21 November 2018; Nieuw Statendam, Building 9 days to go.

Another day in the shipyard and one that was not windy but still chilly even with the sun coming through. The finishing-off of all the areas continues and we are talking now about the finishing touches. Signs are appearing, the shop crew is starting to install their merchandise in the shops and everybody is running around with checklists to see what is still missing or what still needs attention. You cannot make a turn around the corner without you are run over by yet another trolley stacked with goodies, all bound now for a final destination. There is really the feeling in the air that the ship is progressing according plan and that things are looking well.

And there it is…………………….. official. Our new venue The Rolling Stone Rock Room.

In the meantime the drills continue as the 1000 crew we have on board now all have to learn to march to the same tune. In the same way as a brass band. Everybody can play an instrument but with no drilling and rehearsing they will not play in tune. And so it is with us as well. Every crew member is individually trained and certified but now they have put in practice what they know in a structured system and as a team……………. A rather big team.

The full dining room team ready and waiting for the invasion.

Who are also rehearsing are the restaurants and to the delight of all the crew, everybody was invited to dine in the dining room last night. And that is for a regular crew member a very big thing. Special food and on top of that ……………being served. A 1000 do not fit at the same time so it had to be staggered but at 1700 hrs. last night when the doors opened there were already a lot of very eager campers waiting outside. Scheduled and not scheduled. And a very good time was had by all. It is I suppose a very good way to test the flow from dining room to galley for pick up and a quick return with hot food. You can train the whole flow several times but you can only see if it works well when running under pressure.

The dining room stewards ready to escort all the crew to the appointed tables. But that did not work, everybody made a bee line for the large tables as this experience was to be shared with as many friends as possible.

With the introduction of the new ship, the company has also taken the chance to renew the menus and the Tamarind, our Far Eastern Fusion restaurant, has some exciting items on the menu. Also they are testing the systems. Last night yours truly acted as a willing tester with about 30 others and then night after night that number will slowly increase until a full rotation is achieved.

A menu is nice but quite a few groups were deeply considering to order the whole menu. Please note the glasses and the plates also a new design.

With all the cabins delivered, the Beverage Department has started with filling the mini bars in the ship. On the smaller ships not every cabin has a fridge/mini bar but here we have and thus every cabin has to get the standard supply of Sodas, Water and Alcohol. The alcohol / beer and mini bottles will come later as Italian Customs is quite hot on this and thus we received a little note. Not to touch anything as customs will verify. Alcohol is not allowed in the shipyard and everybody wants to avoid the situation of suddenly having a lot of very happy Yard workers in the ship. Plus our alcohol is duty free and that is another thing that a dedicated Customs Officer does not like.

The end of the music walk along the Club Orange. Once the protective plastic is gone it is complete and a nice place to see the world go by.

Apart from the mini bar, my the soap dispensers in the shower have now been filled up, I am the proud owner of a Holland America shower cap, which I really need with my hairdo and my balcony furniture has been enriched with a small round table. But still more to come. Today no development in regards to my balcony window so either they are thinking or the opposing parties have come to an agreement.

This is also art. A skillfully made up dish in the Tamarind. This is called Pan Nang and is a chicken curry dish but then curry done the Malay way. Served with sticky rice and a very good Jasmin tea.

More art is being installed, in the corridors and in the staircases but I am still waiting for the final last big pieces in the public rooms and lobby’s. This should happen in the next few days but as everybody is now walking around with furniture it is indeed wise to wait. All the furniture in the Grand Dutch Café has arrived. The easy chairs in the Music Walk outside the Club Orange are in position and the smaller chairs for the crows nest. With nine days to go, things are looking good.

Tomorrow should a similar day as today, chilly, with some sunshine, but most of all dry.