BTimmer's Almost Live - Zuiderdam 1/2-30/22 -San Diego to Florida RT

[Turtles06]

5 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

Today on this sea day we participated in a wine tasting.  We picked up a good tip on a dessert wine from Chile.  Dessert wines are our favorites.

 

Thanks for taking the time to take us along.

 

Love the photo of the wine glasses.  Do you enjoy Sauternes?

Edited January 9, 2022 by Turtles06

[Overhead Fred]

6 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

Today on this sea day we participated in a wine tasting.  We picked up a good tip on a dessert wine from Chile.  Dessert wines are our favorites.

 

 

 

I had this wine as an after dinner drink in the Pinnacle last month. It was very good! Since we had the drink package, I asked for it in the MDR one night. It took a little longer, but they tracked down a glass for me!

[Btimmer]

Here are a few more photos from our departure from Puerto Chiapas.  I'll put more comments as photo captions.

last passengers boarding 

Pilot boarding

 

Ramp aboard

 

Last view of the gang plank 

 

Flag display 

 

Mexican coast guard heading out to protect us

 

Dock dog

 

Underway!

 

Pilot on board his transfer boat after 3 attempts

 

Pilot on board his craft

 

Protection in progress 

[Btimmer]

13 minutes ago, Overhead Fred said:

 

I had this wine as an after dinner drink in the Pinnacle last month. It was very good! Since we had the drink package, I asked for it in the MDR one night. It took a little longer, but they tracked down a glass for me!

Yes, the wine steward said we could request it either by the glass or a bottle. We may buy a bottle for our return trip.

[Btimmer]

19 minutes ago, Turtles06 said:

 

Thanks for taking the time to take us along.

 

Love the photo of the wine glasses.  Do you enjoy Sauternes?

We're very much sweet wine drinkers.  The first three choices weren't too impressive for us although they improved with cheeses to cleanze the palate.  This is the first wine tasting with cheeses and bread since the resumption in cruising.

[cccole]

Btimmer - How are passengers reacting to changes in itinerary, hopefully just happy to be cruising.  I can't imagine how stressful this is on the Captain and his crew.  I imagine he has to react fairly quickly, or are ALL decisions made in Seattle?  It is a challenging time to be cruising for everyone.  Your photos are wonderful.  Cherie  

[Btimmer]

1 hour ago, cccole said:

Btimmer - How are passengers reacting to changes in itinerary, hopefully just happy to be cruising.  I can't imagine how stressful this is on the Captain and his crew.  I imagine he has to react fairly quickly, or are ALL decisions made in Seattle?  It is a challenging time to be cruising for everyone.  Your photos are wonderful.  Cherie  

As far as I can tell, all is well with the passengers, except we have some in quarantine who aren't enjoying the same experience.  
 

I can't answer how the Captain is doing.  For the crew members we have contact with, they are all upbeat especially when I show them the snorkeling pictures of the fish.

 

Thank you for the compliment.  I'm trying to increase my picture content for the benefit of the quarantined passenger.

 

Yes, anyone choosing to cruise at this time must embrace change and the unexpected.  But it is a good time to enjoy excellent service levels.

 

Tim

[Btimmer]

We enjoyed dinner in the Pinnacle Grill tonight.  It was excellent.

 

Shrimp cocktail appetizer

 

Lobster Bisque

 

Wedge iceberg salad 

 

Lobster 5 oz

 

15 oz ribeye (shared)

Passion fruit sorbet 

[NMCruiser123]

That looks like a delicious meal.  Luckily I was able to eat there on the second night of the cruise, and I even ordered a filet from room service once quarantined too.  Turned out quite good even in a cardboard box!

[regnig]

14 hours ago, NMCruiser123 said:

That looks like a delicious meal.  Luckily I was able to eat there on the second night of the cruise, and I even ordered a filet from room service once quarantined too.  Turned out quite good even in a cardboard box!

What an attitude!! 😄  You ought to be awarded a free cruise (Pinnacle Suite) by HAL for remaining so upbeat and positive. 

[Btimmer]

We took a HAL excursion to San Jose, CR.  There were only 15 on the tour, which was perfect with a 60 passenger bus. We visited the National Theater and the Central Bank Museum, stopped for a terrific lunch  (sorry no pictures), and did a souvenir stop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Btimmer]

Here's a few more pictures from the return trip plus the departure of the Seven Seas Explorer, our departure, and a moon shot at 10:30pm.

 

I should mention that there's a bunch of crickets on deck 9 aft.  They are quite loud at night, but we can't see them.

 

River crossing

 

Zuiderdam and Seven Seas Explorer

 

Late arriving tour buses. 20 minutes late at 6:50pm. But the ship didn't depart until 8:08pm.

 

Seven Seas Explorer departed first

 

Gangway being stored 

 

Our departing view

 

Moon shot at 10:30pm.  Taken with my Nikon P900 handheld with no tripod 

 

Many more details from the day's activities will be in my blog later today which is a sea day.

 

[dchip]

On 1/9/2022 at 4:21 PM, Btimmer said:

 

Yes, anyone choosing to cruise at this time must embrace change and the unexpected.  But it is a good time to enjoy excellent service levels.

We have decided to cruise to the South Pacific on the Zuiderdam on 2/27/22. We are looking at it as an adventure to wherever we end up. At this point we know our itinerary is not going to be what it is right now. It is a bit easier for us because we have been blessed to cruise the South Pacific on the Amsterdam in 2016 and 2019. We can’t escape COVID no matter where we are, so we will be careful, stay as smart as possible and enjoy the cruise. 
 

Thank you for your blog and photos here on CC. 
Denise

[0106]

Thanks for your wonderful report (and blog) and the beautiful photographs.  
 

Today, we made a firm decision to sail on  our 2/13 Panama cruise. We look forward to fewer passengers and stellar service.  In case we have some cancelled ports, we’ve been thinking about sea days.  I can tell you spend a lot of time writing and with your photographs.  Any other can’t miss onboard activities?

 

A few questions:

Have you seen a “high tea” offered?

Is there a “movie” screen at the aft pool? My husband was hoping to watch the Super Bowl there.  If not, where do you think would be his best option?  
What’s it like in the Crows Nest/Explorations?  Are puzzles and books still there or have they been removed as a precaution?

Any America’s Test Kitchen demonstrations?

[iflyrc5]

33 minutes ago, 0106 said:

Thanks for your wonderful report (and blog) and the beautiful photographs.  
 

Today, we made a firm decision to sail on  our 2/13 Panama cruise. We look forward to fewer passengers and stellar service.  In case we have some cancelled ports, we’ve been thinking about sea days.  I can tell you spend a lot of time writing and with your photographs.  Any other can’t miss onboard activities?

 

A few questions:

Have you seen a “high tea” offered?

Is there a “movie” screen at the aft pool? My husband was hoping to watch the Super Bowl there.  If not, where do you think would be his best option?  
What’s it like in the Crows Nest/Explorations?  Are puzzles and books still there or have they been removed as a precaution?

Any America’s Test Kitchen demonstrations?

I can answer one question - HALs contract with America's Test Kitchen ended at the end of 2019 to they will not have ATK demos.

[oakridger]

2 hours ago, 0106 said:

A few questions:

Have you seen a “high tea” offered?

Is there a “movie” screen at the aft pool? My husband was hoping to watch the Super Bowl there.  If not, where do you think would be his best option?  
What’s it like in the Crows Nest/Explorations?  Are puzzles and books still there or have they been removed as a precaution?

Any America’s Test Kitchen demonstrations?

 

Zuiderdam doesn't have an outdoor movie screen.  Only the Pinnacle class ships do (Konnigsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam).  They may show the Super Bowl at the main theater or in one of the other bars elsewhere though.

[leerathje]

On 1/5/2022 at 2:13 PM, Oceansaway17 said:

 

what is that catching fish in it's mouth?  Surely not a whale?

 

 

The were right up on the swimgrid when we were in Cabo.

 

L.

 

[Btimmer]

8 hours ago, iflyrc5 said:

I can answer one question - HALs contract with America's Test Kitchen ended at the end of 2019 to they will not have ATK demos.

 

9 hours ago, 0106 said:

Thanks for your wonderful report (and blog) and the beautiful photographs.  
 

Today, we made a firm decision to sail on  our 2/13 Panama cruise. We look forward to fewer passengers and stellar service.  In case we have some cancelled ports, we’ve been thinking about sea days.  I can tell you spend a lot of time writing and with your photographs.  Any other can’t miss onboard activities?

Since we have sailed a lot with HAL, we're pretty familiar with the routine.  We love the 9am coffee chats on sea days, Lincoln Center Stage, Ask the Captain. Nightly star gazing and moon watching on deck 9 aft. We never miss a meal. 😉

 

A few questions:

Have you seen a “high tea” offered?

Yes, daily at 3pm.  We've never been to one in over 550 sea days.

Is there a “movie” screen at the aft pool? My husband was hoping to watch the Super Bowl there.  If not, where do you think would be his best option?

There's no aft screen.  But I'm certain they will show it in either the BBKing or on the Main Stage screens.  We've watched 2 Superbowls on HAL ships and it's a great experience. 
What’s it like in the Crows Nest/Explorations?  Are puzzles and books still there or have they been removed as a precaution?

It's terrific with the Explorations Cafe there; lots seating, Shore Excursions and electronic maps, some books, and I haven't seen puzzles but I'll take a look.

 

 

9 hours ago, 0106 said:

Any America’s Test Kitchen demonstrations?

There is no ATK, but we really like the replacement 'Port to Table'.

 

I hope this helps.  Great questions.

 

Now it's time to watch the Panama Canal transit which is just beginning.  More pictures and text coming.

[Btimmer]

We're just entering the canal.  Ahead is the Bridge of the America's.

 

[jabcruiser]

10 hours ago, 0106 said:

Thanks for your wonderful report (and blog) and the beautiful photographs.  

Is there a “movie” screen at the aft pool? My husband was hoping to watch the Super Bowl there.  If not, where do you think would be his best option?  

They used to have a BIG Super Bowl event in main showroom area - World Stage I guess it is called.  Huge buffet spread and since our Bronco's were playing we purchased VIP seats which was really great.  Lots of give-aways during what would have been commercial breaks.  Who knows what they will do now with Covid??? 

Jane

[leerathje]

Almost!

 

L.

 

[leerathje]

And there she goes....transitted the Miraflores Locks.

 

L.

 

[aliaschief]

Great account of your cruise. Thanks for sharing with all we on land cruisers!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[Cruise Suzy]

Here are some more photos to go with the ones from @leerathje  In case you want to add external views to your journal.

 

 

[leerathje]

And now coming up to Pedro Miguel locks.

 

L.