ajcathy

We have done it twice and both times were amazing. We were on the Zaandam in 2017 and the Oosterdam in January of this year. They were very different experiences because the scenery is always changing with the weather and the ice. You don't need to set foot on the continent to appreciate the experience.

I have done the Antarctica cruise twice on HAL, Santiago to BA both times. First time was on the Zaandam and this past January was on the Oosterdam. On both trips the guest speakers were fabulous and the scenery is your daytime entertainment. (You only have a few hours of darkness!) Both times it was a trip of a lifetime and I won't rule out doing it a third time. I enjoyed the Music Walk every night and there were guest entertainers in the showroom at least four times.

I called the number associated with reservations for dining listed on the website and gave them the booking numbers for myself and the couples we are travelling with and was easily able to make reservations for six in the Pinnacle Grill. They applied our HIA credit no problem. I also asked to have our numbers linked so that we would be assigned to the same group on shore excursions. Have done this many times and always checked when I got on board to make sure it had been done.

Just returned from Amsterdam after our TA on the Rotterdam in April. Got to see the tulips. This was my third time in the Netherlands and I enjoyed this one the most. Such a civilized place. Probably going to go to France after this TA. The first time we did a lot of sea days was a trip to Hawaii before we had ever done a TA.. I admit that I was longing for land by the time we got there. I realized what navigators like Coumbus felt when they saw land in the distance. But that was then. Now, I regret the end of the voyage.

We are booked on the May Zuiderdam TA and can't wait. This will be our fifth TA and we like this itinerary because it is longer than most and the Irish and English ports are a little unusual for a TA. For us, this is the cheapest most comfortable way to get to Europe. Sometimes we do B2bs but this time we are staying for about 10 days on land, haven't decided where yet. I am never bored on ships but I have travelled with others who are. If I were to ever get bored, I would just go stare at the wake and the clouds. They are endlessly fascinating.

Just returned from 21 days on the Rotterdam and the everyday items are not always listed but onion soup, Caesar salad, salmon, chicken and a steak are the menu items that should always be available. The waiters are very accommodating for special requests. I love brussels sprouts and if they show up anywhere on the menu I always ask for some and I always get them. If you can't make up your mind between two appetizers they will bring you both. We ate all but three meals in the MDR and could always find something we were happy with. I thought the food was very good as did everyone in our party of eight.