richwmn Goes around the world in a daze

[richwmn]

Lido menu now available

 

[Travelexpert35]

I‘ve enjoyed following along on your World Cruise. Would love to do this some day. Was wondering now that you’re in a Verandah will you go back to an oceanview for future cruises? Do you enjoy sitting on your balcony? 
I’ve sailed 3 or 4 times on Holland America but more on Celebrity so I’m curious as to what benefits you would get as a 5 star mariner on a World Cruise. Looking forward to more of your posts.

[puppycanducruise]

Thanks for sharing information and comments. 

Looking forward to reading more in the days ahead.

[vinonme2]

Rich, I am really enjoying your posts, thank you for sharing your cruise experience. 

[richwmn]

41 minutes ago, Travelexpert35 said:

I‘ve enjoyed following along on your World Cruise. Would love to do this some day.

 

Thanks to you and everyone who has been encouraging me to continue

 

41 minutes ago, Travelexpert35 said:

Was wondering now that you’re in a Verandah will you go back to an oceanview for future cruises? Do you enjoy sitting on your balcony? 

 

This is not a real easy question to answer for me. Since I travel solo, the verandah is nice but not necessary. I have enjoyed sitting on the verandah, so far mostly when my cabin is being serviced, but as yet it has not been enough to cause me to spend the extra money. However, I still have over 100 days to update my opinion.

 

42 minutes ago, Travelexpert35 said:

I’ve sailed 3 or 4 times on Holland America but more on Celebrity so I’m curious as to what benefits you would get as a 5 star mariner on a World Cruise.

 

From what I have been able to determine, the World Cruise has exactly the same 5* benefits as any other cruise. The internet credit didn't happen because I purchased it in advance at a better discount. It seems to still be 2 Pinnacle Grill dinners for the duration, and I think one of mine was used for my Canaletto dinner. That is still to be determined.

 

42 minutes ago, Travelexpert35 said:

Looking forward to more of your posts.

 

Thanks again.

 

[lcand1923]

Rich,  Thank you for taking the time to do this thread.  I am even more grateful for your thoughtful assessment post.  I have a Grand Cruise scheduled for next year and, as a solo, was wondering if it would be a fit.  Reading your assessment post, I think I will be fine.  Continue to post and, if possible, do another assessment post, or two, later in your journey.  ENJOY!!!

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

2 hours ago, richwmn said:

 

Thanks to you and everyone who has been encouraging me to continue

 

 

This is not a real easy question to answer for me. Since I travel solo, the verandah is nice but not necessary. I have enjoyed sitting on the verandah, so far mostly when my cabin is being serviced, but as yet it has not been enough to cause me to spend the extra money. However, I still have over 100 days to update my opinion.

 

 

From what I have been able to determine, the World Cruise has exactly the same 5* benefits as any other cruise. The internet credit didn't happen because I purchased it in advance at a better discount. It seems to still be 2 Pinnacle Grill dinners for the duration, and I think one of mine was used for my Canaletto dinner. That is still to be determined.

 

 

Thanks again.

 

The 2 complimentary dinners for 5* can be in the PG, Caneletto, or Tamarind. Once those are used, you should be able to get the 50% discount in those restaurants due to being 4*. Accounting might be better on the Grand World Voyage but I have found one has to ask for these discounts if they don't automatically happen.  

[REOVA]

3 hours ago, Travelexpert35 said:

I’ve sailed 3 or 4 times on Holland America but more on Celebrity so I’m curious as to what benefits you would get as a 5 star mariner on a World Cruise. Looking forward to more of your posts.

Because most passengers are 4 and 5 star, the "priority" boarding line is usually longer than the general boarding line. 🤪

 

Also tender priority goes to Neptune/Pinnacle Suite passengers so all Mariners (except above) have to get in line for tender tickets. There may be a 2nd line e for 4/5 * but, again longer. I remember one year for Easter Island the line up started before 5am. Fortunately we got off. 

[DFD1]

4 hours ago, richwmn said:

 

Thanks to you and everyone who has been encouraging me to continue

 

 

This is not a real easy question to answer for me. Since I travel solo, the verandah is nice but not necessary. I have enjoyed sitting on the verandah, so far mostly when my cabin is being serviced, but as yet it has not been enough to cause me to spend the extra money. However, I still have over 100 days to update my opinion.

 

 

From what I have been able to determine, the World Cruise has exactly the same 5* benefits as any other cruise. The internet credit didn't happen because I purchased it in advance at a better discount. It seems to still be 2 Pinnacle Grill dinners for the duration, and I think one of mine was used for my Canaletto dinner. That is still to be determined.

 

 

Thanks again.

 

Enjoy your posts. Great fun to read. Please keep them coming....and have a great time.

[richwmn]

January 27^th – At sea heading toward Tonga

 

Last Night was the Derby Day. It was a fun evening with lots of people dressed with hats they had created over the past couple of days. There was also a ‘Horse Race’ with six staff member acting as the horse/rider and advancing to designated poles base on the roll of a large dice. It was fun and well attended. After the race, with a little prompting, the winner jumped in the pool.

 

It has been an interesting morning. For the last few days I have been waking up a little bit earlier than normal. If I had been at home it would have been an earlier breakfast, but the Lido opens at the same time, even if I wake up earlier. The sun rises thru my verandah have been great.

 

During breakfast an a little after I spent some time with a new friend from the cruise. It was a nice time. As an aside, it seems that quite a few of the people that I am spending time with are also early risers and are in the Lido dining room ready for breakfast when it opens.

 

At 10 this morning Ian hosted Ian’s World Travel Trivia (pt 1) on the Main Stage. This was a bit different type of trivia. Ian showed some images on the big screen and had people raise their hands to answer. Ian was relaxed and having fun with this and was very good. It was actually a lot of fun.

 

Eleven o’clock brought Dr. Woodman on the stage to talk about Dos and Taboos. It was an interesting talk about differences in cultures and how words, facial expressions, and other body language change the perception of what is being said.

 

Later today will, of course, be trivia. All three music venues have schedules for tonight so there will be something for everyone. The Main Stage will have a second helping of The Comedy of the Biddy’s.

 

Today's activities and Menus:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 27, 2023 by richwmn

[cunnorl]

Thanks for taking us along. Really enjoy reading your posts and perspective of a first time “worldie”

   Enjoy! 

[richwmn]

For most of the Cruise Critic world today is January 28^th. Aboard Noordam, Westerdam, and now Zuiderdam today is Sunday January 29^th. Sometime in the last few hours we crossed the International Date Line and skipped a day, in our case the day was Saturday. So a very short weekend, but we are on a cruise so to some extent every day is a weekend day.

 

I’m not sure if I have mentioned it before, but we are generally having three ‘Happy Hours’ a day. If you are a beer drinker, you have your own ‘Happy Hour’ from noon to 1:00pm at the Lido Bar and the Sea View Bar. That one is 25% off all beers. Then we have the general ‘Happy Hours’ at 4:00pm, 6:30pm, and 10:00pm for an hour (or so) each. All the general ones are at Billboard Onboard, Ocean Bar, and Sea View Bar. Additionally the Crow’s Nest participates in the 4:00pm and 6:30pm ones, but not the 10:00pm. The general ‘Happy Hours’ are 50% off on Cocktails, Beers, Wine by the Glass, and House Spirits.

 

Today is the last of three sea days headed toward Tonga. Sea days tend to fall into a pattern, particularly when we have several in a row. Along with quite a few others, I wake up pretty early and head to breakfast at the Lido close to when it opens. I generally see most of the same people there including several people that join me for trivia each session.

 

Each day Mass is celebrated for Catholics and anyone else who wishes to attend. Also every morning there are Tai Chi and Pilates classes (Pilates is $20). Ian has a coffee chat most sea days with someone different each day. Over the course of the morning there will be several organized games and other activities.

 

Lunch goes from 11:30 until 1:00pm in the Main Dining Room, and until 2:00pm in the Lido. Again I generally see the same Guests who have early breakfast around for early lunch.

 

Afternoons mirror the mornings with several activities schedule throughout the day. Trivia is generally held in the Crows Nest at 1:00pm. Later we usually have trivia at 4:00pm and 6:30pm in Billboard Onboard, nicely happening during ‘Happy Hour’. My team of early breakfast eaters usually does pretty good. We have seen victory once and have tied twice only to lose in the tie breaker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bcummin]

Who is the Tai Chi instructor on this World Cruise?

Thank you.

Barbara

[Travelexpert35]

It’s good to know that they have three Happy Hours each day. Is this usual on short cruises as well? I wonder how many passengers onboard actually booked the beverage packages. That would be a big add on for a World Cruise. 

[WriterOnDeck]

9 hours ago, bcummin said:

Who is the Tai Chi instructor on this World Cruise?

Thank you.

Barbara

No Tai Chi master this time. Spencer, who once was the America's Test Kitchen chef (2017 and 2018) and a member of the cruise activities staff on the 2020 world, leads it. He is the sports director on the cruise staff (not the fitness center director), who leads a lot of the activities from chair fitness to ping pong challenges, pickleball classes and Tai Chi.

[richwmn]

January 30^th – Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga

 

Last night was uneventful. The show on the Main Stage was ‘Encore’ featuring the hits of stage and screen with Zuiderdam’s singers and dancers. I must admit that I missed it, although I had intentions of going. We had trivia at 4:00pm, which my group managed to win, but not at 6:30pm.

 

This morning we arrived in Tonga. It was a nice sunrise with some lights showing from the island. The island itself is very pretty. I got off the ship shortly after we were cleared. I wasn’t really planning on doing anything other than walking around a bit, but I changed my mind and got a short tour with a cab.

 

The cab ride took me around the island a bit, with views of the Royal Palace, the Military Headquarters, residences of several of the Royal Family, and the Tonga Blow Holes. Unfortunately, the attraction wasn’t active while we were there. It was interesting to learn that there is a major Mormon presence in Tonga, along with Catholic, and the Church of Tonga which I was told is a type of Methodist Church. Tonga is a right hand drive country which can be a little unnerving at times, but my driver was very good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1ANGELCAT]

7 hours ago, WriterOnDeck said:

No Tai Chi master this time. Spencer, who once was the America's Test Kitchen chef (2017 and 2018) and a member of the cruise activities staff on the 2020 world, leads it. He is the sports director on the cruise staff (not the fitness center director), who leads a lot of the activities from chair fitness to ping pong challenges, pickleball classes and Tai Chi.

I remember Spencer from ATK, glad to hear he’s still with the company. Very nice guy.

[boze9999]

it is the 5th one from the mailboxes and door. You can also get into it from the inside hallway (door by the elevator ((0214) and the 208 is on the inside man-door from the hallway. Door is unlocked and push the door opener button to the right and the door will open/close.

 

 

 

 

 

[richwmn]

 

January 31^st – First of two days at sea toward Auckland, New Zealand

 

Last evening’s trivia was very difficult. Our hostess showed pictures on the screens and had us identify things about the picture such as name of the building, location city, country, and so on. She has 30 pictures which ended up being about 46 answers. Some of the pictures were easy, such as the Rialto Bridge in Venice. Others were very difficult, such as Angel de la Independence in Mexico City. We muddled thru and were two short of the winners.

 

After trivia I joined a friend at the blackjack table for about an hour and a half or so. My contribution was acceptable and I called it a night. I did get to see quite a bit of the playoff games, both live and as repeats later in the evening.

 

This morning has been back to the sea day routine. Up and getting a couple of things done like reading Cruise Critic before breakfast in the Lido. The same early morning crowd was there. While eating we looked out the window and saw squalls a couple of miles out. That is a very interesting sight over the open ocean. You can see where the rain is coming down heavy and then a very short distance away, no rain at all.

 

In his daily announcements our Captain has been commenting on the rain and flooding in Auckland. I think he is preparing us for the possibility that we will not be able to complete our stop there. It seems that there is quite a flooding problem there. Also, Noordam was there a couple of days ago and the wind caused a mooring line to break. The problem was resolved for Noordam but if it is still that windy we might have problems stopping there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[richwmn]

 

February 1^st, second day at sea toward Auckland.

 

Yesterday was a very good day at sea. As always, very relaxed. Trivia was good and at the 6:30pm session our group had the most correct answers on Holland America Trivia. Questions included the location of HQ, the name of the first ship, the ship that signaled Titanic, and others. The bonus question was to name to four Vista Class ships. The only question we missed was about the only ship to be sunk twice during WWII and still be the first to enter NY. It was Westerdam.

 

After trivia I joined friends in the Main Dining Room for dinner. A very enjoyable time. I was warned that the Beef Bourguignon might be a little tough but I had it anyway. Mine was good. I started with Shrimp Cocktail, and ended with Rum Cake. Everything was good. Kelly and Jett had steaks, Sue had Salmon. Everyone said they enjoyed the meal and company.

 

After dinner there was a bit of time before the 9:30pm show featuring Stephen Barry. He is a good singer with a pretty good range and selection of songs. After leaving the show I took care of a little business at Guest Relations, three attendants with no line. Then back upstairs for a bit of TV before turning in for the night.

 

This morning I managed to sleep until my normal 6am, then down for breakfast when the warm line opens at 6:30am. While waiting for my omelet, Tom tapped me on the shoulder and invited me to join him. I did and we had a great conversation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[erewhon]

@richwmn  Rich, hopefully the Zuiderdam can berth in Auckland tomorrow.   Two cruise ships visiting In Auckland today, a sunny day. 

[alibabacruisers]

Erewhon, thinking of you and hope you are safe.

[erewhon]

2 hours ago, alibabacruisers said:

Erewhon, thinking of you and hope you are safe.

@alibabacruisers  good to see you posting, we are safe in the south island.

[richwmn]

February 2 – Auckland, New Zealand

 

Last night we had two good trivia sessions. At the 4:00pm General Knowledge session we had a pretty full team and did ok. We didn’t win but were close as always. The 6:30pm session was dedicated to Music from Woodstock. At the beginning the team consisted of three players, with a fourth arriving by the eighth question. Each question was a snip of a song to which we had to answer with the song title and artist. Fifteen songs, 30 answers – we got 28 of them. Missed two song titles but got the artists.

 

Last night on the Main Stage was a second session by Barry Seacroft – the sax player. During his first performance he showed that he good at playing the sax. From the number of people headed for the Main Stage during trivia, he had a good audience again.

 

This morning we arrived in Auckland, New Zealand on time. Here is my view from the verandah.

 

 

After a typical breakfast and a small delay I exited the ship and walked to the HoHo bus. It wasn’t a long walk and this area is very pedestrian friendly. A very friendly guy was selling tickets and within a few minutes a bus arrived to take up around the city. The loop took about an hour and we had a great day for it. The commentary was pretty good and truthfully worth more than the $30US it cost me.

 

It has continued to be a good day in Auckland, contrary to what it has been for the last few days. We leave at about 6:00pm for Tauranga, our second New Zealand stop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[richwmn]

February 03, Tauranga, New Zealand

 

 

Last evening was a little sparse on activities. We did have two sessions of trivia, but not much else. All four music venues were active. Most of the activities listed at 5:00pm or later were marked as promotions.

 

So this morning we are in Tauranga. It started out as a dreary day and has remained overcast, but hasn’t rained. The temperature was mild, just right for a walk along the beach. Tauranga is a picturesque little seaport city.