forwardho Posted January 15 #151 Share Posted January 15 Following along as always with you posts. Wishing safe travels. Are the Hawaiian Ambassadors the same as our cruise to Hawaii and French Polynesia last Feb/Mar? Your post reminds me to dust off my ukulele that I purchased after the cruise and start strumming. Jill And Gary 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 15 Author #152 Share Posted January 15 Here is a picture of our first "Pillow Gift" - this was in our cabins on Formal Night - travel journal and some fancy chocolates 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 15 Author #153 Share Posted January 15 5 minutes ago, forwardho said: Following along as always with you posts. Wishing safe travels. Are the Hawaiian Ambassadors the same as our cruise to Hawaii and French Polynesia last Feb/Mar? Your post reminds me to dust off my ukulele that I purchased after the cruise and start strumming. Jill And Gary No - this is a new team I have never seen before. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouChamp Posted January 15 #154 Share Posted January 15 Aloha. So enjoying your posts and how beautifully you present yourself. Thank you so much. In furtherance of your posts about formal attire I was thinking about how it used to be and must have been 100 years ago without air conditioning and wearing tuxes and the ladies in formal attire as well. I have previously posted similar thoughts. Love your pictures of the travel journal and other gifts which we too have collected over the years. Enjoy! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 15 Author #155 Share Posted January 15 Here is the official Table 89 photo from our first formal night 16 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 16 Author #156 Share Posted January 16 Table 89 went to the brunch yesterday - here is the menu and some pics Table setting First Course Fresh Fruit with Granola Parfait Norwegian Smoked Salmon on Brioche * Devilled Egg, Black Tobiko * South Italian Prosciutto Speck and Coppa on Six Grains Baguette * Beecher’s and Brie Cheese Second Course Vegetable Frittata Sautéed Shrimp * Mini Beef Wellington * roasted sliced potato, steamed broccoli Biscuit and Gravy Pancake Stack with Maple Syrup Desert Course Crème Caramel Pecan Pie Baked Apple Strudel sunday_brunch_sampler_menu_1_formatted.pdf 9 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
durangoscots Posted January 16 #157 Share Posted January 16 6 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said: Table 89 went to the brunch yesterday - here is the menu and some pics Table setting First Course Fresh Fruit with Granola Parfait Norwegian Smoked Salmon on Brioche * Devilled Egg, Black Tobiko * South Italian Prosciutto Speck and Coppa on Six Grains Baguette * Beecher’s and Brie Cheese Second Course Vegetable Frittata Sautéed Shrimp * Mini Beef Wellington * roasted sliced potato, steamed broccoli Biscuit and Gravy Pancake Stack with Maple Syrup Desert Course Crème Caramel Pecan Pie Baked Apple Strudel sunday_brunch_sampler_menu_1_formatted.pdf 107.01 kB · 0 downloads Oh my!!! That does look good. Susan 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouChamp Posted January 16 #158 Share Posted January 16 Aloha. The brunch looks delicious. Your table picture is awesome! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare WriterOnDeck Posted January 16 #159 Share Posted January 16 23 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said: Here is a picture of our first "Pillow Gift" - this was in our cabins on Formal Night - travel journal and some fancy chocolates The fancy chocolates must have been a suite treat -- didn't see them in my verandah. Not that I am starving.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 16 Author #160 Share Posted January 16 3 hours ago, LouChamp said: Aloha. The brunch looks delicious. Your table picture is awesome! We heard they served 600 people! It was delicious! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 16 Author #161 Share Posted January 16 We lost power on our street for about 7 hours last Saturday. Before the cruise I bought a wifi freezer sensor that broadcasts my freezer temp every 5 minutes or so. If it loses connectivity, like it did when we lost power and wifi at home, I get a text message after 60 minutes of no contact. This alerted me to the fact that something was amiss back home. After the power was restored and wifi was back online, the freezer (which is empty) went from 5 degrees to 23 degrees and is now back to normal temps. So - this device works well and if the power was out longer or If my freezer failed I would have plenty of time to notify someone to take action back home. HERE is the Amazon Link I also use the Govee water sensor which will also notify you via email if it detects a water leak - Amazon Link HERE 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REOVA Posted January 17 #162 Share Posted January 17 3 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said: We lost power on our street for about 7 hours last Saturday. Before the cruise I bought a wifi freezer sensor that broadcasts my freezer temp every 5 minutes or so. If it loses connectivity, like it did when we lost power and wifi at home, I get a text message after 60 minutes of no contact. This alerted me to the fact that something was amiss back home. After the power was restored and wifi was back online, the freezer (which is empty) went from 5 degrees to 23 degrees and is now back to normal temps. So - this device works well and if the power was out longer or If my freezer failed I would have plenty of time to notify someone to take action back home. HERE is the Amazon Link I also use the Govee water sensor which will also notify you via email if it detects a water leak - Amazon Link HERE Good info. 👍 Of course they'll need to purchase wifi on ship to get notified during the long sea days....😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 17 Author #163 Share Posted January 17 No live entertainment tonight on the Mainstage. They are showing a movie instead. Not sure why they don't let one of the cast singers do a "Spotlight" show... The movie is "The Woman King" They will show it twice...at 7 PM and 9:30... Showing movies instead of live entertainment on the Mainstage while at sea on a Grand Voyage is not something I would have expected. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REOVA Posted January 17 #164 Share Posted January 17 The Spotlight shows were great when they had the HAL world stage band. And I agree, the movie fillers for World Stage entertainment is not expected on GWC. Know it is on regular itineraries but sad to hear this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakridger Posted January 17 #165 Share Posted January 17 I also don't think movies in place of evening main stage entertainment on a regular cruise is expected or appreciated either! ~Nancy 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianbear Posted January 17 #166 Share Posted January 17 11 minutes ago, oakridger said: I also don't think movies in place of evening main stage entertainment on a regular cruise is expected or appreciated either! ~Nancy Totally agree. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durango Sandy Posted January 17 #167 Share Posted January 17 Pete, had lots of movies at night on “Grand” Africa. One of many disappointments. Please say hi to Susan for me. Sandy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 17 Author #168 Share Posted January 17 11 minutes ago, Durango Sandy said: Pete, had lots of movies at night on “Grand” Africa. One of many disappointments. Please say hi to Susan for me. Sandy The BBC Earth Movies or "Origin Story" in lieu of live entertainment were bad enough, but at least they had a "live" element to them with the accompanying strings or live narration. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 17 Author #169 Share Posted January 17 45 minutes ago, REOVA said: The Spotlight shows were great when they had the HAL world stage band. And I agree, the movie fillers for World Stage entertainment is not expected on GWC. Know it is on regular itineraries but sad to hear this. A spotlight show with a "backing track" would be better than a movie that's 6 months old 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 17 Author #170 Share Posted January 17 (edited) MIKE WEST “THE SHIP GUY”- AT SEA (POST #14) Mike West, "The Ship Guy" - Post #14 January 14th Learn more about Mike West “The Ship Guy”, cruise ship enrichment speaker From time to time, I will publish a more in-depth feature about some of the most interesting people I encounter while cruising. Today I sat down with Mike West in the Gallery Bar for a chat to learn more about his background and a little insight into life as a guest lecturer. Michael “Mike” West, a retired US Navy Commander, also known as “The Ship Guy,” has been entertaining and educating us since we left Fort Lauderdale almost two weeks ago. Mike came from a long line of Naval Officers and was commissioned in 1971 via NROTC and was initially assigned to USS Cochrane (DDG 21). Over his 22-year career, Mike served on various ships and finally served as the commanding officer of the USS MILLER (FF 1091) in 1991. MILLER was originally a Knox class destroyer escort before being converted to a frigate in 1975. Handling a single-shaft ship like MILLER without the bow thrusters or Azipods you find on modern cruise ships presented many ship-handling challenges. Nevertheless, Mike remembers that he could bring MILLER into port without the assistance of tugs in most cases. USS MILLER in 1991 Mike’s wife, Barbara, encouraged him to take his first cruise in the Mediterranean in the late 1990s. After a life at sea, many Navy veterans often wonder why they would want to pay to go to sea. However, after he set foot on his first cruise ship – his passion for the sea was reignited, and he immediately fell in love with cruise ships and cruising. Later, while on a 28 Day cruise on PRINSENDAM, Mike was enjoying the presentations by the guest lecturer, and that sparked his interest in becoming a guest lecturer himself. After much networking and persistence, he lined up his first speaking contract with the Celebrity EQUINOX. Since then, he has expanded his speaking to other cruise lines and is now a frequent speaker with Holland America. Mike speaks on about 12 cruises a year. After hundreds of hours of research and preparation, Mike has developed a series of 16 lectures that are constantly revised and improved. The cruise line doesn’t prescreen the lectures, and aside from their general guidance on avoiding the obvious controversial topics, he has wide discretion on what material to present. All his presentations are targeted to be 45 minutes. Here is the list of the eleven topics Mike has presented or will present since we left Fort Lauderdale on 3 January 2023. He will head home when were arrive in Papeete after spending a few days enjoying the Tahiti with Barbara. Mike’s lectures have been well attended and it’s best to arrive early to get a better seat. The Wonder of Ships #1 The Wonder of Ships #2 Why the British Don’t Speak Spanish HMS Victory – England’s Great Oaken Wall Sink the Bismarck! The Queens of the Seas Shipwrecks and Time Funnels, Flags and Funny Paint Flat Tops and Fly Boys The Great Ships An Engineer’s Look at Titanic Mike enjoys meeting passengers and listening to their feedback and suggestions for future topics. Be sure to leave your comments on post-cruise surveys and during the cruise on the “Let us Know” area of the Navigator App. Positive comments help the cruise line decide when to schedule lecturers on future sailings. Mike and his wife, Barbara, have two daughters and one grandchild. They live in Ponte Verda, Florida, where Mike runs a small business: Command Presents, which specializes in custom and personalized military mementos. Check out his website HERE. You can contact Mike via Email: mwest@commandpresents.com NOTE: If you are interested in becoming a guest lecturer, HERE is a website that will provide some leads on how you might be able to get started. But, like everything else, persistence, timing, and a little luck will help. Tonight’s entertainer was Pianist Elliot Finkel. We saw him perform on our first World Cruise in 2016 when he was part of the Finkel Brothers. Unfortunately, his brother and father have passed, so he continues to perform solo. This was his second show, which we enjoyed very much. Another sea day tomorrow and our first Sunday Brunch. Edited January 17 by The-Inside-Cabin 7 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa Girl Posted January 17 #171 Share Posted January 17 11 hours ago, Durango Sandy said: Pete, had lots of movies at night on “Grand” Africa. One of many disappointments. Please say hi to Susan for me. Sandy What were some of the other disappointments, if I may ask? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julia Posted January 17 #172 Share Posted January 17 That was a great post about the guest lecturer... thank you so much! BTW... with 35 nights coming up on the Koningsdam, I've been bingeing your YouTube video on cabin measurements, thank you! Are you a Buckeye? (asked from a Buckeye). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellencruise Posted January 17 #173 Share Posted January 17 Thank you for introducing us to Mike West. That’s a great post retirement job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0106 Posted January 17 #174 Share Posted January 17 We enjoyed Mike West on our Oosterdam transatlantic in November. I was double booked twice and missed his lecture. I really wish HAL would show the recordings of presentations on the stateroom TV. One day the captain’s cooking show in the BBKing lounge was SRO so they projected it on the MainStage so I know they have the ability. Are any presentations being on the TV too? Appreciate all your insights, thanks for taking us along. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted January 17 Author #175 Share Posted January 17 24 minutes ago, julia said: That was a great post about the guest lecturer... thank you so much! BTW... with 35 nights coming up on the Koningsdam, I've been bingeing your YouTube video on cabin measurements, thank you! Are you a Buckeye? (asked from a Buckeye). Yes - OSU Class of 76 - Engineering Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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