Navybikermom

I’ve gotten one on each of the three past cruises I’ve taken since the restart. NA and Zaandam.

I had one cruise last March on the NA, and two since then on the Zaandam. All seemed adequately staffed. I could tell there were some new staff members on board, and they seemed to have issues with consistency (ice in cabin intermittently, forgetting daily programs, only 1 towel animal on a 16-day cruise…), but I still enjoyed each cruise. The NA had some rowdy young’uns on board, but everything else seemed ok. The Panama Canal cruise was the best. Staff was outstanding, entertainment was nicely varied, and no major issues noted.

Same thing happened on my same itinerary this past January. From what others have said, this port gets cancelled a lot.

I did a 7-day in September 2022 and a 16-day last month, both on the Zaandam and they were terrific. In March 2022 I did a 7-day Caribbean on the NA and was not as impressed. Seems to be random experiences, from what I’ve seen. The 16-day Panama Canal on the Zaandam was the best one. Perhaps the longer itineraries have better entertainment? The food was pretty good on all three, though. I don’t eat seafood but my table mates who did certainly enjoyed theirs. Can’t speak much for the Lido, since I only eat breakfast there, and only cereal at that. I am quite dissatisfied with the cereal options (the big dispensers that crunch the cereal as you turn the handle vs. the individual boxes they used to have), but it appeared that most people ate the hot options so they probably didn’t even notice the cereal dilemma 😂. Yes some things have changed, and not necessarily for the better, but as a solo traveler with few needs, I have been pretty satisfied with post-Covid HAL cruises.

May 11, 2024 Rotterdam 14-day Britain, Scotland, Ireland Navybikermom

I usually travel solo and have never gotten charged for “two” specials, like HIA. The cabin, yes, but not the other deals.

Cabin 3405, ocean view, had a tub. It was pretty dinged up, but functional.

I just got off the Zaandam and most of the public areas are air conditioned enough that I wore long sleeves or a sweater. The Wajang theater is ice cold. I played bingo there many times and most of us were bundled up with sweaters or coats. The public areas were not all the same temp though. Some were more comfortable than others. Most women seemed to bring a sweater everywhere they went just in case.

The thermal suite has a hydrotherapy pool (like a hot tub), heated ceramic loungers (so good for sore backs!), and saunas.

That is indeed good news. We’ve had very sporadic connections on the Zaandam Panama Canal cruise. Very frustrating.

The Corinto, Nicaragua, stop was cancelled and replaced with a sea day. That was the only one.

Here is the TV in the ocean view cabin. It fits on the same shelf as the old one. They still have to pair the remote to the TV, so all I get is static if I turn it on. Didn’t see any manual channel or volume buttons but there are USB ports on the side.

I’m on deck 3 and received the note last night that they will be installing today!! Since I’m in an ocean view, I’ll post pics of what size this cabin gets.

The Zaandam has a nice band in the Ocean Bar in the evenings. I’ve seen several couples dancing to them. The world stage has had comedians, magicians, guitar duos (fantastic!), along with the BBC earth shows, and a few Step One dancing shows. I’m on a 16-day Panama Canal itinerary and the entertainment has been pretty good.

I am currently in 3405, lower promenade aft and it is quiet. A/C works so well I had to move the dial up into the warm temperature setting. I love this little ship!

I have the thermal suite package on the Zaandam. There is a small hydrotherapy hot tub, a couple of saunas, and the delightful heated ceramic beds. Here’s a pic of the beds and hot tub. There’s also a nice balcony area where you can walk outside and check out the scenery.

I saw some of the TV commandos on deck 3 forward, starboard side. They were a long way from where I was but I did recognize the big boxes. I first thought they were some sort of security force until I read their shirts. 😁 I imagine they wouldn’t give my room one of the huge TVs because there’s no room unless they hang it on the wall next to the sofa, but there’s no outlet there. However, once they put one in my room I will post a pic! I’m in 3405, ocean view.

I’m in an ocean view on deck 3 and here are the outlets. Two on the desk (one US and one UK), a power strip behind the TV with UK-style outlets, and one in the bathroom in the old hair dryer that says “shavers only”. I still have an old TV but the installers are currently working their way down the decks. Deck 6 is getting theirs at this time, so we should be next!

I’m on the Zaandam right now and LOVE the Ocean Bar band. They do a great job and each musician is very talented in their own right. Throw them together and they are fantastic!

I’m currently on deck 3 and haven’t seen a new tv yet, but I’m sure they’re working their way down to the lower levels. I’ve seen the techs wandering around in their SpecOps outfits - lol. I thought they were some serious security dudes until I read their shirts 🥷

Dang it -sorry my husband called me to see if I was visible so I missed your post.

We’re moving!

I hope we don’t leave at 5. Too close to dinner and I’ll miss sailaway! Hopefully the captain announces it soon. A few minutes ago, 200 people still hadn’t gotten their cards scanned for muster 🙄

I just boarded the Zaandam and went up to the MDR for lunch. They said “Mariner Society Lunch”? I said yes and they sat me at a table. Not sure why they said it that way, since everyone is a Mariner of some level, even those on their first cruise. I had the roasted cauliflower, and the tomato bisque soup. Very delicious. That was enough lunch for me since I have the early fixed seating for dinner.

Same! We met another CC member while I was waiting so at least there was something to talk about!