ShipWalker

"Put a HAL cruise on your bucket list today"

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/faq/know-before-you-go.html "Any wine or champagne supplied by the Holland America Line to you is not subject to a corkage fee." I interpret this to mean if I buy a bottle of wine on a prior cruise, take it home and not drink it, then I can bring it back on the next cruise without an added corkage fee. 👍

Currently on the Oosterdam. Masks were required the first three days, too. Many passengers did not feel the requirement applied to them.

“Taxes, Fees and Port Expense adjustments” for missed ports should show up a few days later. Keep an eye on your statement on Navigator or on your stateroom interactive tv.

Lots of lectures and entertainment! MainStage- Tango dance group from Buenos Aires. vocalist Maria Campos. Evolution: Motown Step One Dance Company Boulez- Argentine singer pianist Tomono Kaomora Singer Salvadore Hasard Tom Simmons BBC world Many movies with popcorn, of course. ****** duel (not dueling) pianos Rolling stone lounge band Argentine tango Four piece band Lincoln Center quartet lectures- several every day -today Beagle Channel Patagonia- land of wonders Woman in arts (art appreciation series) What is the future of Antarctica? other fun stuff Ballroom dance hour Argentine Tango lessons adult coloring painting class origami class air hockey tournament foosball tournament Spanish lessons 1-4 No ugly sweater contest. Was told it has to be approved by corporate in Seattle 😭

As for sending photos, along SA not so much a problem. Farther south into Antarctica I finally gave up trying. Others may have had better luck.

Heading northwest to SA now. Sky is clear. Sea is rough. The Lido pool is like something from a wild waves water park. Both kids and adults in it are having a great time! Antarctica is much more than I expected!

As the interior of the ship is temperature controlled I am typically in a T shirt and jeans. Some folks dressed as though they are on an Antarctic expedition. Typical dress inside appears like any other cruise. Outside temps have been between 34-42 degrees. Sun/overcast/even a few token snowflakes. During the 4 day Antarctic Experience we were putzing around at a slow speed so not too much wind chill. For the short times I was out on the bow or the deck 7 bow walkway I have a wool cap, flannel shirt, windbreaker and gloves on. Of course conditions are subject to change for your cruise.

Be sure to bring sunglasses. When the sun is out (as it has been off and on) you will need them.

There has been one dressy night so far on this cruise. I am seeing three total. The itinerary for dressy (formally known as gala, which is not to be confused with formal (no formal)) nights will update on navigator when you get onboard. Copied last week from the orange “THE BASICS” handbook in every cabin that nobody reads.

This is from the orange booklet “THE BASICS” found in every cabin. Feel free to copy it and post in *every* what do I wear thread.

Oosterdam did stop at Port Stanley. We got close but the Captain announced on the bedroom speakers (never a good sign) winds were about 20+ and we turned around and left. Seas were rough the night before so it was a good indication this might happen. Todays sea just as rough all day. Beautiful day just rough ride.

My books are being used for nefarious purposes!😱

What annoys me is the book exchange. And this is NOT on HAL but on the passengers themselves. Exchange means leave a book, take a book. I’ve seen it full on embarkation day and completely empty two days later. I’ve seen passengers leave no books and walk away with a handful of four. I typically bring at least half a dozen books to donate (gets rid of already read books and lightens the luggage on the way home, too) I’m onboard the Oosterdam right now and will be curious as to how full the book exchange will be on the last day. If every person on CC would leave at least one book on every cruise there may be a fuller library on day three. Now that I think of it I am going to start marking all my books from now on as donated by a member of cruisecritic.com ( yah, free advertising for us, too.)

How does one get a ppc? I’ve never looked into it.

Simplest to just copy and print this below and then use with the test as per the HAL website. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/worry-free-promise/travel-well/frequently-asked-questions.html (testing requirements) For cruises not visiting Australia that allow an at-home, self-administered PCR or Antigen COVID-19 test, guests should take a photo of their test result with their mobile device. Their full names, date and time of test should be written on, or next to the test device result like the below: First Name: _____________________ Last Name: ______________________ Date of Birth: ____________________ Date the self-test was taken: ____________________ Self-test type: ___Antigen    ___PCR Place self-test device below:

HVAC bathroom exhaust working as intended.

Found this in the Floataway Lounge. Hope it simplifies everything for everyone.

Yep. Lasted a whole 51 minutes from my last cleanup before someone screwed it up. It's back to normal (for now.) I suggest keeping this DB within the CC community only and not passing it along to others.

This was one of the adult coloring activities on the Noordam Panama Canal transition cruise in May this year. It was well attended several times.

I have it from a reliable source that starting in 2023 HAL in conjunction with Cruise Critic will introduce a new onboard "connect the dots" experience followed by an ultimate coloring in of the pictures class. Pictures then will be displayed in the art gallery and sold at auction.

But..but these peoples were roamin', too...

Crossing about 150 feet over where the trail of human history began for the Americas. That's good enough reason for me.

Booked. When is the Meet & Greet?