Zaandam star gazers

[TinaLee]

Hi all!

One of my daughter's favorite things to do at night while at sea is star gaze, but many times it is almost impossible to find a spot on the ship where there is low enough light to actually allow you to SEE them. Can anyone tell me if there is a prime star gazing spot on the Zaandam? It looked like from RevNeal's pictures that you can go all the way forward on Promenade Deck, but is that area brightly lit in the evenings (in which case you don't have prime star-viewing conditions)?

Thanks in advance-
TinaLee

[dakrewser]

Go up to the observation deck, forward. Then climb up the stairs to the Sports Deck. No lights, to speak of - plenty of sky....

[smoosh21]

How about on the Oosterdam. Last trip on a Carnival ship (Sensation), it was very hard to find any good dark spots, there was so much lighting on the deck. You had to hunker down in the fore of one of the top decks to have the light blocked out.

[arzz]

If you are fortunate enough to have a verandah cabin, (or know someone on board who has a verandah cabin) after the newness of the verandah experience wears off a few days into the cruise you can often get good views from the verandah -- early in the cruise many people are outside at night and for some reason not understood by rational man (or woman) who wishes to view stars they all seem to have turned on their verandah lights!

When we go out at night, we turn almost all the lights in the cabin off and let the moon and sky light our way -- hears to clear skies at night!

[TinaLee]

Go up to the observation deck, forward. Then climb up the stairs to the Sports Deck. No lights, to speak of - plenty of sky....

I'm confused Dave... on Zaandam there is no Observation Deck, and the Crow's Nest is all the way forward on the Sports Deck. Also, with the addition of the new area for teens, I'm not sure how that will affect the lighting at night. Is that going to be forward or aft? It doesn't show on the deck plans on the HAL site.

Thanks arzz... no verandah for us this time, but we are sailing with folks who will have one. That might be her best option this time around.

Thanks again to you both!

TinaLee :)

[grannynurse]

You can go all the way forward on deck 4.
GN

[TinaLee]

You can go all the way forward on deck 4.
GN

How do you get there? It appears by the deck plans that the access is backstage in the theatre. Sorry to be so obtuse, but all I have to go by are the deck plans on line. Do you come up and forward from the lower promenade deck to reach this area?

Thanks again-
TinaLee

[Sigtau21]

I have the smae interest but will be traveling on the Veendam. Any suggestions for that ship?

[dakrewser]

I'm confused Dave... on Zaandam there is no Observation Deck, and the Crow's Nest is all the way forward on the Sports Deck. Also, with the addition of the new area for teens, I'm not sure how that will affect the lighting at night. Is that going to be forward or aft? It doesn't show on the deck plans on the HAL site.

Actually, it was me who was confused. You said Zaandam and I read Zuiderdam (memo to self: time to visit the eye doctor again!).

On the Zaandam, go up to the Crow's Nest (on the Sports Deck), then go outside and up the stairs to the Sky Deck. The night sky view from their is "Zaantastic"!

[TinaLee]

THANKS Dave! That's what I was looking for!! Appreciate it muchly (gotta love that grammer).

TinaLee :cool:

[dakrewser]

I have the smae interest but will be traveling on the Veendam. Any suggestions for that ship?

Same as the Zaandam - take the elevator up to the Crow's Nest, go outside and walk up to the Sky Deck.

Actually, first stop in the Crow's Nest and get a drink.....

[blossom]

My husband and I have been on several cruises and he always brings his binoculars(with tripod) or travel telescope. He usually sets up his equipment on the sky deck. The biggest problem is the wind. It is sometimes so bad that it is almost like a hurricane. There are some nights where it is "dead" calm and the views can be good. The lights are sometimes left off which makes the viewing much better. We would recommend that you bring a pair of binoculars and a star chart. We will be on the Maasdam 4/10/05. Enjoy the views.

Blossom

[arzz]

And dohn't forget to continue to watch to see those shooting stars.....

[hippy cruiser]

We were fortunate to have caught a wonderful Meteor shower in dec ontherydam. We had seen quite a few shooting stars from our deck and went to the sky deck to lie and slide a little (fairly good swells) and watched for about 2 hours. We had gotten to be preety close to some of the staff and when we passed surjuit works in exp. cafe now onZaandam he asked us if we were going to see the many shooting stars. It's nice to feel they go the extra mile w/their guests.----It was magic!! Hope you have great viewing!:)