LIVE from the 2018 HAL Grand World Voyage!

[ArtsyCraftsy]

Kathi, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your blog! I've signed up for the email notifications directly on the blog, so I get a notice whenever you post a new entry.

 

I'm seriously considering the Grand World Voyage in 2020 or 2021, assuming I' still physically able to do so. I'm gradually working my way up to it, so we'll see. ...

 

Anyway, you were one of the first people I "met" on the HAL forum here in CC, and you've been so gracious in answering questions. I took my first cruise ever this past September (Amsterdam, Alaska, 14 days, r/trip from Seattle) and loved every minute of it, so much so that I'm doing the Voyage of the Vikings this summer and the Hawaii-Tahiti-Marquesas (South Pacific) cruise in Mar/Apr 2019. I'm also reading Captain Mercer's blog (and a couple of others) so I feel I'm getting a well-rounded view of the GWV from a variety of perspectives.

 

You're an excellent writer and I love your photos. I look forward every day to your entries. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. For those of us who are new to cruise travel, it's better than any published "cruise travel" guidebook.

 

Lana in Bellingham, WA

[GoldieJ]

Excellent photos, Kathi. Thank you for sharing on your blog.

[Scrapnana]

Hi Kathi!

 

I was perusing the HAL thread and came across this! I just want to wish you a wonderful cruise. We will be home this winter and I will enjoy reading about your adventures! Fun to see some familiar names from our 2016 HI/SP cruise! Have fun!!!

 

Hi, Sheri!

 

Planning my ports in the islands are bringing back great memories from the 2016 Westerdam cruise. The Captain says we should get some sun starting tomorrow afternoon so hopefully we will not get the rain like in 2016!:eek:

[Scrapnana]

I love sea days too but you pack so much more into yours! I really appreciate you relaying the trivia. I am finding out I know more than I thought! It has become a family dinner challenge: Kathi questions of the day!

 

8 sea days...bliss! Enjoy!

 

Glad all 4 of 4 are enjoying the trivia!

[Scrapnana]

Kathi, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your blog! I've signed up for the email notifications directly on the blog, so I get a notice whenever you post a new entry.

 

I'm seriously considering the Grand World Voyage in 2020 or 2021, assuming I' still physically able to do so. I'm gradually working my way up to it, so we'll see. ...

 

Anyway, you were one of the first people I "met" on the HAL forum here in CC, and you've been so gracious in answering questions. I took my first cruise ever this past September (Amsterdam, Alaska, 14 days, r/trip from Seattle) and loved every minute of it, so much so that I'm doing the Voyage of the Vikings this summer and the Hawaii-Tahiti-Marquesas (South Pacific) cruise in Mar/Apr 2019. I'm also reading Captain Mercer's blog (and a couple of others) so I feel I'm getting a well-rounded view of the GWV from a variety of perspectives.

 

You're an excellent writer and I love your photos. I look forward every day to your entries. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. For those of us who are new to cruise travel, it's better than any published "cruise travel" guidebook.

 

Lana in Bellingham, WA

 

A World Cruise is a fantastic experience. You should definitely consider doing one (or more;))!

 

This seems like the year with the most blogs, as least since I have been on Cruise Critic. You can get a good idea of all the various things to see and do on one cruise as well as different perspectives on the same events. Thanks for reading!

[Scrapnana]

At Seat – January 12, 2018

 

Headed for the “Coffee Chat” with Hamish and one of the two florists, Eddy. Eddy was finishing up one of the three arrangements he had made for a previous presentation when I arrived. Eddy and his partner’s arrangements are all over the ship as well as numerous plants for which they are responsible. He has been working for HAL for over 12 years.

 

Off to knitting group before 11:45 trivia. We only had 8 correct and the winner had 12.

1)What nation produces 2/3 of the world’s vanilla?

2)What is the floral emblem of Switzerland?

3)What is the only US state that can be typed in just one line?

4)For which movie did Tom Hanks receive his third consecutive Oscar nomination in 1996?

 

Ate lunch with teammates Rodney and Marilyn again before finding Cyndi to sit and wait for Arts and Crafts. It is so popular that you need to arrive at least a half hour in advance! Today we made a very pretty beaded necklace.

 

I was planning on taking a swim afterwards but the Sea View pool was emptied (I heard to caulk it) and the Lido pool had the kids playing in it so I sat and read by the Lido pool for awhile before it was time for me to get ready for the Captain’s Dinner.

 

The dinner began at 6 pm in The Pinnacle Grill. I was at a table with Grace and Dave and the Destination Specialist, Barbara Haenni. The meal was very good although reading through the menu I didn’t think I would like most of it. The dinner was over at 8 pm so I went to Name That Tune with Jamm in the Piano Bar. I played with Bonnie (who sometimes plays trivia with us) and her husband. We only had seven correct but the winners had 14.

 

I passed on the show (which was a singer).

 

We gain another hour tonight and tomorrow is another sea day.

 

Trivia…

1)Madagascar

2)Edelweiss

3)Alaska

4)Apollo 13

[JamesEM]

Just wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying your reports and photos, looking forward to more of the same.

[DeeniEncinitas]

Loved the flowers!!

Your getting talented with your arts and crafts. Your photo of the beaded necklace is great.

Looking at the Pinnacle menu I would feel the same way as you with choices for the Captains dinner. I’m glad you enjoyed them.

Thanks for taking me on your trip early this am! Couldn’t 😴!!

Denise:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Loving your reports.

[summer slope]

Love your reports and your blog posts. What a wonderful way to spend several months. Can only dream about it right now.

[travelnap]

Kathi, I am really enjoying your travel log here. I am glad you are enjoying the cruise and staying active each day. I also enjoy the sea days when sailing. We miss you on the sailaway threads and it has only been a little over a week. I do have a favor to ask of you, I do like your posts with the trivia questions each day, but could you please post a few of the easier ones for me, as I am not doing that well with the ones that have been posted. That's why I try to find a good team, I need the help. I still enjoy the trivia though.

[Happily@Sea]

Hi, Sheri!

 

Planning my ports in the islands are bringing back great memories from the 2016 Westerdam cruise. The Captain says we should get some sun starting tomorrow afternoon so hopefully we will not get the rain like in 2016!:eek:

 

I definitely hope you don't get our 2016 rain, that was miserable. Maybe you'll get the best weather - fingers crossed.

[summer slope]

How many children are onboard? I'm surprised a cruise of this length would have many.

[Gracejoe]

Kathi,

Who gets an invitation to the Captain’s dinner?

[Scrapnana]

Kathi,

Who gets an invitation to the Captain’s dinner?

Everyone who is on the full World Voyage gets an invitation to one of the approximately 13 Captain’s Dinners.

[Scrapnana]

How many children are onboard? I'm surprised a cruise of this length would have many.

There are at least 7. I believe that five are children of officers. There are two girls (about 9 and 12) whose family is moving to Ireland (for one of the parent’s schooling). They will spend a month in Australia before getting on another ship bound for Europe.

[Scrapnana]

I definitely hope you don't get our 2016 rain, that was miserable. Maybe you'll get the best weather - fingers crossed.

 

I spoke with a lady this morning who is on with the Road Scholars. She said there is just under 30 on now and it will be just over 30 after Sydney. This is her first Road Scholar Cruise.

[Copper10-8]

At Seat – January 12, 2018

 

Headed for the “Coffee Chat” with Hamish and one of the two florists, Eddy. Eddy was finishing up one of the three arrangements he had made for a previous presentation when I arrived. Eddy and his partner’s arrangements are all over the ship as well as numerous plants for which they are responsible. He has been working for HAL for over 12 years.

 

............................

 

Florist Eddy is Dutch; his partner's name is Callista, also Dutch. They've been working the world cruise on Amsterdam for several years in a row now and are pure artists when it comes to flower arrangements

[Happily@Sea]

I spoke with a lady this morning who is on with the Road Scholars. She said there is just under 30 on now and it will be just over 30 after Sydney. This is her first Road Scholar Cruise.

 

Thanks, Kathi.

 

That sounds normal, somewhere between 12-40 and this itinerary would get more than the usual yearly offerings.

 

Our riverboat cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest had 34 participants.

[Copper10-8]

There are at least 7. I believe that five are children of officers. There are two girls (about 9 and 12) whose family is moving to Ireland (for one of the parent’s schooling). They will spend a month in Australia before getting on another ship bound for Europe.

 

If you run into Filip, the oldest son of Czech executive chef Peter's two boys, ask him about Czech hockey player Jaromir Jagr, he's a big fan ;) Those two boys couldn't speak a lick of English at the beginning of the 2016 GWV. Learned it all at Club HAL and playing with Khamron, the shorex mngr's son

[Love the beach]

If you run into Filip, the oldest son of Czech executive chef Peter's two boys, ask him about Czech hockey player Jaromir Jagr, he's a big fan ;) Those two boys couldn't speak a lick of English at the beginning of the 2016 GWV. Learned it all at Club HAL and playing with Khamron, the shorex mngr's son

Amazing!

[spookyfudge]

Thanks enjoying your commentary so much.

[sherifa]

Hi, Sheri!

 

Planning my ports in the islands are bringing back great memories from the 2016 Westerdam cruise. The Captain says we should get some sun starting tomorrow afternoon so hopefully we will not get the rain like in 2016!:eek:

 

I'm caught up with your blog now! What fun to follow along! We did take the same cruise in 2017 and had great weather and were able to go to every island! Malia and Kanoe were aboard with a new Tahitian, Teuratua, and our beloved Kainoa. We became great friends and I spent a lot of time with them. Do you have an island team aboard? If so, who???

 

I wish you "fair winds and following seas!"

[Scrapnana]

I'm caught up with your blog now! What fun to follow along! We did take the same cruise in 2017 and had great weather and were able to go to every island! Malia and Kanoe were aboard with a new Tahitian, Teuratua, and our beloved Kainoa. We became great friends and I spent a lot of time with them. Do you have an island team aboard? If so, who???

 

I wish you "fair winds and following seas!"

We do. I don’t know their names except for Kainoa. I was thrilled when I saw him in the tender in Panama because he is so great!

[Scrapnana]

At Sea – January 13, 2018

 

Arrived at Sit and Stitch about 15 minutes early. I was hoping to finish my scarf but used up the yarn I had with me so will have to finish it tomorrow.

 

Morning trivia was real hard today (at least for our team). We only had 5 right out of 15. The winning team had 12.

1)What decade saw the launch of the Play Station?

2)What city is known as the “Venice of the East”?

3)What is the middle fruit in the Fruit of the Loom logo?

4)Which cartoon debuted in the Yale Daily News in 1968?

5)Who wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

 

I hadn’t yet tried the Dive-In (the burger-hot dog place). I ate at it on Westerdam and was not really impressed but our dinner waiters work there during the day so I had to try it. Actually, it was very tasty so I will be eating there again.

 

Arts and Crafts was packed again. We made a fish or ladybug sunglass pouch. I think my ladybug looks more like a mouse with a misshapen body but it is still cute.

 

I had switched into my swimsuit before lunch so as soon as arts and crafts finished I went out to the Sea View Pool. Whatever they did to it yesterday it was full again and open for use. I stayed in for 45 minutes and had it to myself for most of the time.

 

We improved greatly in afternoon trivia with 15 out of 20 with the winners having 18.

1)At what temperature Fahrenheit does water boil?

2)Which Beatle is the youngest?

3)How long is the bike riding portion of a triathalon?

4)In which country was Mother Teresa born?

5)Name the 5 African countries that border the Mediterranean.

 

Changed for dinner and then went to hear Jamm who was playing the hits of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

 

Dinner was good. I had fruit, a crab roll, the “always on the menu” steak, and Rum Baba with a scoop of pineapple sorbet for desert.

 

Once again I skipped the show (a violinist) and walked around taking more pictures of the interior of the ship. I will be posting a few each day.

 

 

Morning trivia…

1)1990s

2)Bangkok

3)apple

4)Doonesbury

5)Ian Fleming

 

Afternoon trivia…

1)212 degrees

2)George Harrison

3)112 miles

4)Albania

5)Egypt, Morocco, Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria