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Join Pete and Judy on their FIRST World Cruise on the Amsterdam

The-Inside-Cabin

By The-Inside-Cabin,
in Holland America Line

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The-Inside-Cabin

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Day 131, Sailing toward San Diego, California

 

It’s definitely cooler as we continue north toward San Diego. Some deck motion has returned, although nothing like some of the days crossing the Atlantic or in the Tasman Sea near Australia.

 

There was another “Walk for the Cure” this morning, but we were hunkered down in our cabin packing all morning and didn’t get a chance to get to the promenade deck to see how many people were participating.

 

Since we live in San Diego, we decided to forgo our FEDEX shipping option and take all of our bags with us and directly home. We have a driver service we have been using for years and we told him to bring his biggest SUV as we will have about 13 bags and boxes, plus carryon. If everything doesn’t fit, we will have to get a cab to follow us home with the rest of the bags. We only live about 30 minutes from the Cruise Terminal, so we can afford to be squished in for such a short trip and hold some bags on our lap if necessary.

 

I took a break to catch the Location Guide, Wallis’s port lecture on San Diego. Even though we live here, I was interested in hearing how she would cover the city we are so familiar with. She did an outstanding job and her talk reminded me that San Diego is one of the best cruise ports in the world. A modern, exciting city, and many tourist sites within easy walking distance or accessible using the many public transportation options.

 

We were continuing to pack throughout the day so we ordered in room dining for lunch. A very good hamburger and a grilled chicken sandwich. We love the in-room dining option and used it every day for breakfast, but only occasionally for lunch. While we know you can have anything off the MDR menus delivered to your room if you order during meal hours, we have never taken advantage of this option.

 

I played my last Texas Hold’em game for the cruise – with my record of 7 wins, 9 second places (16 in the money finishes) out of 46 total games. I had a great time in the Casino and left with more money than I started with – always a good thing.

 

Judy and I played our last round of Bingo this afternoon. There was a huge turnout and the final jackpot was almost $500. About double what you usually see for Bingo. One person won the “four corner” game – where you must match the number on each the four corners of your card – after only 5 calls – only one more than necessary. Wow!

 

Bingo-Caller.gif

 

After Bingo it was back to the room to finish packing. We would have used FEDEX from Fort Lauderdale to ship some of our stuff home, but since we were in transit, we were not allowed to ship anything from that port.

 

The more we packed, the more it seemed stuff was appearing out of the “wood work” – but right before dinner, we managed to get some bags out in the hallway and could start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Here is shot of some of our first bags in the hallway. Any guesses as to what the long item is? More on that in later posts.

 

Bags-with-something-long.gif

 

Our final dinner was wonderful as were the previous 130 or so. Our tablemate Brad arranged for us to have a special Indonesian Entrée called “Billy Ketchup”. Not sure if this is spelled correctly, but it was a spicy beef/pork and shrimp dish that we were told is quite popular with the crew and in Indonesia. Of the 8 people at the table, 5 of us decided to give it a try – and I found it quite delicious and look forward to having it again in the future. Any insight as to the origin or correct spelling appreciated.

 

International violinist, Jacqueline Roche, would be the final entertainer for our cruise. She was outstanding and we particularly like her final number which was a medley of songs from “West Side Story”.

 

Jacqueline-Roche-2.gif

 

After the show, we said our final good byes to the wonderful Casino staff and headed back to our cabin to finish packing. We asked for the last possible debarkation time which is expected to be around 10 am. We love the fact that HAL lets you sleep in on your final day and stay in your cabin till you are ready to leave the ship.

 

Our final bag hit the hallway at 1am and we were finally done!

 

I would like to give big SHOUT OUT to my wife Judy for editing every post and taking 95% of all the pictures!

Edited by The-Inside-Cabin
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The-Inside-Cabin Great Review Rare

The-Inside-Cabin

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Wishing Pete and Judy a BIG welcome home! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing so much with us - loved every word, every minute of it all. We booked the 48 night Tales of the South Pacific on Amsterdam r/t San Diego and will be copying your notes for some of our ports, also noting how your disembarkation goes. May have some questions :) so keep in touch here on the boards! So happy for you that you had such a wonderful set of experiences on your first WC+. Blessings, m--

 

Our Gangway was across at 7 am. It is now 9 am and they are still processing non US citizens in the dining room. No one has left the ship as of yet. Even though only 600 people were getting off, 100% of all non US passengers and Crew have to clear immigration on the ship before ANYONE goes ashore. San Diego terminal is too small to allow immigration to be done ashore like in FLL.

 

Good thing you can wait in your room.

 

Not sure if we have a more than normal non USA passengers. Some of my pre-cruise paperwork didn't list our arrival until 9 am - now I know why. We have been here 2 hours getting cleared. My last time here, I don't remember it taking so long for NON USA immigration.

 

The Inside Cabin has learned that only 3 CBP officers arrived at first instead of 8 - now up to 5 agents. Some arrivals will see 13 agents! No way to tell in advance. This cruise has 600 non us passengers - twice the normal number - all this adds to the delay. On your Asia Cruise? No way to tell....but I would bake in a 2 hour delay for clearing the ship. It is now 9:30 - no one has left the ship.

 

Future cruisers note - when arriving in San Diego - don't assume the ship will be cleared quickly

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ChaCr

ChaCr

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Another quick note with a big thank you for your efforts over the past 4+ months. I really enjoyed your writing and your down-to-earth presentations of your experiences.

 

Thanks

 

Charles

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The-Inside-Cabin Great Review Rare

The-Inside-Cabin

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Coast guard inspection continues. We observed, from a distance, stairway guide being quizzed by Coast Guard Official. "Where is nearest phone". How to to handle unaccompanied children"

 

0556ef159a22a10dbe3c8e160a5d3743.jpg

 

Lots of boats in the water!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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cccole

cccole

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Love Judy's smile. I think I may have been overcome by tears if my adventure had just ended. It's been just FABULOUS!!!! THANK YOU!! Cherie

 

I was going to guess a didgeridoo also. Possibly a wall hanging?

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jig

jig

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And the adventure ends. Been reading all the posts and it was one of the best WC logs I've ever read. Maybe except for legally blond[emoji852]️. I'm lucky that I've been to almost all the places you went to so I see what you are writing. Thanks and look coward to 2018.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

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The-Inside-Cabin Great Review Rare

The-Inside-Cabin

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And the adventure ends. Been reading all the posts and it was one of the best WC logs I've ever read. Maybe except for legally blond[emoji852]️. I'm lucky that I've been to almost all the places you went to so I see what you are writing. Thanks and look coward to 2018.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

 

 

 

I am looking forward to reading legally blond thread now that I have better internet.

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1of4 Excellent Advice! Rare

1of4

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Close, but no Cigar!

 

My first guess was a rug...second guess was a didgeridoo...both incorrect. So now I wonder if you diverted to Cuba and it is one honking cigar... But seriously, it must be new knitting needles as Judy wore hers out! :p :rolleyes: :eek:

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Bescotti

Bescotti

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I am looking forward to reading legally blond thread now that I have better internet.

 

I followed Legally Blond's thread live at the time and went back later for further amusement but some of her more eyebrow raising posts had been edited and toned down.

 

I've loved your blog with all the detail and extras and hope to meet you and Judy on the 2018 WC.

 

As you did a mix of HAL, private and DIY shore excursions, can you give a ballpark figure of how much you allowed for these - just to help a little with my own planning.

 

Many thanks

Bev

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