January 10: a few extras

Just a few odd things to mention before I may go silent for the next 8 days as we travel the Pacific in search of land! We have been receiving gifts along the way from the Captain and crew (HAL)...so far, in addition to the real Panama hats (that probably won't make it home), we have each gotten messenger bags (nice ones!), Moleskin travel journals, neck wallets for our key cards and from our travel agency very nice carry bags and windbreakers!
At each port we are given small cards with currency-equivalents and a few phrases we might need for taxi drivers, etc. in the native language...i.e. Where is an Internet cafe? Where is a toilet? Etc. The phrases are in their language so all we have to do is point. It also has our ship location and emergency info.

January 7: at Sea

It's finally warm! 80's with fairly calm seas. The wind and swells are behind us so it's a comfortable ride. We set clocks back an hour last night so I feel like I'm back to being an early riser. We're sleeping so well!
Today was a busy day compared with yesterday's rainy port day where nothing much is planned on ship. Too many choices today for the same time slots! I went to my knitting group which is a fun bunch of gals, followed by our excellent port lecturer, Barbara, who spoke about Panama City. We have been invited to join a dinner table tonight where she will be the guest, so I'm looking forward to picking her brain! (It's Gala Night, so we'll all be dressed up...not super fancy tonight...C's tux shirt is at the cleaners.)
Chris walked 5 miles and I walked 1...it's a start...and still I've stayed away from the sticky buns!
Our cabin is very comfortable...we are lucky to be here! I shall post this tomorrow (Monday) when I have cell service. Costa Rica tomorrow (Puerto Limon) but not sure what we will do...no plans at the present.
Home for the next 4 months:

January 6: Grand Cayman in the rain

Captain Mercer made an appearance yesterday at our Cruise Critic Meet and Greet (I've never seen a captain appear at one of these)...over 200 attended.
The other photo is from today...Grand Cayman is very rainy, so we are happy in the Crows Nest with reading and knitting projects.

January 4 and 5: Day 1 On Board! Excitement and Panic!

January 4 was just as cold and blustery as it had been the 3rd when we flew in, so we took a cab to Walgreens to get our "stuff" and returned to the hotel. The night before we had a welcome dinner put on by our travel agency where we met many previous world cruisers...only 1 newbie like us! But they were all friendly and welcoming with plenty of information about where we are going and what to see. We felt comfortable with all of them (over 250 were at the dinner!)

About 10:30 we boarded busses they provided and headed for Holland America's beautiful "Amsterdam." Once on board we quickly ate knowing we had a big job ahead of unpacking our 4 bags. The bags came at good intervals so all went quite well. We are quite organized thanks to tips from other cruisers. Off to dinner (prime rib and stir fry veggies), then get ready for sailaway party at 7:30....but....oops...in all the unpacking I realized I didn't see any of my medications! Searched and searched the cabin...pulled all the suitcases out from under the bed, and searched again. Now total panic for me! Finally called my home neighbor and they went to the house and searched as I told them where I had been...nothing. Called the hotel and they were kind enough to check the room again too...nothing. So, I was resigned to have the ship doctor help me deal with it. But, while I was reading last night, I all of a sudden remembered I had put all of them in a purse I packed! They were there! The only thing I hadn't double-checked! WHEW! So, the first night ended on a happy note! Light rocking and rolling, the kind I like that puts you to sleep!
This morning is grey and cool with light seas. A good sea day. Lots going on today so we have to make priorities. Mine are the knit group organizational meeting 10-11, and then Cruise Critic's Meet and Greet 11-12. Cruise Critic is an absolute must for anyone who Cruises. It's an online community where you find out virtually anything and everything about cruising. The best feature is always the Roll Call where you sign up according to what ship and date you are on, so you can find others there to share tours with, etc. Several of our tours have been set up this way for this trip so it will be nice to meet in person. One woman put together an entire book about this World Cruise which included photos and bios of members going on it, itinerary, books to read, fancy dinner schedules etc. It's a PDF file we downloaded. Met some fellow RV travelers last night because I recognized them from the book.
Chris is off to get his usual sudoku that he does each morning on ship and I am doing this.
Our cabin is lovely and it's fun to see quite a few Lido stewards here from our past cruises. The Captain is one we've liked very much (rumor is that this is his final cruise.) And...we start off on a great note...ABBA FAB is the entertainment tonight! One of the best entertainment groups on board or anywhere! The piano bar is all Billy Joel and Elton John tonight, too, which means that Terry, from ABBA FAB will be banging on the keys too...close your eyes and he's Elton and Billy! Great music!
I shall post this tomorrow when we are in Grand Cayman. Thanks for coming along!


Sent from my iPhone

Webcams along the way!...

For some people who have time and interest, here is a link to webcams that are in various ports along the way. It's usually fun to see us going through the Panama Canal (January 9)...the Miraflores lock (last one we go through) offers the best view of the ships...usually we are going through that lock late afternoon, but it's dependent on traffic through the locks.

http://www.cruisin.me/cruise-port-webcams/

Clothes packed! And...Gone!

Love "cubes" to pack in. 5 medium, 3 small, 1 large holds everything but a long gown. (I have mostly EBags cubes.) Shoes and loads of miscellaneous will be packed in and around all our cubes. This is looking doable!  Small cubes hold 2 bathing suits and coverup, socks, and underwear. Medium cubes hold 9 tops, 8 dressy outfits, 3 long sleeve tops with long skirt and dressy jacket and lightweight scarves, 3 long pants and 4 capris. Large cubes holds Safari jacket, travel vest, 3 tops, 1 sweater, 3 Safari/travel pants.

This is what it all looked like as Fedex picked up our 4 bags this morning...hopefully we'll see them next in our cabin!

What's Wrong with Picture? And...I didn't need this!

The guest bed is getting loaded with "stuff" to make sure to pack...but no clothes in sight! All this is just for our "comfort" and "in case we need it" on board. Keeping in mind that our current flu shots aren't very effective, I've added our "preferred" cold/flu remedies since ship supplies are very limited. I think I can open a shop to sell mosquito repellent and sun screen too! Real books are just being taken because we have them here to read and will leave them on board to trade if we want. Wire hangers are needed to allow more room in the closets from the wooden ones that are provided...they'll be left also. Of course my yarn goes to take advantage of some knitting classes on board and some projects to work on...and finish?  Many "consumables" will be added from the Walgreen's in Ft. Lauderdale across from our overnight hotel...convenient.

However, a tooth that became a problem this week has caused me to have a crown replaced, so a few trips to the dentist that weren't on the schedule...but at least I was able to have my own dentist deal with the problem and not have to find something mid-cruise!