2013 Sea of Cortez Voyage Day 1, San Diego

I have to say that today was a milestone….  I have never felt so welcome at an embarkation of a cruise ship.  It all started with David Allen from San Diego shore side ops who met me at my limo and walked me right on through security and arranged for my check in onboard.  I have dealt with David on a number of occasions on the West Coast and he is the best!  He handed me over to my old friend Bart who was the Culinary manager on the Amsterdam for a long time until he was promoted to Hotel Director and had to move to another ship.  In the first 20-30 minutes onboard I think I met almost all the staff from the Captain on down.  I found that there are a number of familiar faces.  What an amazing start!  They have really bent over backwards to make me feel at home…  they were extremely successful.  Life is good!  Onward to Cabo San Lucas!!

 

Day 73 Los Angeles, California

Well, the time has come and the 2013 Grand Pacific & Far East Voyage has come to a close…..  It is sad that I have to leave but, I guess I would be in the way at dry dock.  I left the ship early in my Limo and headed to San Diego.  My head was filled with amazing memories of a wonderful voyage filled with new discoveries.  I will miss my friends but I am sure I will see each and every one of them on a future voyage.  Time to close that chapter and head to the Statendam for some new discoveries and adventures….

 

Day 72 At Sea

My how time flies….  Can’t believe it’s time to say goodbye to old friends and some wonderful new friends.  It has been an amazing voyage!  I truly enjoyed some of the out of the way places we visited.  Tomorrow I leave the ship early and head for San Diego.  I hope to board the Statendam right away but….  They have been under code red so that could be a problem.  I hope there isn’t any major delays….  Before you know it (two weeks) I will back aboard the ms Amsterdam, my home away from hope.  Dinner this evening was wonderful…  not only were my table mates, Brad, Gloria, Jim & Jessica there but Tom, Helene, Bob & Marsha out new friends joined us as well.  It was a very special last evening!

 

 

Day 71 At Sea

Today was made for packing…..  Overcast, rainy, windy…  perfect for packing.  Got a lot done, also visited the doctor for some follow up work.  What a pain!  Tonight was excellent!  We had the Captain’s Farewell Cocktail party which was excellent and then Ton & Helene joined us for dinner.  Great time!  Excellent show tonight, Catch a Wave, a tribute to the Beach Boys…  One more day of packing and it’s off to the Statendam….

 

Day 70 At Sea

The day started out pretty well, just hanging out poolside, soaking up some sun and reading….  All was good until about 1:15 when I went in to get something to eat.  I had a bit of a mishap and banged myself up pretty good.  Have a lot of healing to do.  Oh well…..  On we go!  This evening was a formal night, our last….  We had a couple of wonderful hosts for our table…  Julie from Human Resources and Rene, the Spa Manager.  It was a wonderful time at dinner.  After dinner there was a Ball in the Queen’s Lounge.  Fun way to finish out the evening.  Tomorrow I have to start getting serious about packing…

 

Day 69 At Sea

The great weather prediction for today never came to pass….  I was able to sit in the sun for a while but, not long enough.  I took the opportunity when the rains came to do some serious packing.  Making progress but lots more to do.  I have to pack for my voyage on the Statendam and pack everything else that I won’t take with me.  This dry dock does create a little bump in the road compared with my normal get on the ship and stay for 7 months.  Tonight we had a wonderful dinner in the Pinnacle Grill.  I dined with Brad, Gloria and our special guest, our friend Rene who is the Spa Manager.  It was a wonderful evening….