Welcome to the Chronicles of
At Sea
10/26/2006
Good morning all! The rising sun finds us off the Virginia Capes, heading south (obviously) at 20 knots with calm seas of 5-7 feet. Its pretty cool out, and I haven't seen a weather report for the day. Carol says it is in the 50s right now. Here is the morning view, looking out of our stateroom door: First of all, we probably should talk about the ship a little. She is a 950 foot long ship, weighing in ay just under 82,000 tons. She is meant to accomodate just over 1900 passengers, with a crew of 800. She is by no means the largest ship we have been on, but she is the largest of the Holland America ships.
The decore of the ship is one of understated elegance. All the other ships we have been on have been more flashy - going more for a Broadways show experience in their decore, whereas the Noordam seems to just want to look good, and envelope you, without you noticing. Case in point is the atrium. It is only a couple of decks high, and features a really nice artistic light, and big winding staircase of brass and glass, and that's all. Here is the light: Yesterday, as we got onboard, we promptly went up to the Lido restaurant, which is the big buffett style restaurant. We had a nice lunch, and then decided to go check out our staterooms. On the way, we walked across the pool deck (really nice with a removeable cover), and got a tour of the spa (a great facility, if you are into that stuff). Linda got to lay in a floating bed where they do a seaweed wrap on people (I promised her to not post the pic I took of her in the bed), and I got a mini deep massage on my arm with heated rocks. That actually was nice, and I am having some thoughts of maybe getting a massage (it would be my first professional massage) sometime on the cruise. Who knows. No, there would be no pictures of that if I did it! When we got to the room, it still wasn't ready, but our stewart was just finishing up, so we didn't have to leave. Then we headed out to Linda & Gayle's room, and dropped off their stuff. One interesting note - they deliver your luggage here QUICK! Usually, if you are among the first onboard, you don't see your luggage until the evening show. When we got to Linda & Gayle's room, they had dropped off one of Gayle's bag, and were delivering one of Linda's! By the time we got done poking around the ship a bit, we all had our luggage. Its amazing they could do it that fast, and nice, too, because we could change for dinner.
Dinner was a very nice affair. The diningroom is at the stern of the ship, and our table is located back, almost to the windows at the stern. We broke into the restaurant while we were poking around, so we would know where the table was. Here is a picture of it: It is set for 6, and there is a couple from southern Jersey filling the two seats. They are very nice. Its his first cruise, and her second (but her first was on the Carnivale, so it was quite a while ago). They seem to be enjoying the ship, too. For the record -- Linda and Gayle are not together as a couple. They are just friends. Apparently the questions came up when we were hanging out in the Crow's Nest (a high lounge with a great 180 degree view), and since some of you don't know them, I thought I would mention it. The show last night was really good. Classic opening night show, where they show you a bit of what the band and dancers can do, the Cruise Director comes out and talks a bit (he seems pretty personable - we've seen some that were not all that good), and then an act of some sort. Last night was a guy name Zigfeld (forget his first name off hand). We have seen him on another cruise, and he is quite good. Comedy and ventriloquism (if I spelled that right) are his things. The set last night was short (only one dummy - No Comments!!!), but was funny. I am looking forward to seeing more of his act.
Okay, one thing you don't really expect to see 100 or more miles away from land is birds. Not only that, little birds - like a dozen of them or more. One even landed on the rail of our verandah! Here he/she is: Well, time to get some breakfast and explore a bit before we head off to the Cruise Critic Get Together in the Crow's Nest. When they have the room remade, I'll show you our stateroom and balcony. 'Til then, Keep Smiling!!!
1615 Good afternoon! Wow! What a nice day. When we left NYC, the seas were a deep dark gray color (that was how they pretty much looked this morning, as well). During the course of the day, it has turned a deeper shade of blue. At some point the Captain came on the speaker system to tell us that we were entering the Gulf Stream, which I believe he said was the reason the seas were changing color. Carol and I headed up to the Lido restaurant for a quick breakfast bite. There we ran into Linda, doing the same thing. Gayle had headed off to the Culinary Arts Center for a program there at 10:45am with the chef from the Pinacle Grill (which is the high end restaurant on the ship). I would have gone to that as well, but we had to be in the Crow's Nest for our Cruise Critic Get Together.
The Get Together went incredibly well. The people were very friendly, and yes, many of them were not what I was expecting. There was easily 30 or so people there, and from what I have heard, that is a pretty big turnout - it certainly beat the last one I was at! Carol was very popular (one woman saw me, and wanted to know where Carol was - she wanted to meet her after reading the last cruise's blog!), as was Linda. They definitely did the circulate and meet everyone thing. I met most of the people, but there were a few I don't think I actually talked to. The ship's Captain was there, as was the Hotel Manager. It was a very informal gathering, and everyone was chatting and having a good time. Karla made a bunch of halloween party favors, which people seemed to like (thanks Karla!), Val & Kathy had everyone putting on name tags (I was amazed everyone wore them!). I hated to do it, but I made everyone get together for a picture. It wasn't too bad, until I got heckled by Carol - and that got everyone started. I took a couple of test shots, and then we recruited a woman at the bar to take the picture for us (that way I could be in it!). Here is the motley crew:
After we all left, it was lunchtime, so the three of us (Carol, Linda and myself) went to the Vista Diningroom for lunch. I had a steak sandwich that was quite tasty. From there, we headed up to the art auction. They had some really nice pieces, including a $60,000 Picasso for sale. In case you are wondering what a $60,000 Picasso looks like, it is something like this: None of us bought anything, but there is always tomorrow's auction!!!
Our stateroom is a subject I promised to talk about a bit, so here goes! Our stateroom, a standard balcony room, is located on the stern of the ship (the back, for those who are not big fans of nautical terms). Its probably 30-35 or so feet long, and 10 or 11 feet wide (no, I did not bring a measuring tape!). We have a queen bed (or maybe its a California king, I am not sure - again, no tape measure, nor do I design furniture for a living!), 3 closets, a couple of night stands, one desk, and a 2 seat couch (tough to call it a true love seat, but it is not bad). Here are the two views of the room, one looking out toward the balcony, one looking back into the room:
The bathroom (head, for you who love nautical terms!) is quite spacious when compared to other cruise ships, or some small NYC apartments. It has the requisite sink and comode, but also has a small tub. It is far more comfortable than any cruise ship bath I have seen! Overall, its about 5-6 feet deep, to give it a little dimension.
One of the main draws of this stateroom was the larger balcony because it is located on the stern of the ship. No, Linda & Gayle's balcony is larger than other balconies we've had, because it is about 18" or so deeper, making it easier to move around, and sit on the chairs. Overall, I would say the balcony is about 4-5' deep, which is very nice. Our balcony is the same width (about 10'), but it is about 11' or 12' deep, which is great. We have a lounger, two chairs, and a small table. We could have a nice little party out there! Here are the pictures:
I don't know if you can tell, but half the blacony is open to the people above you. This is what it looks like looking down onto the balcony below us (the white at the bottom of the picture is the overhang for their balcony):
Overall, it is an incredible balcony! Here is the straight out view: I certainly cannot complain about the accomodations!
One thing that I have heard from some of you (okay, a bunch of you!) is that I am never in any of the pictures that show up in these chronicles. It was mentioed again today at the Get Together by more than one person! It is hard to take a picture, and have yourself in it!! I've tried! But yesterday, during the push out from the pier, Gayle took one of me with Carol and Linda (otherwise known as the Babushka Twins). Yes, I let her touch my camera. Yes, the picture came out good (with the notable exception of me being in it!). And now, to silence the critics (I'd say once and for all, but I know how you guys are!), here is a picture in which you can see me (strictly speaking, I am in the group shot above, but I know that won't make some people happy!): Tonite the entertainment is Suzanne Godfrey, who is supposed to be a world reknown floutist (it could be flutist, but I am not sure). I go with an open mind (no comments!), because I have been surprised by how good an act that I thought would be dubious was! Of course, I have also been severely disappointed, so who knows what will happen! You'll just have to stay tuned and see what I say about it tomorrow!!! Until then, just remember to Keep Smiling!!!
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All Images and Accounts of this Adventure are strictly the doings of the Author, and have Nothing to do with the Official Positions or Opinions of Timethief Photography, its affiliated divisions, or anyone associated with the company. If you have any issues with the accounts, how people or places are portrayed, or with any statements of fact, take it up with him! Of course, he'll probably be off on another adventure!
Copyright 2000-2006, Timethief Photography
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