Could someone please answer some Zaandam questions

[newcruiserx2]

Hi. I am new to cruising. We are planning a long family cruise in the next year, but for now, my husband and I are doing a 3 night pacific coastal cruise in three weeks on the Zaandam. I have a few questions"

Will there be any formal nights? I have heard that there aren't on cruises that short, but not sure how accurate that information is.

WHERE is the formal attire required....is it only if you eat in the alternative restaurant, or all of them, or some?

Is a nice dress with nice accessories adequate for formal night, or do I have to go out and buy a really fancy dress? I'd hate to spend a lot of money on a new dress for a 3 night cruise if I don't have to, but I don't want to dress inappropriately, either.

Do men have to wear a suit and tie every night for dinner?

Sorry for all the dress code questions, but I have done some research on the subject and I am still a bit confused.

I am really confused about the alternative dining room. Is there only one on the Zaandam? And, if so, is it called the Marco Polo, or the Pinnacle Grill, and is it $20pp or is it free? I have read conflicting reports all over the internet on this subject.

Also, any idea at all what the weather should be like in 3 weeks from San Diego to Vancouver? Do I need to concentrate on packing warm clothing, or bring both warm and cool weather clothing? Rain geer?

Boy, this 3 night cruise is getting me stressed out. I really need to learn the ropes.... there is more info. on the web about 7 plus night cruising, and Alaska and Carribean weather. That's why I am having trouble looking up info. on this short repositioning cruise.

Any help at all will be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance, and happy sailing to you all!

[user8]

I'll try my hand at trying to answer at least some of your questions but there are others on this board who should be able to answer all of them.

I have no idea how many formal nights you can expect on a three day cruise. Generally, the first and last nights are casual, so I would not expect more than one at the most, but I could be mistaken. You will be given a program each evening listing the events for the next day and telling you the dress code for the following evening.

If the evening is designated as being formal, it applies to both the main dining room and the alternative resturant. Many people who do not want to dress up choose to go to the Lido that evening where casual wear will be permitted.

Being a man, I am not qualified to say what constitues formal evening wear for a lady. IMO a nice "dressy" type dress would be appropriate. For a man, he may wear either a tuxedo or a dark suit and tie. The tie is only required on formal nights although he may choose to wear one with a sport jacket if it is an "informal night" as distinqished from a "casual night".

If I am not mistaken, the alternative resturant used to be known as the Marco Polo but is now called the Pennacle Grill. If I am wrong, I am sure someone will correct me.

Your guess of what the weather will be is as good as mine. Maybe someone who lives in the area or who has taken this cruise before can shed light on what you can expect. If not, check one of the weather sites on the internet and see what they predict.

Don't get stressed out. A cruise is for relaxation and enjoyment. Enjoy it and have lots of fun.

Lee

[MikeT718]

First thing is not to get stressed out
About formal night on a short cruise that I do not know
When you get your Docs you get a booklet called "Know Before You Go' in it it states that whatever the dress for the evening it means the entire evening in all public spaces. Alos your Docs will tell you how mahy formal, informal, or casual night you will have.
A dark suit will be fine for your Dh and for you a nice dress should be ok also.
If there are any informal nights they require at a min. a sport jacket and tie
For casual nights you are just required to have a collared shirt.
At no time are jeans or tee shirts allowed in the main Dinning room
Now the Alternet Dinning room it is the Pinnacle Grill and there is a charge of $20 per person.
The Zaandam is a very beautiful ship I think you will enjoy her and her crew very much
I hope this info helps and I am sure if I got anything wrong others will correct me as I am to excited about my upcomming cruise:D

[missygirl]

First thing is not to get stressed out
About formal night on a short cruise that I do not know
When you get your Docs you get a booklet called "Know Before You Go' in it it states that whatever the dress for the evening it means the entire evening in all public spaces. Alos your Docs will tell you how mahy formal, informal, or casual night you will have.
A dark suit will be fine for your Dh and for you a nice dress should be ok also.
If there are any informal nights they require at a min. a sport jacket and tie
For casual nights you are just required to have a collared shirt.
At no time are jeans or tee shirts allowed in the main Dinning room
Now the Alternet Dinning room it is the Pinnacle Grill and there is a charge of $20 per person.
The Zaandam is a very beautiful ship I think you will enjoy her and her crew very much
I hope this info helps and I am sure if I got anything wrong others will correct me as I am to excited about my upcomming cruise:D


Mike is on the money-100%. I was just about to answer but his reply says it all.
On clothing for you any nice dress ,skirt, or slacks pared up up with a dressy blouse will be perfect for formal night. Also a shawl and jewelry will dress up an outfit. If you still are having problems finding something you might try a consignment shop in your hometown to purchase a piece very reasonable. Some ladies are against any consignment items but you would never guess that my long beautiful, beaded, formal gown was a whopping $4.99 plus the cost of dry cleaning. I check at these locations as soon as we book to aquire all the "new" formals that I need and I am only the wiser.
Hope you trip is a great one.
Missygirl:)

[elmorejj]

It seems as though your 3 day-er is the tail end of the Zaandams trans canal cruise. We took this cruise in 2004, our last US port was LA, then 3 days to Vancouver. I do not remember a formal night on the last three days. Also, the weather was quite a bit colder sailing up from CA to Canada, All I remember is that the pax who boarded in LA sat around the pool wrapped in travel rugs!!:cool:

[RuthC]

Define "nice dress". Formal is formal. If you do have a formal evening (and it is evening---not just dining room), then the idea to play "Second Hand Rose" by picking up a little something in a consignment shoppe is a great one.
Once you start cruising you'll be wearing that dress over, and over, and over, and....

[newcruiserx2]

Thank you all for the helpful answers. I really appreciate you taking the time to help out this newbie!

[woodz]

We are also going on this cruise with you!! We did this on the Statendam 2 years ago and I still have the paperwork. There were 2 informal and 1 formal nights. It was cool in San Diego on the day we arrived, (low 60's and rainy) and it stayed very cool the whole trip. I lived in sweats. When we arrived in Vancouver all the mountains had snow and it was in the 50's. It was the last time we had cool weather for 5 months since it was in the 90's when we landed in Phoenix. For our formal dinner I didn't take my fancy dress. I took a ball skirt and dressy type jacket or sweater. You could wear a nice dress and be ok. The 3 day cruise was very casual and relaxing. It tends to be cool in the dining room (since all the men are in suit coats), so don't forget a sweater. Don't hesitate to call HAL and ask questions. They were the nicest of all the cruise lines I have spoken with. You will love this small taste of cruising and will wish for more. Believe me, it is addictive!!!

[GTVCRUISER]

Hi woodz, I saw the cruises you have been on , I cruised on the Azure Seas ,Vision of the Seas and the Rhapsody ,I really liked the Rhapsody the best. My question is ,can you see any land on the coastal cruise? or do they sail far out at sea , so you only see water? I will be on the Zaandam May 1, 2006

[newcruiserx2]

I, too, was wondering if we would be able to see land on this coastal cruise. I hope so.

Again, thank you all for the great answers and advise. I feel much better now!

[newcruiserx2]

We are also going on this cruise with you!! We did this on the Statendam 2 years ago and I still have the paperwork. There were 2 informal and 1 formal nights. It was cool in San Diego on the day we arrived, (low 60's and rainy) and it stayed very cool the whole trip. I lived in sweats. When we arrived in Vancouver all the mountains had snow and it was in the 50's. It was the last time we had cool weather for 5 months since it was in the 90's when we landed in Phoenix. For our formal dinner I didn't take my fancy dress. I took a ball skirt and dressy type jacket or sweater. You could wear a nice dress and be ok. The 3 day cruise was very casual and relaxing. It tends to be cool in the dining room (since all the men are in suit coats), so don't forget a sweater. Don't hesitate to call HAL and ask questions. They were the nicest of all the cruise lines I have spoken with. You will love this small taste of cruising and will wish for more. Believe me, it is addictive!!!

We live in Phoenix, too! Guess I'll have to dig out some sweaters since I haven't had the chance to wear them this year yet!!

[Scottish Cruiser]

Took the Zaandam to Alaska in 2004. Really nice ship, you will enjoy it. The formal/informal question has been addressed, but if you are packing light, your husband can wear the suit jacket with slacks on the informal night(s) rather than packing another jacket.

I gather you will be in Vancouver in early May. I do not know where you are coming from to make weather comparisons, but it will not be icy cold there. Probably around 10 - 15 degrees Celsius (50 - 60 degrees F). I would be more concerned about rain. Make sure you have rain wear and just hope you do not need it!

[woodz]

GTV,
Wow you were on the Azure Seas? It was because of that ship, bad weather and a case of sea sickness that I swore off cruising forever. 15 years later with the help of stablizers and meclazine the cruise-bug has bitten hard!!! We do get a price-break since my husband works for SWA so we are able to cruise at least 2 times a year. We could see the coast the last three times we have taken this route, but it is very, very far away. The only morning I remember seeing land was when we were coming into Vancouver. Since we arrive mid-morning we should have some beautiful views. For at least a Phoenix gal 50's to 60's are very cool. (That is winter in this part of the country). We are looking forward to a nice relaxing cruise. See ya on board!!!

[GTVCRUISER]

woodz, the Azure Seas was my very first cruise in the early 80`s , the May 1, 2006 Zaandam cruise will be cruise #28 for me......I love to cruise!!!!

[GTVCRUISER]

Zaandam sails in 16 days

[raadsel]

Zaandam sails in 16 days

Actually, it looks like the Zaandam sailed today. ;)

Sorry, couldn't resist -- looks like she started her Panama Canal trip today so she can be in San Diego on May 1. It's great that it's getting so close for you; I look forward to hearing a review of the trip and how she's doing when you get back.

[kakalina]

Woodz: I noticed you were in Tucson, I graduated from Rincon HS. Lived there for years..

newcruiserx2: I noticed you were from Phoenix, we are in central Phoenix. You haven't posted much, have you been cruising long?

Trisha

[kruzkeen]

I, too, was wondering if we would be able to see land on this coastal cruise. I hope so.

Again, thank you all for the great answers and advise. I feel much better now!
You will not see much of the land and what you do might be hazy. The weather might be cloudy and windy. There might not be much sitting around the pool.

These coastal cruises are not like Mexico or Caribbean. Having said that, I love them. I live in Los Angeles and had done these cruises to and from L.A./San Diego and Seattle/Vancouver.

The best part of these short cruises is the experience of the ship itself. I was on Zaandam last summer and it had just been through it's Signature of Excellence upgrade (which you can read about if you do a search). My friends and I thought it was HAL at its best.

[woodz]

Trisha,
We actually live in East Mesa. We both grew up in Mesa (back door neighbors) and graduated from Westwood High School many years ago. We were in Tucson a few months ago for a Marching Band competition for our son. He is the head snare drum/ head of the Drum Line and also jazz set player for his HS. We went out Hunt Highway and then took the cut-off through Florence. I couldn't believe how much building is going on. I had forgotten how beautiful Tucson is and the HS we went to was in North Tucson, a beautiful huge campus. It was only about 90 minutes from our house. We are looking forward to the cool coastal weather before the heat switch is hit for the next 6 months!!!!!
Janet