Amsterdam/Boarding the Jewel
After a great buffet breakfast at the Holiday Inn, we went across the side street to the Jumbo Foodmarkt.
“An extraordinary concept in an extraordinary location” definitely applies to Jumbo’s newly opened Foodmarkt in Amsterdam Noord. The store is located in Stork’s old ship engine factory on the River IJ. The building dates from 1920 and Jumbo has retained many of the original features, such as the winches and the cast iron windows. In this antique, characteristic building, the visitor encounters a brand new store concept. We talk to Herman Beldman, manager of Building and Shop development new concepts at Jumbo. He explains the store concept and the interior design created by Van Keulen Interieurbouw.
I believe that we went for Tom to get shoelaces but, of course, we looked around a bit.
As soon as we walked into the store, I spotted in on an endcap – Lime curd! – I haven’t been able to find this here in the states and lemon is ok but nowhere as good as lime.
Naturally, I veered the cart over to the display. I wanted to bring home more but Tom convinced me that 2 jars was a good number.
Product details
Traditional English-style Dickinson’s Curds are creamy delicacies made from real dairy butter, fresh eggs and pure cane sugar. Use this versatile indulgence as a refreshing spread to replace preserves…fold into whipped cream to create a frothy dip for fruit and ladyfingers…use as a glaze for fresh summer berries…or embellish tarts, cakes and cookies with elegant fillings and toppings.
We bought some other stuff, none of any importance, and went back to the hotel to finish packing. In an Uber and we were on our way to Cruise Port Amsterdam.
Cruise Port Amsterdam is your entry to the world class tourist destination and capital of the Netherlands: Amsterdam. Our unique terminal on the river IJ is just a stroll away from the historic Amsterdam City Center. Ideal for the independent traveler who can start exploring the city by foot. As well as strategically positioned to start an excursion to visit the famous Dutch highlights.
The Uber driver got us to the terminal and there was a T intersection. Different company cruise to the left, Royal to the right. Of course, he went left and couldn’t – or didn’t want to – understand why he should have gone right. Finally, we convinced him to make a Uturn and go the other way.
Check in was very easy and we were on the ship. Lots of people were wandering around the Centrum confused. I saw a guy sitting at a desk. Turned out he was the one who knew where we should go. We had The Key so it was off to the main dining room for a special lunch.
The Key Guests will enjoy the following exclusive benefits during their cruise vacation:
- Priority access during The Key designated arrival time (to be communicated via email). Other benefits may apply at specific ports.*
- Carry-on bag drop off with delivery to your stateroom. **
- Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring The Key signature menu.***
- Access to the fast lane at onboard activities (activities vary by ship)and private time at the Flowrider*. Didn’t use
- Priority departure at tender ports of call from ship-to-shore.Didn’t use – no tender ports
- Dedicated seating at shows in the Main Theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B, and Two70.****Didn’t use, there was enough seating.
- VOOM® Surf & Stream 1 of Device high speed internet per person who purchases the package. This is why I get The Key if the price differential isn’t much more than regular internet
- On debarkation day, enjoy an exclusive á la carte breakfast and choice departure. Didn’t go to breakfast but we had a special exit off the sip and avoided what looked like a massive line
When you receive your SeaPass card, it will have an icon confirming your purchase of The Key. If you don’t see it, ask your Stateroom Attendant or go to Guest Services to apply the icon.
After a nice, relaxing lunch, we headed to our cabin, then off to muster. Muster is getting easier and easier. I remember the old days when everyone would have to be at a specific location at the same time. You had to walk down the stairs – no elevators. Even before that, I remember lining up in rows in front of lifeboats. Someone would always be missing and we’d have to wait. He – almost always a he – would sho up late, drink in hand. Now you just have to watch a video or tell the crew that you watched it.
On this trip, I tried out yet another system for traveling with Omnitrope Growth Hormone. I actually tried the one I talked about in this post and it worked! As it turned out, I never actually used the electrical connection – more on that later. I filled out the RCL Special Needs form and they had a small cooler with massive charging cable. Eventually, I moved this refrigerator to the floor of the closet. Somehow, the cable had a light on it that would come on at inconvenient times.
This refrigerator also took up a much-needed outlet. The Jewel is an older ship and had only 2 US outlets. Luckily, we had a European to US adaptor, so we used that, too 🙂
We left port at 4:30, came back for a medical emergency, headed out again and another emergency so was 7:30 pm in Amsterdam and we were back where we started!
I wasn’t quite sure if this was a club or what.
I’m not sure why they brought chocolate-covered strawberries – or so many. Unfortunately, I’m alergic to strawberries. Tom gave it his best shot but we eventually threw too many away 🙁
Checking out the very small library on the side of the Schooner Bar. There were two bookcases like this. Few of the books were in English. Even though small, it was still way better than the Wonder where all the books were behind glass and no easy way to look at them.
And, we sailed on…
We went to the Boulevards show (oldies from London – fantastic group) the first night.
Introducing The Boulevards! A brand new 1950’s Rock ‘n’ Roll band performing the greatest hits from the golden era of music. The Boulevards are a 5-piece line up – Lead vocal and rhythm guitar, Lead guitar, bass guitar, piano and drums.
The rock ‘n’ roll band features a lineup of some of the UK’s finest musicians, comprising a wealth of television and west-end theatre performance experience. The Boulevards have been seen in productions and shows such as Dreamboats & Petticoats, The Buddy Holly Story, Sister Act, X Factor and All Together Now. The band members have all performed extensively within the wedding and party circuit and are experts in 1950’s Rock and Roll.
The Boulevards play all the classic rock ‘n’ roll hits from the 1950’s – from Elvis Presley to Chuck Berry; Cliff Richard to Little Richard; Jerry Lee Lewis to The Everly Brothers and Eddie Cochran to Buddy Holly. They deliver an authentic, uncompromised and electric performance of the greatest feel-good music of all time. Their barnstorming set is guaranteed to thrill everyone, leaving you rocking and rolling all the way home!
The Boulevards have a tremendous repertoire of rock ‘n’ roll music. They are experts at tailoring set lists to each event they perform in order to help create the perfect party atmosphere. Whilst taking guests on an exciting and exhilarating journey through the magic of 1950’s Rock ‘n’ Roll. Not only do The Boulevards play with such panache and energy, they are also styled authentically from the 1950’s era not simply just to compliment the music, but also to bring to life a truly remarkable entertainment experience for everyone.
It is their authenticity and attention to detail that sets The Boulevards apart from other bands. They choose to play rock and roll how it was intended – with a raw intensity, energy and passion that is wholeheartedly honest. They want people to relive the magic of the golden era of music in a refreshing and energetic way that inspires everyone to get up, dance and party the night away.
Each member of The Boulevards is proud to play such great music and they all take huge pleasure in entertaining people with it. Ladies- I’ve been buying this Too Faced brand mascara or Younique’s brand. They’re very expensive so I buy a cheap mascara just to wear everyday.
We learned that Daniel Gilham was the cruise director. Turns out he was in Jersey Boys so we may have seen him in that.
Throughout the cruise he wore a different tux every night except the night of the Arctic Circle when he wore a a Viking outfit,
Off to bed and looking forward to a sea day on our way to Geiranger, Norway
Tuesday, March 4 ~ Panama Canal Cruise
What a day! I spent most of the first part being nervous that we would miss the ship. There were phone calls from employees that weren’t sure what to do while we were gone, emails…
At 11:00 we were supposed to check out and housekeeping came by to check on us and I told her “soon”.
My sandal broke, the part next to the heel separated from the sole. <sigh>
Finally, we checked out at noon and set off to find the place to return the rental car that we never really used. A wrong turn or 2 and we finally got there about 1:00. Tom called for a taxi. We waited and waited. Tom called again. Finally, the driver got there and we reloaded our luggage.
Fortunately, the port was only about a mile a way but there was a lot of traffic to the port and all cars had to stop and everyone had to show IDs. That slowed everything up.
Dropped off our luggage and finally got in the terminal building. It was nearly 2:00. Tom had been thinking we had until 4:00 to get onboard – I reminded him that this ship sailed at 4:00. We had to be on by 3:00.
Fort Port Lauderdale Embarkation
Weather Forecast: Sunny High 77 / Low 69
Sunrise 6:41 am / Sunset 6:23 pm
From the Navigator: As soon as all the passengers and crew are onboard and all pre-departure checks have been completed, the Captain will give the order to let go our mooring lines. Once clear from the berth, Coral Princess will make her way out of the harbor before disembarking our pilot and altering our course to starboard. We will then set southwesterly courses through the Straits of Florida toward the Old Bahama Channel, as we make our way towards Aruba.
A hustling, bustling port – not just cruise ships. As far as I could tell, we were the only cruise ship there.
A lot of people got there about when we did but the lines moved fairly quickly…until it was time to actually board the ship. That’s when you swipe your new card and they add your picture to the record for to be sure you’re who you say you are when you come back from port.
We got on the actual ship and were directed to the left. We followed lots of other folks and ended up at an elevator. Up to our cabin and our first 2 pieces of luggage were already there. The third was only a few minutes later. Very speedy!
I like this ship – Coral Princess!
The cabin is (or seems) bigger than the one on Norwegian (NCL). There is a desk instead of a couch (NCL). The couch wasn’t very practical – the desk really is.
We have a walk-in closet which is really nice. We haven’t even filled it halfway up (yet). It’s at a right angle to the sleeping area which makes it seem like a separate room.
The bathroom is small. I think the shower is smaller than NCL’s but I don’t spend that much time in there.
The end tables by the bed have actual drawers instead of open shelves.
The chairs on the balcony recline. They’re fixed on NCL.
No coffeemaker, though. NCL had one in the cabin.
We have a TV guide telling us what is on for the whole trip. The new Hobbit movie will be on later. Glad we didn’t see it in the movies.
Pool/Beach towels are in the closet. We return them to the cabin and the steward brings us new ones. We didn’t have to check them out and return them to the pool each day. Hooray!
This ship has a self-service laundry on each deck. I’ve never seen that on another ship.
We went off for muster Here, we had to take our lifejackets and put them on at one point. NCL, we didn’t take them. They showed us how to jump off the side, if necessary. Um, no.
I noted for future reference that many women on here wear white long pants. Not likely!
Tom went off to a meeting, I did some church work – uploading Sunday’s sermons.
I took a little video of the sail away and some regular pictures.
The sheriff’s boat, acting as pilot
Tom came back and wrote some emails. I think I napped. I didn’t feel like getting dressed for dinner so we went to the buffet. It seemed smaller than NCL but then I realized that they didn’t have the pizza and burgers mixed in. The buffet was all real food. Among other things, I had prime rib. Yummy!!! We got to sit right ”up front” in the center of the stern. Very impressive!
We walked around a bit, trying to get our bearings. This ship has a lot of wood on it, more “real” than the mostly metal ones I usually see. Teak tables, wooden doors.
I understand that this ship line used to be P&O from England before they became Princess. There are British hints all over, from the afternoon Tea Time, to the huge selection of teas at dinner. There are also pictures from the P&O line on the walls and 2 grenadiers guarding the casino. Tom thinks that P&O might have stood for Pacific and Orient – I’ll look that up when we get home. (Note – it is Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company)
I had wanted to go to the 7:45 Welcome Aboard show but there was some email to be sent. I think I rested my eyes.
Then, we went out and walked around some more – by Movies Under the Stars (MUTS) which seems to mostly be showing a variety of things. There are 2 movies later this week that I’d like to see. They put cushions on the deck chairs and give out blankets, popcorn, cookies and milk. It’s also right by the ice cream, pizza and grill so not too much chance of hunger.
We walked all around a couple of decks. It seems like we’re nearly alone on this cruise. Except for embarking, we’ve seen very few other people.
At 9:30, we did see the show. I thought that they would do snippets from upcoming shows but the singers/dancers did a “welcome to Princess” type song and dance and the comedian told some jokes. The cruise director, Susan Rawlings, told us a bit about what was coming up.
Walking around some more. We decided to get some pizza but they were just closing up. Back to the buffet – Horizon Court – and I had some fruit (and another egg roll)
There was a note on our bed after dinner that they would be happy to deliver whatever fruit we wanted to our cabin. Nice touch. Also, a Princess tote bag.
We had chocolates on our pillow!
Just a bit of church work, should have taken about 2 minutes, tops, but it took 11, thanks to this s-l-o-w internet connection.
I think I fell asleep almost immediately. If anything, I read one paragraph in my book.