Augie's mom

Hi everyone from Rome,

We arrived in Rome on Wednesday and it has been downhill from there.

DH took ill and has been hospitalized here and had surgery this morning. We cancelled our Noordam Mediterranean Cruise. So no live reports. Sorry.

 

Surgery went well and he is recovering. Hopefully he will be released from the hospital on Monday.

More when I know it.

Terri

Sorry to hear about your husband. Hope it is a speedy recovery and safe home for you. Looking forward to your next trip and the wonderful updates.

Take care

Terri (too)

Day 13, July 23, Venice, continued & sail away

I need to post even more pictures of beautiful Venice.

 

This, if you can believe it, is a hospital:

 

We bought pizza slices from a 'hole in the wall' and had lunch on the street. It's strange that street food often is better than restaurant food. There was still time left, so we decided to take the Vaporetto to Murano island (the glass island). It's quite relaxing to get out of crowded Venice for a while. I also bought a small piece as a souvenir in one of the more tasteful showrooms (Murano glass tends to be colorful IMO).

 

Fantastic glass sculptures in the squares of Murano:

 

 

There was a great express-Vaporetto, line #3, that took us quickly back to Piazzale Roma and from there we used the People mover as usual.

 

HAL Noordam was docked right next to us and departed in the afternoon:

 

We had muster drill at 8pm and sail away at 11pm:

 

It was nice to sail away in the evening, but much of Venice is not illuminated. After all, not many people live in the city anymore. You can see much stronger lights in the background, on the mainland in Mestre.

thanks

Terri

Hello everyone! I just booked a Canada/New England cruise on the Veendam. I haven't been on a HAL cruise since 2001. I primarily cruise on Princess, but this cruise worked out for me the best with dates and such. Anyway, I'm wondering if people who have recently been on the Veendam can tell me about her and about your experience? Was it good? I'm a pretty casual cruiser and often eat dinner in the buffet. I've heard that HAL has much more restrictive buffet hours than Princess so I'm prepared for that. I like reading and watching movies. Mostly I like to relax and watch the ocean go by. I read she was recently refurbished. That's good! Please just fill me in on your basic experience on this ship. Thanks so much!

We were on for 7 days in 2012, and loved it. Our room was nice (inside cabin) and clean. The crew friendly and helpful, and we found the food very nice. Yes it is an older ship, but I liked its feel. You will have a good time. We had as you wish dining, and often didn't go to the dining room till after 8PM and there was never a night that something on the menu was not available at our table.

Have fun,

Terri

IMHO Celebrity is premium due to some nicities you get, compared to others (e. g. Princess):

-cold towel on warm days at sea

-cooked to order items at the buffet

-sommeliers in MDR

-welcome aboard drinks

-drinks and cold towels when returning to the ship

--> Princess does not offer those benefits, no idea whether HAL does.

Many other people I know say that even Cunard has not the same standard as Celebrity, and costs much more. Maybe HAL and Cunard are more classic.

(Nearly) all media consder Celebrity as a premium product, while some media see HAL as premium, some as standard.

We had cold towels and cold drinks when we came back to HAL when in Bermuda, friends who have done warm climate cruises with HAL said they did it too.

Terri

Thanks for such lovely pictures and commentary. We will be on the Med.Explorer with the Noordam Oct.8 and will be stopping at some of your stops so the advance photos are wonderful. We have a tour booked to Lucca and we can't wait. Thanks so much

Terri

To my recollection on every HAL cruise I've taken there have been cool towels and drinks provided on the pier for passengers returning from shore excursions. In the case of tender ports, those amenities have been provided at the landing and not on the tenders. Has anyone recollection of such amenities being handed out ON BOARD the tenders - which usually are not roomy enough for such "cabin service"? I raise this because the lack of such things on the tender seemed to be the one specific complaint an unhappy cruiser mentioned on another thread. Could it be that he had been expecting something which, practically speaking, wasn't provided in his case ---- because it simply is not provided?

On our trip to Bermuda on the Veendam we had the towels and drinks at the ship when we got back before we boarded and it was delightful.

Terri

I would check the cruise line and see if they are offering any fly/cruise packages. My group got a good deal on fares for our upcoming cruise on the Noordam. Check Holland direct, or ask a travel agent if you are using one.

Good luck

Terri

No one can say for sure.

Veendam sailed several years NYC to Bermuda and then she didn't.

We'll take one season at a time. :)

 

Terri

Thank you for the lovely review, I will be on the Noordam in Oct. for the Rome to Barcelona leg and can hardly wait. Thanks for so many lovely photos.

Terri

The more posts on the formal nights, the more anxious I am getting about our AK cruise! If I read previous posts correctly, don't the more special meals take place on formal nights? I would not want to be embarrassed by being turned away from a special dinner with my sweetie! He's a tall boy, so his extra long clothes take a lot of luggage space. I may try a space bag and keep my fingers crossed it doesn't come out looking like he slept in it! See, I told you I was anxious! =)

If the clothes are too wrinkled you can have them pressed on board. There is a fee, but worth ridding you of worries. Enjoy your cruise, relax and cherish the time.

thank you all, I will just go to front desk, saves me $$ to buy and space and weight in my suitcase.

thanks to all for such a quick response.

TW

we will be traveling on the Noordam in October. I remember from my first cruise I had trouble plugging in my curling iron, I should have had a power strip would have made it possible. What size power strip should I get?

thanks in advance.

Terri

I've been writing a "blog" of our Mediterranean Cruise aboard the Noordam. Not exactly a 'live report' but thought some of you may be interested if you intend to visit any of these ports. Here's the link. Join us on our voyage!

 

http://medcruisewitharget.blogspot.com

I am doing this cruise in Oct. it will be from Rome to Barcelona. I am even more excited now after reading your "blog". thanks for the photos and sharing your experiences.

enjoy the rest of your summer.

Terri aka augie's mom( augie was my lab mix baby for almost 14 years)

Hope this doesn't sound strange. Has anyone booked two consecutive cruises on same ship and booked different categories for each segment?

 

I would like to book a Mediterranean cruise followed by the WB TA. Booking a balcony for the two segments isn't affordable. So I have been wondering if I could book an inside for the Mediterranean segment and a balcony for the TA segment to save on costs.

 

Just wondering if anyone has done this before putting the question to my travel agent.

Thanks!

Chelly, I hope you are thinking about the Med prior to the TA this year. I have been lurking on your roll call, as my group thought about doing just what you are talking about, but decided it was too long to be away from home, so we are doing the Oct.8 Noordam. I woud love to see your shipbuilding. Your roll call is quite active and interesting. What ever you decide have a great time.

thanks

Terri aka Augie's mom

It's settled will do the laundry most likely by the bag. Thanks for all your valuable knowledge, as I only was on one cruise before this next one, and it was only 7 days from my home port suitcase weight and the amount of clothes needed wasn't an issue. This time 20 days out of the country made me want to explore my options.

thanks again

Terri

If you are asking, please keep it all here. We can scroll back if needed, and love having it one place. You are an angel for all the info and fun you gave.

thanks so much

Terri aka augie's mom

Thanks for taking us along. I loved your trip and look forward to mine, on the Oct.8 same ports. You have given me plenty of ideas and I have/will cherish your posts as I reread before my trip.

thanks

Terri

many thanks to all for the great info. I most likely will do the laundry by the bag if needed. I did find out we will have a washer & dryer in the apartment we rented in Rome.

You all are so very helpful. Again many thanks

Terri aka augie's mom

thanks for the good advice. I don't want to take all those extra clothes. I am very excited as this is our first Med cruise.

Thanks so much for your quick reply. We are on board 11 days and we will be in Rome a week prior to sailing and one extra day in Barcelona. All in all we will be gone 20 days. I think if it is by the bag, I might go that way.

thanks so much

I read the Noordam has laundry service. Can anyone give me an idea of the rates? What I read said the price list is in the closet. I am deciding how much to take on our Oct. Med cruise. Might pack lighter and have them do the laundry.

thanks

I am going on the Noordam for the Oct.8 trip. I didn't think I could get more excited, but you have me ready to go. thanks so much, can't wait for the next installment.

Terri aka Augie's mom

Great choice in purses, and really nice hair cut.... I will make sure to get mine cut pre-cruise. Again many thanks for the photos and helpful hints. Your photos were my treat after doing my house chores.

We(three women friends) are going on the Noordam next October, starting in Rome and ending in Barcelona. You have made us even more excited about what to see and EAT!!!! Your travelogue is wonderful thank you for taking the time to do it. I look forward to the Rome photos. We are planning a few days pre-cruise to sight see the sights. Again many thanks.