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LAFFNVEGAS "LIVE" from the Nieuw Amsterdam, First HAL Ship to Sail!!


LAFFNVEGAS
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2 hours ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Good Morning again, this time from the Grand Sheraton in downtown Seattle.

Our flight was to arrive at 9:40 but we were actually landed by 9:10. It was a good flight We had purchased air through HAL prices were running about 10% to 15% less booking with Hal rather than direct. About 6 weeks ago I was able to purchase premium economy for $39.00 pp for each way on the Alaska Air website. Although I have seen it vary between $29 to $59 pp each way at least from Las Vegas. With the premium seats you can get adult beverages and WiFi. Unfortunately WiFi was not working. Definitely not the first time that has happened on a plane and not the last. The other good thing was no crazy people refusing to wear a mask. Possibly it helps that most do not drink early in the morning. Or they were hung over from their trip to Vegas 😂

There was a HAL Rep waiting for us to take us to our ride. The luggage arrived extremely quick like Alaska Airlines guarantees. Our HAL Rep was named CeCe, she said she was thrilled to finally be working again. 
Lots of people in the airport were actually arriving for the first Celebrity sailing today.

CeCe took us to level three in the parking garage. Our instructions stated we would be taking the transporter but they decided on something new last minute. Evidently they contracted with a company that pays the taxi drivers and includes the gratuity of $6.00. I actually did tip him more which I think he was surprised with. CeCe had handed us off to another very nice Rep that had explained this to us. Unfortunately it took them 6 different taxi drivers to be asked and finally the 6th was willing to take us. This driver was told to leave his meter off. Very friendly gentleman but we think he had the same driving school as our son. They all drive like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.😬

I want to say it definitely took less than 30 minutes to get to the Sheraton . For those staying here through HAL, you will get Bonvoy Marriott/Sheraton points if you are signed up and will have free internet.

we are going to take off and get an early like lunch near Pike Market, then this evening we have early reservations at Capital Grille.

 

Signing off till later……..

 

 

 

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Yum on the Baileys!!!

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Awesome to follow you , the " icebreaker of the future cruising experience " . We wish you nothing but the Best on this " First HAL Cruise " since we left the Westerdam in Feb 2020 and the people who were on the World cruise who were finally able to leave the Amsterdam in Australia a couple of weeks after us .

 

Have a wonderful cruise ! 

 

Tony  

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Have a wonderful cruise and enjoy Seattle. IMO it is one of the most besutiful cities in the world when the sun comes out  (sometimes a rare occasion). You will be the envy a many, many cruise lovers.

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I had a 9:00 am flight from Denver. Landed at SeaTac at 11:00. The mountain is out today! Beautiful views of Mt Rainer. The “Link” train was a breeze, getting into downtown and you can’t beat the price $1. (Senior rate) my room at the Mayflower Park is superb. It is on the register of historic hotels. I highly recommend it. My room was ready for me when I checked in at noon. Very pleased with that. It is located at 4th an Olive, just steps from the Westlake Station.

I had to get to Pike Market for my Beecher’s best mac-n-cheese it’s the “world’s best” and sat out by the waterfront enjoying my Seattle treat.

Then it was off to buy my bottle of wine, so I will let ya know how embarkation goes with that.  I didn’t get much sleep last night as the pre-trip anticipation kept me tossing and turning. I think I will sleep well tonight.  

 

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20 minutes ago, SLC1954 said:

 

I had a 9:00 am flight from Denver. Landed at SeaTac at 11:00. The mountain is out today! Beautiful views of Mt Rainer. The “Link” train was a breeze, getting into downtown and you can’t beat the price $1. (Senior rate) my room at the Mayflower Park is superb. It is on the register of historic hotels. I highly recommend it. My room was ready for me when I checked in at noon. Very pleased with that. It is located at 4th an Olive, just steps from the Westlake Station.

I had to get to Pike Market for my Beecher’s best mac-n-cheese it’s the “world’s best” and sat out by the waterfront enjoying my Seattle treat.

Then it was off to buy my bottle of wine, so I will let ya know how embarkation goes with that.  I didn’t get much sleep last night as the pre-trip anticipation kept me tossing and turning. I think I will sleep well tonight.  

 

Glad you made it to Seattle and are having a good time.  I love coming into any embarkation point a day or two early, less hectic and much more relaxing.

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40 minutes ago, SLC1954 said:

I had to get to Pike Market for my Beecher’s best mac-n-cheese it’s the “world’s best” and sat out by the waterfront enjoying my Seattle treat.

Love Beecher's ... and it looks like they'll have it on the ship again (hopefully can get them to make us a Beecher's grilled cheese sammy in the Lido).  But please save some for us when we board August 28th.

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58 minutes ago, SLC1954 said:

my room at the Mayflower Park is superb. It is on the register of historic hotels. I highly recommend it. My room was ready for me when I checked in at noon. Very pleased with that. It is located at 4th an Olive, just steps from the Westlake Station.

I have stayed at mayflower park multiple times and have fantastic experiences each time. One of my favorites.

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29 minutes ago, DWAliaschief said:

I would like to know the cost per person per day to upgrade form the signature drink package to the elite package. This would be from the Have it all promotion so have to upgrade on the ship. Thanks in advance!

I plan to do this so will definitely let you know 👍🏻

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Lisa & Tom, have a great voyage on Nieuw A and enjoy Alaska. Keep her in tip top shape for us please 😉 'cause we are exactly two weeks behind you!

 

Don't know if you know but the "Mustard" drill (mandatory emergency drill) that you will be experiencing tomorrow has been much simplified, Covid-style:

 

It is now called "Safety Essentials" and is a 3-step process:

 

1. At your leisure, during a time window in the afternoon, scan in at your muster station and receive a very brief/mini safety instruction from a crew member

2. Next, watch the safety video on your stateroom TV (before you are able to switch it to any other channel)

3. Lastly/finally; listen to the captain's announcement before departure

 

Nieuw A's captain will be Jeroen Baaijens - Capt. Jeroen van Donselaar left for home today on a well earned vacation. Her HD is Bart Jan Groeneveld 

 

 

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2 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

Lisa & Tom, have a great voyage on Nieuw A and enjoy Alaska. Keep her in tip top shape for us please 😉 'cause we are exactly two weeks behind you!

 

Don't know if you know but the "Mustard" drill (mandatory emergency drill) that you will be experiencing tomorrow has been much simplified, Covid-style:

 

It is now called "Safety Essentials" and is a 3-step process:

 

1. At your leisure, during a time window in the afternoon, scan in at your muster station and receive a very brief/mini safety instruction from a crew member

2. Next, watch the safety video on your stateroom TV (before you are able to switch it to any other channel)

3. Lastly/finally; listen to the captain's announcement before departure

 

Nieuw A's captain will be Jeroen Baaijens - Capt. Jeroen van Donselaar left for home today on a well earned vacation. Her HD is Bart Jan Groeneveld 

 

 

Thanks John, I did know Captain Baaijens would be there but not the HD, Thanks for the run down on the New and ImproveD Life Boat Drill 😃

 

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6 minutes ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Thanks John, I did know Captain Baaijens would be there but not the HD, Thanks for the run down on the New and ImproveD Life Boat Drill 😃

 

 

Small correction! Just learned that Capt. van Donselaar got extended by one week so you now have one of the best captains HAL has at the helm

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Good Evening from Downtown Seattle Sheraton. Despite having gotten up very early it’s been a very good day.

after having walked Seattle this afternoon we came back to our room to relax a bit. I thought I might take a nap but there was a slight problem, the bed is so tall I could not get into it. Seriously it comes up to almost my waist , Tom is laughing at me, and I am laughing 😂 and crying. Finally I decided we had to move the ottoman that was by the couch next to the bed to help me into bed. My World of Short People Problems. 
 

I did take a 90 minute nap which definitely helped then just before 5 we headed out to Capital Grille which is about two blocks away from the Sheraton. While pricey it as definitely excellent. I have paid more for much lower quality for fine dining in Las Vegas so we were actually impressed. We each had Filet Medallions with Lobster, Shrimp Cocktail and I had an excellent Lobster Bisque, we topped it off with a Creme Brûlée that we almost forgot to take a picture of, we had already dug in. Then to top it off we had an excellent server named John that seriously looked and sounded like Captain Obvious from the Expedia travel commercials . He said he has been asked that a lot.

 

I am adding some pictures of our hotel in the pics below. I do like this hotel, easy walk to many things downtown.

 

Can you believe tomorrow is the BIG Day!!!

After far too many canceled cruises, I am thrilled for the Cruise Industry and know they will be successful.

 

Signing off till the morning.

 

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Love your solution to the bed problem. I had the same thing happen to me at my Sister's home. They are all taller than I am and the bed was very high. I sort of got a running start and threw myself at it... I was younger then.

 

I am so envious of you on the way to Alaska. My day will come.

 

 

Susan

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2 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Small correction! Just learned that Capt. van Donselaar got extended by one week so you now have one of the best captains HAL has at the helm

No doubt this has everything to do with his first name 😉

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2 hours ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Good Evening from Downtown Seattle Sheraton. Despite having gotten up very early it’s been a very good day.

after having walked Seattle this afternoon we came back to our room to relax a bit. I thought I might take a nap but there was a slight problem, the bed is so tall I could not get into it. Seriously it comes up to almost my waist , Tom is laughing at me, and I am laughing 😂 and crying. Finally I decided we had to move the ottoman that was by the couch next to the bed to help me into bed. My World of Short People Problems. 
 

I did take a 90 minute nap which definitely helped then just before 5 we headed out to Capital Grille which is about two blocks away from the Sheraton. While pricey it as definitely excellent. I have paid more for much lower quality for fine dining in Las Vegas so we were actually impressed. We each had Filet Medallions with Lobster, Shrimp Cocktail and I had an excellent Lobster Bisque, we topped it off with a Creme Brûlée that we almost forgot to take a picture of, we had already dug in. Then to top it off we had an excellent server named John that seriously looked and sounded like Captain Obvious from the Expedia travel commercials . He said he has been asked that a lot.

 

I am adding some pictures of our hotel in the pics below. I do like this hotel, easy walk to many things downtown.

 

Can you believe tomorrow is the BIG Day!!!

After far too many canceled cruises, I am thrilled for the Cruise Industry and know they will be successful.

 

Signing off till the morning.

 

FFE4808F-2B5F-44C3-98C9-970E0C89BDE5.jpeg

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Bravo! Sounds like you had a great day! So happy for you.  Tomorrow is the big day, hope you get some rest.

 

Oh, and funny about the bed.  Reminds me of when Dear Mom's friends built a ramp for their elderly pets 😁 when they could no longer jump up themselves.

Edited by atexsix
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Good food, good hotel & a good nap - what else can anyone ask for?  

 

Dinner sounds wonderful and the food porn proves it 😉 

 

Love the solution to get into the bed 👍 That’s creative!

 

So exciting that it’s Saturday and you’re boarding today.  I bet you feel like you are welcomed “home” today.  Bon Voyage!

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Happy to read that everything is going so well to this point.  Wishing you and all passengers and crew aboard NA the very best.  I would have a hard time myself trying to catch my breath being on that cruise, I would be so excited! 😁🤪

 

Bon voyage! 

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