SusieKIslandGirl

Hi Jacqui, Thanks for posting our future cruise. We're on the

Jan. 30, 2019--22 day South America and Antarctica cruise. SusieKIslandGirl and Loren

I'm really enjoying reading your daily entries on your Panama Canal cruise. And it's great to see photos of the ship. Looking forward to being aboard the Zaandam in January and meeting you. Thanks for the great report. -----Susie

We just did a 2 week Christmas/New Year's cruise this past December on the Pacific Princess. We loved it. It has an old world elegance and I believe the passenger count was 688. The only drawback to its small size is not enough walking between venues so it's the only cruise I've gained weight on:(. Plus US and Canadian veterans get extra shipboard credit too-another nice perk.

Believe it or not, I think that price is cheaper than in Ireland. It was over 100 pounds at the one place I looked at.

 

It's definitely very smooth. I gave DH a small sip (he likes the stuff - I don't drink it often) and he concurred.

 

 

 

Was curious so checked the Washington State availability. Total Wine has it for $45.99 plus Washington State liquor tax (750 ml).

One more vote for the cold soups. Hopefully there will be a lot of comments asking for the return of the cold soups.

We take our computer to download photos and do some editing on sea days. We also make notes for things we want to remember of tours and interesting places we visit. Depending on how far the port buildings are from the ship, we may take it ashore to download emails.

Love the thermos idea. Would the room service carafe keep coffee hot all night? Could you possibly reuse one all cruise and fill it yourself?

I'd like to add my thanks for all the work put into the live thread. And I really liked the Voyage Planner. Do you think that's something that will be added to most cruises or just the longer ones? Hi to all the 2016 Westerdam gang.

Thanks so much for the information. Windows user here so I-or rather my DH-can figure it out for me. Appreciate your help.

Thanks-I'm usually on my Toshiba laptop but will have to experiment with my iPad.

Is there an easy explanation on how to do a screen shot? They're so fun to see and save but have no clue how to do it. Thanks!

Wonderful close-up of Georgina and Gerry on their balcony along with their maple leaf!

On our last cruise when I went to slide the suitcase under the bed it didn't quite fit. I lifted the bedframe just slightly and in the case went. There was a very small lip to the frame but once under the bed you didn't notice that there was a case there.

But I took the site map link the that OP provided so why can't they get it too? Like I said, computers are strange.

I am not trying to bash HAL......

 

I am looking at the 51 day Tales of the South Pacific....and I know there are tenders going to Lahaina and Rarotonga plus several more.....and there are no "TR" listed anywhere.....as you can see on this link....

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/find-a-cruise/H9S51A/A950.html

I clicked on the link and got the site map. I then went to the plan a cruise tab and the itinerary showed the tender ports. Have decided all computers are weird!

Don't forget to check out the roll call for your specific ship and cruise date. Usually good, smaller, less expensive private excursions are planned and you "get to know" others that will be on your cruise. A Meet & Greet if often planned for the day after boarding where you can put faces to names.

Not sure what I'm going to do without my daily dose of trivia. Maybe Kathi would want to continue daily quizzes?:D Thanks also for all the great photos that everyone shared.

We had a 12 night stay on Rarotonga and loved it. It is a quiet island with not really a lot to do other than the wonderful beaches. We did take a nice snorkel tour. The buses (there are 2) that circle the island go clockwise and counterclockwise. The complete circle takes an hour. Just remember you are on the left side of the road and roundabouts can be a little tricky. The good part is the speed limit is only about 30 mph. The locals are used to tourists and put up with our slow driving. Lots of scooters too. There are a couple of rental locations not too far from the tender pier.

You can find your roll call if you look under the Amsterdam January 2019 sailing date.

You're brave having them in your checked luggage. I've had a bag go the wrong direction a couple of times-I would hate to be without my machine while the airline looked for the missing luggage.

I made drawstring bags large enough to hold the mask and tubing. Each morning I put the hose and mask in the bag, draw the cord tight and rest it all on top of the machine. It is out of the way and stays clean through vacuuming and other dusting but I don't have to bother unhooking everything.

We are also ending a cruise in Buenos Aires in January, 2019. We have booked a day tour of the city which includes pick-up at the ship, tour and drop-off at the airport. Our luggage will be with us. $100 per person. Diego has been wonderful to work with too. Ecouruguaytours.com for information.

We had a shower-only cabin on the Zuiderdam last summer. Loved it-plus you have a larger counter around the sink. I wish they were doing all the Zaandam OV cabins. We have an OV next January but it's not listed.

Generally the charge is more when in Europe. I contacted Ships Services by email ahead of a cruise to ask what the price was for laundry. I was quoted the lower price. I printed out the answer and took it with me and got the lower price instead of the (I think) $9/day. On a longer cruise it did add up.

Scandic Palace Hotel is a great location. Near the starting point of the free walking tours of the city. I think there's even a Starbucks close by:D.