JEFF..Are You Back???

Hi Jeff!
Unless I miscalculated, aren't you back from your cruise to Alaska?

--Jean

I am back! And boy am I glad I missed RTC this week! Whew, just
looking at some of the posts....

I have to say, the Amsterdam is beautiful, and so much the right size
for me...I kept running into people all week, which I like. I am not a
huge fan of the HAL decor style, but they did it right on this ship.
The antiques and art are nice, interesting, and placed in thoughtful
locations where they are not in your face. The color schemes are well
thought out. There are not weird little "bejeweled wall studs", as I
call them, strangely decorating places like on the Zuiderdam.

I think Alaska brings out a more interesting sort of traveler....people
who are actually interested in something. A little more wine than
buckets of beer....I little more read a book than participate in the wet
t-shirt contest. In short, my kind of folks. I met many interesting
and friendly people (and staff) of various ages. I even met one
grandmother who I hit it off with (she was also travelling with daughter
about my age and grandson who were both very nice as well) and she and I
went on the bear floatplane trip together. Not tons to do after 10:30
pm or so, although I usually did hit the 10:15 show for late seating.
One performer stood out...this young guy who sang and did
comedy...totally out of the box and hilarious. The single best
performer I've seen on a cruise ship in what, 15+ cruises. Also, the
best gym I've had at sea thus far, and 2 sweet young women working
there. Cruise and entertainment staff very friendly people as well
although I didn't do many activities on ship. Loved having the
capuccino machine in the Lido! Boy was I addicted to that!

Glacier Bay was very pretty and we had overcast and cool weather there,
but I stayed warm by doing laps around the promenade deck (aka, fast
walking). I have to say though....Hubbard Glacier is still the most
impressive one I've seen! But glad I went there. Did the whale
watching in Juneau which was awesome and we had many sightings, and then
picked up a little new watch there too (oops!). Did the floatplane bear
watching trip in Ketchikan which was pretty good. The flight was
beautiful...but saw just one bear, who did walk up our way for a bit of
a visit. Next time I'll stick with the plane ride through Misty Fjords
maybe. In Sitka looked around at the church, etc., and then took a long
hike up a mountain, which was beautiful. Didn't even know it was
raining until I came out of the forest. Met some locals doing that.
Victoria....too late at night to do much (unless I wanted to get some
beers...many pubs!) but just walked around and got a cool t-shirt at
Roots, a nifty Canadian clothing store.

All through the trip I took little self portrait shots of myself with
the cell phone camera and zapped them back to mom and dad, who enjoyed
that immensely. Now they're sorry they didn't go lol!

I am writing a review...or rather random thoughts probably. But all and
all it was very good. Food a bit spotty here and there, as well as
service, but in the end it didn't matter that much. It was a very good
experience. Thinking about Alaska again next summer!

The inside cabin wasn't bad at all....although a bit disorienting. Nice
big leather couch, although I mostly napped up in the Crow's Nest! It
did make me get out of the cabin a bit earlier in the morning and I
didn't spend a lot of time there. It was a good value I guess.

Seattle was marvelous, and I had great weather there. The Inn at the
Market was quite nice and the balcony overlooking the market and the
ocean was a wonderful place to hang out. Had a "to die for" dinner at a
restaurant called "Campagne" at the hotel. I also hung out in the
funky/trendy Capitol Hill neighborhood quite a bit. Almost made we want
to get a piercing lol! I will definitely spend more time in Seattle the
next time.

Jeff



Jean O'Boyle wrote:

Hi Jeff!
Unless I miscalculated, aren't you back from your cruise to Alaska?

--Jean

"Jeff" wrote in message
newsO1Te.16300$Sx4.10574@trnddc06...
I am back! And boy am I glad I missed RTC this week! Whew, just looking
at some of the posts....

Welcome back!!!..I know, I know what you mean about the posts..Too many
people absolutely filled with hate out there. It is okay to strongly stress
a point, but to do it with such hate and name calling is another thing!


I have to say, the Amsterdam is beautiful, and so much the right size
for me...I kept running into people all week, which I like. I am not a
huge fan of the HAL decor style, but they did it right on this ship. The
antiques and art are nice, interesting, and placed in thoughtful locations
where they are not in your face. The color schemes are well thought out.
There are not weird little "bejeweled wall studs", as I call them,
strangely decorating places like on the Zuiderdam.

Hey, it sounds as if you had a terrific time!...I like that size ship, too..
I think that I am going to have to stick with HAL to get the size vessel
that I want.. The Ryndam and Statendam were nice and even though the new
Westerdam is larger..it was okay, too.

I think Alaska brings out a more interesting sort of traveler....people
who are actually interested in something. A little more wine than buckets
of beer....I little more read a book than participate in the wet t-shirt
contest. In short, my kind of folks. I met many interesting and friendly
people (and staff) of various ages. I even met one grandmother who I hit
it off with (she was also travelling with daughter about my age and
grandson who were both very nice as well) and she and I went on the bear
floatplane trip together.

I see you noticed that, too.. ;-)

Not tons to do after 10:30 pm or so, although I usually did hit the 10:15
show for late seating. One performer stood out...this young guy who sang
and did comedy...totally out of the box and hilarious. The single best
performer I've seen on a cruise ship in what, 15+ cruises. Also, the best
gym I've had at sea thus far, and 2 sweet young women working there.
Cruise and entertainment staff very friendly people as well although I
didn't do many activities on ship. Loved having the capuccino machine in
the Lido! Boy was I addicted to that!

Which is okay for me...I'm not a late night party person..Glad you met some
nice people.
Did you climb the hill at Baranoff Castle?
You mentioned the weather at Glacier Bay..how was it the rest of the week?
Temperatures cooler than our July cruise, I guess?

All through the trip I took little self portrait shots of myself with the
cell phone camera and zapped them back to mom and dad, who enjoyed that
immensely. Now they're sorry they didn't go lol!

Too bad...I remember that your Mom really enjoyed it last year...maybe next
year!

I am writing a review...or rather random thoughts probably. But all and
all it was very good. Food a bit spotty here and there, as well as
service, but in the end it didn't matter that much. It was a very good
experience. Thinking about Alaska again next summer!

Good, Can't wait to read it.... We are considering Alaska next year, too,
but maybe in June or August instead of July like we have done the past three
times..The past two Julys have been too hot there.
Just can't get enough of that beautiful state!

Glad that you had such a great cruise and welcome back!
--Jean

Another watch??! Glad you had such a great time. -Diana

Yes, it's a sick addiction I have!

I must not try things on. I must not try things on. I must not try
things on.......

Jeff



D Ball wrote:

Another watch??! Glad you had such a great time. -Diana

Jeff wrote:

Yes, it's a sick addiction I have!

I must not try things on. I must not try things on. I must not try
things on.......

Jeff

My husband has the same addiction to watches. He does not wear any
other jewelry, no bracelets, rings, etc. The only "jewelry" he wears is
a watch, but he likes to have plenty to choose from. Some of them look
just alike to me, but he can tell you the difference between them. Me?
I am wearing a $10 Timex.

Becca

Hey Jean -- let me see if I can manage to intersperse comments yet more
here lol!

Jean O'Boyle wrote:

"Jeff" wrote in message
newsO1Te.16300$Sx4.10574@trnddc06...

I am back! And boy am I glad I missed RTC this week! Whew, just looking
at some of the posts....


Welcome back!!!..I know, I know what you mean about the posts..Too many
people absolutely filled with hate out there. It is okay to strongly stress
a point, but to do it with such hate and name calling is another thing!


Yes, it's a bit much! We're all experts of course on disaster response
and human nature, lol.


I have to say, the Amsterdam is beautiful, and so much the right size

for me...I kept running into people all week, which I like. I am not a
huge fan of the HAL decor style, but they did it right on this ship. The
antiques and art are nice, interesting, and placed in thoughtful locations
where they are not in your face. The color schemes are well thought out.
There are not weird little "bejeweled wall studs", as I call them,
strangely decorating places like on the Zuiderdam.


Hey, it sounds as if you had a terrific time!...I like that size ship, too..
I think that I am going to have to stick with HAL to get the size vessel
that I want.. The Ryndam and Statendam were nice and even though the new
Westerdam is larger..it was okay, too.

As you might remember, I wasn't too fond of the Zuiderdam! The
Amsterdam was "just right". I have to say...very much thinking about
taking a similiar trip next summer! Is there a SGC coming up to Alaska
next year???



I think Alaska brings out a more interesting sort of traveler....people
who are actually interested in something. A little more wine than buckets
of beer....I little more read a book than participate in the wet t-shirt
contest. In short, my kind of folks. I met many interesting and friendly
people (and staff) of various ages. I even met one grandmother who I hit
it off with (she was also travelling with daughter about my age and
grandson who were both very nice as well) and she and I went on the bear
floatplane trip together.


I see you noticed that, too.. ;-)

Takes me a while to figure things out but I finally got that one! I
think probably european cruises are the same way, but that's a bit more
$$ to shell out lol!


Not tons to do after 10:30 pm or so, although I usually did hit the 10:15
show for late seating. One performer stood out...this young guy who sang
and did comedy...totally out of the box and hilarious. The single best
performer I've seen on a cruise ship in what, 15+ cruises. Also, the best
gym I've had at sea thus far, and 2 sweet young women working there.
Cruise and entertainment staff very friendly people as well although I
didn't do many activities on ship. Loved having the capuccino machine in
the Lido! Boy was I addicted to that!


Which is okay for me...I'm not a late night party person..Glad you met some
nice people.
Did you climb the hill at Baranoff Castle?
You mentioned the weather at Glacier Bay..how was it the rest of the week?
Temperatures cooler than our July cruise, I guess?

The temperatures weren't bad....50's and 60's. I did get a bit warm in
Sitka hiking but that's to be expected. I did not climb the hill to
Baranoff castle...went the other way to climb the Gavan Hill trail (aka,
know as the "stairmaster" trail since it has so many stairs). I figured
I will certainly return to Sitka so I didn't feel the need to jam
everything in. I guess they also have sea otter and puffin tours that
you can take by boat which I want to do as well some day. A little bit
more late night activity would be good....also, they should encourage
more of the staff to stay up and dance in the disco or something like
that. Always used to see more Celebrity staff having drinks in the
lounges at night or whatnot. I'm talking cruise staff, entertainment
staff, etc, would be allowed to mingle with the passengers more on X.
HAL is a somewhat older crowd, which isn't a bad thing, but HAL could
"make up the difference" by getting the staff out there at night a bit
more, in a "non working" capacity.



All through the trip I took little self portrait shots of myself with the
cell phone camera and zapped them back to mom and dad, who enjoyed that
immensely. Now they're sorry they didn't go lol!


Too bad...I remember that your Mom really enjoyed it last year...maybe next
year!


Mom did enjoy last year! So when I was in Victoria I was talking with
them on the phone and they regretting not coming, although there was
some chance my dad needed surgery. But they are definitely interested
in whatever I do next!


I am writing a review...or rather random thoughts probably. But all and
all it was very good. Food a bit spotty here and there, as well as
service, but in the end it didn't matter that much. It was a very good
experience. Thinking about Alaska again next summer!


Good, Can't wait to read it.... We are considering Alaska next year, too,
but maybe in June or August instead of July like we have done the past three
times..The past two Julys have been too hot there.
Just can't get enough of that beautiful state!


I was wondering myself what May or June would be like. Do you think
there is more snow on the mountains??? I could easily skip Skagway
again in favor of Sitka. Need to think about this because I definitely
want to go back! It is such a beautiful place, and so much to
do/see/explore.

Jeff



Glad that you had such a great cruise and welcome back!
--Jean

Becca -- that is funny because I feel the same way. I wouldn't wear any
other jewelry so watches are my thing! There is a Tourneau store now in
the area so I'm actually thinking of selling off a couple at this point,
the ones I don't wear so much, and getting rid of them. So who knows!

Jeff



Becca wrote:

Jeff wrote:

Yes, it's a sick addiction I have!

I must not try things on. I must not try things on. I must not try
things on.......

Jeff


My husband has the same addiction to watches. He does not wear any
other jewelry, no bracelets, rings, etc. The only "jewelry" he wears is
a watch, but he likes to have plenty to choose from. Some of them look
just alike to me, but he can tell you the difference between them. Me?
I am wearing a $10 Timex.

Becca

Love the watches Karen. This is the new baby:
http://store1.yimg.com/I/jomashop_1861_7806906

Hopefully that link will work!

Jeff



Karen wrote:

Jeff wrote:


Yes, it's a sick addiction I have!

I must not try things on. I must not try things on. I must not try
things on.......


Jeff


D Ball wrote:


Another watch??! Glad you had such a great time. -Diana


Jeff, you sound like my hubby with the watches.

Karen


__ /7__/7__/7__
\::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.cupcaked.com/reviews ®
(...and leave off the nice ship to e-mail)

"Jeff" wrote in message
news:GkgTe.12837$IT4.7541@trnddc04...
Hey Jean -- let me see if I can manage to intersperse comments yet more
here lol!

Sorry, Jeff! Some more to confuse you! Not! ;-)


Welcome back!!!..I know, I know what you mean about the posts..Too many
people absolutely filled with hate out there. It is okay to strongly
stress a point, but to do it with such hate and name calling is another
thing!

Yes, it's a bit much! We're all experts of course on disaster response
and human nature, lol.

An it's sad, people who are safe and comfortable in their homes with plenty
of food are saying the most... sniping at each other instead of unifying and
helping..Some may not have evacuee shelters as we do here in San Antonio,
where we, by volunteering, are getting first hand stories as to what these
people went through and who they really are, Just out of pure hatred and
meanness... they are ridiculing everyone from the President down, by
listening to rumor mongers....They even ignore posts from people who
actually lived in New Orleans and are now in Baton Rouge, and know first
hand what happened, but just because they are so filled with hate and
partisan feelings, they attack.. Hate can sure discolor all things..even
goodness. Now on to the Amsterdam!

As you might remember, I wasn't too fond of the Zuiderdam! The Amsterdam
was "just right". I have to say...very much thinking about taking a
similiar trip next summer! Is there a SGC coming up to Alaska next
year???


Right, I had been considered booking her but decided that the Zeendam might
be our next or maybe the Oosterdam..but she is a bit larger...We spoke with
some passengers on the Oosterdam in Sitka, in July and they seemed to really
like her..but it was a brief conversation so I don't know how many other
cruises that they had taken to really compare.


I see you noticed that, too.. ;-)

Takes me a while to figure things out but I finally got that one! I think
probably european cruises are the same way, but that's a bit more $$ to
shell out lol!

It seemed that the passengers just acted more mature, no matter what their
age...Also the naturalist and park ranger aboard giving lectures and walking
the decks talking with the passengers was a plus..Did you have them onboard?
Maybe Alaskan cruises do not have the *party* atmosphere as the Caribbean
itineraries do..People wanting to sight see more than going to the beach
type of thing. Which is fine, it gives one variety that way.

Be sure to include the Baranof Castle on the next visit to Sitka..once you
make the climb, while reading its history before you start and after you get
to the top, the view is spectacular from the top. I'll send you some pics
that I took from there.


The temperatures weren't bad....50's and 60's. I did get a bit warm in
Sitka hiking but that's to be expected.

Puurfect weather!!!...With a sweater you are all set..We had much warmer
temps in July and the only time we needed a sweater was when the ship was at
sea!


I'm talking cruise staff, entertainment
staff, etc, would be allowed to mingle with the passengers more on X. HAL
is a somewhat older crowd, which isn't a bad thing, but HAL could "make up
the difference" by getting the staff out there at night a bit more, in a
"non working" capacity.

Did you mention that on your comment card? The staff was a little more
"subdued" on the Ryndam, too. But once you got acquainted with them, they
opened up...I got *hooked* on the cosmo...Ricardo, our favorite bartender,
recommended it to me..HAL has their own recipe for it and it not only has
cranberry juice but also grapefruit juice and when I found it a wee bit too
tart, he's always double the sugar rim for me!

Mom did enjoy last year! So when I was in Victoria I was talking with
them on the phone and they regretting not coming, although there was some
chance my dad needed surgery. But they are definitely interested in
whatever I do next!

Did your Dad need the surgery? I hope that it is nothing serious and that
they will join you on the Alaskan cruise next time!

I was wondering myself what May or June would be like. Do you think there
is more snow on the mountains??? I could easily skip Skagway again in
favor of Sitka. Need to think about this because I definitely want to go
back! It is such a beautiful place, and so much to do/see/explore.

I know of several people who have gone during May or June and ended up
liking and disliking it..It all depended on the weather that they had at the
time..One loved it because it was nice and cool; the other didn't like it
because it wasn't cold enough!! Guess it depends on where you are from,
too...Living in Texas, where it starts getting hot in March or April, I love
to use that parka and those sweaters that I bring! So, I guess we will move
it to June or September..but then people who live there, say the rainy
season starts up in September..Can't make it August as you did, as next
year, as we are booked with the SGC2006 on the new Crown Princess to
Bermuda,Turks and Caicos... How about coming along with us?

Now maybe we could do the SGC2007 to Alaska! I know Sheree did that one a
year or two ago! But I would like a HAL ship if we did that, just for the
size and wraparound balcony! Maybe Sheree is reading this and will think
about that suggestion as she is pretty much the SGC top honcho! One way we
could get Tom K. to go to Alaska, too. ;-)

--Jean