richwmn Goes around the world in a daze

[richwmn]

 

It is evening on Zuiderdam. A few quick notes. I did not go ashore today. Unfortunately I had a couple of calls from home I needed to take care of. But, I might not have gone ashore anyway. It was confirmed to me this afternoon that Falmouth, Jamaica is a cruise line built port (RCI) and it looks it. The buildings are new and from what I could see from my balcony are the same shops you would see all over the Caribbean. From what I could see, it doesn’t have the pushy vendors on the street. This is probably because it appears to be a more regulated area.

 

So that leaves ship board activities. First the meals were satisfying. Unlike some, I don’t expect gourmet meals aboard the ship. Most of my meals are in the Lido and I find the food good and the service excellent. The stewards are doing a very good job of remembering preferences, as are the cooks and servers.

 

Two rounds of trivia today and I did pretty good at both. The 9:00 pm trivia was songs from the 60’s and I think everyone enjoyed it. The winning team got 31 points out of 34. I missed the bonus and ended up with 29.

 

On the Main Stage at 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm was again Steven Scott. While he is a good comic, he seems to have a limited repertoire. The show started out the same as his previous two shows. I will admit that the first week he did two different shows. Maybe the problem is that HAL, at least for entertainment, considered the previous 12 days as two cruises and didn’t consider that the performers would repeat their act.

 

The staff and crew around the ship are great. It has been really nice being on the ship for the past 3 weeks or so.

 

 

[erewhon]

@richwmn  Rich,

Who is looking after your cats during your absence?

[richwmn]

6 hours ago, erewhon said:

@richwmn  Rich,

Who is looking after your cats during your absence?

I have two people looking after the cats. One person is staying there and another is running the business. Both like the cats and I'm sure are taking good care of them.

[richwmn]

Jan 06, 2023 – A Day at Sea.

 

So it is Friday, at least that is what the elevator mat says. We are at sea headed for Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. It is a bright, warm day outside.

 

If I’m not mistaken today is the third day of masks and we are supposed to be tested, although nothing has been mentioned as of yet. For the most part I see compliance, particularly when walking around. When people are sitting, most are maskless with food or a drink in front of them. I have been in several large groups where most were not masked due to the beverages in front of them.

 

Today’s activities will, for me, center on a meeting in a few minutes, followed by trivia. The show ‘Dance Fever’ looks to be interesting as does the EXC talk on the Panama Canal.

 

I give you today’s complete activites and meals, enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[richwmn]

I guess I missed the memo. We just got our self tests and instructions to wear masks until arrival at Puerto Limon tomorrow.

 

[Cruisercl]

Oh my gosh, the whole mask thing is intertesting on how they are doing it.

Thanks for doing this; I have enjoyed your reports.

Good to see they have more things to do on board than the NS cruise last Fall.

Continued safe sailing and negative testing. 😎

[richwmn]

It’s Friday evening, January 6^th.

First, Tonight’s quote

 

 

This morning everyone took a Covid-19 test, and I guess too many people tested postitive because we have to mask for another 3 days. However, in his message the Captain said no further testing was indicated.

 

It’s Friday evening, January 6^th.

First, Tonight’s quote

 

 

The presentation on the Panama Canal was very good. Ian is also a good presenter and I found the content to be good. I do feel that a couple of important points were left out, but that is to be expected since it was only supposed to be an hour long.

 

Movie trivia today was a bit difficult for me since I haven’t see a lot of more current movies. A couple of the questions:

1) What is the book that Forest Gump kept in his suitcase?

2) Clarise Starling was a character in what film?

3) Who was the serial killer in the movie Halloween?

4) (bonus) Name the five Marx Brothers?

 

The show tonight on the Main Stage was Dance Fever, featuring the Zuiderdam Singers and Dancers. It was nice to see a this group and they put on a good show. Despite the fact that the background music was pre-recorded the show was pretty good. Both the singers have a good voice and the choreography was good. All in all a nice way to spend a little time.

 

Tonight we change time zones again. Tomorrow we will be in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica early in the morning. This is a nice port with some interesting excursions available. The Captain said the weather should be nice, so it should be a great day.

[richwmn]

January 07, 2023, Morning in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica.

 

It is a little after 7:00 am, and we are already moored next to Volendam in Puerto Limon. We are scheduled to be in port from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm. So far it is a very pretty day outside.

 

The menus are not available yet, but here are the activities for today:

 

 

 

Some views of Puerto Limon from the ship this morning:

 

 

 

 

 

[richwmn]

 

It is evening on Zuiderdam, for me a nice view from the balcony watching Volendam for a few minutes. I took a picture, but the phone camera didn’t do much of a job of it. Someone on Volendam took a picture of us, hope they post it somewhere We will be staying together thru the Panama Canal tomorrow, overnight in Fuerte Amador, then leave together about 5:00pm on Monday.

 

So today was Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. I was here once before in December of 2010 and enjoyed the visit. For that stay we were at a dock right in town and could walk to see actual Puerto Limon. Today we stopped at an area away from town and the only way to do anything was via a tour or cab. I was disappointed because I had hoped to walk around the town. It was a very pretty day and I’m sure that those who went out had a great time.

 

Aboard ship was also nice. It was very laid back and relaxing. Very little crowding at lunch. The 4:30 trivia had a good crowd, but I didn’t do very well again. Many of the questions were more current than I am good at.

 

This evening the Lincoln Center Stage was moved to the Main Stage. I’m sure the show was good, just wasn’t in the mood for it tonight. I have enjoyed that type of music both on ship and at home and recognize the talent that the on ship musicians have. Looks like the comic, Steven Scott, will perform in Rolling Stone Lounge at 9:00 pm. Hope he has a different show.

 

Zuiderdam is having 3 happy hours for the time being. The times, I think, are 4 – 5pm, 6:30 – 7:30pm and 10 – 11 pm. Happy hour drink prices are 50% off. That really helps the budgeting!

 

Tonight we change the clocks again in preparation for Panama. When we leave there Monday we will be changing the clock regularly.

 

I know it is late, but here are today’s menus:

 

 

 

 

 

[Sharon in AZ]

Nice to see that shrimp cocktail has been on the menu every evening.  But maybe it’s just because it’s a Grand WC. 

[richwmn]

January 08, 2023 – The Panama Canal

 

I was up bright and early and managed to see the lights of Atlantic side Panama.

 

 

 

 

 

Then we did the first set of locks at Gatun. This is always an interesting part of the trip. Three sets of locks raise the ship 85 feet to cross Panama. The on board commentary is always good. It is an engineering marvel of the 1900’s that still works today.

 

Already at 6:30 people were up and about trying to get good views of the passage. I didn’t have any trouble getting breakfast and was invited to join @Cat and her DH for breakfast. I did enjoy talking to them.

 

Here are today’s activities and menus

 

 

 

 

[CruisingGrandmaW]

TY for taking time to post most nights & mornings.

Really enjoying your adventures.

Gives me something to look forward to as I both begin my day and end my evenings with.

Wishing you continued Good times!

[Essiesmom]

 

Gatun locks, Volendam heading from second to third lock, Zuiderdam waiting her turn

[Essiesmom]

Now it’s your turn…

 

 

[Sir PMP]

Any Panama Rolls:

 

[lcand1923]

Rich,  Thank you so much for taking the time to do these posts.  I am really enjoying your cruise!

[REOVA]

3 hours ago, Sir PMP said:

Any Panama Rolls:

 

I see them listed on the menu (soon to be Milford Sound Rolls 😁) as was the chilled tropical soup. 😋

[Essiesmom]

Joining Volendam at Pedro Miguel

 

 

[leerathje]

25 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Joining Volendam at Pedro Miguel

 

 

 

Really see the difference in size of the ships.

 

L.

 

[Essiesmom]

Sisters at Miraflores

 

 

[travelnap]

36 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Sisters at Miraflores

 

 

Big Sister and Little Sister together.  Thanks for posting.

[Essiesmom]

Doesn’t happen often.  Just wish they had online bridge cams.  EM

[leerathje]

44 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Sisters at Miraflores

 

 

 

I want to thank you for taking the time to post the canal photos!

 

L.

[alibabacruisers]

Thank you for the updates and pictures!

[travelnap]

I've seen HAL ships follow each other thru the locks, but I can't remember seeing them side by side like that.  Great picture.