St Pete Cruiser

Three long toots. Thanks NA

It will be dark before they all leave for sure.

Seems like a non sailaway day. Remember, the ships use to leave at 5, and then 4. Now they are trying to schedule at 3. That just isn't enough time to load all the provisions and guests IMHO. Couple that with late flights and related weather issues.

Hi Everyone. Departure toots.

Just to update all, the Oosterdam's recently completed TA had the Lincoln Stage concerts in the World Stage with good reviews. The Zaandam on its Grand South America has all new shows (not Step One) which also have had very good reviews. The live singers are back along with the dancers. We have enjoyed both LSC and Step One, but it was time for something new.

Hi Roy, I'm glad you are able to be aboard the latest Rotterdam! I think she is the nicest of the Pinnacle class ships. Continue to explore around the ship. There are several more ship models. The Crow's Nest has the Stephen Card paintings and another model, I think the one of the Rotterdam V that was in the MDR of the Rotterdam VI. Even if you have Club Orange, try at least one meal in the MDR just to experience it. The colors, the dark blue carpet with the white walls, are more attractive to me than the red and yellows of the Statendam and Koningsdam.

Thank you for sharing your Grand SA with us. Another guest onboard has raved about the new stage shows. Have you seen them? I really have enjoyed the step one shows, but it is time for some new ones.

We are booked on the Zaandam Dec 19 to Jan 4. I haven't been on Zaandam since 2016, but I liked the open deck back there, something newer ships never have. There are stairs from the promenade deck all the way up to the Lido deck. I think there are access doors onto that rear deck area. Maybe someone who is onboard or with more recent onboard memories will give you more information.

Rudi was on the N Statendam this past summer. Very personable and enjoyable. He did a cooking class in the World Stage.

The fleet is very spread out today! Nieuw Amsterdam in New Orleans; is that the first time in a long time a Holland America ship has been there? Zuiderdam has cleared the Red Sea after passing thru the Suez and being rather close to the Israel/Gaza war. I haven't read any reports or news from the Zuiderdam which is surprising since it is on its Grand Africa itinerary. Zaandam is offshore of its Antarctica portion of its Grand South America and was viewing huge icebergs today. It must be extra challenging for corporate to keep ships in such far away locales provisioned and supported.

I will say that Rudi's on the Rotterdam, same sailing as Kazu, was very well received by our friends who dined there. I asked if I could "trade" my Pinnacle meals for Rudi's and pay the difference and was politely declined. The fresh seafood on the Rotterdam in the MDR was excellent as well.

I sympathize with you in regard to pictures. Having done the Zaandam in March 2016, I know how cold, wet and windy it can be there. There was a lot of wanting to see and capture the best views on deck or staying inside and looking through a window in comfort. Hopefully the Antarctic days will be beautiful.

Our friends Shar Pei with lion mane. Would scare me off I was trick or treating at her door.

Happy Halloween. Maybe a coincidence, today's destination is St Peter Port, and I'm almost ready to book the Nieuw Statendam's TA in April which calls there. I have been there just once, in 2010, on the Prinsendam. Do you think the big ship will be able to tender there as we did on the Prinsendam? I'm hesitant as i would want to combine it with the next 14 day cruise which goes to the Canary Islands, Funchal, Arricefe, Gibraltar and A Coruna, but that 14 days is much higher. We had a Halloween party invite for last Saturday night, and living in a 55+ community, we don't have any little kids. However, the people here do costumes for their dogs and there was a quite a parade of them.

Sounds wonderful. I'm glad you were able to experience it.

The Rotterdam had a dance band in the Ocean Bar on its just completed transatlantic every day at 4:45, 6:45 and 8:45. Many of us had been asking for this, so we were pleased.

I have been home 5 days and just now catching up on all the posts. Nice to relive good memories. I'm so pleased that most everyone really enjoyed the Rotterdam's crossing. I loved Jacqui's reports when she would say, "This ship can really cook fish!" We ate in the MDR, second sitting at 7:30, and loved the seafood which was often fresh rather than frozen. The salmon and cod were my two favorites! The cruise and travel director, Tjalling, had a coffee chat with the Executive Chef at 9:30 on sea day and he explained that Holland America is trying to use all sustainable seafood and fresh when they can get it. Leaving from the Netherlands with port calls in northern France and southern England helped. We did miss more fresh fish when we couldn't dock in the Azores, sadly, which he explained was bought and paid for. We also missed an entertainer coming on and the Contare boys were to leave there as well. Our good friend who was traveling with us felt Holland America is truly giving the Rotterdam, the often-remarked Flagship, extra attention to be the best ship in the fleet as he said Cunard does for the Queen Mary 2. Having cruised on every ship in the fleet, and 6 of the departed ones, I think he is right.

Our Rotterdam cruise from Amsterdam to Ft Lauderdale is nearly over. It has been delightful! Half Moon today was as nice as it gets. Step One's in Tandem tonight.

Thanks for sharing your adventures. As to the Origin Story , I have seen several times and always pick up some new facts. Sure would have loved Bill Miller's talks on the Rotterdams 150th anniversary crossing.

Greetings from the Rotterdam in the mid Atlantic. Today was our Cabin Crawl and my first Mariner Lunch since covid. Life aboard the Holland America Line flagship has been great. We wish the rest of the world was doing as well.

The Noordam is the only ship in the fleet with its original Oak Room. A favorite of mine.

The good ship Rotterdam is leaving Brest, France, on its transatlantic to Ft Lauderdale via Azores as I post. It has been a wonderful start with Amsterdam, Brugge, LaHavre/Paris, Weymouth and today Brest. Weather forecast looks good for the crossing. By the way, Ocean Bar now has a quartet for happy hour and early evening music/dancing.

The gardens look very beautiful! I'm sorry we missed that. There were a lot of white envelopes on our neighbors doors this morning. Meet and Greet tomorrow!

Onboard Rotterdam last night on the World Stage, the theater name now, were the performers Contare. They are young men who sing most of their numbers in harmony. Most of the material is very dated including a number from The Ink Spots: I like Coffee. If that is not appealing to the most senior guests, then I don't know what is! There is usually quite a mix available of entertainment, although we do miss the Lincoln Stage. Ocean Bar has a quartet for early evening with many old tunes.

Sailaway from Portland included a shoreside band and canon salute.