Zuiderdam Almost Live to the Panama Canal

[AtlantaCruiser72]

I will be posting all of the On Locations within one week of my return home so that you can locate any lectures/enrichment programs since I did not attend any of them.

 

Many thanks! I have booked both the Zuiderdam and Coral Princess for the same timeframe in 2017 for a roundtrip Panama Canal. Pricing similar, so a lot will depend on the lectures/enrichment programs between the two lines, so trying to get a feel for the differences. also the Zuiderdam cruise we are booked on is the first one post drydock, which is always of concern.

[Crew News]

It was a nice day sailing to Fort Lauderdale with waffles for breakfast on our verandah.

 

The Mariner’s Society Awards ceremony was conducted this morning followed by a luncheon. Two ladies sitting in front of me were introduced to the gathering to recognize their 2000+ days on HAL ships. As all of us headed towards the luncheon, the two ladies shared hugs with every crew member in attendance.

 

My afternoon included finishing all of my scanning and a visit to the Casino where after opening an account, I determined that I was not going to be a winner. Cashing out was one dollar less than the starting $300 in my bank. I will try my luck tomorrow after checking my stateroom account.

 

Glenn from the Neptune Lounge added two plates of chocolate candy to our regular afternoon delivery. Joanie is impressed with her new chocolate fix.

 

Tonight was Gala Night in the MDR. For those interested, I spotted no tuxedo. After placing my order for two lobster tails and no beef, the Room Service Manager stopped by my table to ask how I liked the fruit tray we received yesterday. It was sent to apologize for forgetting my oatmeal write-in on our Breakfast Card on Sunday. I stressed to him just how much I appreciated the Room Service folks, their promptness, and proper temperature of everything we have eaten during this cruise.

 

FWIW our laundry turned in each morning has been returned by 6:00 PM the same day.

 

Returning from dinner, I found a large envelope with our luggage tags and the reality of this wonderful cruise soon coming to an end.

 

Tomorrow will be packing and working on a large stack if Comment Cards for those special crew members that have made this cruise our best.

 

Although I have not seen Rose in the Neptune Lounge lately, I have not forgotten to ask her about the Westerdam.

 

Ruben, my Culinary Operations Manager friend, will be assuming the role of Hotel Director for two weeks in Dec while Darren is away from the ship.

 

More later.

Edited November 29, 2016 by Crew News

[Yankee Couple]

Thanks for all the good information you have posted.

Hope you left us some wine...

Can't wait to board tomorrow.

[eldercruser]

Thanks so much for the wonderful report and all the time and effort you put into it.

 

We will be on the Jan 25 cruise and the anticipation level has gone way up after reading through the thread.

 

Well done!

[Crew News]

A nice sunny day as we sail to Fort Lauderdale.

 

Dinner at the PG tonight was the king crab legs and they were plentiful and tasty. While leaving dinner the Hotel Director, Darren, stopped me to ask how I liked my cruise. Meeting the ship’s staff at a Neptune Lounge reception was a highlight of this cruise. Everyone that I met stopped me during this cruise to ask how the ship was doing.

 

Comment cards have been completed and turned in to the Front Desk. Luggage is now in the hallway.

 

For those boarding tomorrow, you will see the new Christmas decorations being put in place.

 

My scanning will be posted within the next week.

 

More later.

Edited November 30, 2016 by Crew News

[Crew News]

Crew News,

 

Could you ask Rose if she was on the Westerdam in March 2015?

 

If so, this is the same lovely girl that I've had twice as my concierge, ..and hopefully again in Feb 2017.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Rose has been away for the past three days but I did confirm today that she was on the Westerdam last year. I told her that Denise said, "hello."

[49erteacher]

I have enjoyed your reports and in depth information, thank you. The ship should be all decked out for Christmas when I board on 12/11/16.

[maraena]

Thank you for the ongoing trip report. I've really enjoyed it!

 

I look forward to seeing all the menus you've collected. I'm hopeful that I can pick out an appropriate night for our Tamarind dinner on our upcoming cruise. Thank you for all these efforts!

[kamac56]

Crew News I apologize if I missed this info but what aft suite did you have?

[Crew News]

Crew News I apologize if I missed this info but what aft suite did you have?

 

We were in 5190. One of the two best staterooms on the ship for verandah dining in spite of the weather.

[frankc98376]

We were in 5190. One of the two best staterooms on the ship for verandah dining in spite of the weather.

 

We were in 5190 on Zuiderdam in 2014 and the lights flickered and switches didn't operate properly. Electrician replaced something in the panel just inside the entry door. I remembered when you mentioned the same type issue occurring.

[IndyDenise]

Rose has been away for the past three days but I did confirm today that she was on the Westerdam last year. I told her that Denise said, "hello."

 

 

Thanks Crew News! I'm kinda hoping she is off the Zuiderdam when I board in Feb.

 

She delights in re-telling me about my antics aboard the Noordam! I'm trying to forget a certain night! [emoji33][emoji33][emoji33]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[frankc98376]

I always refer to 5190/5191 with the description I first saw Joanie use- "The other penthouses"

[Crew News]

Finally back on solid ground here in the Hilton Marina Hotel here in FT Lauderdale.

 

Disembarkation was a breeze with no waiting. Leaving at 9:30 worked well this time. Our porter managed to snag us a taxi that was dropping off passengers right where Joanie was turning her rental scooter. At a snail pace, Joanie would take forever to get across the street to the taxi waiting area. We were at our hotel by 10:00 AM. Of course early check-in didn't start until noon.

 

Some miscellaneous notes:

 

I checked my bill night using the ship's Navigator web page and determined that I needed to play the slot machines to use some of my excess OBC. Not feeling so lucky, I just cashed in my bank.

 

When I retired last night, I owed HAL $30 and my final bill this morning showed they owed me $130. The accounting folks refunded the two PG/Le Cirque dinners that Joanie could not make as well as $98 for our "gift" beverage cards from our Explore4 package that we did not use. When we checked-in, we each received $50 cards and I received an additional $100 card. Only our final credit card charge will confirm the Explore4 beverage card refunds.

Edited November 30, 2016 by Crew News

[IndyDenise]

Thank you Crew News for taking us along.

 

I can't wait to follow along in your wake Feb 15, 2017.

 

I hope Joanie's last cruise was fantastic for her, sorry to hear she missed out on the PG dinners. Happy that you got a refund!

 

Ill be checking your site for updates, my family thinks I am nuts for poring over menus and dailies months in advance but I am like Geico. It's what I do!

 

Thanks again and give Joanie a hug

[sapper1]

Finally back on solid ground here in the Hilton Marina Hotel here in FT Lauderdale.

 

Disembarkation was a breeze with no waiting. Leaving at 9:30 worked well this time. Our porter managed to snag us a taxi that was dropping off passengers right where Joanie was turning her rental scooter. At a snail pace, Joanie would take forever to get across the street to the taxi waiting area. We were at our hotel by 10:00 AM. Of course early check-in didn't start until noon.

 

Some miscellaneous notes:

 

I checked my bill night using the ship's Navigator web page and determined that I needed to play the slot machines to use some of my excess OBC. Not feeling so lucky, I just cashed in my bank.

 

When I retired last night, I owed HAL $30 and my final bill this morning showed they owed me $130. The accounting folks refunded the two PG/Le Cirque dinners that Joanie could not make as well as $98 for our "gift" beverage cards from our Explore4 package that we did not use. When we checked-in, we each received $50 cards and I received an additional $100 card. Only our final credit card charge will confirm the Explore4 beverage card refunds.

 

Thank you so much for taking us along on your cruise. It was most enjoyable.

Good for you in checking into a hotel when you disembarked instead of incurring all the stress of getting off the ship and to the airport in time. We always do the hotel thing after a cruise too so we can shrug off any delays. It ends the cruise on a more relaxing note.

 

Safe travels home. :)

[cruisersMandW]

It was so nice finally meeting you and Joanie! We enjoyed out M&G and lunch, and I really appreciated your hospitality in your "other penthouse" going through the canal.

After seeing the process from forward and starboard, watching the whole thing from aft added a whole different perspective.

 

You do add a lot of value to this thread! Hope to cruise with you again.

 

Maureen [/size]

Edited December 1, 2016 by cruisersMandW
spelling error

[NCTribeFan]

Thanks for taking the time to write. I really enjoyed reading. I'm on the 1/4 sailing; only my 2nd HAL cruise and 1st in 6 years.

 

Although I'm solo and in a lowly interior cabin on Main, I enjoyed reading about the luxuries included with a "penthouse" suite. ;)

 

I opted for main (late) dining (at my own table) but I'm thinking of switching to Open dining, just to have the flexibility, since we have a late port day in Aruba. I rarely order room service, but almost feel like I need to have dinner in my cabin one night simply because I can! :p

 

Thanks again!

[carolyn22]

I enjoyed following along with your cruise. A Panama Canal cruise is on my bucket list. You mentioned in a few places that you would be updating your website with new menus. What is the name of your website?

[cruise47]

Thanks for taking off to share your review.

[POA1]

As always, thanks for your excellent reporting. Have a safe flight home.

[sail7seas]

You mention C aptain and COM bgt did not tell us who they are Could you tell us, please? have a great cruise.

Edited December 1, 2016 by sail7seas

[Crew News]

I enjoyed following along with your cruise. A Panama Canal cruise is on my bucket list. You mentioned in a few places that you would be updating your website with new menus. What is the name of your website?

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com is my website with links in my signature.

[Crew News]

Captain: Wouter van Hoogdalem

Culinary Operations Manager: Ruben

Hotel Director: Darren Lewis

Dining Room Manager: Endra

Neptune Lounge: Rose and Glenn

Cruise Director: Linda Minnikin

Room Steward: Wayan

Piano Man: Don Alexander

[Crew News]

As those who have visited Joanie and I in our stateroom on our HAL cruises know, I don't announce but give visitors a huge (14 X 25") calendar with images for the ports we will visit. This cruise my calendar images were only of the Panama Canal and none of the other ports. I create only 16 calendars for each cruise and this cruise, for the first time, have less than five that nobody claimed and am returning home with them.

 

Maureen, posting above, received a 2017 calendar during her visit to our stateroom.

 

For those going on subsequent Panama Canal cruises this season and have been posting on this thread, I will cover the postage to mail you one of my few calendars. Please use the Contact Form on my website if you would like one.

 

Note that I have never sold anything from my hobby photography website and am offering these few rather than just tossing them.