HR Manager Julie Berndsen was the guest at Coffee Chat this morning. She is from northern England and has been with Holland America for over 20 years. Her duties include working with the crew to ensure that all their pay and personal requirements are met in addition to making sure they are integrated into the Amsterdam team.
Julie from HR at Coffee Chat
Tonight was a Gala Night which means that we usually get an officer to host our table. It helps if you tell the Dining Room Manager that you are particularly interested in having a host, as sometimes there aren’t enough hosts to go around. Let them know your preferences and they will always try to satisfy them.
Ivelin Kolarov, the Beverage Manager from Bulgaria, was our host this evening. We had a wonderful time learning more about his background and his experiences on cruise ships and traveling the globe.
As a special treat, he ordered a round of Wang Wangs for the table. For those who are not familiar with the Wang Wang, it is a drink that contains virtually everything you may find behind the bar. Popular with the crew, you probably won’t find them listed on the drink menu. If you ask for one they will be able to make it for you with a smile. Here is the recipe and a LINK with more information:
WANG WANG
Glass: Pint glass
Ingredients:
.25 oz rum
.25 oz vodka
.25 oz gin
.25 oz tequila
.25 oz Scotch
.25 oz Burbon
.25 oz brandy
1.5 oz orange juice
1.5 pineapple juice
dash of grenadine
Garnish: Orange slice and cherry
Directions: Fill pint glass with ice. Pour the ingredients into the pint glass and pack with ice. Top it off with a dash of grenadine. Add the garnish of the orange slice and cherry.
The Holland America Singers and Dancers will perform 10 different shows this world cruise, usually lining up with one of the Gala nights. Tonight’s show was called “After Midnight” and appeared to be a modern-day Cinderella Story but featuring such hit songs as:
· Breakaway
· Rhythm of the Night
· Le Freak
· I Wanna Dance With Somebody
As usual, the show was spectacular – filled with outstanding singing and dancing – with wall to wall energy.
Back in the room we received a portable power strip, useful to recharge our phones on long excursions, as our latest pillow gifts. A complete list of all the pillow gifts is available on the blog under 2018 World Cruise Reference Items HERE