OH DAM!! Ship Happens!! Zuiderdam Review 11-25 May 2013

OH DAM!! Ship Happens!! Zuiderdam Review 11-25 May 2013

 

Well, I had at first planned on doing a Nearly Live from thread on the Cruise Critic Holland America Board Forum, but instead once crossing over the gangway to Zuiderdam, that I was on vacation and did not really feel like doing a semi-live or even a live from. I actually am a little sad as I write thisd review because it means that I really am in HomeDam and not on "My Baby Girl, Zuiderdam."

 

Let me start by saying that while I absolutely love the Zuiderdam, I can be objective of her and will reflect so below.

 

TRAVEL

 

Travel to and from Vancouver via Seattle and One Way Rental Car and South West Airlines on the 9th of May 2013. We were forced into this travel arrangement back in September 2011 and find it to be the best for us, not only is it cheaper than a flight to and from our home in Albuquerque, but also a beautiful way of seeing the awesome scenery and more relaxing for hubby and I. All I can say is THANK YOU United Airlines for forcing this travel route on us *Smile* (I will have to use wordage instead of smilies/emoticons because CC says I have to many in my post)

 

We left home on Thursday 9 May 2013 and flew a direct flight to Seattle. I waited outside the South West Luggage Carousel area with the luggage while hubby went to pick up our rental car (one way). We then loaded the car and headed to the Holiday Inn Express SeaTac Airport, about 1 mile from the airport where we spent the night in a really nice room. After checking in to the hotel and dropping off our luggage and carry ons we went to dinner with our HAL PCC who also is a very good friend, and had dinner at a restaurant that she'd sent me the link to and I fell in love with their desert selections. The food was amazingly awesome and if you get a chance I highly recommend Claim Jumper. The chocolate cake is to die for!!! Chocolate Motherlode Cake. Six decadent layers of chocolate cake and rich chocolate fudge icing topped with walnuts. Featured on the Food Network as one of America's "Top 5 Most Decadent Desserts". This photo does not do justice to the HUGE cake which is generally sold by the slice which is about 18 inches in length by about 8 inches wide. http://www.claimjumper.com/images/menu/slides/desserts-motherlodecake.jpg Between the 3 of us, Hubby, Kym and myself, we could not finish this desert it was just so big. But OMG it was so delicious and I can definitely agree with Food Network:) Let me put it this way, RuthC would be in 7th Heaven!!!

 

After dinner we went back to our hotel and Kym drove the 42 miles to her home and kids and hubby and I relaxed and hit the pillows.

 

Headed for Vancouver the morning of the 10th of May, with Gertrude, our Trusted Garmin navigating us to safely to Vancouver. The border crossing on I 5 was maybe a 15 minute wait. On the return from Vancouver to Seattle we left at 6 a.m. due to being told that Rush Hour Traffic would be quite heavy (about 45 minutes just to get to the other side of the city, Memorial Day Traffic predicted to be long at the US Border and the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River collapse and a detour since the bridge was literally gone (told by all who'd done it over the 3-4 days prior to our trip that it took them anywhere from 30-45 minutes for the detour.) We breezed through Vancouver traffic, the US Border (Signage said 5 minute wait, we were the only car!!) and the detour took all of about 2-5 minutes!!

 

PRE & POST CRUISE HOTEL

 

Hotel was through HAL at the Pan Pacific Hotel at Canada Place and while I loved the pre cruise room we had, which was absolutely huge and beautiful, I cannot say the same for our post cruise hotel room.

 

The pre cruise room we had was huge and very easy to get my Special Needs at Sea rental scooter into and out of with plenty of turn around room, it also had small windows near the floor that could be opened for fresh air and a sense of air circulation that I need as a claustrophobic who hates feeling like I am in an airlock.

 

The only 3 negatives to the pre and post cruise stays, other than the 3:30 a.m. wake up call, were:

 

(A) The front entry to the Pan Pacific did not look like a 5 star hotel entry. In my opinion it looked like another entry into the Convention Center, which many people seemed to use it for. Also we requested a 6:30 a.m. wake up call for the morning of the 11th and were rudely awakened by the Concierge calling as at 3:30 a.m. instead. Hubby, when asked at checkout how we liked our stay, told the young lady at the front desk what had happened and she was profusely apologetic and promised to upgrade us to a Harbor View room on our next stay. Needless to say, he promptly told her we would be back on the 25th and staying through the 26th. And yes we did have an Upgrade to 930 SEE (B) BELOW)

 

We had checked in with the HAL representative, prior to checkout from the Pan Pacific, she told us to call the Hotel Porter to come to our room and get our luggage and it would be taken immediately to the ship (this was about 9:30 a.m. or thereabouts. She told us we could go down directly via the hotel elevators to the Cruise Ship Level (CS on the elevator Button) or hang around and wait for her to escort us and a two other hotel guests to the Check In. We opted to wait for her, though we knew where to go, having done the same in 2011.

 

(B) Upgrade to 930, a Harbor View located on the 9th floor overlooking the lounge chair area of the hotel (AWK......You had to make sure your drapes were closed if you wanted privacy, anyone utilizing that area could look into our windows.) We were able to see the stacks of both the Zuiderdam and the very top of the stacks on Zaandam (which was about the only redeeming quality, IMO. As stated in another paragraph above, I am severely claustrophobic and need to have air circulating or a window open to ease my panic at being in an air tight environment. On the ship I am able to deal with this fear using a Fan, but Pan Pacific does not have a single fan, so they told me.........Then we discovered that there were no windows that could be opened in the Harbor View rooms so I ended up spending 90-95% of my time sitting on my scooter exposed to the weather and the cold (Vancouverites told me they were having a warm day, but hey, I'm from New Mexico where the temps were in the 90's!!)

 

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I have to mention here that the Westerdam was in Port on Friday and I was dockside talking to the group in SC 5190 and a man standing quite near me asks me, "Are you IRL_Joanie?" LOL, I of course answered Yes I am and he then introduces himself as a fellow CC member,c-legs, who lives about 20 minutes from Canada Place. I LOVES THAT MAN!!! Claude you are awesome!! He was there as we sailed away and wished us all a Bon Voyage. He was missing from Canada Place as My Baby Girl sailing away without me on her on the 25th:( But 4-5 other CC friends were there as we watched her leave. One of the local CC members, I think it was Dennis sent c-legs an email later that day and told him he was in hot water with me for not being there *LOL* The next day a few minutes before Zaandam left, hubby pulled up his semi live thread and saw that c-legs had posted that he'd be at the Zaandam sail away and would I forgive him.........So of course I high tailed it down the the fore of Zaandam and found Dennis and Jim (another CC member from the Vancouver area, and friend of c-legs), shortly after I got there so did c-legs, reggieroo and her mum and we all proceeded to watch as another beautiful Blue Hulled HAL ship sailed away under the Lion's Gate bridge.

 

Before I forget, to the CC members who had Zuiderdam's SC 5190 on the 25th of May, email me and I will send you the photos hubby and I took of you sailing away.

 

EMBARKATION

 

This was one of the fastest, if not "the" fastest I have ever been privileged to do!! We were escorted, along with 2 other passengers down the elevator 2 flights to the Cruise Terminal itself and handed off to the next HAL Red Coated Representative who took us to Security. From there we went to a smallish waiting area being shared by Princess and within 5 minutes were moved right along to the separation point where Princess passengers went one way and we another to our check in line(s). As we separated we were handed our Health Forms which we filled out and handed to the actual check in person. We followed the Handicapped Line, which also happened to be the 4, 5 Star and Suites check in, where our photos were taken and Ship Cards given to us. We then went to the last waiting area before boarding the ship. While sitting a bit away from everyone else (due to my scent allergy) we were joined by fellow CC members solocandian, San Diego bound and sapete and their spouses. We stayed in this area for maybe 45 minutes before the HAL Shore staff came to get the Handicapped with them choosing me as the first passenger to go aboard (I think it was because of my scent allergy and not wanting me to have to follow someone with a lot of scent.) All in all, I'd say the embarkation time took about 1 hour from check out of hotel to first off the gangway into the ship itself *Smile*

 

This was our second time on board the Zuiderdam and reconfirmed to us that she is our all time favorite ship in the entire HAL Fleet!! Both times we've been on her were for 2 weeks at a time but booked as separate cruises, so instead of saying we had 2 cruise on her, we can truthfully say we actually have 4 cruises on Zuiderdam.

 

Just like our September 2011 Alaska Cruise(s) I felt at home the moment I boarded Zuiderdam on 11 May 2013. A feeling of peace just sort of came over me and life was now good:) I went directly to my wonderful and much lauded stateroom, Neptune Verandah Suite SC 5191. OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS Stateroom and Verandah were both HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I knew it was big, I knew it and was still shocked at just how much bigger in reality than in photos and video!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I truly was at home and enjoyed this verandah and stateroom to its fullest!!

 

ROOM STEWARD

 

Our one and only Room Steward was named Agung. He came to the room shortly after I arrived and made himself familiar with all of our little peccadilloes and brought me an ashtray for the verandah.This young man was AMAZINGLY AWESOME and I made it known high and Low just how fantastic he was!!! He did everything with a smile and nary a word of complaint, even after having his wallet stolen in Juneau at a wire trasfer place. He had tears in his eyes but a smile on his face when he told me what had happened. Luckily one of his friends was there also and loaned him the money to transfer to his family to live on. I understand from one of the Officers on board the ship that he was able to get the loan re-payed to his friend via the Crew Fund.

 

Agung was the very best steward we have ever had and I cannot praise him enough!! As I said he worked alone and wanted it that way. He had a total of 9 rooms and said that teams end up with a heck of a lot more rooms and while he is not lazy, he'd rather clean 9 rooms thoroughly than 29-30 rooms and not being able to give the care to his passengers that he can with 9 rooms. I also learned from him that he'd been on the Westerdam with us in December 2012, before going home on vacation in January 2012 for 2 months. He was the Penthouse Steward on Westerdam. So those of you who were on her then may remember him.

 

MUSTER/LIFE BOAT DRILL

 

The first week we attended the Life Boat (LB) Muster Drill and waited as several room numbers were called by our LB Captain and then more called off by Captain Turner over the ship PA, several times. I did not see it for myself, but did hear from several other passengers that they saw passengers and their Carry Ons being escorted from the ship to the terminal a few minutes prior to our departure........

 

After the LB Drill we scurried up to our stateroom to host our Sail Away Party which was quite nicely attended:) We sailed under the Lion's Gate Bridge and past Stanley Park before most of our party had to leave for dinner reservations in the MDR and Pinnacle Grill. I stayed in the room and ordered a Cheeseburger with fries from the In Room Dining (Room Service) before heading to bed and ending our first day aboard the ship.

 

The second week hubby and I were the only "In Transit" passengers and were told to meet our HAL escort in the Atrium at 10:15 a.m. While we were waiting for our escort a tall bearded Officer came out of the Security Office heading in the direction of the Hotel Manager's Office. I stopped him to ask if he was Security and he looked me dead in the eye as he replied with, "No Madame I am the Master of this ship." I profusely apologized to him and begged his forgiveness.........Duh, a Joanie moment for sure...... Anyway he asked what he could help me with and I asked him if I had to attend the Muster Drill since we'd gone the previous week. His reply was, "Madame, EVERYONE MUST ATTEND or be put off the ship." I thanked him and promised to attend!! He then proceeded on his way as hubby stood there laughing at my idiocy..........MEN!!!!

 

We did the crew route as we did our In Transit routine and were back on the ship in about 45 minutes. Hubby went to the Embarkation Lunch and I headed to our stateroom for another well loved Room Service Cheeseburger and then preparing for another Sail Away Party.

 

EXCURSIONS

 

I had only booked 2 excursions, way back months ago, when shore excursions were first available for this cruise, for the entire 2 weeks. The first week was once again my absolute favorite excursion anywhere and that was in Ketchikan. All of our Shore Excursions are booked through HAL because we do not wish to take a chance of something going wrong and having to worry about missing the ship.

 

The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour

Tour Duration: 3 1/2 Hours

Activity Level Easy/Mild/Low

Tour Includes: Complimentary Coffee, Tea & Hot Chocolate Rain Jackets as Needed (Should also read "Overhead Heating as needed", man does it ever keep you warm!!)

 

Tour Pricing: (Directly through their web site)

Adult - $159 (13 years of age and older)

Child - $99 (5 to 12 years of age)

Minimum age to participate on the tour is 5 years of age.

 

Holland America Pricing: $10.00 per person more than directly from the Excursion's Web site. For $10.00 more we got peace of mind and no worries.

 

The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour was aboard the Aleutian Ballad which is featured in many commercials for the program on Discovery Channel showing her going over on her side after a 60 ft rogue wave hits her (Deadliest Catch Season 2.) For those who wish to see the Video of this event, you can go to this You Tube Video, which iss 4 minutes 43 seconds long:

. I took this excursion in May 2009 and was so WOWED by it!! To this day, I feel this is the best shore excursion that I've ever been privileged to take!! We were promised to see Crab Fishing, which we did. We were promised to see fishing, which we did. What we were not promised, on the May 2009 and this 2013 trip, was that we would see what seemed like hundreds of eagles flying and swooping down directly in front of us!!!

 

As a side note, hubby back in 2009 had taken a different excursion than mine, because his was an Eagle Viewing one and he wanted photos of eagles, he saw 2-3 at a distance with his Camera's zoom. When he saw the hundreds of eagles that I'd seen on mine he was so jealous and furious with himself *GRIN*. So this time he was with me and was not only overjoyed and ecstatic with the photos he was able to get, but also because he was invited into the wheel house by Captain Dave (who was not on board as the Captain this trip, but there specifically to meet with hubby and I) and the working Captain, Derrick Ray, who he was able to chat with for a long period of time during the excursion itself.

 

A little about the Aleutian Ballad and her crew:

 

The Aleutian Ballad Crab Fishing Vessel (F/V) was a part of season two of the Discovery Channel's award-winning TV series Deadliest Catch.

 

It takes place on board the Aleutian Ballad crab boat, which was featured on the hit television series “The Deadliest Catch.”

 

It has now retired from its glory days in the Bering Sea and has been completely refurbished for tours in the calmer waters of the Inside Passage by Ketchikan. Heated theater-style seating gives you excellent views of all the action. Run by an entertaining crew of seasoned fishing veterans, this tour provides some really fantastic tales of life at sea.

 

And of course, they educate you on everything to do with the fishing industry in Alaska, including the history, the necessary gear and the many different sea critters that may end up in their traps. Demonstrations show how the traps work, and there are opportunities to see some of the animals up close.

 

The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour allows people from all walks of life to stand on the edge of the commercial fishing world. It is also the ONLY 100% Handicapped Accessible Tour that I have had the pleasure of booking through Holland America!! There is a commercial with song that goes something like this; "The Touch, The Feel of Cotton....," Let me tell you this, "The Touch, The Feel of REAL LIVE Crab" is better than any Cotton can ever feel!! I'm not talking just Giant King Crab, but also Tanner crab, Opielio Crab, Dungenes Crab, Box Crab and fish are just some of what they catch and allow us to feel, if we wish.

 

David Lethin (Captain/Owner)

 

"I caught my first fish at age 5 and was told "What a great job, you're such a good fisherman!" It was 30 years later that I saw the photo taken that day. That was a moment of clarity for me. I remember so vividly that day and how much I desired to fish. It was crystal clear then at the age of 35 why my life turned out the way it had.

 

Now I look back with no regrets on the experiences, heart aches, and passion that I've felt over those many years on the ocean. Viewers of season 2 of the Discovery Channels Deadliest Catch series caught a glimpse of the excitement and adventure that lies ahead with every trip. This dream will become a reality for thousands. Now it's time to show you all that passion and adventure on board a large seasonal king crab vessel. We will navigate in the safe waters off Ketchikan and Annette Island and promise to give you an experience you won't forget."

 

Derrick Ray (Co-Captain)

 

Derek was the interim captain of the Cornelia Marie after Captain Phil Harris died following complications from a stroke and the one who called the Alaska State Troopers when he discovered drugs on board the Cornelia Marie. (I believe to this day that he did the right thing!!)

 

In February 2010 Derrick joined the crab vessel Cornelia Marie to fill in as Captain after the passing of our dear friend Phil Harris. Derrick was on board the Cornelia Marie for the opilio crab season and made his TV debut on the Deadliest Catch in 2010. Derrick has been a top-gun fisherman with his own boat, the 136 foot Siberian Sea, which was the "Hilton of the Bering Sea". His passion for fishing began in Seaside, OR, fishing Dungeness crab off the 12th Street bridge as a young boy. He partnered with David, Rick Quashnick on the Maverick, and Phil Harris on the Corneilia Marie. This was a hard group of fishermen to beat. Derrick has been in the number one slot out of 250 boats in the Bering Sea - a feat any fisherman would love to accomplish. Derrick and his crew live the life. He came to work with David on the tour to share his life's passion with others.

 

Terry Barkley, a.k.a. The Barkster, (Deck Boss)

 

Terry began fishing with his father when he was 12 and has been doing it ever since. Before David's first trip to the Bering Sea he was told three things: get the biggest boat you can, get the best equipment and the best crew. He found the best in Terry. He is a phenomenal engineer and captain. He can run a ship like a go-cart. He can fix just about anything, and if can't - he'll make it work long enough to get you by. He is a positive, uplifting individual who you would love to have on your team. (I have to agree with the comments about Terry!! He makes you feel lke you are the most special person in the world. Though I must say that he did bring me to tears when he pointed directly to me when he mentioned the special people that he has met and will never forget on this excursion. I won;t go into his exact wording but suffice to say, I love you to Terry!!!

 

Danine Lethin (Dave's Wife and Co-Owner) and their 2 Daughters (Sorry girls, I cannot remember your names (Please forgive me?)

 

Dave picked an angel when he asked Danine to be his wife!! One of the most caring and loving women I've ever had the pleasure to meet. The girls were Green Horns when I first met them in 2009. Now they have grown into beautiful young women and have inherited their passion for life and crabbing from their parents.

 

If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend a trip on the Aleutian Ballad. It is well, well worth it!!!!!!!!!

 

BEFORE YOU READ ANY FURTHER PLEASE PLEASE READ THIS: Do not tell me how sorry you are because I already know *Smile* I want all to remember me as I am and know that I love life and have been happy with my life. OK, so now back to the review.

 

I'd made prior arrangements with Meg, Dave's partner, who runs the Business end out of the Seattle office, to meet with Captain Dave Lethin on 16 May 2013 personally to make arrangements for when I pass, and hubby now knows what to do when I do pass to a better life, better only in the thoughts that I will be free of pain and suffering, or should that be hubby will no longer be suffering *GRIN*

 

Met with Captain Dave Lethin, his family and the crew of the Aleutian Ballad and they and my family members are going to scatter my ashes, while a Bag Piper who lives in Ketchikan plays Amazing Grace, and have a little Joy of Life ceremony with Hubby and hopefully my family members, i.e., Daughter, granddaughter, Son In Law, Sister and Brother In Law, and any friends who wish to attend, in the seas outside of Ketchikan Alaska, somewhere between Annette Island and Ketchikan, a place I seem to have a special affinity for.

 

I am not looking forward to passing, but am realistic as to it being inevitable with 2 terminal diagnosis's.

 

God has been good to me and blessed me with a wonderful husband, a beautiful and loving daughter that I am so damned proud of, a beautiful and brilliant granddaughter, a Son In Law that other Mother In Laws are oh so jealous of, he is awesome and such a great young man!! I have been blessed to have my baby sister back in my life these last few years, and though we do not get to see and talk to each other as often as we'd like, we know sisterly love and devotion *Smile*

 

I've had my pipe dreams come oh so so true *Smile* I've been places others only read and dream about, done things that are sometimes unbelievable unless you were there.

 

I know no strangers!!! To me a stranger is just a friend I have not yet met. This is now how I am living my life and I've added it to my signature.

 

I am happy and I am hoping to outlive all of you, but want you to love life also. When I am gone remember me with love and live your lives to the fullest!!

 

I am so glad that in some way, no matter how tiny, you have made my life a joyful one!!

 

May the Good Lord look down upon you and smile while keeping you safe and happy *Smile*

 

OK, no more maudlin stuff Let's get back to living and my review of this wonderful cruise on Zuiderdam!!

 

Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer (Cruise Ship to Juneau) 20 May 2013

 

I'd booked this excursion for the 20th of May, knowing that the Zuiderdam only does this as a Service Call, and does not go into the Fjords. When you book this excursion, you are normally off loaded from the ship itself onto a deluxe jet boat. Even if passengers could not be off loaded from the ship itself to the jet boat, due to rough seas, etc., the excursion starts in Juneau itself. HOWEVER, and yes, there is a However (See below the description of this excursion for the however part)

 

The description of this excursion on HAL's web site was:

 

Duration: 7 hours

Season: May 20 - September 7, 2013

Provided: Binoculars; picnic-style lunch, snacks; coffee, tea, cocoa

Location: Vessel operates from the Seadrome Dock, across from the Goldbelt Hotel in downtown Juneau. Boarding begins 15-minutes prior to departure.

Price Adult: I cannot remember if I paid $199.00 or $219.00 and do not know the price for children.

 

Exclusive opportunity to see the very best of the Tracy Arm Wilderness Area, including exciting close-up views of the majestic Sawyer Glaciers.

 

The adventure begins as soon as you board a luxurious, high-speed catamaran. Relax in the warm, spacious cabin, surrounded by large windows as you depart Juneau Harbor, and cruise southward past snow-capped mountains and the rugged coast of Admiralty Island. Enjoy a variety of complimentary snacks and beverages while watching for gleaming, blue icebergs which often mark the shallow-water entrance to Tracy Arm.

 

Explore the full length of this ice-carved fjord; tracing the face of cliffs that rise 4000-feet above the jade-colored sea, as the onboard naturalist provides a wealth of information about the area. Go on deck to breath in the glacier-fresh mist as the Captain skillfully guides the vessel almost directly under a plunging waterfall. There will be frequent stops to view wildlife, such as bald eagles, harbor seals, mountain goats and bear.

 

The catamaran’s extraordinary maneuverability will allow you to get close to North Sawyer Glacier, which cannot be approached by larger ships. You’ll then cruise slowly past hundreds of seals resting atop recently-calved icebergs in route to a viewing-stop near the face of spectacular South Sawyer Glacier. From the topside observation decks you will be able to fully experience the “white thunder”, as immense spires of ice break from the glacier and crash into the sea.

 

Following the extended drift near the glacier’s face, the catamaran will maneuver back into open water to pull alongside your awaiting cruise ship. Only now can you fully appreciate naturalist John Muir’s written observation that this is "one of the most dramatically stunning fjords of Southeast Alaska”. You will soon depart Tracy Arm Fjord, but the experience will stay fresh in your memories forever.

 

Please Note: In the event unpredictable and ever-changing ice conditions preclude your vessel from entering Tracy Arm, the tour will be modified to explore Endicott Arm, a fjord and tidewater glacier of equal beauty. This tour is also conducted in reverse order; with guests embarking the tour vessel in Tracy Arm and disembarking at a dock next to your ship in downtown Juneau. To fully enjoy the outside observation decks, dress warmly and bring a rainproof jacket, hat & gloves. Vessel is equipped with deluxe seating, a galley and restrooms.

 

THE HOWEVER: Unfortunately, the Shore Excursion Manager, Yvonne, was notified by the Owners/Operators of this excursion the day before I was due to take it that they DO NOT accept mobility challenged passengers!! She tried so hard to get me on this excursion because she knew just how much I wanted to do it and knowing my health, knew it was possibly my last chance to do it..........No avail. And I Must say that after what hubby saw of the passengers who were able to transfer from the ship to the catamaran at the entrance to Tracy Arm, I 100% agree that this IS NOT for anyone who is mobility challenged!!!

 

The transfer from the Zuiderdam to the catamaran was via a Jacob's Ladder. Aint no way, no how that I, or any other mobility challenged person could make that transfer with any degree of safety!!!! So, I have to say a HUGE THANK YOU to not only the owners/operators of Allen Marine Tours and Yvonne for looking out for my safety and not allowing me to do this excursion!! I do wish though that they had a statement on not only HAL's web site, but also Allen Marine's stating NOT FOR MOBILITY IMPAIRED!! Allen Marine does have a Link for Accessibility HOWEVER, it is not easily read by those with vision problems and is located in such a way that you might well miss it, just as I missed it when researching.... http://www.allenmarinetours.com/accessibility/juneau-tafge.html

 

I had signed up for the Ship Tour which is now broken into 2 days so as to not violate any TSA/Coast Guard rules. Those rules are that the Bridge and Engine Control Room(s) CANNOT be visited while the ship is at sea. So what they now do is do the Bridge and Engine Control Room(s) while the ship is docked at its last port for a fee of $99.00 per person and the rest of the tour is $59.00 and held the last Sea Day (Your options may vary as to dates held, remember this was for my cruise on Zuiderdam.)

 

UNFORTUNATELY the signage is not done well and they do not get enough people to sign up for the tour so it usually ends up being cancelled, just as it was for me..........GRRRRRRRR.... HAL needs to place signs throughout the ship and/or have it listed as an option through Shore Excursions both on line and on the ship itself. ONE LITTLE sign placed on the Atrium's Front Desk is NOT ENOUGH!!!

 

PORTS

 

Skagway, was the only port that I actually got off the ship and wandered around during our last week on the cruise, 18-25 May. This was our 6th cruise to Alaska and the very first time that it was absofreakingly gorgeous there!!! Usually it is either threatening to pour or is actually raining cats and dogs.........OMG!!! Skagway is SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! I think there was a reason God made me wait to see Skagway. I think he did it so that I would really be stoked and realize that Skagway is not just another port, but one to be seen in it's grandeur of the beautiful Coast Mountains and a narrow glaciated valley at the head of the Taiya Inlet, the north end of the Lynn Canal, which is the most northern fjord on the Inside Passage on the south coast of Alaska. It is in the Alaska panhandle 90 miles northwest of Juneau, Alaska's capital city.

 

A Little History of Skagway (I love history)

 

Official name: Municipality of Skagway Borough

 

Name origin: Skagway (originally spelled Skaguay) is from the Tlingit name for the area, "Skagua" or "ShGagwei" meaning "a windy place with white caps on the water." Skagway was derived from ShGagwei, the nickname for Kanagu, the mythical woman transformed into stone who lived at Skagway bay. Through subsequent usage, shagwei also became the name for the rough seas that Kanagu reputedly caused and for the river that Kanagu “personified.”

 

According to Tlingit mythology as of 1882, a rock at Skagway bay was the woman transformed into stone named Kanagu. Further according to this mythology, when angry, Kanagu would send strong channeled winds through the Taiya Inlet, from the Skagway River to the area around Haines, Alaska. Also according to this mythology, Kanagu “personified” the Skagway River.

 

The river which Kanagu “personified” bore the name ShGagwei. ShGagwei was also the name for the rough seas caused by the winds attributed to Kanagu. (The Kanagu rock is likely to be Face Mountain, which overlooks Skagway bay.)

 

ShGagwei was Kanagu’s nickname, describing her as beautiful, before she was transformed into stone. The nickname appears to have been derived from the Tlingit verb theme -sha-ka-l-Geí, which means, in the case of a woman, to be beautiful.

 

Nickname: "Gateway to the Klondike"

 

The area around present-day Skagway was inhabited by Tlingit people from prehistoric times. They fished and hunted in the waters and forests of the area and had become prosperous by trading with other groups of people on the coast and in the interior.

 

One prominent resident of early Skagway was William "Billy" Moore, a former steamboat captain. As a member of an 1887 boundary survey expedition, he had made the first recorded investigation of the pass over the Coast Mountains, which later became known as White Pass. He believed that gold lay in the Klondike because it had been found in similar mountain ranges in South America, Mexico, California, and British Columbia. In 1887, he and his son Ben claimed a 160-acre (650,000 m2) homestead at the mouth of the Skagway River in Alaska. Moore settled in this area because he believed it provided the most direct route to the potential goldfields. They built a log cabin, a sawmill, and a wharf in anticipation of future gold prospectors passing through.

 

In 1896, gold was found in the Klondike region of Canada's Yukon Territory. On July 29, 1897, the steamer Queen docked at Moore's wharf with the first boat load of prospectors. More ships brought thousands of hopeful miners into the new town and prepared for the 500-mile journey to the gold fields in Canada. Moore was overrun by lot jumping prospectors and had his land stolen from him and sold to others.

 

Here is an early postcard from circa 1900 of Moore's Wharf and Skagway http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a4/Juneau_Wharf_Skagway_AK_Postcard.jpg

There is an old tradition of Advertising on one of the mountains sides at the port Here is a photo of some of the Gold Rush-era advertisements made on one of the mountains forming the eastern wall of the valley http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Kirmses_advertisement_Skagway_2009.jpg from what I have read, here on Cruise Critic, this tradition is on going especially amongst Cruise Ships when they arrive at Skagway for the first time.

 

Here is a Panorama of Skagway, Alaska circa 1915 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Panorama_of_Skagway%2C_Alaska%2C_1915.jpg

 

The prospectors' journey began for many when they climbed the mountains over the White Pass above Skagway and onward across the Canadian border to Bennett Lake, or one of its neighboring lakes, where they built barges and floated down the Yukon River to the gold fields around Dawson City. Others disembarked at nearby Dyea, northwest of Skagway, and crossed northward on the Chilkoot Pass, an existing Tlingit trade route to reach the lakes. The Dyea route fell out of favor when larger ships began to arrive, as its harbor was too shallow for them except at high tide.

 

Officials in Canada began requiring that each prospector entering Canada on the north side of the White Pass bring with him one ton (909 kg) of supplies, to ensure that he didn't starve during the winter. This placed a large burden on the prospectors and the pack animals climbing the steep pass.

 

In 1898, a 14-mile, steam-operated aerial tramway was constructed up the Skagway side of the White Pass, easing the burden of those prospectors who could afford the fee to use it. The Chilkoot Trail tramways also began to operate in the Chilkoot Pass above Dyea. In 1896, before the Klondike gold rush had begun, a group of investors saw an opportunity for a railroad over that route. It was not until May 1898 that the White Pass and Yukon Route began laying narrow gauge railroad tracks in Skagway. The railroad depot was constructed between September and December 1898. This destroyed the viability of Dyea, as Skagway had both the deep-water port and the railroad.

 

By 1899, the stream of gold-seekers had diminished and Skagway's economy began to collapse. By 1900, when the railroad was completed, the gold rush was nearly over. In 1900, Skagway was incorporated as the first city in the Alaska Territory. Much of the history of Skagway was saved by early residents, such as Martin Itjen, who ran a tour bus around the historical town. He was responsible for saving and maintaining the gold rush cemetery from complete loss. He purchased Soapy Smith's saloon (Jeff Smith's Parlor), from going the way of the wrecking ball, and placed many early artifacts of the city's early history inside and opened Skagway's first museum.

 

In July 1923 President Warren G. Harding on his historic tour through Alaska visited Skagway. Harding was the first President of the United States while in office to travel and tour Alaska.

 

The Skagway area today is home to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and White Pass and Chilkoot Trails. Skagway has a historical district of about 100 buildings from the gold rush era. It receives about a million tourists annually, most of whom (about three quarters) come on cruise ships. The White Pass and Yukon Route still operates its narrow-gauge train around Skagway during the summer months, primarily for tourists. The WPYR also ships copper ore from the interior.

 

Skagway was one of the few towns in Alaska (along with Petersburg and Seward) to endorse the 1939 Slattery Report on Alaskan development through immigration, especially of Jews from Germany and Austria.

 

Corrington's Alaskan Ivory and Museum is an outstanding private collection that spans the long and surprising history of Alaska (pre-historic times, Russian Period, U.S. Civil War, Gold Rush, through statehood in 1959) that charges no admission fee. It is located at Fifth and Broadway at the far end of the "Old Town" tourist area.

 

When I was researching Skagway, I ran across the National Park Service site and found it to be one of the best places to get historical facts from: http://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/75skagway/75skagway.htm

 

I had lunch at one of those ORIGINAL 100 buildings, the "Red Onion Saloon." Prices were a bit high, but well worth the cost. The food and the ambiance was outstanding!! It is not to be missed when visiting Skagway!! Here is a photo of it: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0f/Red_Onion_Saloon.jpg

 

I also shopped around for Christmas Presents for my Granddaughter (I buy her 1 or 2 Unique dolls every year) and also bought some of the FAMOUS Alaska Fudge Company Fudge......It was also to die for!!! In fact I think I'll have a couple bites right now!! Yes, I was able to resist eating 1 and 1/2 pounds of the delicious fudge in one sitting, but only because the monthly order I placed for it will not start arriving until sometime next week *Smile*

 

STATEROOM

 

We had one of what I consider as "The True Penthouse", SC 5191 a fully covered Aft Wrap Stateroom on Zuiderdam where I spent probably close to 90% of my cruise!! This was the largest of all the aft wrap staterooms I've been in on 5 different HAL Ships!! Not only the verandah is beyond belief HUGE but so is the stateroom itself!! The Stateroom is 365 sq. ft. There is no difference in the bathroom sizes or amenities. The only problem that we encountered was the bathtub jets. The jets would not stay on. I reported it to the steward and the next morning his boss came in and had to fill the tub with water from both the bath tub and shower because he said the tub was filling to slowly. I'd not even realized that. Also when he tried to drain the tub, it drained so slowly that he said there was a problem with that also... Plumber came later that day and fixed all of the problems. As he was getting ready to leave one of the overhead lights started flickering and he reported it and it was fixed within 10 minutes.

 

I am going to quote fellow Cruise Critic Member: fatcat04 in parts of her description when she sent me her photos for SC 5190 in July 2010. QUOTE: "The suite was lovely but the balcony was a magical space in such a majestic setting. Highly recommend it to any nature lovers.

 

We sailed on the Zuiderdam to Alaska and had an aft SC with a huge completely sheltered balcony. THAT was the suite of a lifetime, the huge balcony enabled us to enjoy all the nature around us from a sheltered space, accept our self imposed isolation cheerily (made all that much easier by our amazing room steward and wonderful in room dining staff.) (Joanie's Note: Yes, I was also in self imposed isolation, somewhat, because of that verandah of mine!! If I could have moved my mattress out there I would have but hubby would not help me.) And the Inside Passage, you simply can not beat the scenery and the smooth ride. (Joanie's Note: Believe me I needed a smooth ride as I have several Compression Fractures in my spine and a few broken ribs due to Severe Osteoporosis. And even wearing a Boston Brace (Think Clam Shell), it is still painful with most movements of any vehicle, plane, ship, car, etc.)

 

For us, the balcony is a vital space as we are very relaxed travelers.

 

As for good and bad concerning the cabins... there was no bad for our room. The hike to the back of the ship for the SC is about the worst I can come up with but I would have walked much farther for that balcony." UNQUOTE (Joanie's Note: Translate the I in the last paragraph to Hubby and it still fits us.)

 

DINING VENUES

 

Main Dining Room, Lido, Terrace Grill and In Room Dining

 

I attempted to eat in the Main Dining Room once and that was our first formal night when I called to reserve a table for 6 at 5:30 in Open Dining (Deck 2) instead of hubby's normal 2 top in Fixed dining (Deck 3where he normally ate solo), at a table near the door so that I could get out of the MDR quickly in the event that Scents hit me to the point of my having to escape the MDR. We were joined by dobiemom and San Diego bound and her hubby. Unfortunately, dinner in the MDR was not to be for me because the perfumes and colognes just got to be so overbearing that I was almost to the point of needing to call for the Ship Doctor. Luckily, I was near enough to the front entry to the Dining Room and the steward saw my distress and grabbed my scooter for me and I was able to escape to my stateroom where I grabbed my Concentrator and the verandah.

 

So the rest of my meals were either the Lido (one time only), 1 time each Nachos, Hot Dog and Cheeseburger from the Terrace Grill. The rest of the time hubby would stop after he'd finished his eating in the MDR and pick me up some Pepperoni Pizza, Stromboli and/or pasta with a modified Alfredo Sauce (I say modified because I like mine with Parmesan cheese, mushrooms, spinach and garlic) YUMMY!!!!!

 

I also did In Room Dining a couple of days to include embarkation day when I ordered a Pinnacle Grill Cheeseburger with extra pickles and Onions. And the 2nd week we arranged via the Neptune Lounge Concierge to have our last Formal Night delivered to the room at 6:30 p.m. all at once, no white table cloth dining this time. I must say that 6:30 was the perfect time for the food as it was perfect temperature!! OH before I forget, Chef Orle made sure that I got my Chocolate Purse on the last formal night. I'd jokingly told him that I could eat 2 of them. He delivered 4 instead and we ate all of them!!

 

This cruise we did not even order our normal daily mid afternoon Hors d'oeuvres.

 

Many might ask why hubby did not stay and eat with me. The reason is because he really enjoys the MDR experience and I will not allow him to suffer just because I cannot enjoy it. We are separate entities and while he may like some things and I others, it does not mean that we, as individuals cannot allow the other to enjoy. Hope that makes sense?

 

WEATHER & MISC

 

I do not remember what morning it was, 2nd or 3rd....., but anyway the General Alarm sounded, it was NOT a drill!! The Captain came on after the Alarm stopped and notified us that we had a fire alarm going off in the Incinerator Room and to not panic, stay where we were and await further instructions. I immediately went and got all of my medications and placed them along with my Passport and Credit Cards in a shoulder bag, placed the life jacket on the bed within easy reach, just in case and waited. After about 5 minutes the Captain came back on the PA and announced that the fire was out and that the Fire Crews could stand down and then he did something that to me was unbelievable, he apologized to us for disturbing our rest and thanked us for understanding. I say unbelievable because he did not need to apologize for doing his job and keeping us informed!! I absolutely Loved Captain Turner!!!

 

The first week, if I remember correctly the weather was quite nice. We had sunny skies in most all of our ports and Glacier Bay. Speaking of Glacier Bay, TWO EVENTS HAPPENED that were to me extremely memorable.

 

1. Marjorie Glacier calved so much and such huge and I do mean HUGE sections. I've been there 2 other times and only seen small calving and they were little ones, these were phenomenal!! And what made it so absolutely awe inspiring was that we were aft facing the glacier when it happened!!! For a good 20-30 minutes we sat there on our aft wrap verandah enjoying the sight of it!! There was nothing better to be seen for us than that day at Marjorie Glacier!! I was also so happy to have dobiemom join us while we watched this awesome sight.

 

2. We had just stopped to let our Ranger and Naturalist off the ship at or near the entrance to Glacier Bay, when the Captain came over the PA System to inform us that we were going to have to delay our departure due to an ill passenger who had to be taken by Tender, along with the Ship Doctor to the Ranger Station where a Coast Guard Chopper was being dispatched to take the passenger to a hospital. He stated that we would be hanging around in a little cove where he'd not been to before and that we would keep our fingers crossed that we did not run aground.... Might have been scarey for some, but for me it was beautiful to see a Native village that most people on a cruise ship do not ever see. After about an hour of sitting there with the ship slowly rotating around its anchor (I think an anchor was involved, but...) Anyway The Captain then comes on and tells us there is a 2nd ill passenger and as soon as the Drs are back on board we will continue our travels back south. We were there about 2 and 1/2 hours.

 

The 2nd week the weather was not exactly sunny and we had sun for only 2 days, Glacier Bay and Skagway, but it was all good even in rain, fog, hellacious winds and freezing cold!! The apparent temperature was about 49 degrees, but with that wind chill factor it felt more like 10 -15 degrees.

As we headed towards Glacier Bay, about 45 minutes before the Bay itself, I was leaning on the starboard aft railing on my verandah when I heard this God Awful Noise. It sort of sounded like tires tied to a boat as fenders rubbing against a pier. It took me a second to realize as my eyes looked downwards that it was in fact a Killer whale directly beneath me!!! Oh My Goodness By the time I could turn my camera on the whale was gone *Sad Face* I did see 4 other whales off the starboard side in the distance spouting, but could not tell what they were.

 

Marjorie Glacier shocked me!!! the week before we'd watched as she calved numerous times and there should have been tons of ice in front of her.... There were very few small pieces of ise and only 3 or 4 somewhat large ones.....I've never seen so little Ice in front of a glacier before. Another thing that we remarked upon was the fact that the week before and this 2nd week there were no Sea Lions nesting or whatever it is called. Nor did we see any on the way out of the bay where the male Sea Lions are normally.....

 

OFFICERS

 

11 May 2013

 

Master of the Zuiderdam Captain Turner

Hotel Manager Kees (Pronounced Case) (Only until we reached Skagway when he went to a HAL Conference and then on Vacation for 2 months)

Culinary Operations Manager Bobhan (Only until Skagway where he was promoted to Hotel Manager Position)

Assistant Culinary Operations Manager Ron (Only until Skagway where he was promoted to Culinary Operations Manager)

Chef Orle

Pinacle Grill Manager Sam

Guest Relations Manager Dustin

 

18 May 2013

 

Captain Michael (pronounced Michelle) Willems (only for 1 week while Master Captain Turner is at HAL's Senior Management Conference in Rotterdam, Netherlands on SS Rotterdam V.) This was his first Command (he done did good!!)

Hotel Manager Bobhan

Culinary Operations Manager Ron

Assistant Culinary Operations Manager Do not remember his name, but he is AWESOME!!

Chef Orle

Pinnacle Grill Manager Sam

Guest Relations Manager Dustin

 

A Special Shout Out to the Zuiderdam's Bar Manager and Purser, who like most of the other Officers on board every HAL ship, lurking members of Cruise Critic. Loved meeting you and chatting with you and my 85 adopted sons and daughters on board Zuiderdam!!! You all rock!!! (to my CC friends reading the last, let me explain. The entire Bar Staff asked if they could call me Mama Joanie and if they could adopt me as their Mama.) Of course I said yes!! Love all of them!!

 

One of the things I noticed the week of 11 May was that most of the officers were also on board the Zuiderdam when we'd been on her in September 2011. It was wonderful to have so many of them recognize me by name and come up and give me hugs. LOVED IT!!

 

Our 1st Cruise Critic Meet & Greet was held in the Crow's Nest, Captain's Corner at 1:00 p.m we had a great turn out and pretty much everyone that participated in the Roll Call attended. Unfortunately no Officers or HAL Crew stopped by due to several on going inspections being carried out before the SMC and HM Kees going on vacation after the Conference. So we all sat around and got to know each other face to face and I think enjoying the good company.

 

Our 2nd CC M&G again most everyone from the Roll Call attended and this time we had the HM, COM, BM and GRM in attendance. It was wonderful and we all had a good time before we broke up to go to various venues at lunch time.

 

We had 3 Sail away Parties on our verandah. One each week when we sailed away from Canada Place with fellow Cruise Critic Members and one the 2nd week. Also as we departed Ketchikan with the folks from the 3 staterooms directly forward of ours. Note that I forgot to mention that as everyone was packing to go home from the 1st week, those that had alcohol, wine and sodas left brought them to us to do with as we wished. Since hubby and I do not drink, we invited the 3 staterooms (a 6 member adult family group from various Provinces in Canada) to come on in and join us with libations and views. We stayed out there for about 3 hours just socializing and enjoying the views.

 

As we sailed away both times from Canada Place, fellow CC member c-legs was there to cheer us off and wave Bon Voyage to us. It really was nice to see him there and knowing that you have a friend there is nice!!

 

I know there was more, but my mind has gone blank so I will finish this off and post it to Cruise Critic now.

 

My thanks to all for your positive thoughts and comments in the past and I look forward to meeting all in the future.

 

Oh Before I forget, I think I've figured out who gets free upgrade offers!!!!!

 

Stop and think, Do YOU sign up for CC Roll Calls?? The reason I ask is that everyone I've talked to that has received a free upgrade offer from HAL has also signed up for and is at least partially active on it. This is just my observation and thinking. I could be very wrong, but I know that those who say the most often that they have never received the offers are also the ones who say they have never signed up for Roll Calls..... Am I stretching here or..............

 

EDITED TO ADD: We had a second Emergency Fire Alarm, this some on the 2nd week on board. It apparently happened around Midnight (which neither hubby nor I heard *YIKES*) which was a fire in a Dishwasher located in the Officers' Bar. Luckily since there were Officers there at the time, the fire was quickly extinguished and the alarm cancelled.

 

I did also forget to mention that during my travels around the Zuiderdam our first night, May 11th, delivering M&G Invitations to staterooms of our Roll Call members, Cigarette smell was EXTREME near Laffinvegas's stateroom on Deck 6. I knocked on their door, in the hopes that she or Tom could/would call and let someone at the Front Desk know so it could be taken care of (Read: Security puts a stop to this and/or the guilty passengers is fined $250.00 for smoking in the stateroom!! I figure if I and other smokers can follow HAL's rules about only smoking on the verandah's and allowed Public Spaces, then so can this passenger!! And it was coming from a Verandah Stateroom, so they had a place to smoke outside.) But there was no answer to my knock on Lisa's door, so I went to the Front Desk and reported it myself and told Lisa about it at the M&G. She said she had not smelled it in the Hallway and was only bothered by it while on her verandah.

 

Joanie

Joanie, thank you for taking the time to post your review for your Zuiderdam cruise.

 

You almost wrote a book, with all that you experienced during those 2 weeks.

 

We've never done a cruise to Alaska, since we can really only do one a year and at the moment getting away from our cold winters is the priority.

But, after reading your review, it does make me rethink that an Alaskan cruise should be on our future cruise list.

 

Again, thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts on this memorable cruise.

Thank you Joanie for a very full and moving report. I hope we have the pleasure of meeting you on a cruise soon.

What a wonderful, detailed review. Thanks so much for posting. My first HAL cruise was to Alaska with my family, including DD, also called Joanie! I'm glad you had a great time.

Thanks for your review, Joanie/Linda! I missed ya!

 

I think it's great that you've taken care of your end of life planning in such a beautiful way. No, it's not always great to think about but I k ow you've had health problems and wow what a beautiful way you've come up with to commemorate your life when the time comes.

 

Glad you had a nice cruise. I spend a lot of time in my cabin, too. If you see me out and about after 8:30pm it's a shock.

 

Hoping for some pics?

So happy you had an awesome cruise in "your penthouse". You were so helpful with advice and pictures when I booked mine:)

What a great review! Looking forward to being on the Zuiderdam in 30 days.

Wonderful review. I had never considered taking the Deadliest Catch excursion but you made it sound exceptional. Both my DH and I enjoyed that series.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Thanks for the detailed review. I guess I'll be hoping for one of those SC's on my July cruise.

 

Incidentally, on the Zuiderdam last year access to the Tracy Arm tour boat was via the usual tender docking procedure. Unfotunately we did Endicott instead of Tracy due to ice.

Maybe my fifth try this year will be the charm.

Thanks Joanie, you made me feel like I was back on the ship again.

Thanks Joanie for your wonderful review.

Thank you for such a thorough review of your Zuiderdam cruise.

Thanks for the review Joanie!

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

Lisa- You should really stop smoking (joking) ......:p :eek:

thanks for the review!

 

Oh wow I so love Deadliest Catch (my favorite is Sig and the Northwestern :) )

Thank you Joanie for taking the time to write your wonderful review.

I enjoyed it very much and so glad that you had way better weather this time than you had that one September.

Thanks for all the info ...

Thank you very much for your review. :)

S

Thank you ever so much for your wonderful review. I really enjoyed reading it and appreciate the time and effort you obviously put in for everyones enjoyment. Best wishes to you and I sincerely hope we get to read many more.:)

Thanks for all the info Joanie, you did a great job, and we all appreciate the sharing of your experience(s) with us......:)

Thanks Joanie. Great reading.

Very detailed reviewed. I was on The Zuiderdam her first year. A great ship.

Enjoyed reading your saga Joanie and happy you missed the bridge collapse! :eek:

 

And I was very glad you enjoyed your stay in my favorite suite.

 

Here's a photo of your favorite "security" man.:D:D

Joanie ~ Take it from someone who was advised in 1993 that she would be "moving on" in about 5 years (ha!) that a "positive attitude" is obviously very beneficial to longevity (;)), and that sometimes medical professionals don't know diddly (:D)! Prove 'em wrong, girl! And keep on cruising!

Great review Joanie, thank you. I am glad you enjoyed your nachos...you gave me that tip a few years back and I always think of you when I get them. :)

Joanie, thank you for taking the time and effort to write up such a detailed and thoughful review. I applaude you for making plans for what YOU want once you no longer have a voice. Take it from someone who just had to make all the decisions for my own mother who refused to say a word, it would be so much better knowing that I was doing what she wanted. Your daughter will not have to wonder if she did the right thing.

 

A very loving gesture.