LIVE (hopefully) from the Nieuw Amsterdam's 2nd Alsakan Sailing

[Gporter]

https://www.hollandamerica.com/content/dam/hal/inventory-assets/Health_Sanitation/2021/Health_Safety_PDF_0804.pdf

[idiebabe]

2 hours ago, Tridentnyc said:

Sorry, that was not my intention. There has been a lot of questions as to why the cruise this week has been at "Yellow" status since sailing. As per the CDC's own descriptors on this, a ship will only be rated "Yellow" if there is a certain threshold of positive cases among crew or passengers. You can see the CDC breakdown of it's color coding here. Again, sorry for any confusion, was not my intent. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/crew-disembarkations-commercial-travel.html

Thanks for the clarification!  We were on last week and my Daughter’s floor had a questionable Covid Case or two.  They were Quarantined and released two days later after testing negative.  She was aware something was up but we didn’t worry about it.  I’ve been on Zaandam when there was a minor Noro outbreak and they notified via letter to the Cabin.  On a TA we were notified via letter of Upper Respiratory going around.  So no news…good news!  

[liam1965]

1 hour ago, syesmar said:

@Brentt_Mand @liam1965Have either of you heard any news onboard about the new HAL protocols for the next 2 cruises (masks 8/7 & pre-cruise testing 8/14)? Curious if there's been any word onboard about this. Thanks!

Hope you continue to have a great sailing!

Only on cruise critic.  Nothing on board.

[Boytjie]

3 hours ago, Brentt_M said:

So a pretty wet day in Sitka, but the temperature was amazing. We walked around downtown Sitka for s bit and through some shops. There were numerous shops and restraunts that were closed though 😞

 

(Pretty sure I embarassed my daughter here)

 

 

(2019 visit)

 

 

(Today)

 

 

 

 

 

That's been there since at least 2007!

[Boytjie]

3 hours ago, Tridentnyc said:

Interesting, we're on the 08/14 sailing but have yet to receive the same email and the health protocols on the website are still showing a "last update" as of 07/20. 

 

I just got the email (sailing 8/14).

[Radbooks]

8 hours ago, trk_koa said:

We recently saw an episode of Andrew Zimmern’s Delicious Destinations that featured Sitka. It first aired in January 2021, so I’m not sure when it was filmed. 
 

I took notes (disclaimer: we’ve never eaten at any of these places). Here’s the recommendations from the show:

 

Salmon: Ludwig’s Bistro

Halibut fish n chips: Baranof Fish Market

Dungeness crab: Halibut Point Crab n Chowder

Black cod tips: Ashmo’s

 

Let us know where you end up for lunch and if you’d recommend. We’ll be there in September. 

Thanks for recommending this show! It's interesting to watch.

[queenofcruise]

26 minutes ago, Boytjie said:

 

I just got the email (sailing 8/14).

I also received the email

 

[Tridentnyc]

26 minutes ago, queenofcruise said:

I also received the email

 

Just got my email too, sailing 08/14

[Radbooks]

I'm sailing on Saturday (8/7) and have heard nothing official!

[zgscl]

Just now, Radbooks said:

I'm sailing on Saturday (8/7) and have heard nothing official!

We are sailing on the 14th and got the email maybe an hour ago. Would guess your email is coming soon. Website has been updated 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/worry-free-promise/travel-well.html 

[zelker]

7 minutes ago, Radbooks said:

I'm sailing on Saturday (8/7) and have heard nothing official!

You won't need testing, that doesn't start until the 8/14 cruise.  They are suggesting (not requiring) that everyone mask up starting with your cruise and there are some places that it will be mandatory on the ship.

 

[cruzn single]

I got my email today for boarding on August 21!  I will gladly get the test, and pray that my test is negative!  I am fully vaccinated, and have been since early February!  Anything to defeat this virus which has interrupted our lives.

[Brentt_M]

So the internet has been complete crap for me since leaving Sitka, but not much to update on since then.  We are getting changed and going to go eat Tamarind. Guess I have lost enough to justify a specialty dinner...

[zelker]

21 minutes ago, cruzn single said:

I got my email today for boarding on August 21!  I will gladly get the test, and pray that my test is negative!  I am fully vaccinated, and have been since early February!  Anything to defeat this virus which has interrupted our lives.

Where are you planning to get tested?  We’re near Boulder and not sailing until the 28th.

[liam1965]

18 minutes ago, Brentt_M said:

So the internet has been complete crap for me since leaving Sitka, but not much to update on since then.  We are getting changed and going to go eat Tamarind. Guess I have lost enough to justify a specialty dinner...

Complete crap, yes, but at least working, albeit at a snails pace. But compared to two of the days this week when it was out entirely, I’ll take it...

[julia]

Brentt ( and Liam)

Thanks so much for your continued updates and reviews of your Alaskan cruise.  Hope your remaining days are glorious!  Please try to ignore the rest of us as we chatter on about today's edicts, we certainly don't want to impose on your cruise.

[Brentt_M]

Well Tamarind was excellent again. Lawson and I had thr tenderloin and Kali went with the dan dan noodles again. We also had spicy tuna rolls and a sushi sampler.

 

 

[Himself]

13 hours ago, Brentt_M said:

So a pretty wet day in Sitka, but the temperature was amazing. We walked around downtown Sitka for s bit and through some shops. There were numerous shops and restraunts that were closed though 😞

 

(Pretty sure I embarassed my daughter here)

 

(2019 visit)

 

(Today)

Nice pictures.

[Boytjie]

@Brentt_M How has the motion of the ocean been on your cruise?

 

I know that it won't tell me what our experience will be liek, but with our cabin assignment way up front, I am more curious than usual. 

[panamashark]

10 hours ago, zelker said:

You won't need testing, that doesn't start until the 8/14 cruise.  They are suggesting (not requiring) that everyone mask up starting with your cruise and there are some places that it will be mandatory on the ship.

 

This is the email we received this morning.  Masks are required not suggested.

 

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION: We look forward to welcoming you on board your upcoming cruise. In an abundance of caution and in response to the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant, we have made adjustments to our onboard mask policy. All guests will be required to wear face masks in elevators, entertainment venues, retail shops, the casino, and other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Guests must also wear face masks prior to being seated in all dining venues and may occasionally be asked to wear a mask in other designated areas. Masks are required during embarkation and debarkation in the terminal, and must be worn during the debarkation process on board. Our team members will continue to wear masks at all times when in guest areas, except when eating or drinking or outdoors when not interacting with guests. As we work with our medical experts to promote the health and safety of our guests and team members, we appreciate the cooperation of all of our guests.

[4starsisters]

Our sincere condolences.  Enjoy your cruise and wishing you smooth seas and fair winds.  Be safe!

[Brentt_M]

1 hour ago, Boytjie said:

@Brentt_M How has the motion of the ocean been on your cruise?

 

I know that it won't tell me what our experience will be liek, but with our cabin assignment way up front, I am more curious than usual. 

There has been very little motion this cruise. The least of my 3 times to Alaska by far 

[Brentt_M]

We are at Ketchikan and we have a kayaking excursion booked here shortly.  Our last port of the cruise 😞

 

We will have to go back to the real world soon and I am not ready for that!

[cruisewiththekids]

11 hours ago, Brentt_M said:

So the internet has been complete crap for me since leaving Sitka, but not much to update on since then.  We are getting changed and going to go eat Tamarind. Guess I have lost enough to justify a specialty dinner...

I'll be onboard in a couple weeks and need to do some work online for business.    When did you have the best internet connection?    How was it on board while docked in Juneau?    Thanks.

[jimgev]

2 minutes ago, Brentt_M said:

We are at Ketchikan and we have a kayaking excursion booked here shortly.  Our last port of the cruise 😞

 

We will have to go back to the real world soon and I am not ready for that!

Brentt - you are constructing memories which will last a lifetime with your children. Enjoy every last minute.

JIm