Dave’s Live from Zuiderdam Voyage of the Vikings, July 30 – Sept. 3, 2019

[RetiredMustang]

2 hours ago, RuthC said:

Tell me, though, were the glass panels between the double helix forward staircase still there? From high to low, they showed the world we know from the skies down to the depths of the ocean. It was a marvelous piece of art.
Were the signs over the public restrooms still the art deco man in a tux, with high hat and walking stick, and lady in a draped formal gown? I clearly remember the one on Upper Promenade.

 

Ruth,

 

How we would have loved to sail on Rotterdam V with you as a dinner partner!  To answer your first question, I believe the answer is "yes".  I could not post all elventy-eight photos I took, but I did take one of the art the guide explained that went from top to bottom of the staircase, showing water, earth, sky and cosmos (I probably forgot one or two).  I did take this photo of the art.

 

 

So far as the restrooms, I don't think I remember the art deco signs on the ones we used on the promenade deck; IIRC, these were the international symbols.  That doesn't mean they were not elsewhere, but we did not notice them.

 

Dave

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 16, Rotterdam (Cont.)

 

We went to happy hour tonight, but CTD Jonathan announced that everyone, including those who embarked in Boston on July 30, must attend the mandatory boat drill.  This is in direct contradiction with the note in the When and Where that said it was only for newly embarked passengers. 

 

We arranged with the bar staff not to clear our table, and went.  This upsets me not because we had to go to boat drill; as a retired Navy guy, I’m all supportive of running these drills.  What I am upset about is the *&$s-poor communication, which is something I see over and over and over and over again on HAL.  If you are going to mandate everyone participating in the drill, then SAY SO!  Don’t mealy-mouth it and change your mind if you have already made the call.  It makes you look really lame, and it really confuses people.

 

On the other hand, we set the clocks back an hour tonight, which means different things to different people.  To us, it means an extra hour of sleep, to some of the bar staff it means partay!, while to our wine steward, it means a chance to do his laundry.

 

Here are tonight’s dinner and dessert menus:

 

 

 

 

And, here is tonight’s Lido dinner menu:

 

 

 

More tomorrow,

Dave

[RuthC]

2 hours ago, RetiredMustang said:

How we would have loved to sail on Rotterdam V with you as a dinner partner!  To answer your first question, I believe the answer is "yes".  I could not post all elventy-eight photos I took, but I did take one of the art the guide explained that went from top to bottom of the staircase, showing water, earth, sky and cosmos (I probably forgot one or two).  I did take this photo of the art.

What a lovely thing to read! Why, thank you!

Yes, that looks like a part of the staircase---the cosmos to the depths of the sea. It is a remarkable piece, so I am happy it wasn't removed, or broken during any of the reservations. Thanks for the photo of a portion of it.

[dfish]

2 hours ago, RetiredMustang said:

We went to happy hour tonight, but CTD Jonathan announced that everyone, including those who embarked in Boston on July 30, must attend the mandatory boat drill.  This is in direct contradiction with the note in the When and Where that said it was only for newly embarked passengers. 

 

We arranged with the bar staff not to clear our table, and went.  This upsets me not because we had to go to boat drill; as a retired Navy guy, I’m all supportive of running these drills.  What I am upset about is the *&$s-poor communication, which is something I see over and over and over and over again on HAL.  If you are going to mandate everyone participating in the drill, then SAY SO!  Don’t mealy-mouth it and change your mind if you have already made the call.  It makes you look really lame, and it really confuses people.

The same thing happened to us last summer on a Collectors Cruise Boston to Montreal to Boston.   The front desk said we didn't have to attend, but the CD said we did even though it had only been 7 days since we last attended one.  I am all for safely, but like you said, make up your mind already.  Some ships require it and some don't.  And you get conflicting information from different people on the same ship.

[St Pete Cruiser]

Hi Dave,

We seem to have similar interests, as we walked over to the SS Rotterdam last month. We had a nice senior man guide, who got excited when I told him I had sailed her once at the end of her career.  He was quite knowledgeable and enjoyed sharing information with me. When I mentioned Captain Albert,  and he said he is there every year and shares stories, too. The rest room signs are there, at least one place.

My favorites:

Front desk, complete with uniformed personnel. 

Edited August 16, 2019 by St Pete Cruiser
grammar

[RuthC]

13 minutes ago, St Pete Cruiser said:

The rest room signs are there, at least one place.

Good to know! I'm pleased to think the ones I thought were so elegant are still in place.
Thanks for posting.

[erewhon]

Thank you for sharing the super photos of the Rotterdam V.

[RetiredMustang]

  

Aug. 17, at sea

 

We are in the English Channel, on a westerly heading to turn right at Land’s End to get to Cobh tomorrow.  We sailed from Rotterdam about 45 minutes late yesterday, because the ship was still taking on stores.  We had bunkered fuel most of the day as well, so we are heading for Boston with full tanks and full stores, hopefully including enough wine for the Ocean Bar 😁.

 

We received a notification that we had to present ourselves with passports to officials from Ireland at our assigned time.  They will be in the Hudson Room on deck 3.   Our assigned time widow is 2-3 p.m.

 

Also today is the second Cruise Critic Meet and Greet, at 10 a.m. in the Billboard Onboard. 

 

Here is today’s When and Where:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More later,

Dave

[Krazy Kruizers]

Great reports and pictures.

 

Agree -- HAL needs to be more consistent on many items -- lifeboat drills, etc., for all their ships and itineraries.

[RetiredMustang]

11 hours ago, erewhon said:

Thank you for sharing the super photos of the Rotterdam V.

 

You are welcome!  It was a great experience that we really enjoyed.

 

Dave

Edited August 17, 2019 by RetiredMustang

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 17, at sea (Cont.)

 

I attended the CC M&G at 10.  There were about 35 of us, far fewer than the 100+ of the first M&G.

 

For this sea day, I thought I would post some photos of The Gallery Bar on deck 2, port side.  It is an attractive place, and I think an improvement over the disco it replaced.  Here is a series of photos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More in the next post,

Dave

 

 

 

Edited August 17, 2019 by RetiredMustang

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 17, at sea (Cont.)

 

Across and forward of the Gallery  Bar is the Billboard Onboard.  It was formed by opening up and combining the sports bar and piano bar.  I’ve already discussed that many fans of the piano bar don’t like that it is right next to the casino, with the associated noise.  Here are some photos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More later,

Dave

[bluesplayer]

Really enjoying your posts!   Loved the photo of the split pea soup.  One of my faves! The Bergen photos were amazing!  Would you be able to post the breakfast door hanging menu?     Much thanks!!   

[RetiredMustang]

3 hours ago, bluesplayer said:

Would you be able to post the breakfast door hanging menu?  

 

I'll try to get one to scan.  After the first few days, our stewards figured out we don't order breakfast in our room, and stopped leaving a menu.

 

Dave

 

 

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 17, at sea (Cont.)

 

At 7 p.m., we are south of Falmouth, and we can see Land’s End.  I’m not sure whether the captain will turn at Land’s End or continue past the Scilly Islands before turning.

 

Here is tonight’s Gala menu:

 

 

 

Here is tonight’s Lido menu:

 

 

More tomorrow,

Dave

[RuthC]

24 minutes ago, RetiredMustang said:

I'll try to get one to scan.  After the first few days, our stewards figured out we don't order breakfast in our room, and stopped leaving a menu.

Took me ages to find mine on the last cruises. It was tucked into a slot inside the cover of the gray folder that holds the schedule and pillow chocolates. That folder opens up about half again; the menu should be in there.

[RetiredMustang]

9 hours ago, RuthC said:

Took me ages to find mine on the last cruises. It was tucked into a slot inside the cover of the gray folder that holds the schedule and pillow chocolates. That folder opens up about half again; the menu should be in there.

 

Thanks, Ruth, it was exactly where you said!

 

bluesplayer, here is the in-room breakfast menu.  We are in a veranda cabin and the menu may differ a bit depending on your room type.  I believe the Neptune Suite passengers receive some items free that others don't.

 

 

 

Dave

 

 

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 18, Cobh, Ireland

 

At 5:30, we are making our way northward toward Cobh.  The seas are a bit higher and there is some wind, but the temp is 58F/15C.  The forecast for Cobh today is sun and clouds, with a few showers and a high of 65F/19C.

 

The ship is running several shore excursions, but nothing that we are interested in taking.  We prefer morning tours, and ones that don’t go all day unless there is something spectacular involved.  For example, there is one for exploring Tipperary that is more than 8 hours long … which makes it a long day to Tipperary (kssshh!). 

 

We have been to the Irish countryside before, and don’t want to kiss the Blarney Stone – when I was a child my grandmother told me often that I had already kissed it, anyway.  The Irish ancestors in my family tree came mainly from the Galway area, which is quite a distance away.  So, that’s a long story about how we just plan to go ashore and walk around Cobh this morning.  Jonathan said there is a nice cathedral in town, but it being Sunday there likely will be services going on.

 

Here is today’s When and Where:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the port guide (the map is of Cork, not Cobh):

 

 

 

 

More later,

Dave

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 18, Cobh (Cont.)

 

Around 6 a.m., we came out of clouds into clearer skies, and by 6:30 the sun was rising over the headlands as we neared Cobh.

 

 

 

We passed villages and farmlands on the outskirts of the port as we approached:

 

 

 

 

The town is on a hill, with many roads running up the slopes:

 

 

 

The spire of the cathedral shone over Cobh in the early morning sunlight:

 

 

 

The center of town as we passed to dock just a short distance away:

 

 

 

We were cleared just before 8 a.m., and DW and I will go ashore shortly.

 

 

More later,

Dave

[puppycanducruise]

Loving this thread.

Great comments and pictures.  Great info.

Thank you.

[bluesplayer]

Thank you for the information and all your time to post.  Really enjoying your travel log and photos.   

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 18, Cobh (Cont.)

 

We walked ashore about 8:40 a.m., and headed into the town center, a walk of only a few hundred meters.  I took a photo of buildings as we walked:

 

 

We arrived at the main square, where there is a memorial to the victims of the sinking of the Lusitania:

 

 

 

 

For reference, the tourist info center is in the building behind the memorial, the one with the sign on it with the large “I”.

 

The guide at the tourist info center told us a recommended way to go to the cathedral.  I took another photo of buildings on the way:

 

 

 

We walked up a pretty steep street, turned left and soon found ourselves at the steps to the cathedral square and St. Colman’s Cathedral, which is celebrating its centennial:

 

 

 

I also took a photo of Zuiderdam from the square:

 

 

 

We were before Mass, and so were able to look inside the cathedral.  The interior is beautiful, but I was also taken with the Celtic knot design on the floor tiles:

 

 

 

 

We left the cathedral by a different route.  Here is a look back:

 

 

 

The tourist info guide had recommended the route back because it went down the even steeper Water View street back to the info center.  A signpost at the top said that the street was the site of an annual downhill race of 6,000 numbered balls; the race raises money for charity.  The row of houses are about 100 years old, and are a main feature of Cobh:

 

 

 

 

 

More in the next post,

Dave

 

 

 

[RetiredMustang]

Aug. 18, Cobh (Cont.)

 

After we returned to the visitor center, we went back to the front street and walked up it for a while before turning around.  I took some more photos of buildings along the way (BTW, the Monument Bar is unreal – literally.  It is just painted on a blank wall).

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the way back, we passed the Titanic Experience, and a small celebration in the Promenade, a small waterfront park.  When we passed, there was a group of men singing sea shanties.

 

 

 

 

We arrived back at the port area, which has some things of interest.  First is the Cobh Heritage Centre, which has a few displays and shops inside, and a paid exhibit of Cobh’s heritage and history. 

 

 

 

 

Outside the building is a statue of Annie Moore, a 15-year-old girl from County Cork who made news as the first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island in New York, on Jan. 1, 1892.  A statue of her is at the Cobh Heritage Centre and another is at Ellis Island.

 

 

 

During his port brief, Jonathan said that the story was that there were some men who were first in line, but were told “ladies first” by the Ellis Island officials who escorted Annie Moore to be first.  The official story was that they were being polite.  The unofficial story is that either they or the press, or both, decided that a pretty young girl would make much better photos than some burly men.

 

Also at the pier is the train station, making it easy to catch a train to Cork.  In fact, the photo of the train pulling in was taken from the Zuiderdam promenade deck.  I asked Jonathan on the pier, and he said the trains depart every hour on the half-hour from Cobh, and the return trains leave Cork on the hour.  The trip is 24 minutes.  I forgot to ask how much, as we weren’t planning to take the train, but I searched the Irish Rail website after we got back, and if I did it right, I think I found out the adult fare is 3.50 Euros each way.

 

 

 

 

It was a nice sunny morning in Cobh, and we enjoyed walking about and seeing the town.  If you don’t feel like hiking up to the Cathedral or into town center, you could catch a cab at the front of the Cobh Heritage Center.  There were no ship-arranged shuttles.

 

More later,

Dave

 

 

[RuthC]

The men singing the sea shanties came aboard the ship for an afternoon performance the last time I was there (May of this year). It was a nice show.

[retiretwo]

I love your sense of humor....."a long day to Tipperary" LOL!  REALLY enjoying your dialogue  and it's giving me a great geography refresher, too. Hope it's a smooth trip back across the pond.