LIVE (again) From The Zuiderdam!

[spcl4cs_gal]

Hey all! Back on this great ship once again and am as happy as a clam. :D Embarkation went off without a hitch and we are now on our way to Key West.

To all who were worried about the a/c, it appears that the powers that be have waved their magic wand and things are as cool as a cucumber, even in my stateroom on Deck 8.

There are a number of kids on board this week as well as quite a few teenagers. Time will tell how this will work out with regard to the underage drinking and behaviour.

The seas are calm with "wavelets" this evening...didn't know there was even such a word as wavelets until I starting sailing with HAL. The temperature is not bad but the humidity is at 71% so that's what is making things a bit warm. So far no rain (or hurricanes) in sight. :)

More to come!

[woldridge]

Since this seems to be the question of the week, can you tell us if there are two or four seatings for dinner? We will be getting on next week as you get off. Happy sailing!:)

[MandyGirl]

Have a fantastic week onboard! :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

As the days pass - do keep us all informed.

[FlorenceItaly]

Alison - I didn't realize you were sailing this week. I didn't get to wish you a fond farewell :). It's good to hear from you. I leave tomorrow so I will miss your live posts this week. Have a great week ;).

Marie

[sail7seas]

Thanks for posting from onboard.


Hope you have a fabulous time.

Enjoy!!!

[cruzlover56]

Alison

I'm glad your embarkation went okay. I Hope the weather holds for you.
Your weather at home has moved here, so lots of cold and rain, enjoy the heat
it'll have to hold ya til spring break.

I'll enjoy reading your posts this week.:D

Take care

[Lois R]

Hi Alison:) hope you have a great week! Looking forward to more "LIVE REPORTS":D

Oh Marie.....have a wonderful cruise too!

[drdaddy]

Thanks so much for posting while on board. Please have a great time, don't tax that a/c too much, and leave some food in the PInnacle for us next week for the first night! :-)

You know we all crave these on board posts. It makes it easier for us to be less anxious when there are possible problems.

[ekerr19]

Alison-

Please keep us updated... :)

We love hearing from you!

[jetfixer03]

Thanks for the post, reassuring about the A/C. The wife is not a happy camper when she's not cool...and we all know that if she's not happy, she'll make SURE I'm not happy!! lol Gotta love those hot flashes eh ladies?!

Chris J.

[Nasmas]

Thanks for the post, reassuring about the A/C. The wife is not a happy camper when she's not cool...and we all know that if she's not happy, she'll make SURE I'm not happy!! lol Gotta love those hot flashes eh ladies?!

Chris J.In the next life men will have them. No fun.

[jazzsea]

Thanks for the update on the air conditioning. Enjoy your cruise and keep us posted.

[Cruising Jake]

Glad to hear you are having fun. Thanks for the update. Please don't stop.

[drdaddy]

Chris,

I got one of those type wifes too! NOT lol.

But since we are in South Florida, MAYBE the humidity won't bother us as much? I will keep thinking positove.

[doone]

Glad to hear all is well onboard the Zuiderdam. Take good care of her for when we sail her in March!!!!!

[Jewelfine]

I'm so happy to hear that things are good on board - we are coming on after you! - Have fun!

[spcl4cs_gal]

Key West today (the only ship here) until 6pm but since I have been here what seems like a zillion times already, it's a toasty day on the ship for me. :) With my A cabin I can sit out and sun right at my own room as opposed to fighting for a deck chair on the Lido deck. By the way did you know that HAL is now selling their teak deck chairs to whoever wants to buy one? Not sure of the price but will hunt down Chris (shopping ambassador) today to see what's up.

Thanks for all the good wishes! It is so relaxing here even with the heat and the thought of heading back to work next week turns my stomach. I guess March will be here before we know it though, right doone? :D

There are four dinner seatings and unfortunately I was waitlisted so was put in the 8:30 slot. There was no room for a change so will decide whether to do other options or not. We're having a BBQ tonight at 6pm so that might be a plan of action.

For all of you worried about misbehaving kids and parents who couldn't care less, I actually ran across a mother and daughter this morning...the daughter was about 16 I would say, her extremely short skirt worn way too low at the waist and a tight tight tshirt...the mother was giving her heck for what she was wearing and who she was hanging around with. I almost stopped to shake her hand but thought better of it. I guess some parent do care. :D

Cheers!

[tommy]

What is your cabin number We will be in 4176 aft How big is your balcony Do you get lots of sun

What did you have for dinner last night

Deb

[lovinsea]

Hi, thanks for the postings. Sounds like your having a good time. We are
planning on going next year on the same ship. It has been many years
since we have been on HAL, we are diamonds members of RCL but thought
it was time to change. I do have a few questions, that you or maybe
someone else on this board might answer. First, we are looking to book
a SS stateroom. on either Navigation Deck or Rotterdam Deck. any suggestions as to which one? Also are the balconies covered with an
overhang? Also, do they have safes in the room? I think that's about it for
now. Thanks, and may you have calm seas and sunny days.
Ann

[spcl4cs_gal]

Just wanted to touch base before dinner and the night's activities....

Yes each room on the Z has a safe that you can program with your own security code.....

I am in cabin 8103 which is on the starboard side of the ship near the rear. I get lots of sun and some breeze but the view is great and there is no vibration at all. In fact it was hard to tell I was on a ship last night. About the only thing that this room has compared to some others is the nice smell of breakfast cooking in the morning from the Lido on the next floor. :D

[sail7seas]

So glad all is well on Zuiderdam and you are enjoying.


Would you share who is Captain, Hotel Manager and Guest Relations Manager?
Thank you.

[Ziggy7]

Hey Alison,
Hope you are having a wonderful time, as promised we left the Zuiderdam in good shape for you :)
You've got email too :)

Oh yeah, please eat some breadpudding for me LOL

[cruzlover56]

Alison

How did you enjoy your first sea day. Calm seas? Was it formal night or did you deke out to the Lido?

[spcl4cs_gal]

So glad all is well on Zuiderdam and you are enjoying.

Would you share who is Captain, Hotel Manager and Guest Relations Manager?
Thank you.

Hi S7S

The captain of this Z on this cruise is Captain Johannes (Hans) Van Biljouw and the Hotel Manager is Diderik Van Regemorter. Sorry but I don't have the name of the Guest Relations person...it's a woman. :)

[spcl4cs_gal]

We're now on our way to Half Moon today, set to arrive tomorrow morning around 8am. The seas so far have been very cooperative and there is actually a breeze today out on the Promenade Deck.

LOIS - Be sure to look up Shy in the Lido Restaurant (or Vista Diningroom for dinner) when you come on board on the 9th...I told him you were coming. :D He goes home September 28 for all who are interested.

JULIE - Did the Nativeway stingray/island drive excursion yesterday at GC and can't begin to say how great it was. Those little critters are so gentle and docile I could have taken one home with me. Alex from Nativeway was our guide in the water and there were only 5 of us on the boat....10 boats in total at the sandbar however. The rays for sure got their share of squid! We were introduced to Darth Vader, the black stingray...Alex told us that she is blind due to cataracts but can smell squid miles away. :)

Hey yesterday was my birthday! Had the traditional BD cake delivered to my table at dinner and was sung to by Shy and the guys. :D

Will try to get on tomorrow evening after Half Moon so if anyone has questions, ask away. :)

[Lois R]

Belated Happy Birthday Alison:D ......one of these days I would love to sail on my birthday...but.....it always falls in the neighborhood of Spring Break:eek: ....March 18th.....so I usually go later;)

Anyway.....glad you are having such a good time.....and I will look for Shy and say hello:) ...thanks!

Did you happen to meet Tatka and her hubby and son?

[Ziggy7]

We're now on our way to Half Moon today, set to arrive tomorrow morning around 8am. The seas so far have been very cooperative and there is actually a breeze today out on the Promenade Deck.

LOIS - Be sure to look up Shy in the Lido Restaurant (or Vista Diningroom for dinner) when you come on board on the 9th...I told him you were coming. :D He goes home September 28 for all who are interested.

JULIE - Did the Nativeway stingray/island drive excursion yesterday at GC and can't begin to say how great it was. Those little critters are so gentle and docile I could have taken one home with me. Alex from Nativeway was our guide in the water and there were only 5 of us on the boat....10 boats in total at the sandbar however. The rays for sure got their share of squid! We were introduced to Darth Vader, the black stingray...Alex told us that she is blind due to cataracts but can smell squid miles away. :)

Hey yesterday was my birthday! Had the traditional BD cake delivered to my table at dinner and was sung to by Shy and the guys. :D

Will try to get on tomorrow evening after Half Moon so if anyone has questions, ask away. :)
Allison,
Happy Belated Birthday ! Please say Hi to Shy, for Debbie & Jim , on our b2b he and hunky dory greeted us every morning and luch time. Also please tell Mario the bar guy, Mr & Mrs. Martini say hi hehehehe, he was our cabans guy!
Glad you are having a great time !

[cruzlover56]

Alison

See!, I told you the sting rays were a not to be missed excursion. No fear:eek: right? Sounds like Nativeway does a nice job, with small groups. I hope you got pictures to show to your class. I'll think of you at HMC. I got an invite today to a 3 day cruise in Dec to HMC to visit the "Signature of excellence" enhancements. Make sure you take your assigned stingray from GC and drop him off at HMC when you get there. LOL:D

[spcl4cs_gal]

Belated Happy Birthday Alison:D ......one of these days I would love to sail on my birthday...but.....it always falls in the neighborhood of Spring Break:eek: ....March 18th.....so I usually go later;)

Anyway.....glad you are having such a good time.....and I will look for Shy and say hello:) ...thanks!

Did you happen to meet Tatka and her hubby and son?

Unfortunately I didn't get to the CC Gathering on our first sea day so I didn't run into anyone from this site. :(

[spcl4cs_gal]

Allison,
Happy Belated Birthday ! Please say Hi to Shy, for Debbie & Jim , on our b2b he and hunky dory greeted us every morning and luch time. Also please tell Mario the bar guy, Mr & Mrs. Martini say hi hehehehe, he was our cabans guy!
Glad you are having a great time !

Messages have been forwarded to the right people. :)

[spcl4cs_gal]

Alison

See!, I told you the sting rays were a not to be missed excursion. No fear:eek: right? Sounds like Nativeway does a nice job, with small groups. I hope you got pictures to show to your class. I'll think of you at HMC. I got an invite today to a 3 day cruise in Dec to HMC to visit the "Signature of excellence" enhancements. Make sure you take your assigned stingray from GC and drop him off at HMC when you get there. LOL:D

Yeah Stingrays with Nativeway was one of the highlights of this cruise for sure. I wanted to bring Darth Vader back to HMC with me but couldn't swing it. One of the guys at HMC says that the stingray park is just about ready and all they need to do now is put the net up so that the darn things won't swim away. :) The park is located at the back of the island...if you travel towards the lagoon and keep going you will get there. The horses are being trained and will be placed at the far end of the island, way past the yellow cabana. Construction for the waterpark has started and it is up on the hill above the snorkle area...that could be a problem for some. They are breeding the stingrays right now for that attraction.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for the wonderful reports.

Glad you got the traditional birthday cake.

Everybody has been wondering where all the attractions were going to placed on HMC. Thanks for reporting.

[spcl4cs_gal]

No problem! :) And yes, the birthday was definitely one to remember this year...hehehe. I received an unexpected balloon bouquet at my door the morning of the 25th too. :D

[sail7seas]

Happy Birthday, Alison (a little late) :)


So happy you are having such a good time.

Thank you for all your wonderful reports from 'onboard'.

Enjoy....travel safely going home.

[spcl4cs_gal]

Arrived home this evening unfortunately. :(

[Ziggy7]

Thanks Alison! and welcome home!
Rest well and hurry back to the boards :)

[kelelmel]

Welcome back Allison and Happy Belated! Did you happpen to notice if Splenda was available yet on the Zuiderdam. Thanks!

[chefajax]

Hi Allison....
Missed you at the CC get together. Did you escape that rain at HMC? We had a GREAT time, hope to meet you on another cruise........Dennis

[spcl4cs_gal]

Welcome back Allison and Happy Belated! Did you happpen to notice if Splenda was available yet on the Zuiderdam. Thanks!

I believe it is although I can't say for certain. Morning after morning I looked at the sweetener bowl on my tray from room service and saw a number of coloured packets but since I don't use them, I never really thought to look. :(

[spcl4cs_gal]

Hi Allison....
Missed you at the CC get together. Did you escape that rain at HMC? We had a GREAT time, hope to meet you on another cruise........Dennis

Hi Dennis...

Yeah I decided to take a nap on Monday afternoon after being up late the night before and when I woke up it was close to 5pm. :(

I was one of the last people to leave HMC and the rain started pouring just before the gator came to pick me up at my cabana...stood in line for the tender with a number of others who were soaked to the skin like I was. Talk about a bad hair moment! :D

[Lois R]

Hi Alison:) glad you made it home safe and sound.......are you going to give us a review? (even a brief one?)...how were your tablemates? Nice folks?

I know you have friends who work on the ship and I'm glad you had a good birthday. But while they are working did you meet other pax during the week?

Well, one more weekend at home then I am outa here:D

[divinggirl]

Hey everyone,

SOOO great to meet everyone Mon afternoon. Dennis, Shannon (and Heather), Natalia, Mendy, fantastic meeting all of you, thanks for asking about my dives. I have many thoughts about this trip which I will put down here later, but I will say that HMC is so wonderful, both above and below the water!!

Loved the Z overall, but there is still a bit of an odor issue, was worse at the beginning of the week, and worst of all in the hall leading to the sports bar and the casino. Eventually disappeared, and it seems it can't be helped. It was bad in our room the first day and a half, but we called and then it miraculously disappeared. But what a wonderful vacation!!

Nikki

[divinggirl]

Welcome back Allison and Happy Belated! Did you happpen to notice if Splenda was available yet on the Zuiderdam. Thanks!No Splenda, I did specifically look. Bring your own if you want it.

[spcl4cs_gal]

Hi Alison:) glad you made it home safe and sound.......are you going to give us a review? (even a brief one?)...how were your tablemates? Nice folks?

I know you have friends who work on the ship and I'm glad you had a good birthday. But while they are working did you meet other pax during the week?

Well, one more weekend at home then I am outa here:D

I'll see what I can do about throwing together a review this evening or tomorrow. :)

[doone]

Welcome home, Alison, hope you took good care of the Zuiderdam for March when we sail her????

[kelelmel]

Thanks, will add it to my list!

[Ziggy7]

Originally Posted by Lois R
Hi Alison:) glad you made it home safe and sound.......are you going to give us a review? (even a brief one?)...how were your tablemates? Nice folks?

I know you have friends who work on the ship and I'm glad you had a good birthday. But while they are working did you meet other pax during the week?

Well, one more weekend at home then I am outa here:D


hahahaha Lois are you trying to find out if she had a fling LOL

[Lois R]

Hi:)

Ziggy...no, actually I'm not.......was just trying to ask about other pax on the ship...I sail solo too...
Wondering about how her days went, as I know Alison is a big Z fan so figured she would be a good person to ask about other cruisers:D

[spcl4cs_gal]

Hi:)

Ziggy...no, actually I'm not.......was just trying to ask about other pax on the ship...I sail solo too...
Wondering about how her days went, as I know Alison is a big Z fan so figured she would be a good person to ask about other cruisers:D

I'll buy that answer...for now. :D But you'll have to wait for awhile until I actually wake up for that review.

[Lois R]

Alison, the answer I gave is the truth.

[spcl4cs_gal]

I know, I know...just being a pain. By the way, I will be posting my review very shortly. :)

[Ziggy7]

Hi:)

Ziggy...no, actually I'm not.......was just trying to ask about other pax on the ship...I sail solo too...
Wondering about how her days went, as I know Alison is a big Z fan so figured she would be a good person to ask about other cruisers:D
I was just teasing you hehehe I know you weren't searching for a fling, I was just remembering our conversation about flings and Alison before she left :)

[spcl4cs_gal]

Whatever are you talking about?? ;)

[Ziggy7]

Whatever are you talking about?? ;)
Hahahahaha remember when you said you wanted me to do something for you but you needed to email me and the board went wild trying to guess if it was a fling thing LOL

[spcl4cs_gal]

Hahahahaha remember when you said you wanted me to do something for you but you needed to email me and the board went wild trying to guess if it was a fling thing LOL

Yes, and you told them it was a fling, no? :D Hey at this point I don't care who knows...most of the bar staff does. LOL

[Ziggy7]

Yes, and you told them it was a fling, no? :D Hey at this point I don't care who knows...most of the bar staff does. LOL
Nooooooooooooooooooo, I said nothing :) Honest !

[spcl4cs_gal]

Nooooooooooooooooooo, I said nothing :) Honest !


No need to worry...it's obvious to me who has been doing the talking. ;)