bcummin

Although it is certainly possible to change cabins in the middle of a B2B, it could pay off to keep asking for the same cabin over and over until you get what you really want. Good luck ! Barbara

Is there handy shopping at this new container port docking location? Colombo used to be one of my very favorite dockside shopping ports. Barbara

Great ideas here. We love eating dinner in the Main Dining Room, and do not tire of their good food. Ask, if you want something not on the menu. The ms Noordam is a lovely ship with the full promenade all around the ship, offering all of the walking exercise that you want. I always wish that I could stay on the ship longer. You will probably love this long voyage. Barbara

Our cups overflow with good information. Thank you again. Barbara

Thank you so much, AFNavigator. There are so many differences between the ships, that your experience is what I trust. Barbara

I requested early fixed dining 5:30pm at a table for six, when I sailed alone. Two couples also shared the table, and we became like family on that long cruise. You could also request late fixed dining. There was a large round table for solos to enjoy lunch together, more than once. You will find other solo passengers. Barbara

I thought of another question, since you were there last year. 🙂 How many electrical outlets do you remember? Were there USB ports on the nightstands? Maybe two outlets on the desk?? Maybe one 110 v and one 220 v European plug??? Might the bathroom have an outlet for a night light???? Any hidden extra outlets anywhere? Thank you so much again. Barbara

Thank you, AFNavigator. Your words mean the world to me. Some of our family have never been on a cruise ship. Young mothers are very protective. Photos here have answered questions. Showers will be fine. I had spent hours googling and researching the internet. All I had was a dry bone. The HAL deck plans are accurate only as far as they go. No details at all about the bunks. Recommended websites showed bathtubs still in our rooms, which destroyed credibility. No photos of the bunks. I love research, but I was going in circles. All that I found was a photo of one fellow who had hit his head on the lowered bunk, and another of a bunk in what looked like the far end of an inside room? The room layouts did not agree with the HAL deck plans for our rooms. Those photos created more questions than answers. I hoped that by reaching out to everyone in Cruise Critic, the truth would surface. I was not disappointed. Accurate bunk bed photos and good information have been generously shared. I am deeply grateful. Barbara

Thank you also, 1025cruise, for trying to help me. I really appreciate it. Barbara

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, cruisingrob21, crystalspin, and Henk 123. It was our good Travel Agent, who said, "pull from the side wall above the sofa." Where are "all of the photos of quads on Main Deck?" Now we have a better idea what to expect. Barbara

Thank you. Do you know if they interfere with sitting on the sofa? Do they have a rail and a ladder like the bunks from the ceiling? Barbara

1005 is one of the cabin numbers, and your link showed a photo. However, the room diagram shows beds under the window. The photo has beds on the side wall, so I do not trust that photo, even though it shows a cabinet above the sofa. That same cabinet shows on a photo of our room 1002 (not a quad) which has no bunk bed. It is confusing. Barbara

Thank you, but I find no bunk bed information. Barbara

Our family cruise on ms Eurodam will have quad rooms with bunks that "pull from side wall above the sofa." We have heard of the drop down from the ceiling bunks, but wonder what these wall bunks are. What can you tell us about them? Does anyone have photos??? Thank you so much. Barbara

Missing a birthday is not all bad. 🙂 Barbara

Did you see the emus in Exmouth? Barbara

Possibly a group of you would have better luck getting a private tour operator to agree to your arrival time??? Maybe you could find a taxi? We enjoyed Ushuaia on foot, visiting the old prison, eating lunch, and strolling through the downtown. Nice shopping and local dancers near the port. Good luck. Barbara

Dr. Kam and his wife are wonderful. Hopefully he will also teach Tai Chi, which you might enjoy. Barbara

I think that the ms Westerdam is too large to dock in the inner Shanghai harbor. You might be docked an hour away from Shanghai? I hope that I am wrong. Whatever, you will have a magnificent cruise! Barbara

I have faith that the maps are on their way back. Our 2022 Grand Africa Voyage had next to none, but the 2023 GAV did have maps. 🙂 Several other voyages have also had maps. Hopefully the seas will calm down for easy access to the Falklands. Barbara

Thank you, Tim. I am pleased that both cruises had the good Antarctic speakers. Antarctica is so special, that it is really needed. Grand Voyages do seem to have more lectures for other things. And the maps are slowly returning. First the grand voyages. Hopefully other cruises will also be seeing port maps soon. Barbara

Tim, I have enjoyed reading your comparison of Antarctica on the Oosterdam and on the Zaandam's Grand South America & Antarctica voyage. Certainly ice and weather determine a lot, and you seemed to enjoy this second visit more. But how would you compare the speakers/lecturers and the Antarctic information provided by HAL? Did the GSA have better maps and speakers? Barbara

Our Washington State Ferry system used to give $2 bills for change. They probably still do, for what that is worth. Barbara

Your blog is most enjoyable. Thank you. An easy way to keep cooler is to use a wet washcloth. Fold it in fourths lengthwise and place it on the back of your neck. Let your camera strap keep it in place. Your water bottle can keep it wet, if needed. Enjoy this adventure. Barbara

Welcome home. Except for your sweet dog, it sounds like you miss the comforts and services of ms Oosterdam. 🙂 Thank you again for such a glorious journey. We got to do it in 2009 on ms Prinsendam. My husband wanted me to see Antarctica, where he had wintered over twice with our U.S.Navy. Really special. Barbara