Nieuw Statendam 10/8/22 Relocation to Fort Lauderdale

[mringenoldus]

We have a very pretty day for our walking food tasting tour. I have been wanting to do this for awhile so glad it will finally work out.

[Crazy For Cats]

6 hours ago, dfish said:

Good morning, everyone.  I think I finally figured out how to post pictures that show up from my phone.  We shall see as this is the test post.  Yesterday I did the Walk the Ocean Floor tour to the Bay of Fundy.  What a unique experience!  I told Sister Sue that we were doing that again next year when she is with me.

 

This was at the Fundy Welcome Center.

 

Coming down the steps to the ocean floor.

 

 

 

 

Lots of critters in the tidal

pools.

 

 

 

Enjoy!!

Definitely a fabulous excursion.  I went ahead and booked this for next year.  I’m interested in your thoughts about Saint John excursions.

[maryandmarge]

7 hours ago, dfish said:

Good morning, everyone.  I think I finally figured out how to post pictures that show up from my phone.  We shall see as this is the test post.  Yesterday I did the Walk the Ocean Floor tour to the Bay of Fundy.  What a unique experience!  I told Sister Sue that we were doing that again next year when she is with me.

 

This was at the Fundy Welcome Center.

 

Coming down the steps to the ocean floor.

 

 

 

 

Lots of critters in the tidal

pools.

 

 

 

Enjoy!!

Wow Debbie - the pictures are nice.   Is that a Holland tour or private tour?    Sounds like a good option for the cruise next year.   Keep having fun on your cruise now.  We’ll be going thru the Panama Canal in a few days.   Safe travels. 
Maryell. 

[dfish]

Today was another Bay of Fundy tour, this time from Saint John, New Brunswick.  It was nice to see the sea caves. We were blessed with the best weather of the trip.  It was just like a summer day.

 

It is hard to compare the two tours since we were at the sea caves when it was almost high tide and at Burntcoat Head at low tide.  I think the ability to walk out on the ocean floor was a true highlight of the first one.  If I was forced to choose, I'd go with the ocean floor tour.  Both were HAL tours.  I was glad for the ocean floor tour being a HAL tour as the time was so tight. We got back right at all aboard time.

 

On to Portland!

[richwmn]

A little housekeeping. Here is the MDR menu from last night.

 

Oct16.pdf

 

And today's activities

 

 

 

[Bxianesq]

There may be a couple of different sea caves tours offered on Saint John per our tour guide. Ours stopped to see the reversal of the tides twice. Pretty interesting! There was a brief stop at the City Market. It was very crowded. Many food vendors were closed but we got more date squares.,We also had a scenic drive to the town of St. Martin’s. Cave area is pretty. 

[richwmn]

Some comments about yesterday.

This must be my time to have problems. I signed up Saturday night for the excursion to the Moosehead Brewery. It was about 5:30pm when I signed up. The ticket said to be at the World Stage at 12:30 and the excursion would begin at 1:00pm. I waited at the World Stage until about 12:45 and then called the front desk. They contacted the excursion and I found out that the meeting had been changed to the terminal. I got to the terminal a minute or two before 1 to find the tour already gone. They did authorize a refund to my HIA, but that probably won't get used at this point.

 

Trivia was interesting and a welcome diversion.

 

One thing to note is that the bars have been out of several items this whole cruise. When we got on in Quebec City there was no Crown Royal (In Canada???). I have been drinking a dark rum until last night when they ran out of that. However, someone had purchased 1 bottle of Crown Royal for each bar. I'm not sure what will happen for the rest of the cruise.

 

Last night was the Orange Party, held in the BB King Lounge. I arrived a couple minutes after it began and it was going strong. The BB King All Stars were performing and the crowd was responding. Several Officers and Staff were around and appeared to be having a good time. After a bit I moved to Billboard and enjoyed the piano performers for a while.

 

We will go thru immigration shortly and then visit Portland.

Edited October 17, 2022 by richwmn

[mringenoldus]

Very pretty entry to the Portland harbor this morning even without the sunshine!

[Sharon in AZ]

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Saint John!  We went on the trolley tour and enjoyed seeing the highlights along with the reversing rapids and the city market. 

 

 

 

Our TV hasn’t been working since day two and I’ve reported it every day. Last night we were notified that all TV were reset and working but alas ours still wasn’t. I reported it last night and again this morning. Now after breakfast it’s working. Hopefully that will last. 

The fog this morning. 

We don’t have any plans today, just walking around and finding Lobster.  Craig took this picture from our balcony as we were sailing in. 

 

We also saw some huge gorgeous homes along the shore. 

 

[Cruisercl]

Yesterday was a city trolley ride. Learned alot, the ride was beautiful and included historic places in the city. The weather was beautiful so it was a good walk around day.

My TV hasn't worked for 2 days either. They know but haven't seen repairs done yet.

Lots of fog when sailing at night. The fog horns have been sounding the last few nights.🙃

Today we must each see immigration before getting permission to go ashore or even if not going ashore.

 

Edited October 17, 2022 by Cruisercl

[Crazy For Cats]

2 hours ago, richwmn said:

Some comments about yesterday.

This must be my time to have problems. I signed up Saturday night for the excursion to the Moosehead Brewery. It was about 5:30pm when I signed up. The ticket said to be at the World Stage at 12:30 and the excursion would begin at 1:00pm. I waited at the World Stage until about 12:45 and then called the front desk. They contacted the excursion and I found out that the meeting had been changed to the terminal. I got to the terminal a minute or two before 1 to find the tour already gone. They did authorize a refund to my HIA, but that probably won't get used at this point.

 

Trivia was interesting and a welcome diversion.

 

One thing to note is that the bars have been out of several items this whole cruise. When we got on in Quebec City there was no Crown Royal (In Canada???). I have been drinking a dark rum until last night when they ran out of that. However, someone had purchased 1 bottle of Crown Royal for each bar. I'm not sure what will happen for the rest of the cruise.

 

Last night was the Orange Party, held in the BB King Lounge. I arrived a couple minutes after it began and it was going strong. The BB King All Stars were performing and the crowd was responding. Several Officers and Staff were around and appeared to be having a good time. After a bit I moved to Billboard and enjoyed the piano performers for a while.

 

We will go thru immigration shortly and then visit Portland.

Since the restart their selection of Bacardi has been very limited.  Much to the dismay of DH.

[richwmn]

Portland from the ship. Still a bit overcast at lunch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[fatcat04]

4 hours ago, Sharon in AZ said:

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Saint John!  We went on the trolley tour and enjoyed seeing the highlights along with the reversing rapids and the city market. 

 

 

 

Our TV hasn’t been working since day two and I’ve reported it every day. Last night we were notified that all TV were reset and working but alas ours still wasn’t. I reported it last night and again this morning. Now after breakfast it’s working. Hopefully that will last. 

The fog this morning. 

We don’t have any plans today, just walking around and finding Lobster.  Craig took this picture from our balcony as we were sailing in. 

 

We also saw some huge gorgeous homes along the shore. 

 

The St John City Market is a nice find. I bought some wonderful locally made pottery at a shop called The Butcher's Daughter there last month. Very well made and the owner of the shop said she knows the artisan personally and that she lives about an hour outside St John. I love those kinds of souvenirs. 

[kazu]

On 10/16/2022 at 11:26 AM, richwmn said:

St John from the ship

 

Ok you just KNOW I have to say this.  St. John’s is in Newfoundland.  You were in Saint John, New Brunswick 😂 

 

A lot of people flying have ended up in the wrong place not knowing the difference 😂 

 

 

6 hours ago, richwmn said:

I signed up Saturday night for the excursion to the Moosehead Brewery. It was about 5:30pm when I signed up. The ticket said to be at the World Stage at 12:30 and the excursion would begin at 1:00pm. I waited at the World Stage until about 12:45 and then called the front desk. They contacted the excursion and I found out that the meeting had been changed to the terminal. I got to the terminal a minute or two before 1 to find the tour already gone. They did authorize a refund to my HIA, but that probably won't get used at this point.

 

Oh that is a real shame.  A friend of mine does the Moosehead brewery tour and if you would have had him, you would have had a blast.  He is a wonderful guide and would have had you smiling and laughing in no time.

 

I’m so sorry you missed it 😔 

[dfish]

Portland weather leaves a bit to be desired, especially after such a spectacular day yesterday in Saint John.  My hip did not like the dampness when I was walking around. So, I stopped for lunch to rest it.  
 

 

When Sue and I are in Portland we usually stop in Gilbert’s Chowder House for lobster.  It did not disappoint.  
 

I am now in the Crow’s Nest drinking an Irish Coffee for the medicinal value.  Warming me right up after the damp cold.

[richwmn]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

Ok you just KNOW I have to say this.  St. John’s is in Newfoundland.  You were in Saint John, New Brunswick 😂 

 

A lot of people flying have ended up in the wrong place not knowing the difference 😂 

And I was trying to be careful to make sure I got it right.

[richwmn]

My saga of problems with this vacation continue. I have been trying to connect to Delta via the app or website for the last couple of days. When I have been able to, I couldn't find my flight out of Fort Lauderdale. Last night I found the confirmation number and tried using that. I found that the flight had been canceled.

 

I am on hold with Delta right now and the first question the CSR asked was if I was on the flight to Montreal. She did confirm that the ticket was canceled.

 

We'll just have to see what happens next.

 

[mringenoldus]

On 10/18/2022 at 7:40 AM, richwmn said:

My saga of problems with this vacation continue. I have been trying to connect to Delta via the app or website for the last couple of days. When I have been able to, I couldn't find my flight out of Fort Lauderdale. Last night I found the confirmation number and tried using that. I found that the flight had been canceled.

 

I am on hold with Delta right now and the first question the CSR asked was if I was on the flight to Montreal. She did confirm that the ticket was canceled.

 

We'll just have to see what happens next.

 

If I’m understanding correctly, it is your ticket that was cancelled and not the flight itself? Was your booking made direct with Delta, by your travel agent or through a 3rd party vendor (such as Expedia)? 
 

I hope you can get this resolved without too much further issue - so sorry this is happening. 

[richwmn]

The full saga of my flight problems has been figured out and I again have a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta after the cruise.

 

All the problems can be traced to one person, and an incorrect decision by another.

 

When I checked in and they took my luggage, they printed me a paper ticket. When we were boarding we had to show our passports, no problem it was an international flight. To speed things up a Delta Rep was checking passports before getting to the scanner to board. On mine he took a crayon type marker and marked OK in red, partially over the QR code needed to board. When mine wouldn't scan, the Delta Rep at the scanner looked at the pass and told me to board. I did and was seated, but the Delta Computer didn't show that I boarded. That was what caused my luggage to be removed from the plane, and the return ticket to be canceled.

My return ticket has been reinstated and I actually have the same seat! At the moment I have been given a small credit, but no recognition of having taken the flight and no Sky Miles.

 

 

[richwmn]

Views from the ship this morning sailing into Boston

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[richwmn]

I didn't post the menu last night, so here it is:

Oct17.pdf

 

And today's activities:

 

 

Oct17.pdf

[FlaMariner]

31 minutes ago, richwmn said:

the Delta Computer didn't show that I boarded.

 

Ugh....such a minor thing but the computer rules.....Glad you got it fixed but sorry you had to spend precious cruise time dealing with such nonsense.

 

(As I said earlier, we are not fans of flying thru Atlanta anymore....we find the airport service (Delta & vendors) in Atlanta horrible)

[newtocruiseinblue]

I'm on NS in a couple of weeks. For happy hour, I noticed on the daily under drinks it has changed from 50% off the second drink to 25% off...is that correct? We did not get the drink package so I'm wondering if this is a new change...thank you!! Thank you for posting about your experiences - I am enjoying following along! 

[Mary229]

So glad to hear the flight ticket is reinstated.  What a bother 

[St Pete Cruiser]

57 minutes ago, newtocruiseinblue said:

I'm on NS in a couple of weeks. For happy hour, I noticed on the daily under drinks it has changed from 50% off the second drink to 25% off...is that correct? We did not get the drink package so I'm wondering if this is a new change...thank you!! Thank you for posting about your experiences - I am enjoying following along! 

Seems to change with the surrounding markets.  Canada liquor prices are high.