Live from Zuiderdam

[Candy]

This is an exceptionally good cruise. It's our 4th on this ship, but won't be our last. We'll just have to follow her to the west coast next year.

1. Hunky Dory is challenged by Burt Reynolds... news at 11.
   
2. Elemis 6-week promotion is over. Back to Dutch products in the bathrooms.
   
3. SS cabins have not yet been furnished with upgraded bedding, but cabins are still comfortable and spacious, and I will prolly never book anything less again.
   
4. Half Moon Cay was awesome, as usual. Water still a bit chilly, but rafts offer a really relaxing sunbath once you get used to it.
   
5. Missed the CC party and can't find the Hold'em game.
   
6. Internet connection from cafe painfully slow.
   

Gotta get pretty for formal night.

 

Candy

[drdaddy]

Thanks for taking the time to post, Candy. The water is still a little chilly? Oy. We will be he late October. I hope we will not have the same problem on the other side!

 

Now, I know you are trying to enjoy yourself, but you do have a couple of missions.

 

1) check out cabin 4183

2) Keep all copies of the Daily Planner and post when you get home

3) Somehow, do what you do good and post the menus on the board.

 

Besides those thing, have a great cruise. It sounds like you already are.

[doone]

Thanks for posting, Candy. You mean you don't have that awesome suite, 5187????

[djvand]

Hey, that is the cabin I am booked in for the 8/20/05 cruise! Tell me, is it the best suite on the boat or what?

Never been in an aft suite, but I think I am going to love it! Love spending lots of time on the balcony, which is why I took this cabin. And for those who want to look down at me in my undies.... enjoy!

[Bofratt]

Candy,

 

Please ask for Herri, he is in the lower dining room. tell him that Steve & Heather said Hi. he was our private butler last week on Half Moon. he was wonderful. i highly recommend that extra perk.

 

Have a great time, we sure did. no complaints at all. Wonderful food and service all week.

 

Heather:) ;)

[cruznon]

djvand,

OK. 5187 is the BEST suite on board! Although some don't like being in the aft suite, we had 5187 on the Oosterdam and it was incredible. Here's a photo of the aft section of the veranda that I saw posted.

Then there's the covered side veranda approx. 6' x 25' !

Oh, yeah, I think you'll like 5187 in the Caribbean!:D Lucky you!!!!

 

[stormyc]

Thank you for posting, Candy!

 

Look forward to hearing from you again when you get a chance.

 

Have a wonderful cruise!! :)

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Candy,

Keep the post coming! Love cruising vicariously ;)

 

And to the rest of you guys and gals. What's the matter with 5186???? :p

 

Bill

[shipcafe]

This is an exceptionally good cruise. It's our 4th on this ship, but won't be our last. We'll just have to follow her to the west coast next year.

1. Hunky Dory is challenged by Burt Reynolds... news at 11.
   
2. Elemis 6-week promotion is over. Back to Dutch products in the bathrooms.
   
3. SS cabins have not yet been furnished with upgraded bedding, but cabins are still comfortable and spacious, and I will prolly never book anything less again.
   
4. Half Moon Cay was awesome, as usual. Water still a bit chilly, but rafts offer a really relaxing sunbath once you get used to it.
   
5. Missed the CC party and can't find the Hold'em game.
   
6. Internet connection from cafe painfully slow.
   

Gotta get pretty for formal night.

 

Candy

 

Candy ... great to hear from you !! Please make sure that you say "hello" to Hotel Manager James Deering. He's a pleasure to meet and speak with. Please also send my greetings to him . . .

[Ziggy7]

Candy, thanks for giving us an update on your cruise! Glad you are enjoying it! Looking forward to your review when you return !

[doone]

Djvand, YES, THAT IS THE BEST CABIN ON THE SHIP. The suite itself is well appointed and very roomy. But that verandah, that's the best part of the suite. Enjoy, we sure did when we had that suite.

[Tak8]

Candy: I hope the cruise is continuing to go well. Did you visit Tortola on Tuesday and St. Thomas on Wednesday?

[Candy]

Nope... we're traveling with friends and need to keep the price down. The SS is quite roomy and it's raining, so the 5187 verandaganza wouldn't be used that much, anyway.

 

 

 

More later,

 

Candy

 

Thanks for posting, Candy. You mean you don't have that awesome suite, 5187????

[doone]

Oh too bad Candy. Maybe next time.

[snorkelmom]

Candy,

Thanks for posting from the ship. I can't wait to read your full review.

 

Heather,

Can you tell us more about the butler on Half Moon Cay? We are debating it for our July cruise. It is expensive and there have been several negatives listed on the boards but I've never seen anything negative written by anyone who has ever used the service.

Thanks,

SnorkelMom

[BJNO]

DRDaddy

WE just got off the cruise 7-14 and had that room and we really enjoyed it. You can see in all directions while moving in the waters.

Betty

[drdaddy]

Thanks so much bjno. Sounds great.

 

Was there any vibration like everyone complains about when in the rear of the dining room? Just curious as I am sure it is not too terrible if at all noticeable.

 

Looking forward to it.

 

Keep enjoying Candy. Hope the weather is holding up. On another thread from someone on board with you, it sounds like it ain't too good. I hope the purser's office is giving you more info if needed than our last trip on Z.

[CHRIS3169]

We never noticed any vibrations in the dining room. Maybe slightly and I do mean slightly in our aft suite. It was so slight that I really hate to even mention it. By far the aft suites are the best if you want lots of space outside! We had no problem really with privacy and any we experienced would have been the same on a side room.

 

Happy cruising,

 

Chris

[Candy]

This second sea day was sunny and mild. We found a nice quiet place with teak deck chairs and mats behind the Crow's Nest.

 

Any vibration you might feel in the aft is negligible. Hardly a hum. Besides, at dinnertime they cut the engines back to lessen the vibrations.

 

If you have any needs from the Front Desk, see Cecile. She is personable and knowledgeable and can get the job done. What a great staff!

 

Just got back from the spa... I average 3 treatments per cruise and have always been allowed to use the thermal suite or hydropool gratis on the day of the treatment, but no more. They tried to charge me $10 to use it, so instead I tried the sauna, which was nearly cool! Also, when I checked in they didn't offer me a locker, so I asked for one. They didn't offer a robe, either. Maybe they're cutting back somehow, but I believe for $300 you can have these few little luxuries. Besides, I don't take up too much room in the pool.

 

Met Mr. Deering briefly, who actually recognized me from this group! What a nice man! Perhaps I'll run into him later.

 

The Casino staff is awesome! The only game I play is craps, and they all have such a high energy level it makes it fun to win!

 

More later, maybe.

Candy

 

Thanks so much bjno. Sounds great.

 

Was there any vibration like everyone complains about when in the rear of the dining room? Just curious as I am sure it is not too terrible if at all noticeable.

 

Looking forward to it.

 

Keep enjoying Candy. Hope the weather is holding up. On another thread from someone on board with you, it sounds like it ain't too good. I hope the purser's office is giving you more info if needed than our last trip on Z.

[BJNO]

Drdaddy

My Husband said tell you their was little motion felt and let me tell you what happen before we sailed. I was walking on deck 2 going down the hall where you can sit and I said to family darn what is all that smell and I have a neice that smokes and she said that was what It was. WE found out a short time later we had about 3 stories over the intercom first it was smoke thought coming from where you burn the trash and then It was the A C belt and finally it was the contractor out side cutting or welding and the smoke was coming through the vents and we were okay. But the smell was strong for any body that was walking on 2. This happen before we sailed. Had a friend in Pensacola tell me that it was on National News. We also went to Montego Bay to let off sombody one night that was sick but did not make us late the next day. It was a very good cruise over all. Husband and I thought we had better food on Carnival but that is just our option. We are going on Princess in 3 weeks to Alaska with 22 people so I am looking foward to this cruise line which Is a first. (Coral Princess)

[pklopp]

Hi Candy - sounds like you're having a great time - when you return if possible, can you post the menus or what they served for dinner - trying to decide when to go to the Pinnacle. Thanks.

Peggy

[drdaddy]

BJNO,

 

Thanks for the info. But more importantly (actually first things first), are you sailing on the Coral 6/11? If you are, there are a few of us on the Roll Call board! Haven't you checked?

[BJNO]

NO but I will look

Their are 10 rooms of us and all on the Baja deck

Betty

[Bofratt]

I would do the butler service again in a heart beat. We had a total of 6 people and we had a blast. If it were just the two of us I am not sure I would spend the extra money. We sure did get our moneies worth. The guys probably drank a case or more of beer and we ladies had at least a dozen frozen drinks and many Bloody Mary's. And yes we did drink some sodas and waters. The lunch was wonderful... Lobster sandwiches, fruit, veggies, shrimp salad, gazpco(sp?) and a filet for the main course. And for dessert chocolate hersey cake. So you can see why it took us 2 full hours to eat lunch. They brought us everything we ever wanted and Herri even picked us up from our cabins and carried our bags... It was the perfect Mothers Day. So relaxing.....