St Pete Cruiser

On our Christmas/New Years cruise aboard the Zaandam, we enjoyed sharing breakfast in the MDR with a couple from the US who would leave a $2 bill next to their plate upon finishing their breakfast. Apparently, that was their custom as the gentleman had a roll of them.

Good evening all. I'm late to the party today. After a quick workout at the gym and an injection of "lubricant " in my knee at the Dr's office, we went to the MLK parade. Our parade, one of the larger ones, attracts marching bands from Florida and parts of the Southeast. The bands range from good to excellent. They not only have to play their instruments, today they have to dance and put on a show for us! The uniforms, the hair, the hats and the music puts many cruise ships to shame. Thanks for sharing and caring posters and readers.

It is 20C in Ft Lauderdale. The cruisers from Canada will be in shorts and tank tops and the Floridians will be in ski parkas and knit caps!

Checking in from sunny St Petersburg where it is just 60F. It has been cool and cloudy all morning, but the blue skies have returned. I see Rotterdam backing up.

That is great to hear. Our guest service manager on the Zaandam told us that now that the ships are sailing full and that the fares have increased, expect to see more of the little things that were cut after covid return.

Yes, Barbara Haney was a jewel. We invited her to have dinner with us on the Volendam as her career came to a close and she was still delightful.

Zaandam, with new carpet and chairs, is still the same layout, too.

I certainly enjoyed Napier last March. There was an elderly man there with his 1938 Buick. He was very excited to talk with me as my mother's sister and brother-in-law all worked for Buick in Flint, Michigan where his car was built.

The rules included no OBC.

Rolling Stone, almost the same music.

Well, I heard the NA'S toots and the Love Boat once before the screen froze.

Nice to see the Nieuw Amsterdam, close up and all. It is sunny and 75 here after a nice hard rain this morning. NA should have a better cruise than 2 weeks ago.

Ocho Rios was pretty good last Monday. I thought the drivers and vendors were at least trying to be polite. We have never been to Falmouth.

I'm sure that would have been an enjoyable cruise! I just debarked the Zaandam with Captain Michiel Willems. He was an easily approachable officer. Just as trim as ever. We had to back into pier 26 past the new Silver Nova. When I spoke to him upon leaving about the Nova, he said he sure would like to have that ship in our fleet under his control. About the same size as Zaandam, powered by LG and fuel cells with battery back up.

That was a difficult maneuver this morning to back in past the Silver Nova. Zaandam does not have the azipods either. Very capable bridge team.

Sorry, I don't know why it posted as a download. 20240104_084805.heic

Good morning everyone from the Zaandam in Ft Lauderdale, pier 26. We had a medical disembark at Nassau last night on our return from Half Moon Cay. That caused us to arrive about 3 hours late. Trouble for the early flights, so they gave everyone wifi. We are taking Amtrak to Tampa at 12 noon, so we are sitting in the Crow's Nest allowing those in a hurry off first. Zaandam still pleases and we leave both happy and sadly as I'm not sure if and when we will return.

We had to pass by Celebrity when we left and now, because we were late, back in past the new Silver Nova.20240104_084805.heic20240104_084807.heic20240104_084816.heic

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Here we come! 20240104_082146.heic

Good morning from the Zaandam. We are approaching the Florida coast on a beautiful sunny day. The high rise buildings lining the coast are clearly visible. Should be a nice arrival!

The Zaandam will be late arriving into Ft Lauderdale as we are medically disembarking a crew member in Nassau as I post this. Expecting to dock about 9am.

We will arrive early tomorrow after all the hoopla for the World Cruise is over. There is a couple who boarded in Montreal in September and who are staying until February, nearly 6 months! 20240102_140803.heic

Good morning everyone. An exciting day for those beginning Grand Voyages! Best wishes for a healthy and happy Voyage! Today is our last day on the Zaandam. Half Moon Cay awaits as the tenders are already in full operation. We picked up a man last night on a disabled sailboat about 9pm in Bahamian waters. Our good deed for the day! Enjoy your day! 20240103_071509.heic 20240103_071514.heic 20240103_072027.heic 20240103_072306.heic

Greetings everyone from our next to last day aboard the Zaandam at sea, now just north of the Windward Passage. It was a sunny and warm morning until we passed by the eastern tip of Cuba and then we hit rain and much cooler conditions. I was looking forward to the deck chairs on the Promenade deck, but it became too wet and cool, so we are up at the Lido with the roof closed. We attended the City on the Sea, which is very good. The champagne went to a couple who have just completed nearly 200 days aboard Zaandam in the last 15 months. Last night was a new comic with a good show. Tonight, The Knights return to the World Stage. It has been wonderful to return to a ship so much like those I grew to love, all the S class and R class. The Zaandam is, for the most part, looking very good. The hotel and guest services managers assured me that Holland America Line will resume some of what they quit doing now that the ships are sailing full and at higher fares. We did have lobster for the gold Gala dinner again. They brought out the after dinner mint/date cart and it was hosted by a dining room staff person even if without the old bell captain uniform. Stage shows with singers and dancers will return. Enjoy your day all. My best to the Volendam and Zuiderdam Grand cruisers about to leave. Cheers to a great years start. 20240101_093248.heic