Almost Live: Northern Isles on Rotterdam August 28th 2022

[VMax1700]

Pictogram of the route:

Amsterdam has been replaced by Rotterdam for embarking and disembarking due to lack of water in Europe.

 

[Cruisetrekker]

Hope you manage to get into port in Shetland ... wind was too bad for tendering on the July 31st  cruise I was very disappointed !

[puppycanducruise]

Bon Voyage!

Thanks for sharing your cruise.  Looking forward to reading all about it!

[maggieq]

Wow!  That looks like a wonderful itinerary.  Have a great cruise!

[Dunmore2]

Wishing you a wonderful cruise with smooth seas. I looking forward to your daily insights and photos.

[NCTribeFan]

What a great itinerary! 

 

I'm on the Rotterdam TA next spring and when I received casino offers, I added the two following 5-night sailings (Oslo & Copenhagen; Edinburgh & Invergordon).  Edinburgh is one of my favorite places.  I'll be interested in hearing about the tender process.

 

We have an overnight in Rotterdam at the end of the TA portion, which will give us the opportunity to get out there and explore the town.  We'll probably check out the hotel even though we won't need accommodations.

 

Can't wait to read more!

[VMax1700]

11 hours ago, Cruisetrekker said:

Hope you manage to get into port in Shetland ... wind was too bad for tendering on the July 31st  cruise I was very disappointed !

I will be disappointed too!  I have some 'old'  paper sterling £20 notes that I need to get rid of.

I had planned on using some in Lerwick as well as the other two sterling ports.

[VMax1700]

Good evening from the good ship Rotterdam.

Although the embarkation seemed disorganised, we were onboard and in our stateroom within 40 minutes of arriving.

We checked out of the hotel at 11.30 and walked up to the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal.  The walk took only a few minutes and although it was a lovely morning and it was very pleasant to walk, the walkway between the hotel and the terminal is covered only about 75% of the way, so bear this in mind if you have a wet or windy morning.

 

We had priority boarding (4 star) and Verifly worked very well.  Ellen was using a walking stick this morning after yesterday's walkabout, and we were directed towards 'Assisted Boarding' (even though we had not requested assistance etc) and then straight on to the ship.

[VMax1700]

The was a thread a few days ago about umbrellas in staterooms.

There is a big Orange umbrella in our VA verandah room.

[VMax1700]

The ship is delaying departure to finish loading and restocking.

This afternoon we noticed some shortages, such as no cans of water, so we were given the aluminium bottles.  No cans of Sprite or Diet Coke so we were offered a glass filled from the fountain.

[VMax1700]

I  will be posting images later, but there were 7 masks on our desk when we entered the stateroom.  Two white cloth HAL masks and 5 KN95 masks.

It is hard to say how many are abiding by the 'Masks Recommended' status, but so far I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of guests who are conforming.

[Cruising-along]

Bon Voyage Colin and Ellen!

I loved the photos of the Hotel New York.  We had that hotel booked for a cruise that was cancelled so have only seen the exterior on a previous trip.

[northernphoenix]

On 8/26/2022 at 5:46 PM, VMax1700 said:

Greetings from Hotel New York, Rotterdam (former home of Holland America Line in Rotterdam).  It seems a wonderfully atmospheric hotel and we are looking forward to tomorrow in Rotterdam and then boarding the Rotterdam on Sunday for our 14 day Northern Isles cruise to Norway, Iceland, Shetland and Scotland.

During the next two weeks we will post bits and pieces about the ship, the food, the ports and the people.

We are tired and it is time for bed here, so more to follow tomorrow.

Stay tuned in!

We thoroughly enjoyed our Baltic cruise, and to add a few days at the Hotel New York was an awesome start, using the water taxi to cross the harbour to join our excursion to Kinderdyjk.

[Cruisetrekker]

2 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

The was a thread a few days ago about umbrellas in staterooms.

There is a big Orange umbrella in our VA verandah room.

We sure made good use of these in Bergen , Molde and Akureyi !!! I think they are in all rooms even the outsiide and inside cabins had them .

 

 

Edited August 28, 2022 by Cruisetrekker

[VMax1700]

These are the masks supplied.

Two cloth HAL masks and 5 FFP2 masks (which are equivalent of KN95/K95)

 

[VMax1700]

Just noticed that the televisions are L.G. brand and not the usual Samsung.  Just as well I didn't bring one of my Samsung zappers to use!

[VMax1700]

Internet:

We have the Surf package from Have it All.

Wifi calling is not available on the Surf package.

Whatsapp voice calling is available on Surf Package.

We upgraded both phone to Premium and wifi calling is now enabled and functioning.

The cost was $50 for 14 days.  I am surprised at the price as it is quite reasonable but maybe the low price is to also lower our expectations of the service 😂

 

[VMax1700]

Tonight's dinner menu for MDR (the Lido menu is currently not available on the Navigator app).

[Florida_gal_50]

14 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

Just noticed that the televisions are L.G. brand and not the usual Samsung.  Just as well I didn't bring one of my Samsung zappers to use!

I think they are lg brand the koningsdam as well but I wouldn't bet money 

[VMax1700]

And todays 'Daily Program' (yes that is this months name for it!)

 

[VMax1700]

1 minute ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I think they are lg brand the koningsdam as well but I wouldn't bet money 

I think you would lose!  I am pretty certain that they are Samsung (we spent 60+ days on her before C19 and they were Samsung then).

[VMax1700]

For the Bread Pudding fans, here is todays choice......

 

[VMax1700]

We had dinner tonight in Lido.

Steamed Mussels,

Roast Beef, Yorkshire Pudding, Gravy, Mashed Potato, and green beans and carrots from the nearby wok station.

Followed by Chocolate tart with strawberry ice cream.

(sorry, forgot to take pics!!)

[Florida_gal_50]

1 minute ago, VMax1700 said:

I think you would lose!  I am pretty certain that they are Samsung (we spent 60+ days on her before C19 and they were Samsung then).

I just remember seeing the LG when it booted up but maybe I'm thinking of something else.  I'll have to pay attention next time on the ship.

 

A question about the mdr.  Was it open for lunch on embarkation?  

[VMax1700]

Monday is the first (of three) dressy nights.

We now have the option on Navigator to book a table in MDR.  It is offering the option to book all the way through to the end of the cruise.

I will try it later.