CSI: NA Reloaded (Nieuw Amsterdam 11/30 to 12/14/14)

Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls, Moms & Dads - It's the holiday season, when Hollywood cranks out derivative material - sequels to previously successful films - knowing full well that audiences will flock to the theaters because (a) They more or less liked the first offering in the series. (b) The sequel seems like a safe choice. And © People can only take so much "family togetherness time" and really need a few hours sitting with loved ones, together - in the dark - with no talking. Seriously, if cousin Sally rambles on for one more minute about how much more successful her children are than the rest of the clan, it's definitely going to lead to fisticuffs, bruised egos, and hurt feelings. (Well then, maybe she'll learn how to keep her gosh darn mouth shot next Thanksgiving! Better yet, maybe she'll stay the heck home and we won't have to hear about the golden children in 2015.)

In the spirit of warm fellowship, kith & kin, folderol & claptrap, we present The National Institute of Cheer's answer to the holiday sequel: CSI: NA Reloaded - Twice the Length, Half the Quality. It promises to be, as you would expect, a hackneyed retelling of stories you already know - recycled just to make a quick buck. You know you should look away, maybe even find a fresh, new indy "Live From" on another cruise line board, to view this December. But that's work, so you won't go off in search of a fresh new discovery. Instead, you'll read this nonsense. It's here. It's familiar, and it's easy. After all, it sure beats sitting in a room talking to your relatives.

You know what? I really, really appreciate you!

http://www.instituteofcheer.com/img/000-Intro-2014-11-30.jpg

Our voyage this time takes us on two seven day legs, the first to the Western Caribbean, the second to the Eastern Caribbean. The first week is an exact repeat of our last cruise. We'll hit Half Moon Cay, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Key West. The second week sees us in Grand Turk, Puerto Rico, St, Thomas, and a return trip to Half Moon Cay.

We hope you have a few minutes to keep up with us. I can't promise that it will be all excitement, glamor, and adventure, but I can promise that not everything will be made up.

*CSI: NA = Club Sandwich Investigation: Nieuw Amsterdam. (It will change your life.**)

**The Holland America Room Service Club Sandwich, not the thread.

Can't wait for the sequel! Hope you have a great 2 weeks. :)

Oh my, you are truly talented :)

Can't wait for the episodes in the sequel:D

Looking forward to the series... Where will you be hiding at the sail away?

Looking forward to the series... Where will you be hiding at the sail away?

We're trying to decide. DFIL is traveling with us, and he hasn't picked a spot yet. It could be up by the Crow's Nest. It could be on his or our balcony. I know that Shrimpboat123, Kazu's friend and neighbour (spelled that way because he's from the Maritimes) has requested a wave. He's on deck 5 aft-ish. You can always look for him.

We'll try to figure out a spot to stand in advance of next week's sail away. After about 10 days with dear old Dad, there's an 85% chance that DW will prefer to be at or near a place with a full bar. ;)

Subscribed! :D Bon Voyage! :D:D

BON VOYAGE !!

I hope you make it to the port in time; those curbs can really slow you down! :D

Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :)

looking forward to meeting you onboard.

Hope you have a wonderful cruise.

I'm looking forward to reading all about it.

Thanks for taking us along.

Some sequels prove to be better than the original...given that intro...QED.

In two weeks we'll be enjoying that (almost the) same itinerary on the Westerdam, so looking forward to virtually cruising along with you as a countdown.

Bon Voyage!

Hope you have a great cruise. Of course it won't be as good without me;). Hope to be back to the hotel for sailaway.

Looking forward to Part II.

Terri

Aside from the very reasonable travel time, here's the big benefit of living really close to the port.

It could be more convenient, if only we had a modular, containerized bedroom closet.

There's a shopping cart behind the luggage cart. It's got the important stuff, like our wine.

I know you'll have a wonderful cruise, and so will we as you take us along on your wondrous adventure.:D Subscribed - can't wait!

PS to Cruz Chic - stay down there, it's darned cold up here.:(

The steel drums are warming up in anticipation of your Bon Voyage...as am I. What will you be "CSI-ing" this segment?

(Psssssst...food porn always appreciated!)

Have a wonderful voyage X 2.

The steel drums are warming up in anticipation of your Bon Voyage...as am I. What will you be "CSI-ing" this segment?

 

(Psssssst...food porn always appreciated!)

We'll make a concerted effort to take more photos this time. We're shooting for a more balanced review this time, hoping to cover a reasonable number of topics. I have no idea whether we'll be successful or not....

We checked in our modest allotment of wine. They finally went to a more secure stickering system, which is nice to see. (Hope you didn't invest in green dots! ;) )

The new stickers are day coded. It's quite the nice upgrade, all for the same $18 a bottle price.

Looking forward to reading about your adventures! Happy cruising!

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We checked in our modest allotment of wine. They finally went to a more secure stickering system, which is nice to see. (Hope you didn't invest in green dots! ;) )

 

The new stickers are day coded. It's quite the nice upgrade, all for the same $18 a bottle price.

Will we be getting a photo of these new stickers?

We'll also be doing the same Eastern itinerary in about 8 weeks, so looking for all the hints you have to offer.

Thanks again.

I know you'll have a wonderful cruise, and so will we as you take us along on your wondrous adventure.:D Subscribed - can't wait!

 

PS to Cruz Chic - stay down there, it's darned cold up here.:(

I've heard from my sister complete with pics. I wish I could stay.

Remember that photo of all our luggage? We have the dreaded adjoining room. With only 2 closets, it's the scourge of the well-dressed traveler. :eek:

Remember that photo of all our luggage? We have the dreaded adjoining room. With only 2 closets, it's the scourge of the well-dressed traveler. :eek:

I was wondering where you were going to put all that. There is always the balcony.

Can't wait for your next entries! I get on the NA the day you get back, so much as I am eager for you to have a FABULOUS trip, I must also say, HURRY BACK! :p I grabbed a Neptune Suite for my cruise, and can't wait for a week of pampering - my first on the Nieuw Amsterdam! So tell all, and don't forget to leave lots of sunshine for mid-December because it is darn cold here in Oregon right now ...

Bon Voyage! Greatly looking forward to your most amusing reports ;-) I'll be doing the eastern itinerary again in January....same one we did this past January, both on NA. I believe a friend of mine is still onboard - if there's a comedy show one night most likely it's him. Enjoy your cruise!

Sue/WDW1972

1/11/15 Nieuw Amsterdam

11/27/15 Oosterdam

1/15/16 DCL Dream