Live from the Westerdam - Panama Canal Repositioning

[0bnxshs]

I'm adding something on a personal note. Briefly - Mom lives with me, and while she is still a vibrant, active woman, well able to maintain a large degree of independence, in the 4 years since my father died she has displayed an ever-increasing need for order, structure, and routine in her life. She is no longer spontaneous, and prefers to adhere to a consistent daily schedule. That makes shipboard life a good choice for her, but makes shore excursions no longer as interesting or exciting as they once were, because of the impact to her daily physical routine. You will find in my sister's blog more mention of shipboard life than our port experiences, and this is because we have elected to do fewer excursions than we normally would on this trip with mom. So we might seem a little dull:)

 

The one thing we can all count on in life is that things will change. I've lately come to think that we age simply because things change around us to the point of becoming different, sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a not-so-good way. Sticking to the familiar and routine becomes a way of dealing with the change. You are doing your mom a great service helping her navigate this phase of life in such a safe but still adventurous way. No need to apologize for that. Cheers! :D

Edited October 1, 2015 by 0bnxshs

[Krazy Kruizers]

I'm adding something on a personal note. Briefly - Mom lives with me, and while she is still a vibrant, active woman, well able to maintain a large degree of independence, in the 4 years since my father died she has displayed an ever-increasing need for order, structure, and routine in her life. She is no longer spontaneous, and prefers to adhere to a consistent daily schedule. That makes shipboard life a good choice for her, but makes shore excursions no longer as interesting or exciting as they once were, because of the impact to her daily physical routine. You will find in my sister's blog more mention of shipboard life than our port experiences, and this is because we have elected to do fewer excursions than we normally would on this trip with mom. So we might seem a little dull:)

 

 

It's not dull at all.

We all change as we age.

We no longer can take all the excursions we would like to do.

[cat shepard]

I will be taking my first cruise on a HAL ship next year, so I really appreciate that your focus is on ship life.

[scopewest]

Went through the Canal once years ago, I'd love to do it again on a HAL ship this time. Enjoying your posts!

[TheSecondSister]

Hi all,

Internet has been spotty all day as we encountered the remnants of Hurricane Martin. Rain, thunder and lightning, though the seas are quite calm. No seasick bags by the elevators! We'll be clear of it by tomorrow morning.

 

Been a "do whatever floats your boat" day today. I have to admit I could get used to those. Took a cooking class with Mom today (well, she supervised, and the rest of us cooked -- or at least tried to -- read my blog for the misadventures!). Since there was a wait list of 30+ people for the cooking class, they'll be repeating it 3 more times with the same (or nearly the same) recipes so all those folks get to take the class. Which means they're not offering any other cooking classes with different recipes for those of us who've already done one class. So I can't take any more... and my tiny violin plays on.

 

Also learned that the Westerdam will be eliminating the Northern Lights; the Sports Bar will move into the Northern Lights area, and the Piano Bar will be enlarged and expand into (at least some) of the Sports Bar area. Yay - the Piano Bar overflows at night, with people standing in the doorways and spilling out into the casino. I didn't ask when this was to happen (it's Karin's fault - she was in the cabin reading instead of traipsing about with me; she'd have followed up!) but if I find out more, I'll fill you in.

 

Thanks for all your kind words - we shall do our best to keep earning them :)

[DaveOKC]

Hi all,

Internet has been spotty all day as we encountered the remnants of Hurricane Martin. Rain, thunder and lightning, though the seas are quite calm. No seasick bags by the elevators! We'll be clear of it by tomorrow morning.

 

Been a "do whatever floats your boat" day today. I have to admit I could get used to those. Took a cooking class with Mom today (well, she supervised, and the rest of us cooked -- or at least tried to -- read my blog for the misadventures!). Since there was a wait list of 30+ people for the cooking class, they'll be repeating it 3 more times with the same (or nearly the same) recipes so all those folks get to take the class. Which means they're not offering any other cooking classes with different recipes for those of us who've already done one class. So I can't take any more... and my tiny violin plays on.

 

Also learned that the Westerdam will be eliminating the Northern Lights; the Sports Bar will move into the Northern Lights area, and the Piano Bar will be enlarged and expand into (at least some) of the Sports Bar area. Yay - the Piano Bar overflows at night, with people standing in the doorways and spilling out into the casino. I didn't ask when this was to happen (it's Karin's fault - she was in the cabin reading instead of traipsing about with me; she'd have followed up!) but if I find out more, I'll fill you in.

 

Thanks for all your kind words - we shall do our best to keep earning them :)

 

Sounds great - hope they do it before my March cruise!

[frankc98376]

I'm wondering if they will remove Chocolate Seduction. Never saw anyone up there and crew told me that it was difficult staying awake when working there. Not the greatest location up next to a meeting room and the only one in the fleet.

[Lizzie68]

Hi all,

Internet has been spotty all day as we encountered the remnants of Hurricane Martin. Rain, thunder and lightning, though the seas are quite calm. No seasick bags by the elevators! We'll be clear of it by tomorrow morning.

 

Been a "do whatever floats your boat" day today. I have to admit I could get used to those. Took a cooking class with Mom today (well, she supervised, and the rest of us cooked -- or at least tried to -- read my blog for the misadventures!). Since there was a wait list of 30+ people for the cooking class, they'll be repeating it 3 more times with the same (or nearly the same) recipes so all those folks get to take the class. Which means they're not offering any other cooking classes with different recipes for those of us who've already done one class. So I can't take any more... and my tiny violin plays on.

 

Also learned that the Westerdam will be eliminating the Northern Lights; the Sports Bar will move into the Northern Lights area, and the Piano Bar will be enlarged and expand into (at least some) of the Sports Bar area. Yay - the Piano Bar overflows at night, with people standing in the doorways and spilling out into the casino. I didn't ask when this was to happen (it's Karin's fault - she was in the cabin reading instead of traipsing about with me; she'd have followed up!) but if I find out more, I'll fill you in.

 

Thanks for all your kind words - we shall do our best to keep earning them :)

 

Wow, I am shocked about the Northern Lights. I must admit there were many nights when few people were in there but others when it was the only place with life! I wonder if there will be some late night music in the Crows Nest instead.

[Old As Dirt Mom]

My sister is cheerful and upbeat, me I'm morose and critical; that's why we get along:) We are ying and yang. She posts the positives and I post the negatives.

 

So I will post that the casino is getting smokier as we head south, and we overheard the spa manager berating one of her staff for not bringing in enough customers. In public. Not acceptable. I know that the spa is a Steiner concession, and the staff work for Steiner, not HAL, but I'm positive that they are expected to maintain a standard of professionalism that reflects well on HAL.

 

My sister will scan the "On Location" daily programs when she's back home, for those who might be interested. If one were traveling solo, there are plenty of social activities set up to meet fellow passengers. There are plenty of offerings in general, and not everything comes with a price tag. Me, I love our huge aft verandah, and I spend a lot of time out there reading and searching for wild life with my binoculars.:)

[cruz chic]

Thx for the update. I want to hear the good and the bad. Interesting about the casino. There was a poster on the Noordam that mentioned that the casino was now smoke free on that ship. Maybe it's a trail. I'm enjoying this thread and your sisters blog very much. I appreciate it and they amount of time you are taking to keep it current.

[SilvertoGold]

Good update! Between the blog and this thread on CC, we are receiving a mine of information!!

 

I once talked to a pax who heard similar from a Spa manager to her staff. This pax (a somewhat forward person) asked the Spa manager how this constituted the HAL Signature of Excellence. The Spa Manager replied: I am Steiner, the ship is HAL. Hmm....

[Krazy Kruizers]

I do like to hear the good and the bad.

[Himself]

My sister is cheerful and upbeat, me I'm morose and critical; that's why we get along:) We are ying and yang. She posts the positives and I post the negatives.

 

So I will post that the casino is getting smokier as we head south, and we overheard the spa manager berating one of her staff for not bringing in enough customers. In public. Not acceptable. I know that the spa is a Steiner concession, and the staff work for Steiner, not HAL, but I'm positive that they are expected to maintain a standard of professionalism that reflects well on HAL.

 

My sister will scan the "On Location" daily programs when she's back home, for those who might be interested. If one were traveling solo, there are plenty of social activities set up to meet fellow passengers. There are plenty of offerings in general, and not everything comes with a price tag. Me, I love our huge aft verandah, and I spend a lot of time out there reading and searching for wild life with my binoculars.:)

 

Thanks for your candid observations

[Old As Dirt Mom]

For Cruz Chic: Today we are in Huatulco, and this evening the casino will be designated "non-smoking".

 

We have the nicest wine steward(ess) ever. She doesn't mind that we bring our own bottles of wine into the dining room every night (well, we did pay corkage), and she has been making origami animals for us each evening as momentoes of our voyage. Her name is Gyn, and she is simply a lovely person, inside and out.

 

Room service has been excellent and always on time. Anything extra we have requested on the breakfast form has been delivered.

 

Wow, look at that. A positive post:) Let me see if I can find something to fuss about.....oh yes, we didn't find an umbrella in our suite per the listed suite amenities, and had to ask our cabin steward for one.

 

Have a nice day:)

[kazu]

For Cruz Chic: Today we are in Huatulco, and this evening the casino will be designated "non-smoking".

 

We have the nicest wine steward(ess) ever. She doesn't mind that we bring our own bottles of wine into the dining room every night (well, we did pay corkage), and she has been making origami animals for us each evening as momentoes of our voyage. Her name is Gyn, and she is simply a lovely person, inside and out.

 

Room service has been excellent and always on time. Anything extra we have requested on the breakfast form has been delivered.

 

Wow, look at that. A positive post:) Let me see if I can find something to fuss about.....oh yes, we didn't find an umbrella in our suite per the listed suite amenities, and had to ask our cabin steward for one.

 

Have a nice day:)

 

Oh Gyn is fabulous :) You will have fun with her.

 

Her origami is such a nice touch.

 

Glad you found something to complain about ;) (said in good fun)

[Old As Dirt Mom]

I just got back from a lovely day. I did the "Huatulco Beach and Snorkel" tour through HAL, and I highly recommend it if you like snorkelling. We went by panga (boat) to La Entrega beach, which is a marine preserve. The reef was not hugely extensive, but it was sufficiently large enough to provide our group of 26 with lots of views of the healthy coral system and the variety of fish there. The area is gorgeous. I really like Huatulco, and could envision a land-based vacation there.

 

Mostly I am posting this because it will officially be my 5,000th post. Do I have a life or what?:D

[retiredkid]

thanks for the update. and congrats on your new membership in the 5000+ club

[cruz chic]

I just got back from a lovely day. I did the "Huatulco Beach and Snorkel" tour through HAL, and I highly recommend it if you like snorkelling. We went by panga (boat) to La Entrega beach, which is a marine preserve. The reef was not hugely extensive, but it was sufficiently large enough to provide our group of 26 with lots of views of the healthy coral system and the variety of fish there. The area is gorgeous. I really like Huatulco, and could envision a land-based vacation there.

 

Mostly I am posting this because it will officially be my 5,000th post. Do I have a life or what?:D

 

Thx for the info on the casino. Love Huatulco. It's one of those ports that you can have a great day even if you stay at the port.

[ger_77]

Enjoying your posts and your blog; welcome to the 5000+ club !!

 

Smooth Sailing ! :) :)

[Himself]

Dear Friends Lisa Ann and Karin:

I have enjoyed picking up the Blog and the postings on this thread. I have been a Convocation for priests and so I have been gone from this page for a few days. You people are going farther and father South East and I think you will go down to about the 7th Parallel and then you will make it back to Fort Lauderdale and it will be hot in most places until you get to Fort Lauderdale. That will go from killing hot to very warm. Please keep the reports and the Blog coming.

I wish I was on the cruise.

 

Himself

 

P.S. Karin welcome to the 5000+ club.

Edited October 8, 2015 by Himself

[Krazy Kruizers]

Catching up.

Wonderful reports.

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Sorry to have dropped out of sight; the internet has been unreliable the last two days. But now off the Costa Rican coast it has picked up again. Lisa Ann has been trying to do some work, and we had to upgrade our internet level to the premiere plan so she could get it done. It took her two hours to accomplish what would have taken 15 minutes at home. She has been able to update her Two Cruising Sisters wordpress blog. Thanks for all the kind comments and interest.

[Himself]

Karin:

I see that you will be heading South East toward the canal. That can be quite scenic. Enjoy the day!

[erewhon]

Thanks for the daily reports, wonderful blog.

[Himself]

As you ladies and your mom ride through the Panama Canal, enjoy this "Wonder of the World."