New to cruising - Zaandam 2/19

[Kate-AHF]

Hello everyone! So glad I found this board, I've learned a lot from lurking the last 2 weeks.

My husband and I have never cruised (well, I did a trans-Atlantic in 1968 on the Kungsholm... NY-Gothenburg ...when I was 7 years old - does that count? ;-) Actually, this is our first vacation in 7 years...I am quite excited. We are splurging on an S suite.

I see that Karensj is also on this trip. Karen, you and I are the same age, but my husband is a little (cough, cough) older at 58. We do not have children (We like them, just don't have any that aren't 4 legged), but hope to get the chance to meet you and your family at some point.

Though I've learned a lot (the packing thread was wonderful!) I still have several questions...couldn't decide to post them all at once or separately. I decided on separately - as perhaps others would like to see some of the responses to specific questions easily. I have also decided to do a bit more thread searching before asking the dreaded "attire" question. I understand about BB meltdowns and have no desire to cause one.

#1 - I've read there is a library on board. How many titles do they have? Diverse? Trying to cut down on the number of books to bring

[ryansmemom]

The libraries on board HAL ships all have several hundred books. The collection is quite diverse, both fiction and non-fiction books are available and can be checked out for the duration of your cruise. I have found recently published novels in the collection. For example, I was able to check out thee book, "The DiVinci Code" soon after it's publication. I would advise getting there early, to get the best selection.

There is also a selection of paperbacks left by other passengers who brought their own books and decided to leave them behind. They saved their precious luggage space for other things.

Another option, is paperback books are sold in one of the shops on board. You can always buy one to read.

There are lot's of options.

Linda

[JDee]

Library will also have a decent (sometimes) selection of current magazines, but you cannot remove them from the library....

Happy cruising....

[sopa]

Hi, Kate.
The library on the Zaandam is very nice. As Linda and JDee said, there is a good selection of books and magazines. There are also jigsaw puzzles and board games available for checking out, too, and small desks with writing paper, envelopes, postcards and pens.
While the library is always open, you can only check out books when a member of the staff is there, usually 9 to 5. Before and after those hours, the doors to the shelves are locked. But you can still look at what's available since the doors are glass. There is a $25.00 charge to your onboard account when you check out a book. It is removed when the book is returned.
On our two cruises on the Zaandam, the library was always frigid! (Most of the public areas on her are, at least to me.) If you want to stay in the library to read or write, bring a wrap!
She is a lovely, lovely ship...my favorite. I hope that you will like her as much as I do.

[Lucyt1207]

Hi Kate,

We are also cruising on the Zaandam 2/19...we are in touch with Karensj and our families will meet onboard. She has 3 children and we have 1. Look forward to saying "hi".

[grannynurse]

The Zaandam is in drydock now getting the Exploration Cafe and other SOE upgrades. The new library will be extensive.

If you want to read more about the ship and suite life, see my review on this board. We just got off last week after 11 days in the eastern and western caribbean.
GN

[lipoppop]

After the SOE upgrades the new library will have 2000 books as per HAL

[arzz]

I hope you will love the Zaandam as much as we do. It is a lovely ship and a good compromise between today's megaships and the smaller ships of yore.