oakridger

Exactly! The people spoke and HAL listened on this one. I do agree with @Mary229 that having the puzzles, coffee bar, comfy chairs gathering spot type library would be my ideal, but I give big kudos to HAL for going to the effort to put these new libraries back on the ships. ~Nancy P.S. I have a Kindle which was bought specifically for cruising! 🙂

According to Google Maps it's 0.6 miles/900 meters or 13 minutes walking. Haarlem to ML - Google Maps ~Nancy

Yes.

Taxi Uber and Lyft are available. Otherwise prebook with one of the shuttle services, as you mentioned. I saw some vans and suv taxis pull up to the pick-up area but wasn't looking specifically for one so don't know details for the larger vehicles. ~Nancy

Yes. If they have the ingredients, they will make it for you! Lillet Blanc and vodka plus the gin seems to be the key for making a martini to a Vesper!

A score of 85 or lower is not passing......................... Cruise Ship Inspection Scored 100 (cdc.gov)

My May TA on Zuiderdam already has many of the excursions waitlisted as well. I have read here on CC that they do sometimes add additional excursions if the demand is high, but have no direct experience with that one way or another. If I wanted to go on a particular excursion type, I would look into a private one. Since HIA, the excursions seem to be filled up much earlier than the past, which I understand. ~Nancy

If Santorini/Oia was that jam packed on a day in October, I can't imagine what it's like in July!!! It's a good thing your group got there early to enjoy it. ~Nancy

Sounds like the Azamara folks were having a bit of Windstar Envy! Azamara did have a live band at their gangway so your Windstar guests could enjoy that too!! What a fun night! ~Nancy

I loved the BBQ ribs last year! I made sure I went to the Lido for dinner when they were served because I could just ask for as many as I wanted without having to request more from the waiter in the MDR. I ate my fill of them for sure!! ~Nancy

Thanks! I have already booked Hotel ML in Haarlem after the May TA on Zuiderdam. It looked like a central area with many things to do within walking distance. Do you have any specific suggestions on places near the hotel? ~Nancy

It's sad that having service that "works" as it should seems to be becoming the exception on mainstream cruise lines. It seems like the more folks accept less than the service levels of the past on cruise ships that it becomes the norm. I try to set expectations in travel with the price of the service in mind, but it's often moving to the lowest common denominator. That's why I'm trying Windstar! 🙂 ~Nancy

Ha ha! That seems to be the case most of the time now. Cuts waste I suppose. I do love my veggies so as some on CC have suggested, on my next Zuiderdam cruise I will ask for an extra side of vegetables in the MDR. ~Nancy

What kind of steak is it? Is it really that good or different than the every day type steak offering in the MDR? Just curious! ~Nancy

After many years of taking BART, I no longer do so due to lack of safety/cleanliness on board. Very sad. I would use Uber/Taxi from SFO to the Embarcadero. About $60 ~Nancy

Yes, it's a great overview of the Norway ports! I read every word! ~Nancy

Those gifts are similar to the gifts given in the last month to the other Grand Voyages. They look very practical and it's good to be out at the beginning of the trip so you can use them! Good to see! ~Nancy

Narita Airport| YCAT Yokohama City Air Terminal - Yokohama City Air terminal - Thanks for this information @USN59-79. Yokahama to Narita Airport is currently 3700 yen = $24.74 Huge difference from $300!!! ~Nancy

Good morning on the Rotterdam @kazu! Your pictures of the great fish dishes are so good to see, and it sounds like HAL really is making the effort to upgrade the food experience. I haven't seen anyone mention if the new added cost Morimoto MDR dishes are selling ($25!!) and have you heard the opinion of anyone that has tried them? They really don't sound that great on paper to me. 🤷‍♀️ Thanks for keeping us all informed and entertained!! ~Nancy

@HaveDogWillTravel this is excellent information and very welcome as a future first time Windstar cruiser myself! Continue to have a great trip and whatever you feel like sharing with us will be very much appreciated!! Thank you! ~Nancy

Hi John. As always, I'm enjoying your report with all the info and pictures. Always something new to learn from you! I keep thinking I will not cruise to Alaska again, but I sure do love it up there. Maybe the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry is in my future for something different??? Hmmmmm.................. ~Nancy

Interesting. What do the Japanese do for drying their hands? Do they carry their own towels too? I'm enjoying all the info on this review as I haven't been to Japan.....yet!! ~Nancy

It's my favorite, but as you said it's huge so come hungry, very hungry!!! 🙂 ~Nancy

If the visible areas of the ship look that dirty and unkempt, I hate to see what the engines look like! ~Nancy

I'll be with you on the TA from Ft. Lauderdale to Ijmuiden! See you there. ~Nancy