Live from and life on ms Zaandam on her 7-Day Canada-New England cruise - Bos to Mon

[Copper10-8]

Day 4 - 08/16/2022; Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada

 

Sydney is a population center and former city in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Situated on Cape Breton Island’s east coast, it belongs administratively to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Sydney was founded in 1785 by the British; it was incorporated as a city in 1904, and dissolved on 1 August 1995, when it was amalgamated into the regional municipality. It served as the Cape Breton Island colony's capital, until 1820, when the colony merged with Nova Scotia and the capital moved to Halifax.

 

Sydney was founded in 1785 by British Colonel Joseph Frederick Wallet DesBarres, and named in honor of Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney, who was serving as the Home Secretary in the British cabinet.

To get to Sydney from Halifax, both located within the province of Nova Scotia, Zaandam basically followed the eastern coast line of that province eventually rounding the northeaster portion of Cape Breton Island and heading south for Sydney harbor, the Canadian one, not the Aussie one! Zaandam then picked up the local pilot, stayed perfectly in between Cranberry Head on the west and Low Point (Flat Point) on the east by following the leading lights, and then made a 180 to go starboard side alongside the cruise terminal. We were the only show/ship on Tuesday and the weather was still beautiful! The gangway was once again located back on A-Deck forward.

 

We had our customary breakfast in the PC around 8:45 hrs. (they close up at 9:00 AM on port day) and then took our time to get ready for our shorex with a 10:30 AM meeting time scheduled. That shorex by the name of “Baddeck on your own”, would be our last one on this trip, would last some seven hours, and would take us up the Cabot Trail, both a highway as well as a scenic roadway in northern Victoria and Inverness Counties heading up Cape Breton Island. More specifically, it would take u to the town of Baddeck, pronounced “Buh-Deck” as in Bidet, take away the “day” and replace it with “Deck”

 

The route measures 185 miles in length and completes a loop around the northern tip of the island, passing along and through the scenic Cape Breton Highlands. It is named after explorer John Cabot who landed in Atlantic Canada in 1497. Construction of the initial route was completed in 1932.

 

Our bus with our guide, Ken, drove us via the Trans-Canada Highway through the heart of the Bras d’Or Lake region of Cape Breton, passing the famous Gaelic College of Celtic Arts and Crafts, with a photo stop overlooking the lake. After passing the Alexander Graham Bell estate which sits majestically on a hill above Baddeck Bay, we arrived at Baddeck where we had two hours to look around and grab a bite to eat.

 

While feeding, a RCMP Ford Police Interceptor Utility pulled up and parked in front with a lone Mountie inside. I grabbed my chance, identified myself with my badge and I.D. and had a very pleasant conversation with the Mountie. He told me that after graduating the RCMP Depot (basic academy) in Regina, Saskatchewan, young Mounties basically go where they are sent which can be all over Canada. His postings so far, have been to British Columbia, in the Arctic in Nunavut (only two Mounties working side by side Mon through Fri and "on-call" on the weekends, and in Newfoundland. His wife is from Beddeck so when a posting there opened up, he grabbed it. Real nice guy and interesting conversation!

 

The village of Baddeck is located in the center of Cape Breton, where the Baddeck River empties into Bras d’Or Lake. Local governance is provided by the rural municipality of Victoria County, with an elected village council having limited authority. The population was 826 in the 2016 Canadian census. It was first settled by United Empire Loyalists in the late 18th century, and prospered in the 19th century with mining, milling, and shipbuilding. Today the economy depends on services, cultural activities, and tourism. We had lunch at the Bean There Café and then got ready for the return ride to Sydney with a good look at the 1912-built Kidston Island Lighthouse and had another photo stop atop Kelly's Mountain. Situated on St. Ann's Bay, Kelly's Mountain offers panoramic views of the entire Bras d'Or Lakes as well as the Seal Island Bridge.

 

Overall, a relatively long but enjoyable excursion to a place you don’t get to see too often while on a cruise ship!

 

Zaandam was off her berth a little after 5:00 pm and retraced her route from this morning to once again reach open sea. In order to get to our next destination, Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island, we had to round the top of Cape Breton Island which placed us inside the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

 

Dinner was once again at 8:00 PM followed by the night’s entertainment which was the BBC Earth presentation of “Seven Worlds One Planet in Concert” inside the main show lounge known on Zaandam as the Main Stage. The Zaandam musicians consisting of the classical duo from the Explorations Lounge and three of the five players from the Ocean Bar Band accompanied the footage of animals of all five continents. This is the third installation of BBC Earth we have seen on the Dam ships, and they all have been excellent.

 

Tomorrow (Wednesday) is Charlottetown, PEI.

 

See ya then!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Copper10-8]

7 hours ago, KBC73 said:

We will be on the Zaandam in three weeks. My wife loves the piano bar. Do you know who is playing there? 

 

5 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

 

They still have the Mix on Zaandam. Only walked by there. Will attempt to find out the name of the player

 

The piano player / individual tickling the ivories inside the Mix on Zaanie is Clara Holmes 

[Copper10-8]

Day 4 - 08/16/2022; Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada (con't)

 

Zaandam's Cruise and Travel Director Glenn introducing BBC Earth's presentation of “Seven Worlds One Planet in Concert” inside the main show lounge

 

Two of the five Zaandam musicians, the classical Russian-Ukrainian duo from the Explorations Lounge, accompanying the presentation

 

Some of the featured animals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Yellow Lab's Rule]

Always enjoy your reviews. The one landscape picture with the bridge, it looked like the leaves were already starting to turn color. Or is it dry up there?

[Copper10-8]

2 hours ago, Yellow Lab's Rule said:

Always enjoy your reviews. The one landscape picture with the bridge, it looked like the leaves were already starting to turn color. Or is it dry up there?

 

Good eyes! The pic I took of the bridge from the same vantage point did not come out right/too dark, so the one you are referring to is borrowed 😉 

[rkacruiser]

22 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

Veendam with Capt. Jonathan Mercer in command. When Veendam was in the HAL fleet, there was a framed letter of acknowledgement from the US Coast Guard hanging on the bulkhead adjacent the front office thanking him and his ship for the search efforts after the MD-11 tragically went down

 

I remember seeing that letter.  As another poster indicated, Captain Mercer surely had an interesting career.  I hope he is enjoying his retirement.  

[rkacruiser]

22 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

Veendam with Capt. Jonathan Mercer in command. When Veendam was in the HAL fleet, there was a framed letter of acknowledgement from the US Coast Guard hanging on the bulkhead adjacent the front office thanking him and his ship for the search efforts after the MD-11 tragically went down

 

I remember seeing that letter.  As another poster indicated, Captain Mercer surely had an interesting career.  I hope he is enjoying his retirement.  

[Copper10-8]

13 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I remember seeing that letter.  As another poster indicated, Captain Mercer surely had an interesting career.  I hope he is enjoying his retirement.  

The captain and K1 are doing well enjoying retired life

[Copper10-8]

Day 5 - 08/17/2022; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

 

From the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Zaandam entered the Northumberland Strait from the east, leading to Hillsborough Bay. The pilot was picked up and a course was set for the Hillsborough River and Charlottetown harbor where Captain Michiel placed his “R”-class ship port side to alongside the city’s cruise ship terminal building. A gangway was established ashore from A-Deck by Zaandam’s “Boatmen” (officially known as lifesaving attendants) supervised by Security Officer Andy, the ship was cleared by the local authorities, and by 0700 hours, Zaandam was in business for the early risers. All Aboard today was at 3:30 PM. After six days of great weather in Boston, Bar Harbor and part of the Canadian Maritimes, today we were dealing with a steady rain and wind in Charlottetown, PEI. Time to deal with it!

 

Charlottetown is the capital and largest city of the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, and the county seat of Queens County. Named after Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, queen consort of British King George III, Charlottetown was originally an unincorporated town that incorporated as a city in 1855. It was most famously the site of the Charlottetown Conference in 1864, the first gathering of Canadian and Maritime statesmen to debate the proposed Maritime Union and the more persuasive British North American Union, now known as Canadian Confederation. From this, the city adopted as its motto “Cunabula Foederis” – "Birthplace of Confederation".

 

The population of Charlottetown as of 2021 was 38,809; with the Province of PEI coming in at 160,302. Charlottetown is situated on its namesake harbor, which is formed by the confluence of three rivers in the central part of the island's south shore. The harbor itself opens onto the Northumberland Strait. The city is roughly V-shaped (pointed to the south) and constrained by the North (Yorke) and the Hillsborough (East) rivers to the west and east.

 

The city's streetscape with a centrally planned downtown core containing many Victorian-era houses and buildings is an attraction, as well as the waterfront redevelopment project in recent decades which has seen walking trails and parks developed on former industrial lands. A new cruise ship terminal was opened by the port authority in September 2007 which, proponents hope, will make the city a more attractive destination for the growing number of vessels operating in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

 

So, the game plan was to take it easy in the morning and meander into town at about 11:30 PM. The last time we visited here, we found an actual Starbucks on Queen Street, the main drag. Off we went with umbrellas in hand past Founders Hall Visitors Info Center, and a left on Water Street, followed by a right on Queen Street, the main “drag” in town with lots of restaurants, a convenience store, the Ann of Green Gables store of course, etc. It took us about 20 minutes to get there so we entered the HighMart Store to get some Canadian moolah from an ATM. On the way out, we received info from the clerk that the Starbucks had closed down in 2021 mainly because it was not a drive-through. So much for that plan.

 

Plan B was to find an establishment to have some lunch which we located caddy corner across the street at the Churchill Arms, Prince Edward Island's only authentic British Pub, featuring British style curries and traditional British dishes. Great place to get out of the rain and, as it turned out, very popular to the point that folks coming in some time behind us had to be turned away because there was no more seating left. We had a nice lunch in Winston’s Place consisting of Chicken Tandoori, Rice & Chips and Fish & Chips plus it gave us a chance to dry out a bit.

 

Since it was still raining when we left, we wound up hailing/flagging down a PEI cab with a cabbie from Pakistan who first wanted to drop us off at the nearby St. Dunston’s Basilica, until we gave him directions to the port and cruise ship terminal. Hey, we got there and back onboard, got out of our wet clothes and soaked tennis shoes.

 

Zaandam departed our last Canadian Maritime port at approx. 4:00 PM and sailed back into Hillsborough Bay where the pilot was transferred to his waiting boat. A course was then set for the big Saint Lawrence River and the Canadian province of Quebec. In order to get there, we had to enter the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, an outlet of the North American Great Lakes via that same Saint Lawrence River into the Atlantic Ocean which makes it a semi-enclosed sea. The weather had not changed and was cloudy with continued rain and wind, causing some swells and bumps for the ride.

 

Spent some time in the Neptune where concierge Kristine has been taking excellent care of us and her other guests! Outstanding job! On the pic we took – see attached – Kristine is NOT in violation for not wearing a mask! All crew from the captain on down, still does. We asked her to remove it for 5 seconds to get a nice pic! Zaandam still has a traditional library, originally known as the Erasmus library, with the "Puzzle corner" next to it. Additional books are found in that puzzle corner and along the walls of the Explorations Café. The "big yellow lips" are also still present across the corridor at the Explorers Lounge side.

 

We had our customary nice dinner with our four new friends: George and Diana from Mesa, AZ and Roger and Mary Kay from New Braunfels, TX with excellent service from Arif and Zion. Post dinner, the plan was to see the Step One Dance Company in “Musicology” however, upon arrival in the Main Stage we found the lights on and Cruise & Travel Director Glenn informing us that the late performance had been cancelled due to the inclement weather/movement of the vessel which would affect the safety of the dancers. Too bad but completely understood!

 

Instead, we wound up in the Ocean Bar and listened to the five-piece band playing there, while consuming a “Godfather” (that’s a duo mixed drink made of Scotch whisky and amaretto). Tomorrow (Thu) is our one and only sea day on this seven-day voyage as Zaandam enters the mighty St. Lawrence River on our way to la belle Ville de Quebec

 

See ya then!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 19, 2022 by Copper10-8

[Marion B]

Hi John,

   Kristine looks familiar.  If you get the chance, can you find out if she was onboard the Koningsdam (with Patrick in the Neptune Lounge) last December?

   Enjoying your continued postings .

Thanks,

Marion

[Oceansaway17]

23 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

Day 4 - 08/16/2022; Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada

 

Sydney is a population center and former city in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. After passing the Alexander Graham Bell estate which sits majestically on a hill above Baddeck Bay, we arrived at Baddeck where we had two hours to look around and grab a bite to eat.

 

 

 

 

If you ever get to go back, make sure you visit inside the museum as it was fascinating.  I understand your tour did not include inside which is a shame even for just an hour.

[Copper10-8]

3 hours ago, Marion B said:

Hi John,

   Kristine looks familiar.  If you get the chance, can you find out if she was onboard the Koningsdam (with Patrick in the Neptune Lounge) last December?

   Enjoying your continued postings .

Thanks,

Marion

 

 

Good eye Marion! Yes, Kristine is one and the same! We had her on Koningsdam for the ship's 2021-2022 New Year's cruise to the Mex Riviera where she worked the NL with Patrick. She stayed on the "Big K" for  a while longer until starting her vacation back home in the Philippines. She came back to work in June on Zaandam and is looking forward to visiting Africa on the ship in October!

 

We will tell her you said hi. I'm sure she will remember you because she has a memory like a steel trap and, as you already know, is plain awesome at her job! 

[Marion B]

   Thanks for the update on Kristine.  We send her our best wishes and hope our paths cross again soon.

 

[St Pete Cruiser]

Thanks for your usual detailed reports from the Zaandam.  With the majority of my Holland America days aboard "S" and "R" class ships, it is so good to see the Zaandam still, for the most part, still looking the same.  I agree that they should have retained the original names of the MDR and theater!  

[idiebabe]

Thanks, John, for your wonderful Review and very much enjoyed (as always) following along.  We'll be Boarding her next Saturday for two weeks and looking forward to being back on Zaandam!   

 

Again, Happy Anniversary to you both!  🥂

[Copper10-8]

Day 6 - 08/18/2022; Sea Day/Cruising the St. Lawrence River

 

Today (Thursday) is our only sea day of this seven-day voyage which, for the entire morning had Zaandam still plying the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The plan was then to follow the St. Lawrence Estuary, followed by entering the big St. Lawrence itself which we would take upriver to Quebec City and finally, Montreal.

 

However, Mr. Murphy had other plans. As he usually does. At approx. 1025 hrs., just before the start of the Mariners award ceremony inside the Explorers Lounge, Capt. Willems came on the ship’s P/A to announce that unfortunately, one of our fellow passengers had gotten ill (non-Covid) and required care beyond what the capable medical staff onboard Zaandam could provide. In other words, this pax had to be medically evacuated (medevac’d). The captain and senior (pax) doctor had been in touch with the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) / Garde Côtière Canadienne (GCC) and it had been decided to carry out that medevac via CCG boat, as opposed to by helicopter.

 

In order to get this done, Zaandam had to divert to Baie de Gaspé, a bay located on the northeast coast of the Gaspé Peninsula in the province of Quebec. The Gaspé Peninsula is located along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River and extends from the Matapedia Valley in Quebec, into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It is separated from the province of New Brunswick on its southern side by Chaleur Bay and the Restigouche River. The name Gaspé comes from the Mi’kmag (First Nation) word gespe'g, meaning "end", referring to the end of the land.

 

So, the Canadian Coast Guard wound up dispatching the Arun-class 51’ high endurance, self-righting long range rescue cutter CCGS Cap aux Meules, staffed by a crew of four, two of whom are rescue specialists, based out of Cap aux Meules, on Grindstone Island in Quebec’s Iles de la Madeleine or Magdalen Islands, to Baie de Gaspé. She rendezvoused with Zaandam around 12:20 PM at that location and stayed off our ship’s starboard side midships while the boatmen were putting the finishing touches on Zaandam’s starboard side tender platform from where the medevac would take place.

 

CCGS Cap aux Meules then began her approach to Zaandam’s starboard side platform and did so starboard-to-starboard (bow pointed towards Zaandam’s stern) with her skipper positioned out in the open on the vessel’s flying bridge. A flying bridge is a small, often open, deck or platform area above the actual enclosed pilot/wheelhouse, having duplicate controls and navigational equipment that can serve as a second operating station for the ship's officers, such as the captain or officer of the watch. The flying house usually provides unobstructed views of the fore, aft, and the sides of the vessel.

 

We were still dealing with a pretty good swell so it took the CCG skipper/helmsman up to three attempts before his vessel could be secured to Zaandam to affect the transfer. Once that was accomplished, the patient inside a stokes basket was brought down the flight of stairs from A-Deck to the tender platform by four Zaandam crew members and transferred by them to the CCGS Cap aux Meules. His companion followed. Once those crew were back safely onboard Zaandam, the lines were let go and, under applause from those watching from balconies and railings, CCGS Cap aux Meules swung to port and set a course for the town of Gaspé. We later learned from Capt. Willems that the patient was safely at a local hospital receiving advanced treatment. A job well done by all involved!

 

As stated, at 10:30 AM there was a Mariners reception inside the Explorers Lounge and as previously stated, Capt. Willems was unable to be there due to his involvement in the medevac. Cruise & Travel Director Glenn acted as master of ceremonies and hotel general manager Leonie Henry from South Africa was also present, as was Annette, the FCC, Daphnae, the GRM and Mitch from Guest Services who had organized the event. Two separate Mariner Society silver medal awardee couples were recognized, as was a HAL Presidents Club couple with plenty of HAL sea days to their credit. There was time for pics with Leonie afterwards.

 

At 12:00 PM sharp, we had a lunch reservation at the Pinnacle Grill which on HAL ships is only open for lunch on sea days. Our lunch consisted of spicy lemon grass tomato soup, crab cakes, shredded chicken and bibb salad, and the PG burger. Pretty good stuff!

 

The remainder of the afternoon was spent jelling and/or pretty much doing zilch, nada, nothing! That’s why we like sea days!

 

After dinner, we strolled, actually fast walked due to the 9:30 PM show time, to the Main Stage where we watched the comedy of Hank Denson, a funny guy from Georgia. He had us laughing several times! We finished up the night once again inside the Ocean Bar listening and dancing to the Ocean Bar Band.

 

Tomorrow (Friday) is our last port of call, Quebec City, Quebec with a delayed arrival of a couple of hours due to today's medevac

 

See you then!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stakeout]

On 8/19/2022 at 5:53 PM, Copper10-8 said:

 

 

Good eye Marion! Yes, Kristine is one and the same! We had her on Koningsdam for the ship's 2021-2022 New Year's cruise to the Mex Riviera where she worked the NL with Patrick. She stayed on the "Big K" for  a while longer until starting her vacation back home in the Philippines. She came back to work in June on Zaandam and is looking forward to visiting Africa on the ship in October!

 

We will tell her you said hi. I'm sure she will remember you because she has a memory like a steel trap and, as you already know, is plain awesome at her job! 

holy guacamole---we were on the 'Big K' from Nov 14 thru Jan 9 -- 8 back to backs with Captain Henk and HGM Santoosch.. how in the heck did I miss you.. Gladys was the Mariner Coordinator.. surprised the good Captain didn't mention it as we go back to his days on the Maasdam

[Copper10-8]

Day 6 - 08/18/2022; Sea Day/Cruising the St. Lawrence River (con't)

 

Lunch in the Pinnacle

 

The comedy from Hank Denson in Main Stage 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Copper10-8]

2 minutes ago, Stakeout said:

holy guacamole---we were on the 'Big K' from Nov 14 thru Jan 9 -- 8 back to backs with Captain Henk and HGM Santoosch.. how in the heck did I miss you.. Gladys was the Mariner Coordinator.. surprised the good Captain didn't mention it as we go back to his days on the Maasdam

 

Coulda met up! Next time! 😉 We're doing the "Big K" again this year for New Years! Take care and be safe! 

 

[rkacruiser]

56 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

to divert to Baie de Gaspé

 

Great photos!  Thanks.  I think that HAL should call at the port for Gaspe on some of their shorter cruises.  When I sailed on Maasdam from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale, Gaspe was a port that I enjoyed.  Windy?  Cool/cold?  Yes.  But, it provided another cruise memory.  

[Copper10-8]

4 hours ago, idiebabe said:

Thanks, John, for your wonderful Review and very much enjoyed (as always) following along.  We'll be Boarding her next Saturday for two weeks and looking forward to being back on Zaandam!   

 

Again, Happy Anniversary to you both!  🥂

 

Have great 2-week back-to-back! She's still a nice ship with a great crew!

[Copper10-8]

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Great photos!  Thanks.  I think that HAL should call at the port for Gaspe on some of their shorter cruises.  When I sailed on Maasdam from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale, Gaspe was a port that I enjoyed.  Windy?  Cool/cold?  Yes.  But, it provided another cruise memory.  

 

Adding some Gaspé stops would be interesting! HAL used to stop at Saguenay on the other side of the St. Lawrence, another interesting call off the beaten path. Not sure if they still do......

 

[Cruising-along]

2 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Adding some Gaspé stops would be interesting! HAL used to stop at Saguenay on the other side of the St. Lawrence, another interesting call off the beaten path. Not sure if they still do......

 

Hi John!  

Both Saguenay and Gaspe are on the Quebec City-Fort Lauderdale 14-day itinerary in October.  We've enjoyed both ports several times when taking that cruise fall and spring.

[REOVA]

3 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

A job well done by all involved!

Cheers to the Cap't and crew.... Just returned from the VoV where we had 2 helicopter medevac'uees on our cruise. They have performed well, thanks and prayers to those involved. Glad you are enjoying Zaandam and congrats on another year together. 

[rkacruiser]

22 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

Both Saguenay and Gaspe are on the Quebec City-Fort Lauderdale 14-day itinerary in October.  We've enjoyed both ports several times when taking that cruise fall and spring.

 

100% agree!  They are different from the other ports on the 7 day Canada/New England cruises.