LAFFNVEGAS LIVE from Zuiderdam first week to Alaska

[Lotsasmiles]

Note to self - DO NOT read Pinnacle menus at lunchtime if there is no chance of ordering it for dinner!!!! :D

[SirTomster]

Posts like these drive me batty. Not because of the poster but because I don't leave until September for my cruise.

 

Reading someone else's is almost painful. But I still read them. Then cry. Then read, then cry.

[Sandi3667]

Posts like these drive me batty. Not because of the poster but because I don't leave until September for my cruise.

 

Reading someone else's is almost painful. But I still read them. Then cry. Then read, then cry.

 

The only thing that's worse is reading these postsas you're coming up on the one-year anniversary of your cruise.

 

Thanks for letting us come along on your cruise, Lisa. Hope you have a wonderful time in Alaska.

[kazu]

Thanks Lisa - interesting to hear your thoughts and they are appreciated.

 

I do hope that the seas hold out for you - I am pretty sure you will adapt to your locations of things in our suite - have a great cruise:):)

[erewhon]

Thanks for the update Lisa.

 

Did you notice what brand the sparkling wine was that the concierge poured for you?

[sunviking90]

Thank you for taking the time during your vacation to post so all of us can enjoy it with you. I hope you enjoyed your sail away this evening. It was a beautiful day in Vancouver. We pulled out our best weather to welcome the cruise ships back:)

[Belle]

Do you happen to have a menu of the

lunch in the Pinnacle.

Thank You

[startwin]

Looking forward to reading the REAL facts as to what is happening and has been happening on the Zuiderdam.

 

You mean the facts reported by those of us on the 22-day transit were not real?

[startwin]

Thank you for your report. I have a hunch that the whole toilet issue stems from someone ignoring directions and throwing something into the toilet, figuring no one will ever know.

 

The toilet issue stemmed from the vacuum pumps breaking down. 2 of the 3 had to be replaced. But it still did not rectify all the problems. Our toilet never flushed properly in 22 days. In fact, the last day it backed up with effluent from other toilets. And again, we were told it was a vacuum problem.

[erewhon]

You mean the facts reported by those of us on the 22-day transit were not real?

 

I for one, certainly do not doubt that your reports are true.

[erewhon]

The toilet issue stemmed from the vacuum pumps breaking down. 2 of the 3 had to be replaced. But it still did not rectify all the problems. Our toilet never flushed properly in 22 days. In fact, the last day it backed up with effluent from other toilets. And again, we were told it was a vacuum problem.

 

You will be pleased to be home, with functioning plumbing.

 

Hope you and DH enjoyed the experience of the Panama Canal.

[startwin]

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!

 

Only the short sight-seeing excursion went ahead (the one that ends at the airport). All others were cancelled. The delay was due to the fact that too few officers were sent to clear the ship. We finally went ashore at noon, and did the trolley tour.... what a beautiful city San Diego is! We loved it and plan to go back and spend a few days there.

[startwin]

You will be pleased to be home, with functioning plumbing.

 

Hope you and DH enjoyed the experience of the Panama Canal.

 

erewhon - it was the trip of a lifetime for us. We loved it, in spite of all the problems on the Zuiderdam. I would definitely do this cruise again - but on another ship;)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Saturday Evening May 12, 2012

 

Good Evening from the MS Zuiderdam

 

I would love to tell you what strait we are passing through but I have no idea :) I just know we are on our way to Alaska. The weather was amazing in Vancouver and of course the seas are so smooth this evening and the sunset from the Crow's Nest around 9 ish was spectacular.

 

Dinner was great tonight in the Main Dining Room, Tom had the usual first night of the Prime Rib but I had the Mussels, then the Double Baked Potato Soup and the Trout with pasta. It was really good, then topped it off with the Balsamic Strawberries, Tom had the Hot Fudge Sundae and we shared the Red Velvet Cake. We started the Navigators Package of Wine tonight. The hard part for Tom and I is I am more of a red wine drinker and Tom is more of a White Zinfandel.

 

After dinner we went to the Suite Welcome Party in the Neptune, I was quite impressed I have never had a Captain tap his glass to quiet everyone so he could speak to all of us about the up coming week. Very interesting/impressive he likes to keep everyone well informed. After the Suite Party we went up to the Crow's Nest where we met with a friend on board and sat and talked for several hours.

 

 

Tomorrow is a Sea Day and no CC Meet and Greet so I know we will sleep in but I will more than likely go up to the Spa to spend part of the day. It will be a bit of a lazy day but will be very scenic. I honestly love Alaska for cruising better than any itinerary, the views are so breath taking, there truly is nothing like it.

 

This cruise has over a 1000 first time cruisers, and only a small number are Mariners and we are thinking that there are only 4 Four Star Mariners and that would be Pathfinderess and her husband and Tom and I, Could be an interesting Mariner Party.;)

 

Well I am going to make this short tonight because I am actually tired and cruising is such hard work lol :D

 

Signing off from the Beautiful and Elegant MS Zuiderdam

[kazu]

You mean the facts reported by those of us on the 22-day transit were not real?

 

not as far as I am concerned:)

[kazu]

erewhon - it was the trip of a lifetime for us. We loved it, in spite of all the problems on the Zuiderdam. I would definitely do this cruise again - but on another ship;)

 

Glad you enjoyed the cruise and the magnificent scenery all the same startwin - welcome home:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Hi Lisa,

 

Sounds like you're having a great cruise already with more days to come!!

 

If you think of it, could you bring home a copy of the Pinnacle Grill menu and post it? We're sailing on Zuiderdam July 28th and the menu would give me something to drool over in anticipation.

 

Have a great rest of your cruise!!!!

 

 

 

 

Here is an updated Pinnacle Menu that includes the Intrique

 

Pinnacle Menu - $25 per person -- can be booked online, via Ship Services at 1-800-541-1576 or once on the ship

 

The Beginning:

French Onion Soup King Louis XV - beef broth with aged cognac & caramelized onions, baked with gruyere croutons

Spicy Chicken Coconut Soup - fragrant coconut milk & lemon grass

Lobster Bisque - crème fraiche & aged sherry

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail - brandy horseradish cocktail sauce

Vine Ripened Beefsteak Tomato Salad - sliced purple onion, balsamic vinaigrette or blue cheese dressing

Baby Arugula Salad - tossed with sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and a warm bacon dressing topped with smoked bacon & chopped egg

Caesar Salad - crisp romaine tossed with very own Caesar dressing, grated parmesan cheese, garlic croutons and anchovies, prepared tableside

Dungeness Crab Cakes - spiral shaved cucumber & sweet chili-mustard sauce

Pinnacle Ocean Platter - carpaccio of lightly smoked salmon, accompanied with hot smoked salmon, sea scallops and wasabi cream

The Intrique:

Land & Sea - master chef Rudi Saloman’s interpretation of Surf & Turf - filet mignon and jumbo prawns on whipped potatoes with garlic, rosemary beurre blanc

Lobster Macaroni & Cheese - chef’s favorite: a delicate gratineed combination of mascarpone-enriched pasta and creamy lobster broth with chunks of lobster

Roasted vegetable tower -- with onion confit and tomato coulis

 

 

 

The Grill:

Filet Mignon, New York Strip Steak, Bone-In Rib Eye Steak, Porterhouse - served with our own hand crafted sauces: sun-dried tomato; Master Chef's green peppercorn bearnaise; horseradish mustard; hollandaise; maitre d' garlic butter

 

Colorado Lamb Chops - spiced apple chutney & fresh mint jelly

 

Grilled Veal Chop - marinated overnight in a savory blend of rosemary, garlic & pepper vinegar with scallions

 

Chicken Breast - stuffed with spinach & garlic herb cheese & served with lemon garlic beurre blanc sauce

 

Filet Steak Diane - pan-seared medallions of beef tenderloins & enriched with mushrooms & cognac

 

Filet Mignon Burger - a half-pound of freshly ground beef, fin herbs & truffle-infused

 

 

Sea Food:

Broiled King Salmon - troll caught (for sustainability) in Alaskan waters, quick seared & broiled, served with your choice of lemon garlic herb splash or sesame-soy kalbi

 

Broiled or Poached Lobster Tail - on a bed of wilted spinach & arugula, mustard seed & "mangochurri" pesto sauce or melted butter

 

Cedar Planked Black Cod with Shrimp Scampi - roasted garlic & cilantro butter

 

Pinnacle Signature Skewers:

 

Beef Delight - beef tenderloin marinated with parsley, onion, thyme, rosemary & marjoram

 

Tantalizing Lamb - lamb loins marinated with herbs, garlic, cumin, honey, coriandor & red chilies, served with yogurt sauce

 

Chicken & Turkey Temptation - with onion confit & tomato coulis

 

Delectable Seafood - shrimps & swordfish, seasoned with lemon, paprika, garlic, mustard, cayenne & dill

 

Vegetarian Zen - array of mixed vegetables seasoned with herbs de provence

 

 

Side Dishes:

Creamed Spinach, Sautéed Button Mushrooms, Sautéed Onions, Asparagus, Scalloped, Whipped, Jumbo Baked or Shoestring Potatoes and/or Basmati Rice

 

The Finale:

Not-So-Classic Baked Alaska, Warm Grand Marnier Chocolate Volcano Cake, Velvet Soufflé – Chocolate or Vanilla, Creamy Homemade Raspberry Cheesecake, Chocolate And Raisin Bread Pudding, Pinnacle Crème Brulee, Fresh Seasonal Fruits and Berries, Premium Ice Cream or Sorbets and/or the Assortment of International Cheeses.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Just catching up -- been too busy with other things.

Love your reporting Lisa.

A couple of years ago when we did the 10 partial Panama Canal cruise on the Zuiderdam -- there were only 3 of us who were 4 star Mariners. We were invited to the Explorers Lounge -- captain talked a couple of minutes -- no pictures -- no cocktails -- and then we were escorted to the dining room. No special table.

I'll be curious to see how your Mariner's cocktail party and brunch go.

[1teach53]

Hi Lisa, again......LOVE your posts, thank you !!!:)

 

We should sail together sometime ......my DH really enjoys his red wine & I enjoy White Zin!!! We could swap & share our wine :p:p:p

Happy sail!!

My favorite cruise is to Alaska, can't beat the view!!

Karen

[Copper10-8]

Saturday Evening May 12, 2012

 

Good Evening from the MS Zuiderdam

 

I would love to tell you what strait we are passing through but I have no idea :) ................................

 

That would be the Strait of Georgia (or Georgia Strait), not to be confused with the State of Georgia;)

[kazu]

That would be the Strait of Georgia (or Georgia Strait), not to be confused with the State of Georgia;)

\

 

 

too funny Copper:D Thanks for telling us where Lisa is:)

[Divi]

Lisa,

Thanks for the comparison of the SA and SY suites.

We have booked an SY for our Alaska cruise next year. We are treating ourselves to our first suite. We will be travelling with family and friends and wanted more space to entertain them.

We usually do longer cruises so this category isn't normally in our budget.

Really looking forward to it.:)

We enjoy your "Live from..." threads. Thanks, as always, for taking us along.

Deen

[Truesoldier]

The hard part for Tom and I is I am more of a red wine drinker and Tom is more of a White Zinfandel.

 

My DW and I are the same way when it comes to wine. One that we found that actually seems a bit like both is the Gamay Rouge that V Sattui winery in Napa offers.

[Okie1946]

A quick note to say thank you for taking time from you vacation to keep us posted. I am greatly enjoying reading the review. Checked out the photos of the ship on another review. The Zuiderdam is a beautiful ship and I am so jealous.;)

 

Previous Cruises:

Alaska - Westerdam - September 2009

Alaska- Rotterdam - September 2010

Mexican Riveria - Oosterdam - April 2011

Future Cruises – in planning stage:

September - 2013 Panama Canal - - 28 day

August – 2014 – Eastern Med – 28 days or one that will be cruising Black Sea

SMILE - people will wonder what you have been up to and want to do it too.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Hi Lisa

Is there any discount for Mariners for the Pinnacle snacks and wines??