JOIN LINDY LIVE FROM THE MS ZAANDAM Sept 24 to Oct 12, 2011

[catl331]

Oh, I do love those fresh raisin buns in the Lido in the morning! One more week!!

[fann1sh]

Lindy, sorry I'm so late to post. I'm thrilled you're cruising again.

 

So enjoying your fascinating day-by-day reports!

[lindalans]

At Sea Saturday Oct 1, 2011

I woke up at 7:30am this morning and it was nice to just lie there for awhile as the ship just gently rocked me from side to side. I went up to the Lido and enjoyed bacon & eggs, an English muffin, and of course the freshly squeezed orange juice. Life is good.

Today’s talk by Kaino was about the animals, birds and fish that live on the Hawaiian Islands. He is very knowledgeable with a great sense of humour, as he talks about his native land. Did you know they have wallabies in Hawaii? I didn’t! I thought they were only in Australia! Many of the photos he shows during his talks are ones he’s taken himself.

Bingo followed his talk, so I stayed awhile just to watch. Anthony (the Cruise Director) announced earlier that if you showed up wearing a bath robe you’d get a free card. At this afternoon’s game for every piece of chocolate you give Kelly, the Events Planner, you’d also get a free card!

Today of course we were supposed to be in Kona but we had to bypass it because of having to go further out to sea to avoid storms. We seemed to have faired quite well during those first couple of days, compared to the Westerdam and Statendam, that were docked in Canada Place with us.

The Statendam missed their first port of call, Victoria, and 78 people that were supposed to embark there, where flown by HAL to San Diego.

The Westerdam had to replace $10 thousand worth of china that had been broken, where as the Zaandam only had to replace $1 thousand worth. I remember the Captain complimenting the crew over the intercom, for what a great job they’d done. Anthony also commentated that he’d saved a lot of the “good alcohol” by storing it safely in his cabin!!

We did have a few casualties however; a broken ankle, a broken right arm, and one of our Cruise Critic group had a cut to his head. Thankfully no one had to be airlifted off.

Twenty three of our twenty six Cruise Critic group enjoyed a luncheon in the lower dining room today, many dressed Hawaiian style, and a good time was had by all. As we return to San Diego we will get together for the cabin crawl, a $5 slot pull, as well as another Meet and Greet. I enjoy arranging these things so a big thank you to the “Zaandam Fru Fru Cruisers” for turning out at these events.

Rosemary (Tinlizzie) and I enjoyed a lengthy chat afterwards, as this is their first cruise. Everyone is very friendly and I’m enjoying getting to know some of them better.

I haven’t been eating lunches but I enjoyed cheddar cheese soup; a cordon blue burger and chips; followed by a hot chocolate sauce sundae with toasted almonds on top. You’ve probably all figured out that I’m a chocoholic – and proud of it!!

A surprise announcement was made by the Captain today! Because we missed Kona

and would arrive into Honolulu too early; he is slowing the ship down, and tomorrow morning he will sail us past Diamond Head for a scenic tour up the coastline to Honolulu. This will take place at 6am so I intend to be up on the back of the Lido. He’s also going to open up the bow for anyone wanting to be right up front. Unfortunately with being in a wheelchair, I will not be one of the lucky ones to have this bird’s eye view!!

Apparently we had a stowaway get on the ship in Vancouver, for a free ride to Hawaii. It’s a little bird who flies around the back of the Lido. It will be interesting to see if he/she will be escorted off the ship in Honolulu!

This afternoon I enjoyed a couple of hours on the aft Lido Pool area. It was a beautiful day with temps around 72f with a nice ocean breeze. I need to keep worshiping the Sun Gods!! On the way back to my cabin to start writing my report, I stopped by the ice cream corner where I indulged in a scoop of vanilla, a scoop of peach, with a pineapple soft serve over the top, which was very refreshing.

Tonight at supper I had Crostini Sampler; a vegetable puree of soup; a chicken, rib and beef sampler with rice and vegetables; followed by a chocolate lava cake.

I didn’t go to the show as I want to be up at 5am to see the scenic cruise into Honolulu. It’s a Variety show with each performer from the last few shows participating again.

Sharon and Gerry

Micheal is our wine steward in the Upper Dining room. I passed on your message and he sends hugs and kisses to you both. He said that the last two weeks have been really busy so he hasn’t been able to get on to the internet. He was telling us that his Father is Japanese, and his Mother was Filipino, but past away. He certainly is a very pleasant young man so I’m not surprised you want to adopt him!!!

In Honolulu, Hawaii. Sunday Oct 2, 2011

I fell asleep last night while typing up my report! Thankfully I was already in bed, and my netbook didn’t fall on the floor.

5am came around quickly. It was still dark when I got to the Lido at 5:30am so I sat and had a cup of hot chocolate and a Danish, before heading outside. The sun was just starting to come up beside Diamond Head so hopefully my photos come out well. It’s the first sunrise I have seen on the cruise as I’m not a morning person. I am also missing out on the sunsets as I’m usually in the dining room. Laura has some nice ones though, which she said she will email me. As we sailed slowly into the harbour in Honolulu, Kaino was up on the bridge giving a running commentery. He said he would be available at the pier until 9am if anyone had questions.

We docked in front of the Aloha Tower at 7am. It was lovely and warm with just the odd sprinkle of rain. By the time we were cleared to disembark it was close to 8am. We would be disembarking from deck A.

I wasn’t in any big rush to go ashore as all I had planned for today was the Paradise Cove Luau; and with being up at 5am (for me) it was going to make it a long day. Also that’s a long time to sit in my wheelchair, so I’ll have swollen ankles and numb bum to deal with too!!!

Today will be my shortest shore excursion, the rest of them will be 8 hour ones. I booked them all through HAL as I feel it is the safest way to go when you are traveling solo. I am going to need those sea days back to San Diego to recover from all this gallivanting around Hawaii!!

As I don’t usually eat lunch I decided to have my regular bacon, eggs, potatoes and orange juice. I ate out on the Lido deck with Andrew & Joan joining me. By 8:30am I was ready to go see what damage I could do ashore!

I headed down to deck A which was surprisingly quiet, and shared the elevator with the gentleman in the jazzy wheelchair, that I’d spoken to a few mornings ago. He patted me on the shoulder and told me to be careful. When I saw the gangplank I knew immediately why he’d said it!!! These light weight 95lb traveling wheelchairs are not meant for steep slopes!

If I had not seen Anthony, Kelly and the Zaandam singers and dancers waiting to welcome me, with a beautiful orchid lei, I may well have turned around. Praying silently I reduced speed. I was so thankful I had a crew member behind me, as well as in front of me. I pleaded with them to go slow, and they did. When Anthony said “Aloha” and placed the lei over my head, I knew I was at the bottom; and that I’d arrived in Honolulu!! Wooohoooo I’m on firm ground again!

People at home think I’m very brave. A) for cruising again after breaking my back on the Amsterdam, and B) for cruising alone. Honestly I’m not, and even after surviving 6 days at sea, and walking the gangplank into Honolulu, I’m thinking “Linda you are half way across the ocean, in Hawaii, ALONE, now what????” I am not a shopper! I hate any kind of shopping whether it be grocery shopping, Christmas shopping or clothes shopping, but, The Aloha Market Place is right beside the ship, so it’s a safe place to wander.

Wander I did, and maybe it’s because I’m in Hawaii, but I actually enjoyed it. Three hours later I’d burnt a hole in my pocket, so decided to go back to the ship with my purchases. Believe me that gangplank is no easier going up than coming down, but I made it back to my cabin safely.

It was good to put my numb bum and swollen feet up on the bed while I typed this report. A HAL pillow is already on my wheelchair as I rest up for the luau. I have to be down in the terminal for 3:45pm and we leave at 4pm. I haven’t been able to connect to the internet today at all, so will try again, as I have 2 reports to send now.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Lindy, I am loving your report and could picture your arrival in Honolulu perfectly :)

Thanks for you updates and continue to enjoy.

[startwin]

Wonderful reports Lindy! And I am so happy to hear about the bird.... it actually came back from Skagway with us, and was happily flying around the lower promenade deck until it encountered some oil, and was unable to fly. But it hopped up and down the deck - in a very straight line - and lived on cookie crumbs that we threw down for it. It allowed some of us to pick it up and try to clean it off, and a crew member was watching out for it too. Sounds like it's having a great cruise with you:)

[RuthC]

Couldn't be the same bird. Could it? Or a bird a few generations down the line?

When I sailed the Hawaii cruise on the Zaandam in '06, the ship had just returned from Mexico. There was a bird hopping around the Lido aft, eating bread crumbs, and generally enjoying his cruise, too.

I often wondered if it missed it's family.

Got to wonder if your bird is a relative. :D

Enjoying your reports. But you simply have to stop eating bacon every morning---or at least reporting so. I'm starting to crave the stuff!

[donh1]

Really enjoying your posts. Brings back memories of our Zaandam trip in 2009. We too had a stowaway bird for the westbound leg of the trip. It spent it's time on the promenade deck. Someone was giving it a little water and bread crumbs. It has now likely taken up permanent residency in Hawaii. I wander if someone is forwarding his mail from San Diego :rolleyes:. Don

[startwin]

Word must be getting around amongst the birds that there is a good life in Hawaii, and there's an easier way to get there than flying, LOL:D

[houtbay]

Noted the under mentioned comment regarding a sewer smell.

Maybe you could tell us which cabin that was in as I will be on board October 30 to Sydney!! Enjoy your reports and many thanks

 

One of our table mates (Stella) was absent tonight. Doug mentioned that she is having sewer smell problems in her cabin. Apparently the ship is sold out, and if it is not rectified, she may be debarking in Honolulu. HAL are doing what they can, but she is also quite sensitive to some of the chemicals they are using.

[Himself]

Lindy:

 

Your reports are making me feel "homesick" for Hawaii as I have not been there for three years.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Lindy, I have a question or perhaps other can anser. How often does the ship change time? I know this time of year or until the first Sunday in November before Day Light Savings time ends the is 3 hours idfference between Pacific time and Hawaiin Time. Once Day Light Savings tim e ends then there will only be two hours because Hawaii does not change times.

Our cruise on the Oosterdam will end on the 5 of the November and then the next day we gain an extra hour when we Fall back.

I was just curious how often they changed the time.

Thanks,

Lisa

[benchmarklearning]

Thanks for the excellent report Lindy and I am enjoying the trip! We love Hawaii and hope to sail their soon.

 

You must be from Pennsylvania! In PA the evening meal is "supper" and when people do what you are doing in Hawaii they are "galivanting" as you described! Am I right?

 

Ben

[lindalans]

Paradise Cove Orchid Luau Buffet

At 3:30pm I headed down to the terminal (and yes the gangplank again) but I’m not as nervous now! The young crew members are great for helping which I really appreciate; and I now feel safe in their capable hands.

There was a hydraulic lift at the back of our number one bus, and I was able to stay in my wheelchair for the 45 minute ride out to Paradise Cove. We were given some free drink tickets, and another beautiful real orchid lei. Then I had my photo taken with a couple of young good looking hunks!

Paradise Cove is set on 12 acres of sandy beaches, although I didn’t get to see much of it, as wheelchairs with small wheels are not made for riding around on sand. We received a complimentary mai tai to sip, but with trying to manoeuvre my wheelchair I managed to spill some. So the gentleman behind me carried it for me. We were led to our tables then could explore if you wanted.

I did try to explore, but my wheelchair had other ideas and just wanted to keep going around in circles. In other words I was getting nowhere fast (except for deeper in the sand) so I gave up and went back to my table.

I’m afraid I was a little disappointed in this tour. I guess I was expecting to see some beautiful flowers growing, as well as listening to some Hawaiian music that sounded like Don Ho’s Pearly Shells. One male singer also ruined the Hawaiian Wedding Song, which is one of my favorites.

The young ladies redeemed the show for me, as I found their graceful dancing as they use their arms and hands to speak for them, was incredibly graceful and romantic. Their costumes were beautiful too, and I liked that they got members from the audience to participate on stage with them. The finale was dancing with fire. It was absolutely incredible to watch.

The meal included: Macaroni Salad, Pasta Salad, Poi, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Fried Chicken, Island Fish w/ Macadamia Nut Creme Sauce, Kalua Pig, Steamed White Rice, Fresh Pineapple Chunks, Haupia, Banana Coconut Cake, Coffee or Hot Tea. I didn’t even try the Poi as it looked revolting!

By the time we got back to the ship it was 10pm. I have to be up and at it early in the morning as I have an 8 hour tour booked for 9am!!!

My ankles are huge, but despite sitting from 3:30pm to 10pm HAL’S pillow saved me from the numb bum syndrome!!

[boards]

The question is, is the Paradise Cove Orchid Luau worth the money? The menu does not sound all that great, what makes the luau special?

[RuthC]

I didn’t even try the Poi as it looked revolting!

I've tried it. It tastes like wallpaper paste (don't ask how I know what wallpaper paste tastes like).

My ankles are huge, but despite sitting from 3:30pm to 10pm HAL’S pillow saved me from the numb bum syndrome!!

A suggestion, if swollen ankles is going to be an on-going problem: See a podiatrist and ask about prescription compression stockings. They are ugly as sin, but they do help a lot.

 

Thank you, again, for the reports. It's almost like I'm there, too.

[luvcruisn']

Thanks for your reports Lindy. I love the way you write - I can see the setting in my mind. I have been to Hawaii on land excursions several times, but have never attended a luau.

[catl331]

I think everyone should go to at least one luau. The food usually isn't that great but the drinks are! I think most of the cost goes to the entertainment. The one I went to in Lahaina had at least 25 dancers and they did about 20 sets with many costumes. It is just a part of going to Hawaii.

 

Captain Albert reports an young owl hitched on to the Statendam from San Diego to Mex. Riviera! Hope he finds family there!!

[solocanadian]

Hi Lindy: You are a brave lady. Really enjoying your posts. I too suffer from swollen ankles when I cruise. My doctor, who also doctors for Hal on his vacations, said to put a life jacket under the mattress at the foot of the bed. This really helps. Have been doing it for years. No need to do it daily as the cabin stewards leave it there & make the bed around it. If you can't manage to do this on your own, ask the cabin steward and he will gladly comply.:D

[FoghornLeghorn]

I loved the Aha'aina at the Royal Hawaiian.

We were seated at a table with comfortable chairs.

I can't do those ones where you're almost on the ground with no backs to the chairs.

It's more pricey but has a beautiful setting right there on Waikiki beach and you don't have the transportation bus out to one of the other luaus.

Bad thing, I think they are only doing it on Monday evenings now.

 

I also like the luau at the Hilton Hawaiian Village....again, not a long bus ride to get to it. Closer to the Aloha Tower.

[Bookfinder]

Lindy,

 

I love your reports. I come back each day to find out how it has gone. We did this cruise on the Zaandam two years ago and as I read your report it is like going back. We were stationed in Hawaii for several years and never did a luau so decided to do Paradise Cove. I think everyone should do it at least once but we would probably not do it a second time. I agree if it had not been for the dancing it would have been a big disappointment.

 

We had a rough ride to Hawaii as well and unfortunately we didn't get to go to Kauai or Ensenda due to the weather. I'm sorry you missed Kona but hope you get to Kauai as my husband says it is such a beautiful island. He got to visit all of them coutsey of the USMC. The captain did sail around it for most of the day on ours so we saw it from afar.

 

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience.

 

Bookfinder

[lindalans]

In Honolulu, Hawaii. Monday Oct 3, 2011

My 7:30am wake up call came around all too quickly this morning, and my poor feet and legs are still pretty swollen. I am not used to sitting in my wheelchair all day.

Today I had booked the 8 hour Grand Circle Island tour, so had to be down in the terminal for 8:45am, as the coach was leaving at 9am. I managed a quick stop at the Lido for a glass of orange juice and a couple of danish, as sleep has priority over bacon and eggs. Sorry Ruth!

I was obviously having a good day at home when I booked these long days!!

The gangplank thing is getting a little easier as it is easy to put my trust into the wonderful crew members who are so helpful in getting me down safely. Today my friend Eduard, whom I first met on the Volendam in 2009 was one of them.

Yesterday it was sunny, hot and humid in Honolulu; today it was overcast and warm, and we even had a brief shower later in the afternoon.

Our bus driver for the day was “Cousin Dwayne.” He was pleasant and very knowledgeable about everything we passed by or visited. We covered a 120 miles of Oahu and “passed by” many beautiful places. Places that I would have loved to see more of.

It isn’t easy for anyone to travel alone, especially when you are disabled. This is only my 2nd cruise as a solo, and I wanted to see as much as possible in a safe environment. That’s why I chose HAL excursions. It’s also a learning curve in my particular situation. I think lessons learned today were A) Don’t plan such long days and B) Pick out a couple of things I really want to see or do, so that I can explore them thoroughly, even if it means spending a little more money to get there, or do it.

Because of me (even though it wasn’t my fault) our tour bus was 40 minutes late leaving the terminal. When I booked the shore excursions through Karen, in Seattle, I told her I was in a wheelchair, and couldn’t do steps. I specifically asked if HAL tour buses were equipped with lifts, and I was assured they were. Guess what? No lift, so we had to wait while they located one.

The two HAL personal who are behind the desk at the Shore Excursion Office onboard (one male and one female) are also in the terminal, and they are both very pleasant. I had talked to him on Wednesday about tendering at Kona (before knowing it was cancelled) and he had passed me on to the Front Office. The girl there talked to someone on the phone, and told me I’d be contacted before arriving in Kona, and to date nobody has called me (maybe because we never made it to Kona!)

I will also mention at this point that before leaving home, on July 29, 2011 to be exact, I had received an email (which I still have) from HAL stating “As to tenders, Holland America Line is in the process of retrofitting its vessels with a tender-lift system that will ultimately enable guests to roll directly on and off tenders while remaining in their wheelchairs……………we are happy to inform you that the Zaandam does have this equipment available.”

Yet the lady (from the Shore Excursion Desk) in the terminal said to me “You have to let us know if you require a lift” (for the bus) I responded that “I did, I talked to Karen in Seattle” she said “did you talk to us at the desk?” “No I didn’t know I had too” “Didn’t you get my letter when you boarded?” “No I didn’t!!!” She then said “you’d better come and see me, bring your tickets so I can check if there are things you can’t do.” I told her I had “an excursion booked for Lahaina which is a tender port” to which she replied “you can’t tender in” and when I said I had a letter saying the Zaandam had a lift on it’s tender, her response was “I’ve worked here for 7 years and it doesn’t have a lift.”

There is definitely a lack of communication somewhere, so when the Shore Excursion Office opens at 5pm tonight, I will head down there, with my Netbook (so she can see the email) and my tickets!

[RuthC]

we are happy to inform you that the Zaandam does have this equipment available.”

 

“I’ve worked here for 7 years and it doesn’t have a lift.”

 

Seattle strikes again. :mad:

 

I'm sorry that it looks like you'll miss that lovely little town of Lahaina. There's lots of history there, good shopping, and a banyon tree to beat the band.

 

Thanks for the reports! I am picturing every scene, and feeling the gentle Hawaiian breezes.

[keep on cruising]

Lindy, I really appreciate your updates as we will be on the Zaandam at the end of the month. It sounds like you are really enjoying your trip.

 

It really concerns me that you have been told that the ship does not have the tender lift. My DH is in a wheelchair also and that certainly is not the impression that Karen gave us. In fact here is a quote from one of the many emails we had with her.

 

“Kona~ Kona is a tender port, you will need to speak with the shore excursion office onboard so that they can arrange a lift into the tender, this will depend on the weather and if it is safe to use that day.”

 

Based on this, we were definitely planning on going ashore on the tender ports - weather permitting of course.

[keep on cruising]

Lindy, now I am really confused. I thought I had checked out the lift situation before we booked. I found this on HAL's website

 

"As to tenders, with the exception of the PRINSENDAM, Holland America Line vessels have been retrofitted with a tender-lift system that enables guests to roll directly on and off tenders while remaining in their wheelchairs. However, please be advised that adverse weather conditions such as wind, swells, or extreme tide levels may prohibit the use of the ship's tender lift equipment. Additionally, some port facilities may not be able to accommodate the lift equipment. If you require the use of this equipment, please speak with the Guest Relations Manager upon embarkation for further details or to coordinate specific arrangements."

 

I guess its time for me to contact Seattle again.

[catl331]

Nuts! We were discussing the lift situation and I thought it was so wonderful that HAL had made these accomodations because so many senior citizens surely could use this. I think there should be extra compensation for the confusion. Also a box of chocolates!! (right Ruth!)

 

Too bad one hand doesn't know what the other is doing. Maybe more HAL employees should read Cruise Critic everyday instead of the Seattle newspaper!!:(