LAFFNVEGAS LIVE from Zuiderdam first week to Alaska

[Northshorecruisers]

Hi Lisa!!

 

Have a wonderful trip. We will be sailing Zuiderdam on 7/28.

 

Looking forward to your posts and how you feel the Zuiderdam is doing.

 

Bon Voyage!!!!!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Tuesday May 8, 2012

 

Good Evening from the MS Zuiderdam.:)

 

It has been an exhausting, interesting and yet comical day aboard the Zuiderdam and not at all like any cruise we have encountered in a very long time.

 

No surprise about embarkation being delayed and actually it went quite smooth. Fortunately being 4 Star Mariner was 90% of the credit to the smooth and easy embark. And many thanks to David ;) Who I know is reading this.

 

Shortly after 1pm they announced that the Zuiderdam was able to board but cabins were not yet ready. Our ships was across the parking lot so we went out and crossed over and the first person we see before walking the gangway to board the ship is James Deering. It was so good to see him. It has been a year since we last sailed with him on the Westerdam to Alaska.

 

We then walked thru the tent and walked the bit steeper gangway to the ship. First impressions are that the Zuiderdam looks in pretty good shape for a 10 yr old ship. Yes there are some items that look a bit worn but over all I think she looks pretty comparable to the Oosterdam.

 

We had a small group from our Roll Call 4 Dayers that met for Sail Away up in the Crow's Nest and we all had a Happy Hour drink. Hotel Manager James Deering joined us for a short while to talk. It was great to put a face with the CC handle and good to see Pathfinderess aka Melodie again. Her and Ron and Tom and I are doing the 11 days. Now the interesting thing is they are calling this a Collectors Series, which is actually great for us. Because I have been wanting one of the HAL Bags they give to those on a Collectors Series. :)

 

Early dinner is very Early, instead of the 5:45 it is 5:30 and out of the 27 HAL cruises we have done this truly was the most jumbled dinner/ first night we have ever had. Now I know we are on a repositioning but and those can be a bit off but we are actually laughing at what happened this evening. First off many new people coming into the dining room so you would have thought they would have escorted us to our table. Well no we walked in and were kind of ignored and then I said we need to find out table and they asked what the number was. I stated it is table 75, they just pointed in what direction to go. OK we know the dining room so we found it set up as two place settings on a 4 top next to the railing. OK that is good but there was a half used bottle of wine there which was not ours. So I showed the server our key card with the table number and he said, "Oh yes this is your table". So we sat down, the Wine Steward told us not to order the Navigator package because they were out of most of the wines and would not restock till Vancouver. OK the a couple comes up and we find that we are setting at their table they have had for almost 3 weeks. We get up and let them have their table and I follow one of the Assistant Dining Room Managers back the the entrance as he looks at where they can place us. He ends up placing us at table 38 also a 4 top that would have just us for the next 4 nights. (Not yet sure about the last 7 but hoping for one along the railing/stairs)

 

OK so we now have our table. The menu was just so so, had better and had worse. Tom and I both had the Prime Rib and ordered Medium Rare his came out pretty much Medium rare mine was pretty much well done. The funniest things is the calamity of this new process of who takes your orders for drinks. Really all you can do is laugh because it is sort of like watching an old Abbott and Costello movie. We told the Wine Steward that I would like a glass of the Shiraz and Tom ordered a beer. He in turned told one of the servers, who in turned told a food runner. About 20 minutes later we saw someone with a tray that had exactly what we ordered. Then he walked right past us, then another 10 minutes later they found us but not until they returned the tray to the food station and was asking who those drinks belonged to and we were right there watching the whole thing unfold. We already were starting our Main Entree when they arrived. Service was extremely slow this evening. The the funniest was the Dessert menu. The first item was called something something Watermelon Pie but the description was for Red Velvet cake. Tom and I both asked for the Red Velvet Cake. After a big delay and I had finished my coffee, they came to us and said we do not have Red Velvet Cake, it is Watermelon Pie there was a mistake in the menu. Oh well it was now after 7:30 and we had a few laughs so we headed to the shops to see what new items there were to purchase. I did buy a new Alaska long sleeve ladies t-shirt and Tom bought a couple of new t-shirts. Sadly the days of interesting nice items to purchase are gone. But that is a discussion for another day. But on a good note the cosmetics seems to be in better supply then they were on the Westerdam 6 weeks ago.

 

We ended the evening by talking and having drinks in the Ocean bar with a friend and laughing about the events of the evening..

 

Tomorrow at 10 is our CC Meet and Greet for those that have been on board and the new passengers that came on board today.

Plus it will be a whole new day and I have confidence that tomorrow will not feel quite like today did ;)

 

They tell us that starting later tonight we are going to start to feel some rougher seas and by tomorrow night it could get very bad. There is even a slight possibility that we may not make it to our port stop of Port Angeles. So we could have a 4 Day "E" Ticket Ride :D

 

Signing off from the still Beautiful and Elegant MS Zuiderdam

[mrsbuddha123]

Thank you for taking me along. Enjoy the Collectors Bag!

[erewhon]

Lisa,

Thank you for your report.

Am sorry to read of your experience in the dining room, not a good example of the "Signature of Excellence".

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you Lisa

Yes -- we experienced the new system back in February on the Maasdam concerning drinks in the dining room. Several of us have talked about it here on the boards. It is a way of cutting back on wine stewards.

[kazu]

Lisa - you always amaze at how you laugh at problems. You really go cruising with a positive attitude:D I hope that the seas smooth out for you along with the dining room service:) Thanks for taking us along:)

[sail7seas]

Thank you Lisa

 

Yes -- we experienced the new system back in February on the Maasdam concerning drinks in the dining room. Several of us have talked about it here on the boards. It is a way of cutting back on wine stewards.

 

 

We also experienced the new beverage service on Maasdam and feel so sorry for the dining stewards. They already have so many tables and so much to do and now they have to bother with serving beverages by the glass.

 

Happily, it's our habit to order wine by the bottle and we had good wine steward service but these cut backs are really starting to hurt a lot IMO

While the stewards are busy fooling around with diet cokes, they aren't taking dining orders and serving dinner. :(

 

 

 

[TheCalicoCat]

I did buy a new Alaska long sleeve ladies t-shirt

 

I feel goofy about commenting on this, but I'm glad to see this as an offering becasue it is on my list of purchases. (If I can buy a nice one on the ship, then I don't have to shop for one while in port... "have to" being the emphasized portion of that sentence.;))

[Himself]

Tuesday May 8, 2012

 

Good Evening from the MS Zuiderdam.:)

 

It has been an exhausting, interesting and yet comical day aboard the Zuiderdam and not at all like any cruise we have encountered in a very long time.

 

No surprise about embarkation being delayed and actually it went quite smooth. Fortunately being 4 Star Mariner was 90% of the credit to the smooth and easy embark. And many thanks to David ;) Who I know is reading this.

 

Shortly after 1pm they announced that the Zuiderdam was able to board but cabins were not yet ready. Our ships was across the parking lot so we went out and crossed over and the first person we see before walking the gangway to board the ship is James Deering. It was so good to see him. It has been a year since we last sailed with him on the Westerdam to Alaska.

 

We then walked thru the tent and walked the bit steeper gangway to the ship. First impressions are that the Zuiderdam looks in pretty good shape for a 10 yr old ship. Yes there are some items that look a bit worn but over all I think she looks pretty comparable to the Oosterdam.

 

We had a small group from our Roll Call 4 Dayers that met for Sail Away up in the Crow's Nest and we all had a Happy Hour drink. Hotel Manager James Deering joined us for a short while to talk. It was great to put a face with the CC handle and good to see Pathfinderess aka Melodie again. Her and Ron and Tom and I are doing the 11 days. Now the interesting thing is they are calling this a Collectors Series, which is actually great for us. Because I have been wanting one of the HAL Bags they give to those on a Collectors Series. :)

 

Early dinner is very Early, instead of the 5:45 it is 5:30 and out of the 27 HAL cruises we have done this truly was the most jumbled dinner/ first night we have ever had. Now I know we are on a repositioning but and those can be a bit off but we are actually laughing at what happened this evening. First off many new people coming into the dining room so you would have thought they would have escorted us to our table. Well no we walked in and were kind of ignored and then I said we need to find out table and they asked what the number was. I stated it is table 75, they just pointed in what direction to go. OK we know the dining room so we found it set up as two place settings on a 4 top next to the railing. OK that is good but there was a half used bottle of wine there which was not ours. So I showed the server our key card with the table number and he said, "Oh yes this is your table". So we sat down, the Wine Steward told us not to order the Navigator package because they were out of most of the wines and would not restock till Vancouver. OK the a couple comes up and we find that we are setting at their table they have had for almost 3 weeks. We get up and let them have their table and I follow one of the Assistant Dining Room Managers back the the entrance as he looks at where they can place us. He ends up placing us at table 38 also a 4 top that would have just us for the next 4 nights. (Not yet sure about the last 7 but hoping for one along the railing/stairs)

 

OK so we now have our table. The menu was just so so, had better and had worse. Tom and I both had the Prime Rib and ordered Medium Rare his came out pretty much Medium rare mine was pretty much well done. The funniest things is the calamity of this new process of who takes your orders for drinks. Really all you can do is laugh because it is sort of like watching an old Abbott and Costello movie. We told the Wine Steward that I would like a glass of the Shiraz and Tom ordered a beer. He in turned told one of the servers, who in turned told a food runner. About 20 minutes later we saw someone with a tray that had exactly what we ordered. Then he walked right past us, then another 10 minutes later they found us but not until they returned the tray to the food station and was asking who those drinks belonged to and we were right there watching the whole thing unfold. We already were starting our Main Entree when they arrived. Service was extremely slow this evening. The the funniest was the Dessert menu. The first item was called something something Watermelon Pie but the description was for Red Velvet cake. Tom and I both asked for the Red Velvet Cake. After a big delay and I had finished my coffee, they came to us and said we do not have Red Velvet Cake, it is Watermelon Pie there was a mistake in the menu. Oh well it was now after 7:30 and we had a few laughs so we headed to the shops to see what new items there were to purchase. I did buy a new Alaska long sleeve ladies t-shirt and Tom bought a couple of new t-shirts. Sadly the days of interesting nice items to purchase are gone. But that is a discussion for another day. But on a good note the cosmetics seems to be in better supply then they were on the Westerdam 6 weeks ago.

 

We ended the evening by talking and having drinks in the Ocean bar with a friend and laughing about the events of the evening..

 

Tomorrow at 10 is our CC Meet and Greet for those that have been on board and the new passengers that came on board today.

Plus it will be a whole new day and I have confidence that tomorrow will not feel quite like today did ;)

 

They tell us that starting later tonight we are going to start to feel some rougher seas and by tomorrow night it could get very bad. There is even a slight possibility that we may not make it to our port stop of Port Angeles. So we could have a 4 Day "E" Ticket Ride :D

 

Signing off from the still Beautiful and Elegant MS Zuiderdam

 

Thanks for the report and I compliment you on describing a problem--which it was--and still remaining upbeat about it. I think HAL could have arranged to have some wine delivered to the ship in San Diego.

 

14 years ago,I did one of those relocation cruises on the old Westerdam,from Ft. Lauderdale all the way to Vancouver BC. The first group got off at Acapulco--about 400-and we picked up another group. 800 got off at Los Angeles and 700 more got on. I was 58 at the time and I would say I was in the younger 15 per cent of the people on board. I took a bus tour of Los Angeles and when I got back to the ship I was in the younger ten percent. There were many teens as there were a few high school bands and a couple Junior college bands. It was an experience!

All the Best!

Himself

[Krazy Kruizers]

We also experienced the new beverage service on Maasdam and feel so sorry for the dining stewards. They already have so many tables and so much to do and now they have to bother with serving beverages by the glass.

 

Happily, it's our habit to order wine by the bottle and we had good wine steward service but these cut backs are really starting to hurt a lot IMO

While the stewards are busy fooling around with diet cokes, they aren't taking dining orders and serving dinner. :(

 

 

 

 

Everything was much slower since the dining room stewards had this extra duty.

We were sailing with another couple we know -- and she made it a point to ask about this new service. It started last December on the Maasdam and it was a way to cut back on 4 wine stewards on this ship.

[hypercafe]

We were on the Ziderdam April 9, the waiter said the new service cut out 8 wine stewards on this ship.

[Himself]

Thanks for the report and I compliment you on describing a problem--which it was--and still remaining upbeat about it. I think HAL could have arranged to have some wine delivered to the ship in San Diego.

 

14 years ago,I did one of those relocation cruises on the old Westerdam,from Ft. Lauderdale all the way to Vancouver BC. The first group got off at Acapulco--about 400-and we picked up another group. 800 got off at Los Angeles and 700 more got on. I was 58 at the time and I would say I was in the younger 15 per cent of the people on board. I took a bus tour of Los Angeles and when I got back to the ship I was in the younger ten percent. There were many teens as there were a few high school bands and a couple Junior college bands. It was an experience!

All the Best!

Himself

 

I made a mistake--hard to believe--but when I got back on the older Westedam I was in the OLDER ten percent and that was because I think the average age dropped to about 30 with all those "tenny boppers on the ship." In the dining room they were jumping around like people standing in front of a pay toilet and the language in the State Room area would have made General George S. Patten, Jr. blush. It was an interesting time!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Wednesday May 9, 2012

 

Good Afternoon from the Pacific Ocean just off the Coast of California as we head North.

 

I must say I have the best night's sleep, I have not slept that sound since... well I guess it was just 6 weeks ago when we were on the Westerdam ;) There truly is nothing better than sleeping on the ship.

 

I had set a wake up call because we wanted to go have breakfast before the CC Meet and Greet.

So got up about 7:45, sure wish there was a way to have a snooze for the programmed Wake Up Call. Showered and dressed and went downstairs for breakfast then up to the Crow's Nest about 9:50. We had an excellent turn out. There were at least 30 maybe more. It lasted for over an hour and several of us hung around and stayed till well after 12 noon talking.

 

Tom then wanted to go grab a bite to eat in the Lido, I had a light lunch and Tom had a Meat Lovers lunch of Rotisserie Chicken and Ham. Basically just meat for lunch garnished with a few fries. Where I am the little cup of soup person ;)With a small bite of Chocolate Mouse Cake. Then we headed back up ti the Crow's Nest so I could make sure I would have no problems with having the Internet package I purchased carry over to our next cruise and because we had the Onboard Value Coupon books gave them the coupon for the extra 15 minutes :)

 

Now we are just relaxing in the cabin, thought I would write a bit and post, then read. We got an invitation being 4 star Mariners to the Wine Tasting but this one is totally different it is a Champagne and Sparkling Wine Tasting, which is totally different that the one we did a few weeks ago on the Westerdam. So I think we will check that out on Thursday at 3pm

 

Well as predicted the seas are getting a bit rougher and there is quite a bit more movement but so far I am not the least bit bothered. It is also quite windy and cold outside despite the fact it is sunny.

 

Like I mentioned last night overall I think the Zuiderdam is in fairly good condition. Our cushions for the outside chairs are absolutely brand new. But there are some differences that I had forgotten about the Zuiderdam compared to he Oosterdam and Westerdam. The Lido Pool area is ever so slightly different especially the flooring. There is just a slight over all difference. I feel the Westerdam and Oosterdam are more similar. The Lido seems like it has less sections for serving food and food offerings seem more combined. Not that it is bad or wrong just different from the eyes of having sailed the Oosterdam and Westerdam so often.

 

Tonight is what was to be a Formal night for those that started their voyage in Ft Lauderdale but those that started in San Diego cruise docks all stated that it would be 4 nights of Smart Casual so the Explorer says FORMAL (OPTIONAL) I will wear nice pants, heels and a rather sparkly top. Tonight's Entertainment is a Zuiderdam Cast Show called Unforgettable Featuring the Zuiderdam Singers. We may go and check that out.

 

I think it is time to start readying although a nap might not be a bad option either.

 

Signing off from the Beautiful and Elegant MS Zuiderdam.

[kazu]

thanks Lisa - always nice to read your posts:):) do let us know about the wine tasting - this one sounds interesting. I actually preferred the Zuiderdam over the Ooesterdam but everything was fine when we sailed and I though she was a nice ship. Smooth seas - let's hope the weather forecast is wrong;)

[Krazy Kruizers]

I will be curious about this invitation to the "Champagne & Sparkling Wine" tasting that you have been invited to.

Since this new program started all we get invited to is the regular Navigator Wine Tasting -- $15 -- and some have been pretty terrible.

[DAllenTCY]

Hi Lisa....it was great to have seen you an Tom again in person! As for the loss of 8 wine stewards, I'll have to pack an extra bottle or two with me. I guess you're now supposed to stop by a bar and get your pre-dinner libation before entering the dining room.

By the way, if your wine bottle is a screw top, can they still charge a "corking fee?"

David

P.S. Just kidding, I know the answer.

[sail7seas]

We have skipped every wine tasting since they started the 4 Star Program. Though we greatly enjoy wine, the tasting does not lure us for some reason. Perhaps because we don't particularly care for the Navigator Wine selections? :shrug:

[sassyredhat]

Lisa you are so much fun !! :D

I can't wait to cruise with you. Thanks for all your reviews.

Pat

[Unca Pete]

Disembarkation on May 8th was a horror story. US Customs strikes again.

We were delayed getting off, and made our flight by 5 minutes.

[DAllenTCY]

Delayed debarkation is due to those non-US citizen "in transit" guests who do not report to US Customs at the first port of entry into the US. Usually this process begins at 7 am after agents have had an opportunity to board the ship. The Cruise Director will address this requirement at his debarkation talk, and the information will appear in the daily newsletter; however, those who are not planning to get off the ship, do not respond.

It can be often be the result of a language problem , or more often indifference. I'm glad that the poster made his flight, but several guests did not. Debarkation of the Westerdam was on time....the Zuiderdam was the worst this entire season, beginning about 11 am.

Shore excursions were also delayed, but none were cancelled as far as I know.

David

[kazu]

We have skipped every wine tasting since they started the 4 Star Program. Though we greatly enjoy wine, the tasting does not lure us for some reason. Perhaps because we don't particularly care for the Navigator Wine selections? :shrug:

 

actually Judy - we liked maybe two/three choices of the Navigator selections - but we were drinking white wine - which makes a big difference - we stuck with the same three bottles - we found the Admiral selection lacking in white wine choice;) Red wines are a whole different matter:D:D

[hpf]

Lisa thanks for your reports. Enjoy your cruise and I will keep checking to read any upsates you post.

Helen

[3rdGenCunarder]

Hi Lisa....it was great to have seen you an Tom again in person! As for the loss of 8 wine stewards, I'll have to pack an extra bottle or two with me. I guess you're now supposed to stop by a bar and get your pre-dinner libation before entering the dining room.

By the way, if your wine bottle is a screw top, can they still charge a "corking fee?"

David

P.S. Just kidding, I know the answer.

 

Ohhh, there are soooo many potential replies to your question... :eek: :D :eek:

[Himself]

Lisa:

Thanks for the update.

[CRUZBUDS]

Delayed debarkation is due to those non-US citizen "in transit" guests who do not report to US Customs at the first port of entry into the US. Usually this process begins at 7 am after agents have had an opportunity to board the ship. The Cruise Director will address this requirement at his debarkation talk, and the information will appear in the daily newsletter; however, those who are not planning to get off the ship, do not respond.

It can be often be the result of a language problem , or more often indifference. I'm glad that the poster made his flight, but several guests did not. Debarkation of the Westerdam was on time....the Zuiderdam was the worst this entire season, beginning about 11 am.

Shore excursions were also delayed, but none were cancelled as far as I know.

David

 

The delay is usually caused by the non-U.S. citizens not reporting. That was not the case yesterday. With three ships in U.S. Customs elected not to supply the number of officers needed to process the three ships in a timely manner. We were told this about a week earlier. We got off around noon which was close to the time we had been told to expect. Zuiderdam was given 3rd priority. We heard from fellow CC folks that all San Diego excursions were canceled, but we don't have first hand knowledge.

 

It was a great cruise!