NanaJPB

Anytime dining also offers shared tables, but your companions will be different each night.

March 30, 2024, Zaandam 14 day Mexican Riviera and Solar Eclipse

thanks, 

JOANNA

San Diego departure at 3 PM means everyone needs to be checked in by 1:30 (90 minutes). Three ships in port.  12 PM checking doesn’t seem doable!

Deck 6 has a very nice small deck all the way forward, port side, in front of ocean views 6001 and 6002.

1 hour ago, CruiserBruce said:

Is the third ship doing just a port visit? I think that is what I heard.

March 30: 4-night Catalina & Ensenada cruise on Disney Cruises.
March 30: 6-night California Coast cruise on Holland America.
March 30: 14-night Mexico cruise on Holland America.
 

from what I can see, all of them are beginning in San Diego on the 30th.

9 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Be aware Zaandam is also there that day, departing for a 14 day cruise.

Yes.  So, there are, in fact, 3 ships in port that day, all with departure time around 3 PM.  We’re expecting madness after reading all the posts about boarding in San Diego

And we did not received them at all on our last voyage, when we were supposed to.  F not the next one, I’ll have to investigate!

Thanks.  We’ll be boarding the Zaandam, so I hope you’re right, CruiserBruce.   Has anyone boarded there?  Easier?  Harder?  
 

we will have been in SD for 3+ days with a harbor view, so until checkout, we can watch the mayhem.

Joanna

I’ve seen several mentions of days when two ships are embarking .  On March 30, 2024, Three ships are scheduled:  Disney Wonder, HAL Konigsdam, and HAL Zaandam.  I expect it will be quite chaotic!  If there are just two slips, how will they handle the situation?

Thanks for any insights.

Joanna

Thank you for that info, RuthC.

On 9/6/2023 at 6:24 PM, AKJonesy said:Then, there are those ports that you don't go to early, like San Diego.  We ask for a late check out at our hotel then head to the port and that has seemed to really work out nice for us.  

Not to hjack this thread, but why not show up early in San Diego?

Moved to the intercontinental because of poor Wyndham reviews. Doesn’t make a change in advice does it?

Thanks everyone!  You’ve given us lots to think about. Luckily, we have several months to research and decide.  
 

joanna

I agree, Uber would be less expensive and more efficient.  I guess I was thinking more of the opportunity to get an overview.  We’d arrive knowing only that the zoo and Balboa Park were on our must see list.  We’d ride the Tour Trolley to and from there on the first day, deciding what other stops interested us and do those on day two.  Not an okay plan?

Joanna

1 hour ago, scottca075 said:

The Hop On Hop Off, also called the Old Town Trolley, is NOT your best bet, Uber is.

 

You can also use the real SD Metro Trolley to get to Old Town and La Jolla. You can use the Coronado Ferry to get across the bay to Coronado and then walk, Uber or public bus to "downtown" Coronado.

Thank you.  Can you tell me why Uber would be a better choice?

Talking about  Trolley Tours, not the public transit trolley.  The more touristy company.  

We’ll be spending two and a half days in San Diego at the end of March,2024, before a cruise to see the eclipse in Mexico.   We have reservations at the Wyndham Bayside, right across from the cruise terminal.  As first time visitors, we’ll want to visit the must do attractions, including the zoo and Balboa Park.  We’re thinking that the hop on-hop off trolley will be our best bet for transportation to the places we’ll want to go.  Feedback on this plan from those experienced with San Diego, please.  TY!

On the Zaandam last summer, I asked for almond milk.  They did not have it, but the next time I went, one of the baristas had fetched some for me and kept it in stock for the rest of our 35 day voyage.   It doesn’t hurt to ask.  I did not need to ask again, but YMMV.

We redeem DHs solely for cruising.  Cuts the cost when you redeem and builds quicker when used to pay for cruising.

joanna

2 hours ago, KroozNut said:

 

Cruising and dieting are not compatible with each other. 😉

Believe it or not, I lost 1 pound on the VoV, a 35-day cruise!☺️

On 7/24/2022 at 11:33 AM, REOVA said:

I personally counted red dots a few days ago (except for the few cabins originally restricted and closed off) and there are about 60 cabins in quarantine, including mine now. I am negative but wife positive so both need to stay in until she is negative so might be 1 per cabin infected. I doubt that 200 people are infected unless possibly counting crew or those already negative and released. Not everyone is wearing masks ("I forgot it in my room") nor washing hands even though the Purell machines now have staff reminding passengers. Not all passengers are calling if symptomatic as they dont want to get tested, even those who are hacking on tour busses or in World Stage.  Unfortunately the crew cannot force people to follow the rules which is probably why those of us who wear mask and wash hands consistently are not allowed out of cabin if mate is positive. They are doing  what they can but short staffed means many are working long hours and trying to get things under control. Today (Sunday) Captain said we are still moving in right direction but would not give numbers in and out. 

Not all passengers are calling if symptomatic as they dont want to get tested, even those who are hacking on tour busses or in World Stage
 

NOTE:  not all who are “hacking on tour busses or in World Stage” have Covid.  Other conditions cause hacking coughs!  My spouse happens to have at least two of those conditions. And, oh by the way, we’re wearing our masks and washing our hands.  

It is small, 4-6 ceramic lounges, small hot tub, sauna, showers (2, no doors or curtains).  It is usually a quiet place to relax (though, one time we had a couple of grabbers in there), not often crowded.  Hours, I think, are the same as the full spa.  I hope I’m remembering correctly … we’ll be there next month!

51 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

It was $999 for a couple and $699 for a single for the 35 days 

Thanks!

13 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

We do not buy the thermal suite and never even use the free day pass we get with 5 stars.   Many people really love the thermal suites, but its not our cup of tea.   

 

I'll see if I can find out what they were charging..

Thank you.  We are great fans of the thermal suite and are on the Voyage of the Vikings sailing this July.  

Hi Pete!

a question … do you and Judy buy a cruise-long pass for the thermal suite?  If so, can you tell me the cost for this 35-day voyage?  Thanks.

Joanna