bcummin

My deck 2 inside cabin 2676 had a nice shower last Oct to Dec.

Barbara

Great sleuthing!

I just dug out the printed "Art & antiquities of the ms Zaandam" from the 2022 Grand Africa Voyage.

"Eight Plates with Fishes and Sea-Animals" by Jan Snoeck (b. 1927)

These ceramic plates, with polychrome decoration, express the artist's desire to deform daily and ordinary commodities to fantastic creatures.

Barbara

We enjoyed the Hop-On Hop-Off bus on one day to get around the city,  Enjoy!

Barbara

Thank you, Bill & Mary Ann, for bringing us along.

I was on the recent Grand Africa Voyage.  We had a map & port information for the first port, then nothing.  The last few ports had some maps & port info available at the front desk - if you asked.  Try asking.

We had eight good singers and dancers.  I heard that one or two of them gave dance lessons in the Ocean Bar - after someone had asked.

Your World Cruise might see some good changes, if enough people ask.

Barbara

Hopefully you will have the good luck that I had recently on ms Zaandam.  Both of my Pinnacle Grill dinners were billed $0 right from the beginning.  I did mention my five star status when making reservations by phone and when arriving at the Pinnacle.  I checked my statement afterwards on the Navigator and was pleased.  

Instead of standing at line at the Front Desk, phoning or using the Navigator both work.

Barbara

On 10/19/2022 at 3:16 PM, sansterre said:

We are aboard the Zaandam and yesterday visited the fabulous Mercado in Funchal.  Before returning to the ship I selected 5 or 6 cut stems to put into our nearly empty liter water bottle in the cabin.  The cost was 7 Euros.

When we boarded the Zaandam we were told that no plant life could be brought aboard.  I explained that these were cut flowers from the market and we have always been able to bring flowers on board for our cabin.  Security told me no soil or plants could be brought onto the ship and he took the flowers.

Later I asked guest services if this was a new policy.  They had to check on that and called me back. Apparently it is new and applies to the entire fleet of HAL ships.  I keep thinking of all the times we have brought flowers on board, most recently in February in Hilo, Hawaii.  There have been countless other times when leis, crowns of flowers, or simple cut flowers have adorned our cabin.

Has anyone else experienced this situation?

Does anyone have an explanation for this restriction?

I am so sorry that you were treated this way.

I am also aboard ms Zaandam and bought beautiful flowers in Funchal.  I had no problem bringing them onboard.  And my Room Steward found me a heavy vase to put them in.

My bottle of wine bought on a wine tour in Lanzarote was confiscated by Security, but it was finally delivered to my room today.

I have had internet problems, mostly because I am such a dinosaur.  But the Front Desk has been very helpful.  That does not mean I am reading this thread very often.

I do still have the original letter that you described.  I have never heard of the prohibition of bringing flowers aboard before.  Hope this gets sorted out.

Barbara

I look forward to boarding ms Zaandam in a few hours for the 2022 Grand Africa Voyage.

First I want to post a public shout out for my two Florida heroes, Carnival host Eduardo and his HAL contact Sabina.  I landed yesterday in Miami at 6:30 am.  There was a terrible misunderstanding about my Holland America transfer to the Renaissance Ft. Lauderdale West hotel.  Eventually Sabina arranged the transfer that delivered me to the hotel about noon.  She also taught me the meaning of the word gaslighting.  Eduardo escorted me to the outside seats where the transfer van arrived.  The HAL manager Brian understands what went wrong and knows how to prevent future disasters.  He owes Eduardo far more than a cup of coffee.

Barbara

Our Maasdam was first bought by a Greek company, so she may well have been named Aegean Myth,

Barbara

I am also on the 2022 Grand Africa Voyage.  Although many passengers have had to adjust their plans, I personally feel that we have ended up with a better itinerary.

Barbara

You might be pleasantly surprised that you do not get seasick!

Enjoy your cruise.

Barbara

Thank you for this great thread and blog.

To me, Prins Christian Sund and Antarctica are both exquisitely magnificent.  But very different. PCS is like a grand fjord, confined.  Antarctica is a vast open wonderland with a variety of geography.

Barbara

Another thought is the possibility of a return of testing positive after Paxlovid, like what happened to President Biden.

Barbara

After our Voyage of the Vikings a few years ago, we bragged to our son that we had enjoyed poutine in Canada.  He informed us that they get poutine at our downtown pub.

Barbara in Washington State

Thank you, everyone, for sharing your Voyage of the Vikings with us.

What were the internet prices?  Before boarding and for the three levels of service available to purchase onboard?  This would help me plan ahead.

Thank you so much.

Barbara

I loved Eidfjord.  The affordable red troll trolly took us up to the burial ground and also out to an ancient church.  I explored the fascinating art museum and also the grocery store.  It even sold limited take out food.

Barbara

Thank you so much for sharing your cruise with us, especially the photos.

Where are the Covid isolation rooms located on ms Zaandam?

Thanks,

Barbara

Beautiful smiling granddaughter.  Lucky girl.  Is she the same granddaughter who went to China with you a few years ago?

The balcony room will be a treat for all of you..

Enjoy this special journey together.

Barbara 

Happy Anniversary!!!

You did well.  Your cruising days have just begun.

Barbara

There is a thread about ms Zaandam's first sailing since Covid.

Post #53 has what you want.

Barbara

Matthew, you are blossoming into a wise traveler.  And bless you for writing up the good crew members.

Barbara

I can remember when we could enjoy a free cappuccino after dinner in the MDR, but they started charging for it a few years ago.

Barbara

20 hours ago, OlsSalt said:

 

My sister has been debating about the 71 day Grand Africa - October 2022, and even was going to spring for a Neptune Suite if she could, but decided to hold off simply because of all the ongoing "covid craziness".  

 

There will be no future for cruising until this gets settled.  Asking everyone to follow strict guidelines and still find people get "covid" which throws them into quarantine or off the ship who knows where is just no a sustainable business plan. Sad to say. I want cruising to continue but not under these highly variable and erratic demands.  

 

"Case numbers" and "test results" are too variable and even meaningless at this time to allow any solid future guidelines for passengers to risk both vacation time and the cash. Sounds like the large majority of passengers are doing just fine, until they get the dreaded and random test results or minor symptoms.  

 

Yet, the entire industry is held in this prison of daily uncertainty. I can only hope once they analyze the ongoing data from the past few months in this remarkable closed-system experiment, they will find more stable  footing.

Please tell your sister that I decided this is a good year to enjoy the Grand Africa.  The ship is smaller, and the great Roll Call group has been anxious to sail for several years.  It is an extraordinary group.

Barbara 

Again, sorry that you are sick and having to go through all of this.  Thank you for sharing.

My solution would be for HAL to clean up a different isolation room for you and then move you again.

Best wishes for a good recovery.

Barbara

It is great to see Patrick in action again !

Barbara

The raisin buns at breakfast are memorable.

Barbara