Crystal2019

7 minutes ago, Been There, Planning That said:

I found my HAL, Amsterdam roll call successfully and made a brief post to move it up but noted that now only two others are following.  And there appears to be no option to return to the first page to review earlier posts.

• Will other members  have to rejoin to receive notification of new posts?  Or are roll calls still a work in progress?
• I'm sure the page option is there, but I cannot find it; please help.

Thanks in advance.  

And I really like the new clean presentation,

Ruth

 

 

Ruth, how did you find your roll call??  Unsuccessful here!!  Are you on the 2019 WC?

Crystal2019

Day 109 – At Sea - April 23, 2018

 

Coffee Chat

 

The guests for Coffee Chat this morning were Twinkle, the assistant beverage manager, and The Station Band consisting of Sonny, the band leader and Twinkle’s husband, along with Ricky, Federic and Arnie. They have all been sailing on cruise ships and with Holland America for over 20 years and have no intention of slowing down anytime soon.

 

Mariner Society Reception

 

The highlight of today’s activities will be the Mariner Society Reception in the Queen’s Lounge. There are two receptions, one at 4:15 PM and the other at 6:45 PM. Since we have late seating we will be going to the reception at 6:45 PM. At this reception passengers will be recognized for having achieved a new Medallion level which is different than the Star levels that give you actual perks on board.

 

The Mariner Medallion program is not as well publicized or promoted as much as the 1 to 5 Star Mariner Program. The only place I was able to find the Medallion Program mentioned on the official HAL website was in the Mariner Society FAQ.

 

Unlike the Mariner Star Level Program, the Medallion Program only recognizes and rewards actual cruising days – there isn’t any bonus credit for suites or spending as there is in the Mariner Star Program. While achieving greater Star status gets you very specific perks, achieving a higher Medallion Station gets you nothing more than the commemorative medal itself and local recognition including invitations to these special parties. While not associated with a Medallion, there is the Presidents Club which requires members to have 1400 pure cruise days and be specifically invited. The invitation requirement weeds out people with many sea days but not as full fare guests e.g. lecturers, travel hosts and agents etc.

 

Here are the Medallion Award levels

 

100 days – Bronze

300 days – Silver

500 days – Gold

700 days – Platinum

1400 days – Presidents Club

 

While there aren’t any specific perks associated with the various Medallion levels, there are many perks associated with Presidents Club Membership, including, but not limited to:

• Annual Holiday Gift e.g. Waterford Crystal Vases

• Invitations to special onboard parties

• “Head of the line” tender service equal to Neptune Suite Guests

• Your choice of flowers/beverages/wine, etc. every 2 weeks

• Special seating and recognition at onboard events

 

Plus more – there isn’t a specific list publicly available, but these are the highlights I have discovered based on my research. Any updated information is appreciated.

 

The Holland America Mariner Star Program is well documented on the website. Here are the thresholds for the various star levels.

 

1 Star – completion of first cruise

2 Star – 30 cruise day credits

3 Star – 75 cruise day credits

4 Star – 200 cruise day credits

5 Star – 500 cruise day credits

 

If you are in a suite you get double credit for each day sailed. You also get one cruise day credit for every $300 in onboard spend.

 

See the HAL website for the various perks at the various levels.

 

We arrived at the Queens lounge right at 6:45 PM and had to go find seats in the balcony as everything down below was full. The HAL Orchestra was playing soft background music behind a very large flower arrangement. Standing in front of the arrangement were Capt. Mercer, Hank Mensink, Hotel Director and Hamish, the Cruise Director. The ceremony started with some general acknowledgments and thanks to all the Mariner’s present. The first people recognized were members of the President's Club who were all seated together back in the corner of the Queens lounge all the way aft on the starboard side. Hamish recognized them by name and asked them to stand or waive but we couldn’t see because they were hidden from view since we were in the balcony.

After the President's Club members were recognized, they proceeded to call up passengers receiving metals at the Platinum level followed by those at the Gold level and finally those at the Silver level. Passengers at the Bronze level were not individually recognized since there were so many but everyone was invited to come forward and pose for a picture with the Capt., Hank and Hamish afterwards if they so desired.

 

Gala Evening

 

This was the last Gala evening for the cruise which means there will be a special menu in the main dining room and usually this also means that the Hal singers and dancers will perform one of their production shows.

You can find a copy of the menu here along with copies of all the menus for the entire cruise HERE.

There wasn’t an advertised theme this evening, but the waiters were wearing sailor costumes which prompted me to line up and pose with the waiters and we all rendered a snappy salute.

 

Bellissima

 

The final cast show was called Bellissima and was a collection of song and dance numbers featuring classics such as “Time to Say Goodbye” along with rock hits such as “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. Other songs included “Danny Boy”, “I Love Paris”, “All by Myself”, and “Amadeus”.

 

Final Pillow Gift

 

Back in the room after a wonderful show we discovered our final Pillow Gift of the cruise, a Blue Delft earthenware plate from Royal Goedewaagen plate depicting the 2018 World Cruise map and routing.

You can find pictures of all the pillow gifts for the entire cruise HERE

 

I don't usually post much stuff, but I have to tell you I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your postings, I've been following you from the beginning as I'm taking my first WC next 2019. I saw your name and picture in the roll call and wondering if you are also going next year.

I have enjoyed many games of LCR, lots of fun, quick, easy to learn, lots of laughing.

Maria

I have followed and enjoyed your blog. I see you are on the roll call list for the 2019 WC which I'll be going.

Safe travels.

I have an Epson Perfection V39 Scanner to scan everything. I bought the 1000 minute package which gives you a 10pct bonus...

 

This years internet speed is much improved over 2016. Upload speed is pretty good.

Thank you for the info!:)

Pete and Judy,

Love following you, your writings are so full of details and so much fun to read and everything is so well organized.

Have a question, to post the W&W as well as the Menus, do you scan the papers you receive? if so, how? do you have a scanner with you? How many hours of internet time did you signed up for? I know connections are pretty slow on board!

Thank you for all the time and money you invest on doing this.

I found your blog today, just read all 7 days of posting... Great job and thank you! I will be following along as I will be taking the 2019 GWV, so looking for any and all information that will help me along.

Your zip lining sounds like fun, I enjoy it and done it here in So. CA. so I'll be sure to book one next year.

Thank you Roy!

Great reading all your reports and thank you as well for the info re the pipe work done on the ship.

The Amsterdam is scheduled for extensive dry dock at the conclusion of the 2018 World Cruise in May. We will be on her in September for the Grand Asia and am looking forward to being on a freshly rehab'd ship. Hopefully

Thank you Tampa Girl for the information on the Amsterdam's rehab! I will continue to follow all the blogs.

So very much enjoy reading Roy's posts.

Hi Roy,

Thank you for all your posts during your time on the Amsterdam and to a lady that gave your link to follow you..

This is actually the first time I'm posting but I wanted to know more about the Amsterdam as I'm scheduled to do the 2019 World Cruise but have heard that the ship is on very poor condition, specially the a/c and plumbing. However, my TA told me that it was scheduled for some repairs and updates, including carpet and later next year for extensive dry dock. I see you confirm that part.

My husband and I did the 66 day South America-Antartica cruise in 2011 and we loved it as well as the smaller ship was just perfect for us.

Thank you for sharing your amazing experiences and photos. Tomorrow I will catch up with your embarking the Prinsendam till your Florida return.