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

There are always questions about turnaround day at Port Everglades, when your first 7 day segment ends and your second week is about to begin. I know we had questions, and if you're doing a back to back or Collector's Cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, this might help.

A few days before your sailing ends, you should receive an envelope that contains your in-transit passes as well as written instructions about what to do on the day you return to Port Everglades.

Our dear friend, Poohby Joe (who guards our wine when we're out and about) is shown here, holding our in-transit cards.*

*I know someone's going to ask the question, so here's the answer. Poohby's in-transit card is very small and it's in his pocket. He has to report to a different room for immigration purposes. Huskerchick and I are American citizens, while Poohby Joe is a citizen of the Hundred Acre Wood. As such, he holds a UK passport.

Speaking of locations for immigration -- Here's a link to a scan of the procedure. We're staying on the ship, so we don't have to get off. This is a but different than I've seen reported here before. Bear in mind that the process could change as it is subject to modification by the US authorities.

http://www.evernote.com/l/AFg14MS4uZ1MV5tgQME559W2U8j8rlE35YE/

I am absolutely laughing too hard. You are truly talented POA. I wish I had your skills.

Thanks for the info and here's hoping Pooh passes the quarantine;)

 

 

*I know someone's going to ask the question, so here's the answer. Poohby's in-transit card is very small and it's in his pocket. He has to report to a different room for immigration purposes. Huskerchick and I are American citizens, while Poohby Joe is a citizen of the Hundred Acre Wood. As such, he holds a UK passport.

Actually, I think I can see Poohby's in-transit card hanging out of the, um, bottom pocket, of his onesie. He'd better be careful and not lose it.;)

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

Hello ,my name is Denise and I'm a POA1oholic.

Thank you for your wonderful reports !...and thanks to Huskerchick for allowing her husband to spend his time keeping us amused and enthralled!

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There are always questions about turnaround day at Port Everglades, when your first 7 day segment ends and your second week is about to begin. I know we had questions, and if you're doing a back to back or Collector's Cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, this might help.

 

A few days before your sailing ends, you should receive an envelope that contains your in-transit passes as well as written instructions about what to do on the day you return to Port Everglades.

 

Our dear friend, Poohby Joe (who guards our wine when we're out and about) is shown here, holding our in-transit cards.*

 

 

*I know someone's going to ask the question, so here's the answer. Poohby's in-transit card is very small and it's in his pocket. He has to report to a different room for immigration purposes. Huskerchick and I are American citizens, while Poohby Joe is a citizen of the Hundred Acre Wood. As such, he holds a UK passport.

 

Speaking of locations for immigration -- Here's a link to a scan of the procedure. We're staying on the ship, so we don't have to get off. This is a but different than I've seen reported here before. Bear in mind that the process could change as it is subject to modification by the US authorities.

 

http://www.evernote.com/l/AFg14MS4uZ1MV5tgQME559W2U8j8rlE35YE/

Too funny. Now if you go into the port building to use the internet make sure you take those cards. I did the first time but didn't the second time. The HAL woman ripped me a new one and said it was going to be trouble:rolleyes:. I went by 2 people who looked at my key card and neither asked for my in transit card. I was worried I wouldn't be allowed back on the ship.

I just got an e-mail from RobertoF, the poster whose mother is on the ship but hasn't checked in with him. We're going to stick a post it on her door that says something along the lines of:

Dear REDACTED MOM's NAME,

The Internet told us that your son REDACTED is waiting for you to call him when you get to Key West."

On second thought, we're going to go with a note on room stationery in an envelope. That way it's more discreet. Also, if she decides to call security on me, they'll know where to go. :cool:

Don't worry. We'll make sure to tell his mom that everything's okay.

The other alternative would have been to hang out in her hallway until she came out of the room. Even though we're dressed for formal night, that might have come across as creepy. Properly attired for formal night hall stalking, but creepy nonetheless.

We return to a United States port after being in foreign ports tomorrow, so that means it's fun with ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement.) This has no relation to the Ice Carving Demo that was held by the Lido pool this afternoon.

If you've ever wondered what happens in these cases, here's the procedure:

http://www.evernote.com/l/AFjCwP19s5ZF5LoCoAFREvR2QNy6ZA6YzYg/

It's not terribly fun, and I wouldn't consider it a must-read page-turner, but if you're a Type A personality who loves to plan, give it a once-over.

We return to a United States port after being in foreign ports tomorrow, so that means it's fun with ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement.) This has no relation to the Ice Carving Demo that was held by the Lido pool this afternoon.

 

If you've ever wondered what happens in these cases, here's the procedure:

 

http://www.evernote.com/l/AFjCwP19s5ZF5LoCoAFREvR2QNy6ZA6YzYg/

 

It's not terribly fun, and I wouldn't consider it a must-read page-turner, but if you're a Type A personality who loves to plan, give it a once-over.

This is good info to pass on. I know that there have been several questions about this over the years. It's good to have it in black and white. Thx.

We return to a United States port after being in foreign ports tomorrow, so that means it's fun with ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement.) This has no relation to the Ice Carving Demo that was held by the Lido pool this afternoon.

 

If you've ever wondered what happens in these cases, here's the procedure:

 

http://www.evernote.com/l/AFjCwP19s5ZF5LoCoAFREvR2QNy6ZA6YzYg/

There are always questions about turnaround day at Port Everglades, when your first 7 day segment ends and your second week is about to begin. I know we had questions, and if you're doing a back to back or Collector's Cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, this might help.

 

<snip>

 

http://www.evernote.com/l/AFg14MS4uZ1MV5tgQME559W2U8j8rlE35YE/

This was really helpful, as we've never done a B2B and I like knowing things ahead. I hope the "stay on board" bit is true for the Westerdam.

Hello ,my name is Denise and I'm a POA1oholic.

 

Thank you for your wonderful reports !...and thanks to Huskerchick for allowing her husband to spend his time keeping us amused and enthralled!

We must attend the same meetings. :D:p

A question for you, POA1 - I am packing for my cruise on the 14th and wondering if there is any whisper of an Ugly Christmas Sweater Night on the NA? Because I have some beauts and could hang with the best if I had any of those bad boys along with me ... :D

Actually, I think I can see Poohby's in-transit card hanging out of the, um, bottom pocket, of his onesie. He'd better be careful and not lose it.;)

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

 

Very funny! Perhaps his back pocket rides low, because that's how the kids wear their pants nowadays - drooping low around the butt. :)

A question for you, POA1 - I am packing for my cruise on the 14th and wondering if there is any whisper of an Ugly Christmas Sweater Night on the NA? Because I have some beauts and could hang with the best if I had any of those bad boys along with me ... :D

Not that I'm aware of. IMHO, it would be a little toasty to wear a sweater - ugly or otherwise - in the Caribbean. But, trends and traditions have to start somewhere, so it couldn't hurt.

We return to a United States port after being in foreign ports tomorrow, so that means it's fun with ICE (Immigration & Customs Enforcement.) This has no relation to the Ice Carving Demo that was held by the Lido pool this afternoon.

 

If you've ever wondered what happens in these cases, here's the procedure:

 

http://www.evernote.com/l/AFjCwP19s5ZF5LoCoAFREvR2QNy6ZA6YzYg/

 

It's not terribly fun, and I wouldn't consider it a must-read page-turner, but if you're a Type A personality who loves to plan, give it a once-over.

It is interesting that us non-US citizens need to bring copy of their ESTA as you do not actually need to have paper copy of ESTA to enter US in the first place. It is enough to do complete the ESTA electronically before your travel. Can somenone check that paper print out of your ESTA is really needed?

Furthermore what is enough? Print screen of your ESTA? Or something else? I am a bit worried now and want to make sure I will have the right proof of my ESTA with me on my cruise.

On this Day in History - December 6th - Everglades National Park in Florida dedicated by President Harry Truman in 1947. Last year, 3.6 million cruise passengers flew over, drove by, or otherwise failed to appreciate this natural wonder.

Yesterday was a nice, relaxing sea day. We started with room service breakfast. As usual, it was hot, and on time. DW had scrambled eggs. I had an omelet, and Poohby Joe had the usual.

Huskerchick went to her cabana, and I caught up on some work. At 11:30, we attended the Mariner Society Medallion Presentation Ceremony where friends of ours were getting their silver medallions.

The ship's background music has switched over to holiday tunes, and new decorations continue to appear. All in all, it's pretty festive.

I continued my uninterrupted streak of not learning to play the steel drums, and DW enjoyed the privacy of her cabana.

The group Island Magic did an encore show at 2 pm. We didn't see it, but many people were raving about them.

We gave happy hour a pass. They didn't send out a search party, so I guess we are not drinking too much. ;)

Dinner was formal. The food was excellent, a

It is interesting that us non-US citizens need to bring copy of their ESTA as you do not actually need to have paper copy of ESTA to enter US in the first place. It is enough to do complete the ESTA electronically before your travel. Can somenone check that paper print out of your ESTA is really needed?

Furthermore what is enough? Print screen of your ESTA? Or something else? I am a bit worried now and want to make sure I will have the right proof of my ESTA with me on my cruise.

Since this doesn't apply to us, I don't have a ready answer, but I will try to find out. (Poohby holds a UK passport, but he's been mum on the subject.)

I can't see your profile from my phone, so if you can tell me what country you're interested in knowing for, I'll see what we can find out. (Apologies for the dangling participle.)

I am from Finland and I have completed ESTA to travel to US, but normally no paper copies are needed when flying to US...

It would be great if you can check this out as this worries me now.

I am from Finland and I have completed ESTA to travel to US, but normally no paper copies are needed when flying to US...

 

It would be great if you can check this out as this worries me now.

I will check later when we get back to the ship.

Our second Formal Night was last evening. Once again we had a pretty well dressed crowd. We estimate about 20% of the upper dining room was in tuxedos. There were a surprising number of long gowns as well. As always, there were a couple of guys who didn't keep their jackets on, but most people stayed dressed for the evening.

Our food was very good, but our waiter must have been having an off night. (I blame myself. I shouldn't have been heaping effusive praise on everyone yesterday. :) ) When we were seated, DFIL and I got Dutch menus. Huskerchick got an English one. We turned in the Dutch menus and got... nothing. We eventually got English language menus when the waiter came to take our order, and we couldn't order. We tried to share the lone English menu, but it didn't make it around the table in time. Dinner clocked in at two hours, which is a little long for a party of three.

There's more at the link, including photos. I don't have a scanned menu because our waiter forgot to bring them. I'll try to get them tonight, including the ones from the days we were in the Pinnacle Grill and Tamarind. Our wine service was excellent.

https://www.evernote.com/shard/s88/l/AFgiAdQYXZ1BDqyQoErdKM-qf61wMhNKHjsA

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This was really helpful, as we've never done a B2B and I like knowing things ahead. I hope the "stay on board" bit is true for the Westerdam.

Don't count on it.

POA1 -- you can thank those of us who were on the Nieuw Amsterdam in November 2013 and had a bad experience on Intransit Day that now you get to stay on the ship tomorrow (Sunday).

We had a meeting with the HD and things were changed when we got on the ship in March.

November 2013 -- 402 Intransit People -- went down to the luggage area where we passed through immigration. Then the waiting began. And we waited -- and waited. We had left the ship at 10 AM. The luggage area had only chairs for people to sit. Finally at nearly 11 AM 2 people were escorted off the ship and the ship finally was at zero count and we could begin to get back on the ship. Took quite a while for all of us to get back on the ship. We ere only on the ship about 5 minutes and the new passengers were allowed on.

We were really happy to see that in March/April when we took the cruise things had been changed and we were able to sit in the Show Lounge until we got the all clear sign.

I've found that they seem to struggle on formal nights if the struugle at all. I've seen posters say that formal aren't well attended because people don't want to dress for it. On every cruise I've been on the MDR is packed.

Waiting for your comments/observations about the "tropical casual night".

And enjoy your day of key lime pie today!