the cabins is a big issue for me, if the smoking policy changes--given similar itinerary and pricing I would always choose HAL, but right now I will go with Celebrity--even though I like the ambiance of HAL better. For Europe I would not hesitate to sail Costa again.
All in all this was our first transatlantic with perfect weather, wonderful people and fabulous ports---and the very very best cabin on the ship(sob sob). It was a trip of a lifetime (until next time).

[lorekauf]

HAL is still our favorite cruise line, but having been away from HAL for a few years I now feel that the line has changed to the point that I am not as loyal as I once was. .
First, I want to thank you for your review. I appreciate when people give both the good and bad instead of sugar coating everything and saying everything is beautiful. I just booked a cruise on the Oosterdam for Apr.24/10. HAL at one point was the only choice for me. Over the last few years several issues and changes have been changing my opinion of HAL. For me I would rather sail with Princess at this point. That said because of the economy and HALs better pricing at the moment I have my next 2 cruises booked with them. I hope my next 2 cruises remind me of why I like HAL and not turn me off them for good.

[Boatdrill]

We found a lounge on deck two to check our carry-ons (we were just walking by--no one offered that information)....
I went into detail because if I was a first time HAL cruiser the disorganization at the pier, the luke warm welcome and delay in having the rooms ready would have been a bit of a turnoff-- people going out to the elevator area and getting their own luggage--some people did not get luggage until after 7 and the day was not the easiest sailaway I have had.

Just for future reference...in your Welcome Aboard folder given to you at check in, there is a pamphlet describing what services are available once you board...the option of checking your carry-on bags is described in that pamphlet.

Sorry to hear about the hectic atmosphere at the pier, and the shoreside staff missing a rep. to guide arriving passengers. A delayed debark due to passengers being late for immigration can really create a domino affect that can be hard to make up as the day goes on. Especially with 1800 getting off, and another 1800 ready to get on. And with a minimum of 3600 bags that had be loaded, sorted, and delivered, 7 pm doesn't sound too unreasonable....

As we know, even under the best of circumstances, turn around day is always the most hectic for everyone - passengers, and staff.

[English_in_Spain]

Regarding your embarkation. Why would there be rep there at 10am when you are told to arrive at 2pm?

I know that most times people are allowed to board early but you should not come to expect it.

[Krazy Kruizers]

WElcome home

Thank you for giving us the bad along with the good.

[mountainmare]

In our know before you go book we were told that we could begin check in at 11. Our flight arrived about 9:30. I did not expect to be able to check in an hour early. But even after 10 or 10:30 there was still no rep to greet people since they were coming to the "door" to find out where to go--each time someone would answer the door. Sometimes say to wait there--sometimes point to the elevator.
We are experiences cruisers and when we come in a day early we always wait until mid-afternoon to board, I knew that turn around day is hectic--I'm just saying that if this was my very first welcome to HAL after cruising other lines (ie Celebrity with the welcome aboard oj or champagne) I would not have been impressed. Also there was the added tension in the crew about the upcoming dry dock--understandable but again, if I did not already like HAL I would have been a bit put off.
I don't think we were given a welcome aboard folder at check-in,but I knew about carry-on check-in from cruise critic. Check -in was also a bit disorganized--we were not in a home port--there were three HAL ships in port and the check-in people were fairly new to the job. Our friends did on-line check-in but didn't want to put their cc number online and put cash--thinking it would be easy to do at check-in like they usually do. Their check-in took along time because they had to find someone who knew how to change cash to a credit card, so yes it was more hectic than usual because this was not a normal cruise.
I have checked in on HAL in the morning before and on those times it has been smooth--perhaps I was wrong to think that this time would be no different knowing that it was a repositioning cruise.

[mountainmare]

I also understand that our boarding was a little more delayed because there were several hundred passengers staying on from San Diego--they had to be re-processed before new passengers were let on.
SO--lesson learned. If you are on the second leg of a repostioning cruise do not go to the ship in the morning, especially if you are on a transatlantic (there will be an immigration check). Even if you fly in same day--do something else in the morning.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Cruise critic group: we had a very active rollcall and this was the nicest group of cruise critics I have ever had the privilege of sailing with. A HUGE thank you to Marty, our fearless leader, who arranged two meet and greets and a private galley tour...and to Gloria who arranged the wave--I FINALLY SIGNED THE BANNER!!! (did anyone see our wave??)
We had sort of a vertical cc party with the aft balconies on decks 4,5 and 6--it was so much fun.

If they did not they can see it here :D
Lou has posted it on his web site and on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJTYD0T3e80

His is Lou's web site
http://mortgagemobile.com/Ft_Lauderdale_Florida_Web_Cam.html

[LAFFNVEGAS]

BTW I am so happy you finally got to sign the Banner :)

[Boatdrill]

If you are on the second leg of a repostioning cruise do not go to the ship in the morning, especially if you are on a transatlantic (there will be an immigration check).

From your past HAL sailings, you'll recall that there's an immigration check for passengers at the end of every cruise.

Good advice not to get to the pier too early (for any itinerary, actually); generally the best time to arrive for check-in is mid to late afternoon. The rush is over, and any morning delays have usually been resolved by then, and your room should be ready. Much more relaxing way to board. :)

[mountainmare]

Thank you so much for the link--DH is holding the banner.
About the immigration--the entire crew apparently had to go through an immigration inspection--not just the passengers, so there was a delay in passengers getting off, back to back passengers being processed and new passengers getting on. This also delayed the room preparation and to some extent setting up the lido and getting the luggage--so a transatlantic repostioning cruise is indeed a different animal. All the more reason not to be an early bird.
When you think about it it does make sense--the ship is leaving the country for an extended period of time and everything has to be in order.

[san diego sue]

Hi Linda,
I didn't realize that your end of deck 5 was so affected. Mid ship of course had nothing going on. I too, was upset that they were packing up the ship while we still were enjoying our trip. My husband had words with a rude employee in the gift shop. they were packing up three days before the end. He asked and the girl said that was the last night for the shop and they were packing it all up. He asked if just the jewelry section or the whole gift shop. She wasn't answering direct but finally shouted "What do you want Sir". We are permanently closing. I was there trying to decide on a piece of jewelry, and just walked out. The shop was closed the next night as we were in port late. I spoke to Hotel Manager and found out it would be opened the last night but I never went back.
The library was pretty empty the whole trip. Never have I seen a ship with absolutely nothing to read. No popular writers.
In Ft. Lauderdale, besides the full immigration for employees, there was a problem with the continuing passengers. We did get a letter where to report in the morning, and instructions we had to clear the ship (that is done before anyone could board). Well, I sat in the lounge while they called people still in their cabins, who were refusing to come to the lounge. At this point it was 11:00 am.
My cabin that day was not made up till 4PM, and at that point he did the night turndown as well.I called several times .
We did have an incredible time, and those were the only problems we incurred. when we left the ship , we had ship trasportation to the airport and were the first group to leave the ship. We waited orderly at the appointed time near the front desk. We were greeted with warm goodbyes by our hotel manager Marcella.
Everyone's cruise experiences are different. We had any time dining and went early most days. Had wonderful waiters with prompt friendly service. Only time service in dining room was bad, we ate a couple of nights late sitting with friends in fixed dining room and they had the worst service in HAL history. Towards the end they did change to anytime and ate with us. They agreed that service was outstanding. So folks whenever you have poor service, it may be your individual servers, don't suffer, you paid for it, just change.
Linda, it was so nice meeting you and Dennis.
Which tour was bad for Laverne and Mike? The only ship's tours that were bad for us was because in Spain the guides were not understandable, unable to hear them or understand because of thick accents. (Seville).

We did have mostly private tours and those were wonderful.
Regards,
Gloria

[san diego sue]

Lisa,
I was the one who's hair was blowing in the wind with skinny legs, right side of banner. My husband was tall person left side holding the banner. A real windy day, not a glamor shot for any of us. thank you and Lou for capturing the moment for us.
We had such a wonderful time especially going through the Canal first.
Gloria

[Chelly]

Last year we sailed Costa--we expected smokers--it wasn't too bad. For this cruise the smoke smell in our cabin was fixed with the super spray, but the smoke smell in the hall to our cabin was horrible everyday of the cruise--I took a different hall because it was so bad. There were smokers in the two balconies right below us--annoying in the morning and evening. For our location on this particular sailing we had more smoke than on Costa. I did get the on board open booking but will sail Celebrity or Azamara until HAL changes their policy, this is why we have choices.


Your horrible experience with smokey halls and balconies concerns me, particularly since you experienced more cabin related smoke than on Costa. Costa has a reputation as being very smokey; you must have had alot of smoke indeed. I don't want to stir up another debate on smoke. I am just a bit worried about upcoming cruise departing from Barcelona.

[san diego sue]

Chelly,
We were mid ship and didn't smell or experience any smoke on our balcony or hallway. Mountainmare was in a wonderful aft cabin and indeed there was smoke.
I know that Europeans tend to smoke more than we do, so if your ship has a lot of them, maybe more smokers.Please I don't mean to insult any Europeans.
I have sailed Costa with few Americans on board and found this to be true. At the end of our cruise, there was a survey from HAL regarding smoking. Asking if we smoked. And if there were no smoking would we sail with them.
San Diego Sue

[mountainmare]

Gloria--I meant to e-mail you back. It was the general tour in Barcelona. In the beginning of the tour they were told by the guide they wouldn't see much becuse it was Sunday and raining. They left on man behind at the first stop, our friends nearly got left behind when the guide decided to leave early at another stop and at the castle on the hill in spite of protests by passengers the guide left the HAL escort (a server in the casino) behind--saying "she'll find a way back". I talked to someone who was on the next bus (they picked up the girl) who said their tour was rushed and bad also. Both tours had trouble understanding the guide--but after all we were in Spain.

Chelly--this was my experience in this cabin on this cruise--also maybe we were in a lucky location on Costa. The bottom line is that when you book a HAL cruise you know that smoking is allowed in cabins and on balconies, you can be in an area where nobody smokes or you can be surrounded by smokers. When we booked Costa I did so knowing that Americans view Costa as a smokey cruise line..I booked anyway. If you are worried about smoke then there are plenty of other choices for cruise lines at similar price points offering similar experiences. From now on I will weigh the smoking in cabins issue when I choose a cruise, and if I have a with similar price and itinerary I will pick a different line.
Don't worry about your cruise from Barcelona --- you will have a wonderful time. I hope you can go over a little early pre-cruise, Barcelona is one of our favorite places.

PS--I was going to make the European observation but I was being PC.

[san diego sue]

Linda,
I was on the same tour as your friends.
The wife who's husband was left behind, yelled out leave him. they must have had a fight because she was insisting and we were laughing.
Also I spoke to the employee from the ship . she made a mistake and got on bus number 7 which was ahead of us. Our tour guide went looking for her. she got on that other bus right away as none of us saw her once we got off the bus at the stop. Rain was the biggest problem , and the guide was a bore.
Gloria

[Down-Unders]

We just returned from this sailing Ft. Lauderdale to Rome followed by a few extra days in Rome. Here are my good and bad impressions from this sailing. We are experienced independent traveler comfortable with travel in Europe and our traveling companions were going to Europe for the first time. We had all sailed the Oosterdam before (when she went through the canal to reposition on the West coast) and it was our first transatlantic crossing.
HAL is our preferred cruise line, but we tend to pick the itinerary instead of the ship so it has been a few years since we have sailed HAL. In between we have sailed Celebrity (Millennium and Galaxy) and last Feb the Costa Concordia to Greece Turkey and Egypt. We did notice some changes since our last time on HAL.
We used HAL air (with deviation) because the price was great and flew in same day non-stop from Newark. The only disadvantage was that this made for a very long frst day and we were tired, but we did have time to stop at Total Wine and Publix before we got to the ship.
We flew non-stop home from Rome--the airline was Continental and both flights were very good.
So here are the good (and not so good).



Excellent report, packing up whilst you were on board not acceptable especially our favorite libraries.



:(:(:(:(:(

[Down-Unders]

Last year we sailed Costa--we expected smokers--it wasn't too bad. For this cruise the smoke smell in our cabin was fixed with the super spray, but the smoke smell in the hall to our cabin was horrible everyday of the cruise--I took a different hall because it was so bad. There were smokers in the two balconies right below us--annoying in the morning and evening. For our location on this particular sailing we had more smoke than on Costa. I did get the on board open booking but will sail Celebrity or Azamara until HAL changes their policy, this is why we have choices.





Passive smoke can be a serious health hazard also I always worry about fire at sea. Thank you for bringing all your comments to our attention especially when a ship is going into dry dock after its cruise.

[Stevesan]

Because of cruise critic I knew that the Oosterdam was going into drydock after our sailing. I did not worry about this since it was planned and not a result of damage or engine(pod) problems. I did not think it would affect my cruise--WRONG!!!
As the cruise went on they started packing up the library--especially when we started to get to ports. Minor but hey--I'm still on the ship!!
In Barcelona a work crew came onboard, their presence throughout the ship and their demeanor in the lido changed the atmosphere a bit. OK--I'll say it--they were a bit intimidating--but I'm sure they didn't think they fit in with us either..but hey--I'm still on the ship!!
After that--since we were in the section that was being dismantled there were people working in the ceiling, cutting wires etc. One port day it was announced that the water was all turned off for an hour and then later the water was turned off with no warning while people were getting ready for dinner--het--I'm still on the ship!!!
The clincher was when we returned to our cabin and there were masking tape stickers all over the room--on all the furniture, the rug, everywhere. I asked about it and was told that they were getting ready to take off my cabin--hey--I'm still on the dam ship!!!
When we docked in Civitavecchia they immediately started loading containers on the lido deck..so it was time to get off the ship.
We got our stuff--went through the final scan and I turned around to see if DH was behind me--the security person said--"Move it along" not move it along please, not move it along m'am, just plain old move it along.
So like the welcome, the goodbye lacked a bit of class.

Judging by your overall experience, the crew's predock preparations were more than just an inconvenience.
By chance, was this cruise discounted from the previous one with the same itinerary?
A discounted fare and a prebooking warning would have been reasonable.

[mountainmare]

This was a transatlantic--there was no previous same itinerary. repostitioning cruises often are more reasonable--and yes the pricing was better than for a normal Med cruise.
We have been on repositioning cruises before (full transit Panama Canal).
Another thing to consider on such a cruise is that the staff really does not have first hand experience with the ports so you really have to do your home work.
Barcelona was an example, we were told that nothing would be open on a Sunday--not true, even the large modern mall on the sea side was open, most museums were open and the Ramblas was hopping, even more than we remembered in our previous stay during the week. Having never been to Barcelona on a Sunday (or maybe ever) the port support staff just didn't know this.
All I was saying about some of the bad things (the good far far outweighed the bad) was that a first time HAL cruiser would not have a good first impression, certain cutbacks and glitches that HAL regulars see as minor are not the way to begin a cruise. Again, comparing to the welcome aboard on Celebrity may be unfair--but even on Costa (in Italy, its home country) there were people at each elevator to direct you to the lido and people on each floor to escort you to your cabin. Obviously this made a good impression on me.

[san diego sue]

Having the cabins ready so late is really the disadvantage. There would not be any way to escort us to a cabin that is just not ready. I have sailed Celebrity and it is really a nice touch to be handed Champagne and a nice escort to your cabin.
This was our 7th HAL cruise. We went through the canal and stayed on for the Transatlantic. All of our previous trips were just one week cruises on HAL. Also this was our third time on the Oosterdam. The problems I see are that this crew just didn't know how to handle the longer cruises.In 32 days the singers and dancers only had two shows to work with, so first half did them and repeated same two on transatlantic.
Last year on our transatlantic on Princess (23 days on the Royal), the singers and dancer, used to longer cruises entertained with at least 5 different production numbers, besides the other entertainment.
I must stress however, we had the time of our lives on this trip, so not being escorted to cabins for us was not a disappointment. I got to know quite a bit of the crew and loved them. Except for rude personnel in gift shop.
San Diego Sue

[MortgageMobile]

Lisa,
I was the one who's hair was blowing in the wind with skinny legs, right side of banner. My husband was tall person left side holding the banner. A real windy day, not a glamor shot for any of us. thank you and Lou for capturing the moment for us.
We had such a wonderful time especially going through the Canal first.
Gloria


Welcome home Gloria & Lew,

You are very welcome!

Email me through my site and I'll send you the additional high quality pics I took on that day (with no overlay) and as always; Free of charge!

Lou
http://mortgagemobile.com/Ft_Lauderdale_Florida_Web_Cam.html