2023 Grand World Voyage with The Inside Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

1 hour ago, julia said:

Your posts and pics and anecdotes are so MUCH fun!!  Thanks so much for sharing your GWV with us!

Oh, here's me with Presty on the Noordam... he's wonderful!

Great picture!   You look marvelous!

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Portree and Isle of Skye - Scotland, UK (28 April 2023)

 

Tender Port - arrived around 7:30 - Cold and cloudy - weather improved throughout the day.

 

Five of us booked a private tour with Gus's Taxi - 54 GPB per hour - 6-passenger van - We started at 9 AM from the Royal Bank of Scotland.   

 

Steep gangway from Tender platform to Wharf

 

This was our van for the day - very nice - new.

 

Portree Area 

We traveled about 80 miles along this route - visiting the spots shown.   Old Man of Storr was not visible when we drove by early - it cleared up later - too late for us.   Our tour lasted 7 hours

 

Bride’s Veil Falls

 

Lealt Falls

 

We spotted many of these Salmon fish farms off the coast.

 

Quiraing Vista

 

Fashion photo shoot in progress at Quiraing Vista - the model was freezing.

Baby Lamb with mother - we saw them frequently.   The color marks the animal so the owners can find their ship.

Castle Ewen at the Fairy Glen - I hiked up close to the top of Castle Ewen.

 

This is as far as I got up Castle Ewen - the final steps looked too treacherous.

 

We had lunch here - Steak Pie!

 

Inside the lunch spot

 

One flower shot 

 

Our final stop was to visit Dunvegan Castle

Dunvegan Castle (photo by Susan)

 

The entrance to Dunvegan Castle

 

Inside the castle - main dining room

 

Back in town, we walked around the town for an hour - browsed some shops - very small. 

Inside the visitor's center

 

We stopped at the craft market.

 

We think The Chippy has the best fish and chips anywhere in the world!

 

Fish and Chips (haddock)

 

Beautiful landscape from the ship during sail away

 

Back on the ship, we celebrated Ben Sack's birthday - He got to wear the BIG HAT.

 

 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Oban, Scotland, UK   Pronounced (OH- bin)

This map shows our next three ports.

HAL Tours visited some of these locations

 

The city is very compact and easy to explore on foot.

 

 

Once again, the weather forecast was poor, but the day turned out pretty good.    We anchored a little over a mile offshore, and the tender ride was advertised to be 25 minutes, but it turned out to be  12 minutes.

 

Long platform walkway to get to the tenders

 

This is a lovely town to walk around and explore. An excellent tourist information center is near the tender pier with plenty of information and maps.

 

 

We went ashore around noon and visited the only yarn shop we found:  The Wool and Needlecraft Center at 13 Argyll Square, an easy walk from the tender pier.   They have an old Facebook page but no other online presence.   They have a lot of quilting fabric and needlepoint and cross-stitch products.

 

 Judy picked up a ball of Austermann sock yarn to make a hat.  

 

 

We met most of Table 89 and Markie Dans for lunch.   It's a friendly Scottish Pub, a little off the beaten path, and we enjoyed a steak pie and some fish and chips.

 

Entrance to Markie Dans - 1/3 mile from tender pier

 

Inside Markie Dans

 

WESTBEER is brewed in Scotland    

 

Fish and Chips

 

Steak Pie

 

If you are in the mood for chocolate - Don't miss the Oban Chocolate Company.   They sell hot drinks and milkshakes in addition to light snacks and chocolates, of course.    Don't miss the humorous adaptation of classical art on the wall around the corner, where they have incorporated chocolate into these old classics.

 

 

There are several paintings like this near the entrance.

 

On the way back to the ship I stopped by McCaig’s Traditional Turkish Barber to get a haircut -  £12  or $15.   My barber was Aslan from Kurdistan. 

 

Aslan the barber

 

All aboard was 3:30 PM

 

The SailAway was held on by the Lido Pool and featured Scottish-style peel-and-eat shrimp and steamed mussels. 

Scottish-style peel-and-eat shrimp

 

Steamed mussels and shrimp

 

Flutist Jonathan Johnston was the featured entertainer on the World Stage.   He put on a great show that we enjoyed very much.

 

 

 

We received two 150th-anniversary tote bags as pillow gifts in the room.   You can see the other gifts HERE

 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Dun Laoghaire  (Dun Leery)

 

 

Arrived off the coast of Dun Laoghaire early, around 7:30 AM.   Dun Laoghaire is pronounced Dun Leery and is a suburb of Dublin - about 8 miles south.   This is a tender port.  

Tender Landing

 

These RIB boats escort every tender to and from the ship.   This is a requirement from the port authority

 

We walked along the streets highlighted in yellow above.

 

The tender landing is a couple of hundred yards from the train station (DART).   A tourist info center is available as you leave the port area, right before the train station.   

Train platform for trains heading to Dublin

 

Many people go to Dublin via train or on HAL tours.   We have been to Dublin several times so we decided to stay in Dun Laoghaire and walk up and down Georges Street.

 

We discovered O’Loughlins, a friendly local pub.  

 

Very crowded inside, but there was a patio in the back with some picnic table seating.   Most people were watching the Scottish Cup semi-finals soccer match between Celtic and the Rangers.  

The patio at O’Loughlins

 

Everyone here was Celtic fans, and we got to pose with their fan club banner.   

 

 

Celtic won the match 1-0 and everyone was happy.    I enjoyed a Guinness beer and the company of several local patrons who were eager to learn more about the Zuiderdam and our cruise.

 

Pouring a Guinness is a two-step process.   They stop with the glass 3/4 and let the foam settle down.  The beer is served cold -- 46 degrees is considered the ideal temperature.

 

Ready to drink after the second step!

 

After we left O’Loughlins,, we stopped by Le Chocolat de Frèd for a very good chocolate crepe.

 

 

We continued down Georges Street to the People's park and browsed the craft market before heading back to the ship.

 

 

Teddy's is a very popular soft serve ice cream place - long lines

 

 

There was a very good local band with dancers on the World Stage this evening.  Great show.

 

Entrance to port area

 

[weeislayman]

19 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Dun Laoghaire  (Dun Leery)

 

 

Arrived off the coast of Dun Laoghaire early, around 7:30 AM.   Dun Laoghaire is pronounced Dun Leery and is a suburb of Dublin - about 8 miles south.   This is a tender port.  

Tender Landing

 

These RIB boats escort every tender to and from the ship.   This is a requirement from the port authority

 

We walked along the streets highlighted in yellow above.

 

The tender landing is a couple of hundred yards from the train station (DART).   A tourist info center is available as you leave the port area, right before the train station.   

Train platform for trains heading to Dublin

 

Many people go to Dublin via train or on HAL tours.   We have been to Dublin several times so we decided to stay in Dun Laoghaire and walk up and down Georges Street.

 

We discovered O’Loughlins, a friendly local pub.  

 

Very crowded inside, but there was a patio in the back with some picnic table seating.   Most people were watching the Scottish Cup semi-finals soccer match between Celtic and the Rangers.  

The patio at O’Loughlins

 

Everyone here was Celtic fans, and we got to pose with their fan club banner.   

 

 

Celtic won the match 1-0 and everyone was happy.    I enjoyed a Guinness beer and the company of several local patrons who were eager to learn more about the Zuiderdam and our cruise.

 

Pouring a Guinness is a two-step process.   They stop with the glass 3/4 and let the foam settle down.  The beer is served cold -- 46 degrees is considered the ideal temperature.

 

Ready to drink after the second step!

 

After we left O’Loughlins,, we stopped by Le Chocolat de Frèd for a very good chocolate crepe.

 

 

We continued down Georges Street to the People's park and browsed the craft market before heading back to the ship.

 

 

Teddy's is a very popular soft serve ice cream place - long lines

 

 

There was a very good local band with dancers on the World Stage this evening.  Great show.

 

Entrance to port area

 

I am glad that you were able to catch the game and some of the fans.  There are Celtic Supporters clubs all over the world.  We watched the game in Ottawa, at the Ottawa Celtic club.  The Celtic v Rangers rivalry is probably bigger than any other sporting event.  Not always safe, but usually good fun.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

We will arrive in Cobh (Pronounced COVE) in an hour.    This is listed as the port for CORK.    We will be taking the HAL tour to kiss the Blarney Stone.  

 

The "Panama Canal" rolls make their final appearance this cruise as "Irish" soft rolls

 

 

These rolls appear whenever their is a scenic arrival with commentary

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 1, 2023 by The-Inside-Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

We are back from kissing the Blarney Stone!  Fun.  Now in line for the Titanic Experience!

Ready to leave!

 

 

warning sign

Pete

 

 

Judy

 

 

Fun shot afterward!

 

 

[Love the beach]

When we visited the Blarney Stone my DH, who already had the "gift of gab" was afraid to kiss it... fearing it would take it away...

[The-Inside-Cabin]

After we returned to the Zuiderdam from our excursion to Blarney Castle, we headed out again to enjoy the fantastic weather, The Titanic Experience, and the nearby festival called Summer Swing on the promenade overlooking Cork Harbor.   

 

The Titanic Experience is a fascinating and emotional journey through the Titanic's history and the people aboard the ship.   There are guided tours every 15 minutes, with about 20 people per group, and you should book online to get your preferred time.   When you check-in, you are given a souvenir admission ticket with a passenger's name from the Titanic.    At the end of the tour, you can check an online database and see the passengers' fate.   

 

Guide explains life in 3rd class on the Titanic

 

Located in the original White Star Line ticket office building, the experience begins with an introduction to the town of Cobh (then known as Queenstown) and its role as the last port of call for the Titanic before its ill-fated voyage.  

 

The experience took us through a series of exhibits, multimedia displays, and interactive installations that showcase the luxurious interiors of the Titanic, the lives of the passengers and crew, and the tragic events of the ship's sinking.  

 

Along the way, we saw replicas of the Titanic's cabins with explanations from our guide.   The guided portion took about 30 minutes, and I would plan for 45 minutes to give you time to explore a few self-guided exhibits at the end and the gift shop.

 

On our way back to the ship, we walked through the seafront promenade, where the first Summer Swing of the season was in progress.    More on Summer Swing HERE.    Summer Swing is often held during the summer to coincide with cruise ship visits.  

Summer Swing

Summer Swing

 

During our visit, we met a few members of the Cobh Animation Team who dress in period costumes to breathe life into the rich history and heritage of Cobh and Ireland.

 

We met a few people from the Animation Team at Summer Swing

 

Local residents posed with the Animation Team during our sail away

 

A small orchestra played during our SailAway, and hundreds of Cobh residents and visitors lined the wharf to see us off. 

 

Sail Away music is provided by a local orchestra.

 

Table 89 at the sail away

 

 

A few of the local residents lining the street as we sailed away

 

St Colman’s Cathedral dominates the Cobh waterfront.

 

 

Roche's Point Lighthouse

 

The Zuiderdam Singers and Dancers presented Rockin' Roadhouse on the World Stage.

 

Zuiderdam Singers and Dancers during the Rockin Roadhouse finale

 

Sveva

[alibabacruisers]

That looked like a wonderful day full of interesting and fun things to do!

[The-Inside-Cabin]

We had our first of two consecutive sea days, the first two scheduled consecutive sea days since March!   It was nice to relax and get things organized in preparation for the end of the cruise less than two weeks away. 

 

A representative from Luggage Forward arrived in Dublin, and they announced you could sign up for appointments on the remaining sea days.   We heard that the appointments were filling up fast, but if you only needed to get luggage tags you could simply fill out a form and not have to see anyone.

 

The big event tonight was the pajama party titled "Once Upon a Time" in three acts, by the Lido Pool.

 

Earlier in the day, they constructed three stages,  creating an Alice in Wonderland effect using  giant mushrooms.  

 

The decorations were stored in large boxes and  were moved to the World Stage for easier access

 

Setting up for the evening's event

 

At 9:00, the event started with servers passing around popcorn, chocolates, hot chocolate, and other treats.    The pool loungers were arranged in semi-circles around each stage and filled up early.    The rest of the Lido pool area was about half full.   Finding a seat wasn't hard.   

Plenty of snacks to go around

 

As the event started, they added some fog to create a mystical atmosphere.   At 9:30, the first act commenced with a narrator reading a script on one stage while actors from Entertainment Staff and the Zuiderdam Singers and Dancers performed on the other stages.    There were three separate stories, the first being a humorous adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood, followed by similar skits of other fairy tales on the different stages in turn.

 

About half the people wore pajamas.   Some were more elaborate than others.

 

With faces hidden by their masks, Tom and Angela played the part of "hidden ducks" that came to life!   Spencer is in the foreground.

 

Telling the story

 

Ian told the second story

 

Acting out the story

 

Here is the description of the event from the Daily Program

 

The big

 

"ONCE UPON A TIME…

There were three small stages on a Grand pool deck set for witty

story-telling amidst mystical sounds, smokey sights and bedroom

settings. Each stage will feature a short bed-time story... yet

beware... They may contain silly innuendo and occasional

naughtiness. If your early years' pajama slumber parties were too

innocent, come relive them with us as grown-ups. Enjoy cookies,

popcorn, adult hot drinks or somethi.ng stronger.

You won't want to miss this night... and yes, sleepwear is

authorized, if you wear it…

 

Poolside `Bedroom' Opens: 9:00 PM

Stage one: "Once upon woodland..." 9:30 PM

Stage Two: "Once upon a Letter..." 9:50 PM

Stage Three: "Once upon a Love story" 10:10 PM"

Edited May 3, 2023 by The-Inside-Cabin

[dchip]

We love that you are ready for any happening on the ship. Your avocado PJ’s are too cute!

Cheers, Denise and Howie too

[The-Inside-Cabin]

We will be staying late in Ponta Delgada tomorrow.   Looking for a nice restaurant for dinner.   Any suggestions?   This will be our first time here.

 

This place gets good reviews:  A Tasca

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g189135-d6696858-Reviews-A_Tasca-Ponta_Delgada_Sao_Miguel_Azores.html#REVIEWS

Edited May 3, 2023 by The-Inside-Cabin

[Lido deck main]

I love the positive attitude and all the participation you do.  You have clothes for all occasions.

[forwardho]

Love the pajamas! You two sure know how to cruise! Jill

[The-Inside-Cabin]

We arrive in Ponta Delgada early and are cleared around 8 AM.   This is a very modern city with a small cruise terminal.

 

We had arranged for a private tour to visit several scenic spots around the island.

 

The weather was not good and we experienced periods or light rain and brisk breezes all-day

 

Here are some photos of our day - nice time - but the weather was not very good as you can see

HAL Buses left on the upper level.  Private tours and cruise terminal shops were on ground level.   There are several restaurants and shops very close to the ship.

 

Misty rain as our day started

 

Out first stop on the west side of the island - we couldn't see much

 

Jelly fish washed up on the black sand beach.  Note cane tip for scale

 

One of several beautiful vistas - no blue skies today

 

São Nicolau church

We stopped here for a mid-morning snack

There are lakes inside the ancient volcanoes.

 

 

This is one of the biggest lakes

 

 

Ponta Delgado grows a lot of pineapples - smaller than those from Hawaii

 

This is about the size of a softball

Our guide - Hugo

 

A view of the ship as we walked back to the ship around 9 PM.  We had dinner out in town at Tasquinha Vieira

 We left around 10 PM  - There was a movie on the World stage this evening.   

 

Our final port call is tommorow.

 

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

I have so enjoyed your narrative and photos of this Grand world Voyage. Thank you!!  What is your next adventure?

[*Miss G*]

I can’t believe your trip is almost over!  The pajama party is such a fun idea.  Loving your pictures and commentary.  Thank you for sharing!

[alibabacruisers]

I also want to thank you for sharing all of your valuable information and enjoyed seeing you have a wonderful trip!  I am so amazed at all of your meticulous planning!  Thank you!

[Sea42]

The weather certainly made for some beautiful photos!

[The-Inside-Cabin]

10 hours ago, SJSULIBRARIAN said:

I have so enjoyed your narrative and photos of this Grand world Voyage. Thank you!!  What is your next adventure?

Right now it will be the 2024 World next January - I may do a coastal California in the fall if I can catch a deal from San Diego or LA

[meg1021]

53 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Right now it will be the 2024 World next January - I may do a coastal California in the fall if I can catch a deal from San Diego or LA

Thanks for sharing your experiences on your World Cruise.  We just put down a deposit for the 2025 World Cruise on Zuiderdam.  We never sailed with Holland America before, so reading through your postings gives me a better idea of various activities onboard.  Another World Cruiser is also posting the daily activities listings (not sure what name Holland America uses for this).  Anyway, you've provided a lot of good information, especially for those of us who will be newbies!  I hope that you post on your 2024 World Cruise as well.  Since you're nearing the end of your World Cruise, what are the 3 best pieces of advice you can give me, regarding the planning of the 2025 World Cruise?  I'm also sure that other experienced HAL cruisers will be available to answer the many questions I'm bound to have as we prepare for this cruise in 2025.  Thanks again!

[The-Inside-Cabin]

2 hours ago, meg1021 said:

Thanks for sharing your experiences on your World Cruise.  We just put down a deposit for the 2025 World Cruise on Zuiderdam.  We never sailed with Holland America before, so reading through your postings gives me a better idea of various activities onboard.  Another World Cruiser is also posting the daily activities listings (not sure what name Holland America uses for this).  Anyway, you've provided a lot of good information, especially for those of us who will be newbies!  I hope that you post on your 2024 World Cruise as well.  Since you're nearing the end of your World Cruise, what are the 3 best pieces of advice you can give me, regarding the planning of the 2025 World Cruise?  I'm also sure that other experienced HAL cruisers will be available to answer the many questions I'm bound to have as we prepare for this cruise in 2025.  Thanks again!

 The Daily Program is where all the activities are listed.   You can see them all HERE, indexed by date in a table.    
 

Review the zoom replays, especially the general ones.   HERE and HERE

 

Check out the rest of my website as it has much more information, reference items, packing suggestions and a cost calculator.  HERE

 

HERE is a page where you can find highlights  of past cruise entertainers

 

My 3 suggestions 

1). Spend 2 days (minimum) per port researching every port in advance.   Plan your days for each port before you leave.   Don’t be a slave to your plan but have a baseline fr9m which you deviate.  
2).  Know how public transportation and taxis work.  If you have never used taxis or subways - take a short vacation to a big U.S. city and practice using trains,  taxis and buses.   All big city public transit works about the same.  Know how to use your phone to find bus stops and subway stops.  
 

Know how to use your smart phone.   Know how to use UBER.    Know how to make local calls in a different country with a U.S.  cellphone.     Use maps.me or pocket earth and mark places of interest in advance. 
 

3). Participate in your roll call.   Join the photo book.  Meet people in advance online.  
 

Read other blogs - see the links in my signature line below
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 6, 2023 by The-Inside-Cabin

[REOVA]

23 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

 The Daily Program is where all the activities are listed.   You can see them all HERE, indexed by date in a table.    
 

Review the zoom replays, especially the general ones.   HERE and HERE

 

Check out the rest of my website as it has much more information, reference items, packing suggestions and a cost calculator.  HERE

 

HERE is a page where you can find highlights  of past cruise entertainers

 

My 3 suggestions 

1). Spend 2 days (minimum) per port researching every port in advance.   Plan your days for each port before you leave.   Don’t be a slave to your plan but have a baseline fr9m which you deviate.  
2).  Know how public transportation and taxis work.  If you have never used taxis or subways - take a short vacation to a big U.S. city and practice using trains,  taxis and buses.   All big city public transit works about the same.  Know how to use your phone to find bus stops and subway stops.  
 

Know how to use your smart phone.   Know how to use UBER.    Know how to make local calls in a different country with a U.S.  cellphone.     Use maps.me or pocket earth and mark places of interest in advance. 
 

3). Participate in your roll call.   Join the photo book.  Meet people in advance online.  
 

Read other blogs - see the links in my signature line below
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And be like Pete.....go on the GWC without any expectation and open mind and enjoy the adventures. You will be blessed to not have a prior cruise to compare to which helps in appreciating the Voyage. (But definitely research every port before hand). 

[Martezz]

I really enjoyed following your positive blog.  Hate to see the end of your blog postings for this cruise, but happy when your ship comes in, we will be boarding her to head out!