Mike B Landlubber

I was on a Baltic cruise from Norwegian Dawn last year and did the Berlin trip. Since I’m not sure when I will make it there in a way that gives more time, and it is the site of a lot of important to me history, I really wanted to grab the opportunity. Time on the train wasn’t a complete waste, I enjoyed viewing the countryside, although there is nothing extraordinary to see, and I had a chance to go up in the cab of the train, which was interesting. No regrets from me. But I wouldn’t be critical of someone who decided that wasn’t a good use of their time.

Bladerunner’s comment brought me back here, and I realized I left off the link to the article on the Iceland eclipse…. https://www.space.com/total-solar-eclipse-2026-a-complete-guide

We were docked overnight at Fuerte Amador, but didn’t get a second port day out of it. After spending the night, we lifted anchor before dawn to get “in line” and enter the Panama Canal at about sunrise. i heard from another passenger that the ship was fully-booked, though it didn’t feel that way to me. Crowds were never a problem at all. So I’m not sure that was true. For those who do not want a crowded ship this was a good cruise. I never heard any official numbers on national make up. Anecdotally most of the passengers I talked to were from the USA or were from Canada, though I don’t remember any Australians. I noted a small percentage of Asians and some from Spanish-speaking countries. I was impressed that the population seemed even more geriatric than the usual Holland America cruise. I doubt there were 20 passengers who were under 40 on the whole ship. I’m in my mid-sixties, and (unscientifically) I thought I was younger than at least 80% of the passengers I saw. The length of the cruise, time of year, and being off the usual popular cruise routes was the reason, I’m sure. Most of these people were hardcore cruisers of great experience, though I did talk a couple of times with a couple who were on their first cruise!!! The wife had some sort of deal from her work, it wasn’t a newbie picking this cruise off a brochure. 🙂

Here is an excellent article on the Iceland/Spain eclipse. Sounds like Iceland and the waters around it may have overcast problems, and the duration of totality is a bit short. I have my eye more on the Egyptian eclipse (That’s where I would prefer to go to see it, most likely from land), but that has its own problems of political stability!

I successfully booked a solo cruise on MSC last year, my first with them. After having eaten my way across the Atlantic in their MDR, I’d say it was quite a public service for them to not let people book their cruises! But different strokes for different folks… 🙂

These were taken minutes after I arrived, you can see my carryon and jacket slung by the couch, so HAL already had the loungers in place. 🙂

Sounds like 7149 on the Oosterdam is no longer a top choice for you, but I was in the cabin last month, and thought I would provide these photos. In truth, it is a pretty typical verandah cabin except the verandah is slightly longer than normal. I was very happy with it, no issues except that when I moved in, the toilet flush was a little wonky. I reported it, and it was fixed. I’ve never had a problem with soot in any cabin. As is common for a stern cabin, when we were in port there was often an unsightly ship docked right behind us as in the photo. Not a big deal. The stern location was wonderful for transiting the Panama Canal!

I didn’t request it, but got an admittedly small one on Oosterdam last month.

I had pizza for lunch several times, so clearly thought it was okay, but I didn’t think it was great. They tended to have just pepperoni and veggie styles over and over again. Good but not great.

Cappuccino and espresso are available in the MDR,if you count those as specialties. That’s the only other place I’m aware of. Speaking of which, here is the MDR menu this morning.

Miscellaneous pictures from around the ship.

They aren’t great photos, but here is a photo of a transfer as being discussed, including a crop to show a little more detail. Of course theses are pretty calm seas. And the ships aren’t solidly docked together as I understand it.

Exactly. A photo on your phone is also a necessity for those parking garage signs that say “you are on level B7” and such.

I took a Nile cruise in 1988, don’t remember the company. I didn’t cruise again till I went on Voyages to Antiquity in 2011!

It took us about nine hours to pass through the Canal yesterday. With the lock gates closed, our ship is raised. Nine minutes between the two pictures. The Bridge of the Americas carries the Pan American Highway over the Canal. Once you’ve passed under the bridge you are officially in the Canal. The ship has a tradition of raising everyone’s arms in the air while passing under the bridge. Before dawn we were waiting our turn to enter the Canal among other ships. City of Balboa, pelicans in the foreground

Panama Canal handout

We are in Fuerte Amador, Panama, outside Panama City. Today I took an HAL tour, “Aerial Tram & Ecological Encounter”. We began with a panoramic tour of miscellaneous places, such as graveyard for people buried, trying to dig a failed French canal, and some buildings associated with canal administration and education. We drove out into the wilderness to a national park where we saw nature related things. We went through a building with poison dart frogs, saw some orchids and got a brief necessities stop at a hotel lobby. As you would expect, the highlight of the tour was a tram ride through the jungle. We saw some interesting plants and scenery, but little wildlife on the tram tour. We also got a look at some zipline people who weren’t from the ship. We drove back to the ship and arrived about 2 1/2 hours later than the Tour had been described. I had eaten a good breakfast and didn’t really mind, but some people were hungry or aggravated for other reasons. I felt it was an okay excursion, but not a great one.

Last night for dinner, I chose tuna tiradito as an appetizer. I had no idea what it was, but the waiter assured me the tuna had just been brought on board that day and it was a port to table selection so I gave it a shot. I was surprised by what I got! I expected a cooked tuna steak With accompaniment. I ate it and didn’t love it, but I did finish it. I wasn’t sure if it was sushi which I’m not a huge fan of, or ceviche, which I do like. I’m glad I tried it once, but I doubt I will have it again. The schnitzel was almost as expected, I would’ve appreciated some gravy. But it was good. Cheese plate was also as expected. I really like Bailey’s and Kahlúa, but wondered what the creme de menthe would do to them. I didn’t need to worry, the drink to polish things off was excellent.

y only venture into Lima was the night time shore excursion. We drove through some of the town for about an hour through traffic without stopping to get to the old town, and walked to the mansion through the old town for about a mile as the guide pointed out a few things. By the end of the dinner it was late and most were fatigued, so we had a short walk to the bus and about a 40 minute drive to ship. Here is the flyer for tomorrow, a sea day.

Here are some city pictures from my night time excursion into Lima. The big open Plaza of Arms was closed off inpreparation for an Easter event. The large enclosed balconies on the light blue building were a Lima tradition in the old days. They were intended to let the ladies see out without being exposed themselves. The night time excursion left the port as rush hour was getting underway, so we spent a fairamount of time waiting in traffic.

I know they had a shuttle from the port, but we have left Lima and I never used it, I did nature-oriented excursions out of town except for the night time trip to the mansion. I know they prohibited walking through the port area on your own and did have some kind of shuttle to get you away from the dock. Sorry I’m not more helpful! I did find this, which is vague but nay help. https://freewalkingtoursperu.com/en/blog/how-to-get-from-callao-port-to-lima/

I always really enjoy the HAL food! The excursion was in Lima, it was Evening City Drive & Dinner at Casa Aliaga The meal was good, and it was definitely good to have a change of routine from the MDR and Pinnacle. I am eating in the Italian specialty restaurant tonight, may add a shot or two after! Here are a couple of shots from the mansion interior.

Food and beverage post….. Cippiono Escargot bourguignon before and after (I happily ate them all) Biscuits and gravy Fruit (whose name I didn’t get) that was part of dessert at the mansion Entree on an excursion for dinner in a Lima historic mansion Pisco sour Baked Alaska Clothesline bacon

These signs were up in the Dive In bar. I thought the one about tastings and mixology would be of interest to those focused on activities.

Seals frolicking in rough water. Turn your sound on for the video! IMG_8567.mov