Btimmer's Blog of the Nieuw Statendam Inaugural Voyage

[Btimmer]

We'll be sailing on the inaugural voyage of the Nieuw Statendam beginning December 5, 2018.  I'll be doing a daily written blog which can be found at http://www.timmer2018europe2.blogspot.com.  The blog will become active in the next day or two as we fly to Rome tomorrow.  The blog won't have many pictures (generally one or two per day), although there will be lots on the other thread https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2611060-live-from-nieuw-statendam-premier-voyage-december-2018/  and I'll post a few in this thread.

 

As background, we sailed on the last voyage of the old Statendam from Seattle to Singapore and when the name of the new ship was announced we decided to sail the first voyage of the new ship.  We also were fortunate to sail on the inaugural (Christening) voyage of the Koningsdam so it will be interesting to compare the two ships.  This will also be our first voyage as 5 star Mariners.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Looking forward to your blog.

[nimiq]

Yes will follow 

[bennybear]

Nice!  I look forward to following your continuing adventures.

[Dogstar]

Following! Have a great cruise.  

[POA1]

Have a great trip! 

[ski ww]

Looking forward to following along on your cruise.

[Paulinda]

Lots of photos please!  we are on it in March

[cat shepard]

Bon Voyage!

[RubyCam]

Bon Voyage and thank you for posting!

[DeeniEncinitas]

Sooooo happy for you!! What history with the old and now with the new! I will be also 

following along. Enjoy your flight will see you in ROME (actually through your writings!)

I appreciate you taking the time to write about your adventures 👍

Denise😊

[Btimmer]

After an overnight flight to Frankfurt, a 3 hour layover, a 1 1/2 hour flight to Rome, a 40 minute train ride to Termini station, another hour train ride, and we are now in Civitavecchia staying at the Residence Stendhal.  Our first Italian meal was a simple pizza dinner.  Now it's time to catch up on some sleep.  Tomorrow we'll see some of the local sights.  Tonight there is a Costa ship moored at the cruise terminal.

[rafinmd]

Have a wonderful cruise.

 

Roy

[Btimmer]

Days -3 and -2 have been uploaded to my blog.  

 

Below are pictures of the Nieuw Statendam berthed at Civitavecchia this afternoon and later in the dark.  The ship is on the right and berthed behind a Viking ship.

 

Today we met a number of fellow passengers and even 3 crew members at a restaurant while eating dinner.

[scluvsrain]

Wow. Now we have 3 live blogs. And 2 private blogs for this voyage. Glad the internet package won’t be based on minutes!

 

see you tomorrow on board!

[Btimmer]

My blog is updated for day 1 onboard.  Below are a few pictures.

 

We have at least 4 dogs on board and they have their special location!

 

There's also a cool Christmas tree made of packages.

 

Our Captain, Sybe de Boer.

 

Liquor ordering button in the Lido.

 

Map of our port stops.

[DeeniEncinitas]

THANKYOU for your pics! I think it’s great

for service dogs to have an area on the ship. With 3 blogs now it’s fun to get all the different reviews!

Hope your having a great time. Looking forward to more photos and reviews.

Denise😊

 

[ski ww]

I've been following the other posts as well, should have lots of interesting info on the new ship by the time you get to Ft. Lauderdale

[kazu]

5 hours ago, Btimmer said:

My blog is updated for day 1 onboard.  Below are a few pictures.

 

We have at least 4 dogs on board and they have their special location!

 

There's also a cool Christmas tree made of packages.

 

Our Captain, Sybe de Boer.

 

Liquor ordering button in the Lido.

 

Map of our port stops.

 

Great pics.

 

Where is the dogs' special area located?  Sports deck?

 

Have a great cruise 😄 

[Caribbean Chris]

Thanks for posting the photos of the service dog relief station. My hearing dog, Raylene, will be on board with me in April. Looks like the Promenade Deck.  Aft end?

[Btimmer]

It's on the port side, bow end.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Just catching up.

 

Love the pictures -- what's with the pushing the button for bar service?

[0bnxshs]

I find the button for beverage service interesting.  Are they on all tables in the Lido?  How responsive are the stewards?

[Btimmer]

We generally don't drink alcohol so I can't vouch for the speed.  They seem to be on most every table.

[Btimmer]

7 minutes ago, 0bnxshs said:

I find the button for beverage service interesting.  Are they on all tables in the Lido?  How responsive are the stewards?

Instead of having waiters wander through the eating area, one summons them.