Btimmer's Blog of the Nieuw Statendam Inaugural Voyage

[Btimmer]

We're just leaving Funchal.  The internet onboard is preventing upload of pictures. Abysmal speeds.

 

Today we did a wonderful private tour with 3 other couples to the west coast and northern part of Madeira Island.

[Btimmer]

We're just leaving Funchal to float across the pond.  The internet is terrible and virtually impossible to post even text.  I'm using my GlocalMe device.

[Fouremco]

On 12/9/2018 at 10:35 AM, Paulinda said:

Seems like a  'take me home' and use it  product.   We are enjoying the blogs and pictures!  thank you

 

That's what they thought about the library books too! 

[Btimmer]

I finally was able to speak with the person in charge of the internet service and they are having severe problems that they hope to have corrected in 24 hours.  If not, he indicated there would be an adjustment to the charge.

[iflyrc5]

5 hours ago, Btimmer said:

We're just leaving Funchal.  The internet onboard is preventing upload of pictures. Abysmal speeds.

 

Today we did a wonderful private tour with 3 other couples to the west coast and northern part of Madeira Island.

Please let me know the company that you used.  We will be there next fall on the Rotterdam.  We have a tour booked with Madeira Island Tours for their Private Full day Ponta do Pargo Tour includes: +- 6.5 Hours.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Appreciate the reports.

 

Hopefully HAL will get the internet fixed.

[Btimmer]

Overnight, there has been improvement in the internet speeds.  Below are a few photos of the sail away.  The grey ship is a US Navy Ship #109, the white ship is a TUI cruise ship.  The circus was in town, and finally, our dinner Reuben sandwiches from the NY Deli in the Lido area were wonderful.

 

Hopefully the internet connection will hold and I can post a few more pictures.  We're having a cabin crawl later today and I'll have pictures and video from that event.

 

Also, the popcorn machine is finally onboard and functioning.  It's the little things.

Edited December 11, 2018 by Btimmer

[ski ww]

Enjoy reading your posts.

[Btimmer]

Captain Albert just gave a fantastic presentation on the Golden Years of Ocean Liners.

 

Next up is a lecture on street art around the world.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Enjoying your report and pictures.

 

Wish we had had a chance to meet Captain Albert on one of our cruises.

 

I remember when HAL used to have the popcorn machines right outside the Wajang Theater on the S class ships -- fresh popcorn.

[Btimmer]

Here's a typical Lido lunch today from the Distant  Lands station in the Lido:sushi, noodles, bok choy, and oxtail.

Edited December 11, 2018 by Btimmer

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

Thank you for your posts and photos. Very much appreciated.

[Btimmer]

The cabin crawl is under way.  Here's our door.  I have video of each cabin that I'll upload.

[Btimmer]

Here are the carpet patterns in the stateroom hallways.  The Horn and Viola are on 7 and 10.  The tulips are on all other floors.

[bennybear]

Appreciate the details! Looks like you are having a great time! 

[Btimmer]

Here's Main Dining Room Menu for our 2nd Gala Night.  I had the Jumbo shrimp, Thai Chicken soup, filet (substituting snow peas), and fruit plate.  We were in and out in just over an hour and a half.  Yummy and good table conversation.

[CruiseLady88]

Is there any big hardwood floor for dancing? The Queen’s Lounge in Koningsdam is big, but they put BB King Blue band in there. Their music is not suitable for ballroom dancing.

[Btimmer]

10 minutes ago, CruiseLady88 said:

Is there any big hardwood floor for dancing? The Queen’s Lounge in Koningsdam is big, but they put BB King Blue band in there. Their music is not suitable for ballroom dancing.

There's hardwood in the BBKing/ Lincoln Center Stage (picture below) as well as in the Rolling Stone Rock Room.  I'll have to look around for any other venues with that capability.  On first blush I would say that the ship is not set up music wise for ballroom dancing, but I'm not a dancer.

 

Thanks for asking.

Edited December 11, 2018 by Btimmer

[CruiseLady88]

Thanks! Did you see any one dancing?

[CruiseLady88]

So, one may be able to dance a Waltz dance in the Queen’s Lounge, and then switches to Classic Rock for Swing, or Cha Cha dance.

[Btimmer]

There's no Queen's Lounge, but there is a small dance floor also by the Dueling Pianos.

 

At the Lincoln Center Stage, the quintet played a Tango and invited people to dance.  Nobody did.

[St Pete Cruiser]

Captain Albert must have added a presentation to his usual "History of Holland America Line"; sounds good.

 

The white cruise ship across the harbor from you was he former Westerdam, the one that was stretched.

[canadianbear]

Really love seeing your photos and enjoying your blog as well.  Thank you so much for all your information.  

[Btimmer]

Today we took a mile walk around the promenade deck and I used my GoPro to shoot time lapse photos.  The entire sequence is over 600 pictures, so I selected about 100 and put them in a little movie.  If you are curious about the size of the Promenade deck and like to see details, launch the under 5 minute movie and enjoy.  The pictures are displayed in a random order and not sequentially.

 

https://photos.smugmug.com/Travel/2018/Nieuw-Statendam-2018/i-BFTsSfL/0/1ca032f6/640/NS%20Walk%20-%20Small_Medium-640.mp4

[Radbooks]

Thanks for all the pictures and for that video, Btimmer!! It is a very narrow walkway on the promenade and the tenders really block the view. Oh, well, I'm sure we can find little places to stand and watch the sea when we're onboard in a few weeks.