LIVE FROM the flagship Rotterdam on the 21-day Eastern Caribbean and 150th Anniversary Transatlantic

[TheEmerson]

3 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

Club Orange for breakfast.  Less of a goldfish bowl effect with wood “walls” and no glass.  There’s a surprising number of tables, a lot of two-tops.

 

The two-tops are more flexible when it comes to making four tops so it works well.

 

Edited March 30, 2023 by TheEmerson

[Vict0riann]

The Crow’s Nest seems ver open.  Lots of comfortable seating and tables.  The bar is much smaller than on the other ships, set out of the way, but the biggest change is the Captain’s Corner, which is set up with tables for games and puzzles.  
 

 

 

 

 

[Vict0riann]

Then our big outing of the day here in Nassau.  We were married here 60 years ago last November, in the tiny Sacred Heart Church on Shirley Street.  It was old and dilapidated even in those days, and we didn’t know if it was still standing.  We found a taxi driver who knew what we were talking about, and he drove us around for a few hours.  
 

Sacred Heart Church 60 years ago.

 

 

And today

 

New roof, but not too much had changed.  The sad part was going through the cemetery we saw a lot of familiar names, friends and people we worked with.  
 

The our driver managed to find the house I lived in with my parents for 5 years before Pat and I were married!  
 

60 years ago

 

 

and now

 

 

Then we tried to find where Pat had lived but it was gone, and the driver dropped us in town and we went into the Royal Bank of Canada where Pat ( and I for a while) had worked.  So all in all good memories!

 

 

Edited March 30, 2023 by Vict0riann

[NavArch64]

What a lovely story ... with pictures as well.

[Vict0riann]

I saw Captain Timmers in the Lido at lunchtime today, and I asked him if he would be on the TA.  He said no, his “time is up” and he would be leaving the ship, returning in June.  
 

The obligatory bread pudding today..

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, Vict0riann said:

Then our big outing of the day here in Nassau.  We were married here 60 years ago last November, in the tiny Sacred Heart Church on Shirley Street.  It was old and dilapidated even in those days, and we didn’t know if it was still standing.  We found a taxi driver who knew what we were talking about, and he drove us around for a few hours.  
 

Sacred Heart Church 60 years ago.

 

 

And today

 

New roof, but not too much had changed.  The sad part was going through the cemetery we saw a lot of familiar names, friends and people we worked with.  
 

The our driver managed to find the house I lived in with my parents for 5 years before Pat and I were married!  
 

60 years ago

 

 

and now

 

 

Then we tried to find where Pat had lived but it was gone, and the driver dropped us in town and we went into the Royal Bank of Canada where Pat ( and I for a while) had worked.  So all in all good memories!

 

 

Lovely memories Ann.

[VMax1700]

@Vict0riann Thanks for the bread pudding 😋

 

Also the wonderful life story from Nassau.

[kazu]

2 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

Then our big outing of the day here in Nassau.  We were married here 60 years ago last November, in the tiny Sacred Heart Church on Shirley Street.  It was old and dilapidated even in those days, and we didn’t know if it was still standing.  We found a taxi driver who knew what we were talking about, and he drove us around for a few hours.  
 

Sacred Heart Church 60 years ago.

 

 

And today

 

New roof, but not too much had changed.  The sad part was going through the cemetery we saw a lot of familiar names, friends and people we worked with.  
 

The our driver managed to find the house I lived in with my parents for 5 years before Pat and I were married!  
 

60 years ago

 

 

and now

 

 

Then we tried to find where Pat had lived but it was gone, and the driver dropped us in town and we went into the Royal Bank of Canada where Pat ( and I for a while) had worked.  So all in all good memories!

 

 

 

Absolutely love this post and all of your history and precious memories.

 

I always went to RBC in Nassau when we were there (and even on some RBC convention sailings) and, there’s more than one pic of us outside it.

Thanks for sharing 🙂

 

[Vict0riann]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

Absolutely love this post and all of your history and precious memories.

 

I always went to RBC in Nassau when we were there (and even on some RBC convention sailings) and, there’s more than one pic of us outside it.

Thanks for sharing 🙂

 

A picture of the entrance of the bank.  We went inside, but it was nothing like what we remembered.  
 

[NCTribeFan]

Oh, I see a library chair with my name on it.  Well, not literally!  But I can put a blanket in the seat, throw a book on it, and come back 3 hours later to sit and read.

 

Again.  I'm kidding!

 

So looking forward to breakfast in the CO dining room.  I like HAL's breakfast buffet, but that looks like such a nice space and great way to start the day.

 

I'll start packing tomorrow afternoon, finish Saturday morning, hopefully.  Get my nails done Sat afternoon.  Do the last-minute stuff Sunday morning, then head to the airport around 2:30.

 

Getting really excited for this!  Just a little concerned about being able to pack enough "cool weather" clothes as well as dinner outfits.  I imagine I'll be wearing the same outfits to dinner for several of those 26 nights.  Going to have to forego bringing a different long dress for each Gala night.  Oh well.  No one will care except me!

[omago4th]

enjoying  following this  blog.

 

 Is there really GALA nights? last 2 HAL ships I was on only had "dressy" night.  needless to say not the level of Gala. I'm with you I like the dressing up part of cruising. but dress up re do works also.

 

a re wear beats jeans and t-shirt!

[Vict0riann]

3 minutes ago, omago4th said:

enjoying  following this  blog.

 

 Is there really GALA nights? last 2 HAL ships I was on only had "dressy" night.  needless to say not the level of Gala. I'm with you I like the dressing up part of cruising. but dress up re do works also.

 

a re wear beats jeans and t-shirt!

Tonight is our first “dressy night”, I’m seeing lots of sparkles, but we’ll go to dinner later - this is the 5:30 crowd.  I didn’t bring much in the way of fancy dress, so I’ll be wearing what I have over and over.  Hope no one notices!  We’re also going to have an Orange night, I don’t know if there will be a second dressy night on a short 5-day cruise.  
 

We’re feeling a bit of the motion of the ocean, and our window  and door  are wet with spray.

[POA1]

5 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

Then our big outing of the day here in Nassau.  We were married here 60 years ago last November, in the tiny Sacred Heart Church on Shirley Street.  It was old and dilapidated even in those days, and we didn’t know if it was still standing.  We found a taxi driver who knew what we were talking about, and he drove us around for a few hours.  
 

Sacred Heart Church 60 years ago.

 

 

And today

 

New roof, but not too much had changed.  The sad part was going through the cemetery we saw a lot of familiar names, friends and people we worked with.  
 

The our driver managed to find the house I lived in with my parents for 5 years before Pat and I were married!  
 

60 years ago

 

 

and now

 

 

Then we tried to find where Pat had lived but it was gone, and the driver dropped us in town and we went into the Royal Bank of Canada where Pat ( and I for a while) had worked.  So all in all good memories!

 

 

Thanks for your detailed reports!

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Ann, thank you for the pictures of the Rotterdam.  The Club Orange, Crow's Nest  and library are an improvement over the Koningsdam, which I like.  Also, thank you for sharing your walk down memory lane.

[Vict0riann]

Tony and Martha went to Nami Sushi for dinner, but we opted to go to Club Orange for our first dressy night.  The Captains greeting was at 7 around the lido pool, and I wondered how that would go, but it was well done and Captain Timmers spent some time socializing with the passengers seated at tables.  We chatted for a while, he’ll be happy to go home for a break.  He has been our Captain on Koningsdam in the past and he told us how he too the K through the Panama Canal.  CO was almost empty when we arrived and our food came quickly.  I am really liking this CO  - so comfortable and quiet.  Khay came by for a visit, and we had fun with her.    We finished around 9, and headed back to the room to read.  We were a bit surprised that the laundry we put out this morning wasn’t back, but the ship is pretty full, so maybe things are a bit slower than usual.  (Evidently 2700 on board - it certainly seems crowded).  We saw quite a lot of tuxes and dark suits this evening, which I thought was surprising, but maybe they’re going on the TA, too.  
 

Dinner menu

 

 

 

My tenderloin was much better than at the Outback!

 

The chairs are really comfortable.  

[RMLincoln]

Ann, It’s grand that you got to the church of your wedding. And your childhood home. So glad you are getting to do this special cruise. 
 

And that book exchange shelf in the Library on Rotterdam has some books I left before we disembarked March 8th 😉

Happy cruising! m—

[Florida_gal_50]

I’m glad the club orange isn’t busy.  It was packed to the nuts at all times on the koningsdam in November.  I find the food very good and hot as well which I like. Seems like the menus have improved since November.  I’m kind of surprised given its a 5 day cruise.  I’m enjoying your thread very much.

[alyssamma]

Thank you so much for doing this. Was just trying to decide about a TA today...your post has made me think I'll do it.

[oakridger]

The dressy night menu was in French.  Did everyone get that version?  Just curious. 🙂

 

Thanks,

~Nancy

[0106]

5 hours ago, oakridger said:

The dressy night menu was in French.  Did everyone get that version? 

We received the same menu on the Rotterdam in February.  We were told it was a special menu for the 150th anniversary.

[Vict0riann]

I had been seeing that menu for some time on my Navigator.  I wasn’t sure what was going on but it makes sense what @0106 says.  The crab and artichoke (dip) was yummy.    

 

Last night we had treats slid under the door late.  I might try for a pedicure today, and let Pat go ashore on his own.  I’m a bit stiff from yesterday, and he’s better of being able to walk fast. 

[NavArch64]

Beautiful picture from Key West this morning ...

 

[Vict0riann]

We’re on the other side so this is our view- 

 

The lads cleaned our windows and door, so our room is bright again.  I was surprised as I figured it would not be done until we got back to FLL.  They are working hard!

 

We won’t be allowed off for a while.  I think our Customs time is 11! 

[BigMattT]

1 hour ago, Vict0riann said:

 

 

We won’t be allowed off for a while.  I think our Customs time is 11! 

Lucky! We’re 12:10.

 

10.5 hours in Key West is now down to 5. Bummer.

[Vict0riann]

32 minutes ago, BigMattT said:

Lucky! We’re 12:10.

 

10.5 hours in Key West is now down to 5. Bummer.

Hope you got through before that!  Once we were called, it went quickly.  Now having my pedicure!