beachbunny6

4 minutes ago, rjbean4 said:

I was referring to that we are sailing on the Nieuw Statendam on Wednesday as someone else mentioned in a earlier post. Sorry about that. Regarding the meet and mingle I don't know when and where its scheduled to be and not sure if we would attend.

Our Meet & Mingle for the December 19th cruise is scheduled for Thursday, December 20th, at 11:00 AM in the Billboard Onboard venue.  We would be glad to have you and your mom join us.

~Barbara~

1 hour ago, Tutpug said:

I’m a novice on cruising so this question may seem odd to the veterans here, but I’ve read on several sites about brining ones’ own favorite pillow as the ships pillows may be a bit ‘lacking’. Can anyone attest to the need to do so on NS? 

Peter, I can understand that if you have a need for your own pillow, you would like to bring it with you.  I, too, have thought about bringing my pillow, because I have neck/back problems, and am concerned about not being comfortable to sleep.  For this cruise, however, I am not going to be bringing it along, because I think that I can make it for the four nights without it.  That being said, I still have the option to change my mind, and might bring it anyway.

I know, that was not a really good answer, but I believe firmly that the decision is yours, and no one will ever think poorly of you for doing whatever you choose to do.  

~Barbara~

7 minutes ago, harryw said:

Which post # is the MDR breakfast menu? I can’t find it. 

Thanks

 

Harry

Harry, it is number 791.

~Barbara~

29 minutes ago, rjbean4 said:

Can add my mom and I to the list as we will also  be embarking next Wednesday. Were going out for 18 days so till Jan.6th. Driving down to Ft. Lauderdale on Tuesday.  Will be our 31st year in a row going out to sea for the holidays. Its been raining where we are in the Tampa area most of the day. A lot of Holiday events are being either canceled or re scheduled.

 

Thanks VictOriann for all the time you are putting into doing  this blog.

Is it the Meet & Mingle that you want to be added to?  If so, of course you can!  Just let me know!

~Barbara~

2 minutes ago, Blingz said:

So Barbara, are you on the ship now??

No, I am sitting here in my home office in Ellenton, just north of you. 

Ann, sorry we have "crashed" your thread here.  (Blingz, if you want to message me directly through CC, please do.  Or, we can post on the Roll Call board https://www.cruisecritic.com/rollcalls/pinnacle-class--december-19-2018/ ok?)

6 minutes ago, Blingz said:

Am I on the roll call for the Dec 19th Nieuw Statendam??  ??  It's been a while since I have done this...

Well, I don't really know, but you are certainly on the Meet & Mingle list, because I just put you both there! It is at 11:00 am on Thursday, December 20 in the Billboard Onboard Venue.

~Barbara~

1 minute ago, Blingz said:

Where does one go to find the Port Schedule??

https://pevvesseltraffic.broward.org/webx/

-or- 

go to http://www.porteverglades.net, hover or click on Cruising in the orange bar, then go to Ship Schedule.  That is how I get there.

And, thanks!  I've got you on the list for the Meet and Mingle.  Will be glad to meet you both!

Bon Voyage!

~Barbara~

2 minutes ago, Blingz said:

Is that 3:30 am??

Yes, it seems so.  But as I said originally, things can change.  

26 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

Thanks for posting the Breakfast menu!  Very pleased to see that Swedish Pancakes are still on the menu.  I "discovered" this delicious item very late on my Zaandam cruise.  I am glad that I will be able to enjoy it again!

 

I noticed them, too, and was really disappointed that they are served with a "mixed berry compote," not the lingonberries traditionally accompanying them.  Sad.  

As a follow up to my post (#59), the Port Schedule for Port Everglades is now showing your arrival on the 19th, but at 03:30!  

No water cannons and fancy escorts at THAT hour, for sure!  *sigh*

But remember, all of us who are sailing out that day will really be glad to see you all!

~Barbara~

1 hour ago, scluvsrain said:

I may be in the minority here, but I think the medal ceremony was a travesty. For those receiving medallions, it’s a big deal, even the copper one for 100 days. Those days represent a big chunk of change, never mind the silver, gold and platinum awards. 

 

Shame on HAL for screwing this up. In my mind there’s no excuse not to have had the medallions on board before the ship ever left Venice. I was supposed to have received my gold medallion today but they didn’t call my name and I’m actually glad of it. I’ll wait for the Prinsendam next month to have a more meaningful ceremony. One where I actually get to keep the medal handed to me. 

28 minutes ago, scluvsrain said:

I had the good fortune to be at a lunch table with an officer from guest relations after the ceremony. I explained what happened in my case and asked her to whom I should address my question. She said “me” and got my name and cabin number and said she’d get it fixed and make sure my next ship - the Prinsendam next month - will be informed. I took her at her word but will also check once I embark. Because I basically don’t trust much of anything people tell me. 

Oh, Sherita, I am so sorry this happened to you!  I can only guess how excited you were, knowing you were going to receive your Gold Medallion.  Then to first of all find out that they didn't have them onboard, and secondly that they didn't even call your name, must have been so awful.

I don't think I would wait until boarding the Prinsendam next month... I would be contacting HAL immediately after getting home from this voyage.  If they cannot get it right this time, what makes anyone want to think they can get it right next time without your input?  You so deserve much more than that medal.  HAL owes you big time for this one!  You go get 'em!  

Just had a thought... what if they send the medal to you with a letter explaining what happened, and you take it with you to the Prinsendam?  That way you will be sure it will be there for the presentation.  But the letter, which you can show to the Captain of the Prinsendam, is a key part of this plan so that they know you never even got your name called, etc.  Sounds like it may be a solution, IMHO.  Regardless, I wish you luck with getting HAL to straighten this out.  A Gold Medal Mariner should be a very valued HAL cruiser, and they need to do better taking care of you all.

Meanwhile, enjoy the rest of this cruise, and Bon Voyage!

~Barbara~

Tim, THANK YOU for taking your time to do this blog for us!  You and your efforts are really appreciated!  Can't wait to meet you on board next week!

Bon Voyage!

~Barbara~

6 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

 

No charge for the food in Dutch Cafe.  There is a charge for the drinks.  But you don’t even have to buy a coffee to eat there.  We were discussing it the other day, and felt they could charge, it is so good, but we are happy they don’t.  But I think the Explorations Cafe is being neglected.  Who wants to go up to the Crows Nest when all the action is down on 2 and 3?

Thank, Ann!  I appreciate the info!

~Barbara~

Although I could not find the latest map rendering, here is an older one, which shows the area across the Intracoastal from the port.  It is a Coast Guard Station, so it would be common for military units to be going in and out of there, as POA1 said.

I just want to send a HUGE thank you to Ann, Sherita, and all the rest of you here for your great photos and information from the Inaugural Sailing of the beautiful Nieuw Statendam.  I am really enjoying all your posts and they have increased my excitement for my arrival onboard next Wednesday.  

To those of you staying on board for the 4-day, I hope to meet you all at the Meet & Greet on Thursday, December 20 at 11:00 AM in the Billboard Onboard venue.  (Apologies for putting a notification here on your wonderful thread.  I just want to be sure everyone knows about it and can attend. If you have not already done so, please go to the Roll Call thread and let me know if you will join us there.  Thanks!)

Meanwhile, again, thank you for all your are doing to take us along on your wonderful cruise.  I know it takes a lot of time and effort to do this for all of us, and I want to be sure you know it is greatly appreciated.

Bon Voyage!

~Barbara~

I am very sorry to ask this, as it probably has been reported earlier, but since I cannot seem to find the information (either here or on HAL's site), here's my question:

I know there is a charge for Adult libations in the Dutch Cafe, but what about the food?  It looks SO good, and seems as if it could and will be one of my favorites on my voyage, but I just wondered about the cost.  If it is ala carte, could one of you please post the food menu? (Budgeting, you know )

Thanks in advance for any and all information!

Bon Voyage!

~Barbara~

3 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

I had another peek in Club Orange as I headed back down.  Just one couple in there, but it still has the kitchen setup, so perhaps if it’s not a success, they will change it back to the Culinary Arts Centre.

 

IMO, if there were only two people there, it seems as if the "non-suite" passengers are not seeing a good value for $50/pp/pd.  And I heartily agree.  Also, it is looking as if the suite passengers are not appreciating it as a supposedly-upscale venue, either.  Perhaps just using it as the America's Test Kitchen will be sufficient to earn it a permanent place there at all.  Or not.  Time will tell.

6 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

Sunrise - is it a bad sign?

 

It is NEVER a bad sign when the sun rises.    The alternative is not good...

Mike (MVPinBoynton) THANK YOU! for sharing your wonderful Edge Review!  Thanks to your DW, too, for helping!  I hope your next Edge cruise is perfect and that you get time to enjoy it!

Bon Voyage!

~Barbara~

1 hour ago, scluvsrain said:

We talked with Captain Albert at dinner about the library books issue. He said that over a third of the books on this ship are already missing. 

 

Unbelievable. 

Um, not to try to start a war here, but if you are on a 14-day TA, and no one has really left the ship for good (other than Shore Excursions) how can you possibly have a third of the books "missing?"  Yes, a third can be borrowed by current passengers, but "missing" is probably not the best word for that situation.  After passengers debark in Ft. Lauderdale, except, of course, for those continuing on another B2B leg, then "missing" might be more accurate.  This just makes it seem so awful, which it might not really be at this point.  And, no, I do not think that no one would dare to remove a book permanently, but I believe it is way too soon to make that kind of judgement.

1 minute ago, vtcruising said:

I guess I should have recorded it. Two of our roll call members were also there. I will reach out to them to make sure that I got it right.

 

What I do remember is the 6 month on and off, with Captain Kostas leaving Feb 3 (he's been onboard at least since Sept, I believe) - Captain Kafetzis will take over on Feb 3 for 6 months, vacation for 6 months, with  Captain Kostas returning. He didn't say anything about when Captain Kafetzis would be onboard to learn about the ship. He talked about Captain Kafetzis going to Apex and that he (Kostas) would eventually take over Edge III. He said something about them "leap frogging" the Edge Class ships. The Captain Kate announcement had not been made (I think it was the next day) so she wasn't named as being the one to take over the Edge.

 

I will come back if I hear anything from my roll call buddies who were on the same tour. I was a bit in awe of the Captain so may have misheard. 😉

 

 

Thanks.  I am really hoping that Captain Kafetzis is aboard on our January voyage.  He was Master when Barbara #2 and I did our TA on the Silhouette in 2013, and we really liked him and enjoyed his daily commentary.  He was available every day in Cafe Al Bacio for photo ops, and was very congenial and visible around the ship.  He did a Q&A in the main theater one day and it was a not-to-be-missed event!   I wish he was taking over mid January, but X doesn't listen to me when they do their Captain placement/assignments.  Maybe you can put a few words into the ear of your BFF, LLP?  I am sure she would listen to you!

7 minutes ago, vtcruising said:

Thanks, Barbara! I don't know if I can wait that long! I have such Post Edge Depression!

 

Just six weeks from today - we are going to have so much fun!!😊

You CAN make it!  I know you are a strong, competent woman, and you will do fine.  Besides, Christmas and New Years will help.  By the 20th of January, you will be first in line for boarding and will lead all of us, your Edgies, aboard to glory.  Or to the RTG or Sunset Bar for a bon voyage adult refreshment.  I have faith that we will all make it and have a super time!  With all of the CC fans on that trip, I am not too sure the Edge is ready, but they are hereby forewarned.  Mr. EDge, here we come!

~Barbara~

On 12/3/2018 at 9:46 PM, vtcruising said:

Talked to Captain Kostas today. He will be on for 6 months until Feb 3 and then will have 6 months off and then returns to the Edge for 6 months. It sounded like he would end up on the 3rd E-Class as the Master. Meanwhile, Captain Kafetzis will take over on Feb 3 for 6 months, vacation for 6 months and then to Apex at that point, I believe. Maybe Captain Kate comes back onboard when Captain Kostas returns and then takes over when he goes on vacation?

Ok, VT, sorry but I am confused here.  I thought Captain Kafetzis was second to Captain Kostas on the Edge, until he leaves to take over Apex.  I do not recall anyone mentioning him being onboard at all yet.  So, here is not there?  But may be coming aboard before he takes over on Feb. 3?  Which means he might be there for our January 20th voyage, but just not the Master?  So, if he takes over in February, then Captain Kate comes on as second?  Can you just make a little chart for those of us who are conceptually challenged?  (Me, specifically)  Right now, there is Captain Kostas, with who as second, etc.  Thanks.  

Marilyn, once again you have a hit here!  Your review is wonderful, and really captured the essence of all your previous posts from your 3 trips.  It is so difficult to find the words to express how grateful we all are to you for your efforts put forth on these boards.  So, all I can say is THANK YOU! from me, and I am sure so many, many others, for all the time you spent photographing, commenting, and compiling all this for all of us.  It has been a magical time for all of us who were not able to sail yet, because of you and the others who added to your threads here.  

Have a wonderful holiday season, and see you in January!

~Barbara~

Thanks, benebire!  You are doing a super job!  Don't even for a minute think that you are not good at this... you are great!  Thank you for sharing your time, photos and insight with all of us.  We Edgies cannot get enough and appreciate your additions to our knowledge of all things Edge.

Bon Voyage - Enjoy the rest of your trip!

~Barbara~