VMax1700

Monday 13th June Evening update: Very few wearing masks, even though there were 4 masks waiting for us in our stateroom. Tonight at the Origins Story there was only 1 other couple wearing a mask on the ground level. Earlier today we had lunch in the Lido and finished with bread pudding mmmmm Unfortunately the Lido is almost serve yourself in some areas, notably the bread, sandwiches area. I find that disappointing and worrysome. (I am going to keep each post short incase internet drops)

Here is a map of our intended route (just to test the internet!)

Onboard Oosterdam and settling in. We were due to be collected from our hotel at 11.15am and the driver arrived at 11.00 am. We were underway by 11.05. He said it would take 1hour 38 minutes according to google maps. I think he was trying to prove google maps wrong as he drove like a maniac. For the last 20 kms he left the main road and brought us in along the coast road (at a much more sedate pace) and it was a lovely drive. He pulled up outside the terminal and our bags were taken promptly from us (no tipping!) and we were asked to show our boarding docs and shown to the door of the terminal. Very pleasant port police asked to see our passports and boarding card (used Navigator) and we were directed along to 'Health Check'. I produced Verifly, but they wanted to see how many shots we had received and the date. She also asked to see the actual Covid test result and the names on the document, so all in all Verifly was not required. Next was 'Check in' where we smiled into a screen and produced our passports and then through a security screening and onto the ship. So even allowing for the Covid vax and test results 'upset' we were onboard and in our cabin by 1pm 😁 Our check in time was listed as 1.20pm and I did notice that they did have an area set aside marked 'For Early Arriving Guests' at the inital passport/boarding pass check, but there were no lines so we were waved straight through even though we were 30/40 minutes early.

Thanks to all for the 'Bon Voyages'. We are now safely onboard Oosterdam. I will give the full details on my 'Nearly Live from' thread. Aircon has stopped working since the occupants of the room next door tied open their verandah door 😬

Happy Monday everyone.😁 Well it is for us as soon we will be heading towards Trieste and Oosterdam. I looked at Navigator this morning looking for updates (see thread about HIA+) and noticed some rather silly and thoughtless planning. Sailaway for us is, and has been for several months, 7pm. So why is the Sailaway Party listed for 4.30? We are in group B for boarding at 1.20 pm (presume that group A is around 1pm) so why is it listed at 12 noon to visit the Thermal Suite and Look and Book tours for Greenhouse Spa? I know that there are some doing B2B's but that does not explain the timings. Even Club Hal registration is shown for 1pm, will they even be onboard at that time? Anyway, that is this mornings whinge and whine over, so last check under the bed for anything that 'rolled' and down to reception to await our chariot. Next post will, I hope, be from onboard Oosterdam.

Morning @Sharon in AZ it is a little overcast in Venice this morning and a nice cooling breeze. Disembark day is always a little sad, but you have a lovely Venetian stay to enjoy!

Boarding tomorrow in Trieste, Italy, and my Navigator is not showing that at all. When I go to 'Wines, cocktails and bars' all I can see is options for 'Wine Menu' 'Sommelier suite' 'Billboard Onboard' 'Rolling Stone Lounge' 'Ocean Bar' 'Lido Bar' 'Sea view Bar' etc.

Sharon, we are in 6117 I will email later. Tks Colin

When we switched off 'flight mode' on our phones, there were emails from Verifly to say that the review of test results were complete and to check the app for status. Drum roll please................Ready to Sail (in green letters!) yippee!

Our hotel had this notice in reception about testing. I am posting it incase it is of use to someone. I have checked and the QR code is linking ok. There are two facilities and I checked the one in Pza Roma and they are open tomorrow (Sunday) with plenty of availability.

Also in the baggage hall there are ticket machines for Alilaguna, ATVO bus etc

Inside VCE baggage hall there are phone/mobile device charging points. They are free but you do need a European 2 pin plug/adapter.

Venice on final approach, with dusk falling, Apologies for quality

Well, we have eventually arrived at our hotel in Venice Mestre. Our flight was delayed due to the incoming aircraft being delayed on a previous flight, however we did have a further delay to boarding and eventual departure due to 2 'illegals' being found onboard. Apparently two men from Georgia (Europe!) had managed to board the aircraft in Venice without proper documentation and they were escorted from the plane by Irish Police. The plane was then delayed as the illegals were processed and put back on the plane for return to Italy. So, instead of arriving at VCE at 7.55 pm it was 9.30 before we reached the terminal building. when we got onboard the plane we were quite happy - just look at those smiling faces!

I did my call about 12 days out. Needed to time it so that they had allocated the GTY cabins and had run their inventory figures and knew what was available. To my mind 30 days out is too early.

The address is Piet Heinkade 27, 1019 BR Amsterdam, Netherlands

Covid test results (both negative) where back within 30 minutes and both have now been uploaded to Verifly. It did need two devices, as Verifly request, date, time, practitioner name etc, so I had that open on laptop and entered details on phone. They did state that the document was received and we are now waiting on confirmation from Verifly that the results have been accepted.

Today so far: Got to the airport and parked the car. Terminal is quiet and the baggage drop/check in for Ryanair was not open so we were second in the queue. It opened shortly afterwards and although one bag was slightly overweight (not saying whose 😉) we were soon heading over to the test centre for our Covid test. We were about 45 minutes early for our appointment, but they took us immediately and the tester had the softest touch! 10 minutes later we had negative results. No one at security so we are now in the Aspire Lounge and I am on my second Merlot. Flight is delayed by 40 minutes, so there may be a couple more drinkies! 🍷

Saturday 11th June. Bags packed and weighed to ensure no charges at the airport. Flights to/from Cork and Venice appear to be running to schedule and the seat between us on the flight is still showing as unoccupied, but the flight is very full 🤞. 😁 Just about to start running through the 'lock up checklist' before we start our latest adventure. Safe travels to all joining us on the ship and safe home to those who will be debarking on Monday.

We have done the North Cape cruise but would love to go to Spitzbergen. Disappointing about @Red Haired Lady's itinerary change, although Lofoten Islands seem interesting. Definitely would need confirmation of access to Spitzbergen before booking.

Thanks, bags all packed and ready to go to airport. Enjoy your stay in Venice and safe travels.

For Cork : https://www.butlers-buses.com/ Just noticed that they are fully booked until October!

Ship Inventory Dept, 1.888.628.8107 or 206.626.7381, same as the number for Club Orange. I called last week, which was 12 days before embarkation. Agent said there was no email sent out, wait a moment and I check, and then gave me a great price 😁 I love the way that the call is answered and the message says 'have your credit card ready' 😉

That will probable disappoint a few people, but we have never gone to MDR for lunch (except Mariners or Collectors) also never gone for breakfast. Much prefer to forage in Lido.

ED -3 At 8.33am Irish time (00.33 am Seattle time) I received an 'Important Notice' email to say that the Health Questionnaire was available on the Navigator App or on the website. Such excitement so early in the morning! 😉 I used the website (easier on the eyesight) and a few minutes later the questionnaire had been completed and submitted. I then opened Verifly on my phone, select Holland America, select Manage Trip, select Manage Checklist and there it is, a beautiful big green tick (check mark) beside the Health Assessment. Now the only element outstanding is the Negative Covid test, which is scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday). (more to follow:)