Max2003

Looks like Zaandam is heading into the same mooring area toward the Rotterdam.

It looks like the Rotterdam has "parked".  This mooring puts her about 7 miles from the pier.  A long tender ride!!

18 minutes ago, Petunia1950 said:

Rotterdam was headed directly toward the Canal and she's now turned away.  I have no idea what that means.

  It would appear that they assigned Rotterdam a mooring spot out with the tankers.   We will see where the Zaandam moors. My guess is that they will try to get close together.

2 minutes ago, ShipsAreTheBest said:

Rotterdam is actually scheduled to be in Europe going forward (spring and summer), so it appears she is getting “on the right side” of the Canal for whatever ultimately happens.  Also, Captain Albert Schoonderbeek is actually on Rotterdam as a Traveling Master for training, audits, etc.  His stay on Rotterdam got extended because they aren’t allowing changes of personnel as of a few weeks ago.  Rotterdam is under the command of Bas Van Dreumel.

Thanks for the correction!   

2 minutes ago, Zippercat said:

Maybe Rotterdam is carrying virus tests from Zaandam to a shore laboratory at Panama City?  

Good thinking!   

In any case, I doubt if they would separate until all possible assistance was rendered.

10 minutes ago, ATC said:

Is Rotterdam going thru the Canal also?  It looks closer to the Canal than Zaandam.

We will probably know in a couple of hours.  Not knowing whether Zaandam is cleared to transit the canal, makes it hard to speculate.  The Rotterdam MAY be holding at Balboa anchorage to assist Zaandam until/if they get a transit time.

The Rotterdam schedule going forward is on the west coast, so it would be a big move to have her accompany Zaandam back to Fort Lauderdale/Miami/Port Canaveral/wherever.  There still is the possibility that both ships could proceed to the west coast if there is difficulty getting clearance. Their current movement would suggest that the transit option is still possible. The Zaandam's schedule going forward was Canada/New England so that poses another problem if it ends up on the west coast.  The paramount issue must be what is best for the passengers and crew, of course.  I am certain that the best decision will be made.  They have their hands full!!

Fortunately you have the legendary Captain Albert Schoonderbeek on the Rotterdam and 23 year veteran Captain Ane Smit (according to Captain Alberts blog) on the Zaandam.  Can someone verify that??  

Both are heading toward the canal.  What's next??

Looks like both ships are heading to the canal.

1 minute ago, DFD1 said:

Cruise Ship Tracker shows the two ships almost alongside. It will be interesting to see how long the transfer operation takes.

And which way they go after the transfer.  We will know if they got transit approval from the canal.

It looks like mission accomplished at any rate!

8 minutes ago, purrlinda said:

Is there any official way to confirm whether or not Panama has allowed them a permit to go through the canal?  I have clients on board who just shared with their daughter that Panama denied their permit to go through the canal.  Holland will not confirm or deny this when I called.

 

 

 

 

The ships have possibly changed their rendezvous point from the speculated Balboa, Panama location (at the entrance of the canal) to a speculated open sea point.   If Panama is being difficult the new location would be closer for a diversion to the US west coast. 

17 minutes ago, voyageur9 said:

A rendezvous off Balboa would (even at their relatively high speeds) have occurred at or just after local sunset. I agree with your surmise that the two passengers vessels with AIS turned off seem to have changed course for an earlier high-seas meet. It might then be accomplished in the last hour or so of daylight. 

 

Adding current offshore weather: 

Afternoon

Light NW winds with a slight chop. Small mid period waves.

Winds: NW 8 to 11 knots.

Seas: SSW 4 feet at 12 seconds.

Sea state not too bad using the lee of the ship for loading and unloading tender, 

 Captain Albert will make it look like a walk in the park.

Wishing them the best!!  "Fair winds and following seas"

On the marine traffic display I can only deduce which ships are the Rotterdam and Zaandam since they seem to be running with IFF off.  But since there are only three "passenger vessels" in the area I suppose we can speculate.  It appears that they have broken out of the pack and altered course such that they are now heading toward each other intersecting at about N 05d 30m  W 81d.   Does anyone else see this.  What I think is the Zaandam has altered to about 345 degrees and the Rotterdam to about 135 degrees.  This might imply more of an open water rendezvous??  And sooner.    What is the sea state?   

5 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

A more likely scenario, off Fuerte Amador, Panama, a tender port, to use a ship's tender to transfer (Oosterdam, Eurodam & Rotterdam) medical staff as well as supplies to Zaandam in order to assist her medical staff

Bravo Zulu        

3 hours ago, voyageur9 said:

Zaandam (last postion 8 hours ago at 14.97 S/78.51 W) and Rotterdam (current position 16.78 N/101.15 W at 0800 EDT) are roughly 2,300 nautical miles apart. Assuming combined closing speech of 40 knots the two vessels are about 57 hours apart, perhaps a few hours less depending on Zaandam's progress in the last few hours. That's all assuming a high-seas rendezvous (Be happy to have someone double check my math. Lat/Long from VesselFinder.com

My guess is that they will try a rendezvous in Balboa if they are allowed to tie up.   Distances from current position seem about the same.

1 hour ago, Vict0riann said:

My daughter said she saw Veendam in Bar Harbour yesterday (post 45).  Was it today she was supposed to be there?

We were in Bar Harbor on the Veendam on Friday (6th) then disembarked in Boston on Saturday.  The weather was pleasant and tendering was calm.  The Veendam was scheduled to be in BH today and (I believe ) Halifax tomorrow on the way up the coast. 

Does anyone know if the Veendam was able to stop at Bar Harbor today??

I have tried to print docs and all I get is what looks like a popup which disappears. I have popups enabled in Chrome, Edge and Firefox. Same on all.

Initially I had trouble even accessing "already booked". At that time the only response was "cruise deals".

I find this new system amateurish at best.

Highly recommend Jeanne Forti 206-733-2937 or 800-258-7245 x 2937

My T-mobile plan has unlimited data and texting in most European countries (check before you sign on). No need to find wi-fi spot in port. We have even set up a hotspot on the phone to use laptop. Other cell services may have similar offerings.

We ended a cruise on the K on September 30. When I asked the front office for an explanation re: Mariner discounts, I was told "The discounts apply to any venue that was available on the Vista/Signature class ships (Pinnacle, Canaletto, etc) but don't apply to the new venues available on the K (Sel de Mer, Culinary Arts, Dutch Cafe, Blend, etc.) for individual dinners". They do apply to the multiple dinner dining packages. I have not tested all those options but it seems convoluted. If true, it seems to diminish the value of the Mariner program.

What have other diners found??

Jeff Warren, Lee Strubeck and the "zany" Fritzie Gaccione

Best to wait until you board to pick a package. On the last few cruises there were several substitutions because they ran out of some of the advertised labels. I was never sure if I was offered a superior or inferior alternative with no chance to taste. It makes sense to check which selections are still available before deciding, especially if you have a favorite.

The popups seem to be gone!!:) For now!!

On occasion the "You may qualify for special pricing. Please login or register" message would result in a substituted lower price in a green script after logging in. Has anyone seen that recently or have the green pixels on my monitor burned out.:)