Live From Zaandam May 20 - 27, 2023

[woodworker&knitter]

In April 2nd seating for fixed dining was at 8:00 pm

[3rdGenCunarder]

2 hours ago, lissie said:

Insurance. Take photos - get a statement from HAL - claim on your travel insurance 

 

Why not shop on Amazon to replace - and use their locker system so you  can pick up the items when you return to Boston? The locker system is great for when you are travelling and need items - I used it last year in SF and found it reliable - there are number of location in  downtown Boston 

 

My first thought was insurance, and then could she get something shipped to a relative going to the wedding, or to a hotel.  I've seen the Amazon lockers, but it didn't occur to me that it's a way to get something delivered while you're traveling. Absolutely brilliant suggestion!!!

[lissie]

5 hours ago, woodworker&knitter said:

In April 2nd seating for fixed dining was at 8:00 pm

That would be perfect - we had 8:30 on our last cruise and it was pretty late 

[lissie]

4 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

My first thought was insurance, and then could she get something shipped to a relative going to the wedding, or to a hotel.  I've seen the Amazon lockers, but it didn't occur to me that it's a way to get something delivered while you're traveling. Absolutely brilliant suggestion!!!

I'm an expert at getting things delivered but not to my home address! Getting things  shipped to NZ is $$$ so Amazon's lockers are fantastic - last time I literally shopped the day before we arrived in SF, picked up  the items 2 days later - realised I'd left a lens at home and still had time to get it shipped to SF locker  before we shipped out.  You just need the code they send to you via email.  My SIL does it all the time with children in different places and not necessarily with secure parcel delivery 

Edited May 21, 2023 by lissie

[Crazy For Cats]

Good Morning from Portland. 

It's a beautiful, but cool, morning. 

Today's daily program. 

 

 

[Nickelpenny]

18 hours ago, Crazy For Cats said:

Three, Four and Five star reception.  Round 1. 🙂😀

Do they always do this?  And how do you get invited? (I am finally a 3* 🙂 )

[woodworker&knitter]

They send an invite to your cabin

[Crazy For Cats]

11 minutes ago, Nickelpenny said:

Do they always do this?  And how do you get invited? (I am finally a 3* 🙂 )

There is usually a Mariner reception on embarkation day.  The number of stars invited depends on the number of 4 and 5 onboard. 

[Cruisercl]

I just found this! Yay, another live review...

Will be following along; I am on the Zaandam on one of my upcoming cruises so I am very interested in this.

Have a great cruise, relax and enjoy! 😎🍹😊🍻

[Winstanik]

Looking foward to you live review, as we will be boarding the Zaandam in Montreal on June 3rd ❤️

[dfish]

1 hour ago, Crazy For Cats said:

There is usually a Mariner reception on embarkation day.  The number of stars invited depends on the number of 4 and 5 onboard. 

When I hit 3* I didn't get invited and was told it was only for 4 and 5*.  Now that I'm 4* I expect that there will be 800 5* cruisers on board and I won't get invited again. Ok, I'm being silly.  I have been invited a few times, but found it to be inconsistent. I was not invited last summer on the Rotterdam or last fall on the Nieuw Statendam. I was in 2018 on the old Rotterdam and again in 2019 on the old Rotterdam.  

[Crazy For Cats]

15 minutes ago, dfish said:

When I hit 3* I didn't get invited and was told it was only for 4 and 5*.  Now that I'm 4* I expect that there will be 800 5* cruisers on board and I won't get invited again. Ok, I'm being silly.  I have been invited a few times, but found it to be inconsistent. I was not invited last summer on the Rotterdam or last fall on the Nieuw Statendam. I was in 2018 on the old Rotterdam and again in 2019 on the old Rotterdam.  

I’ve been told that there are only 15 5* Mariners on this cruise.  I’m sure you’ll get invited in July.

[Mary229]

1 hour ago, dfish said:

When I hit 3* I didn't get invited and was told it was only for 4 and 5*.  Now that I'm 4* I expect that there will be 800 5* cruisers on board and I won't get invited again. Ok, I'm being silly.  I have been invited a few times, but found it to be inconsistent. I was not invited last summer on the Rotterdam or last fall on the Nieuw Statendam. I was in 2018 on the old Rotterdam and again in 2019 on the old Rotterdam.  

On my last voyage they invited all 3,4 and 5 stars.  It was mayhem.  I was supposed to be inducted but exited as soon as I saw the crowds.  When I got my medal it was a lovely small reception.   

[woodworker&knitter]

On the Zaandam April 4-18 cruise there was a 3, 4 & 5* cocktail reception in the Crow’s Nest with many officers in attendance. There was also a Medallion presentation in the Explorers Lounge this was also by invitation only. Both events were also held on April 18-29 segment. 

Edited May 21, 2023 by woodworker&knitter

[Crazy For Cats]

Sunday was Portland day. The weather was beautiful and we just walked around the town. There were some inexpensive options for tours once off the ship.

While in Port there was no live TV.  

We both had lunch at the taco bar next to the Dive In. I miss this on the larger ships.  Dinner was in lido and the line was long but yhe food was good.

Last night was the Captains toast and the auditorium was about half full.  We watched the One Step Dancers, In Tandem. The dancers are good at their craft but I was unimpressed with the show overall. The one dancer sang "Hero" and that performance was not good.  Others might enjoy the show.

With the recently updated TV system we watched the latest Black Panther movie.  DH would have preferred a larger TV screen. 

[Crazy For Cats]

Good Morning,  today is Eastport. My phone thinks we are in Canada and my phone switched to Atlantic time zone. Departing the ship was delayed about 45 minutes. With all aboard at 1:30 that's a lot of port time lost.

Today's program. 

 

[Crazy For Cats]

Eastport sights.

 

 

 

 

[Destiny0315]

Well after seeing that mermaid sculpture in the photo, I may have to add Eastport to my travel bucket list! Do you think it was a local woman who posed? Just asking for a friend of course...😉

[Crazy For Cats]

Dive In burger pairs nicely with the HAL beer.  Long lines everywhere for lunch.

[Tim and Kim]

How is the weather?  I am on the same ship from Montreal on 6/3.  For packing purposes, just wondering how cool/cold it is on the itinerary this time of year.  Thank you.

[lissie]

1 hour ago, TRTraveller said:

How is the weather?  I am on the same ship from Montreal on 6/3.  For packing purposes, just wondering how cool/cold it is on the itinerary this time of year.  Thank you.

This is my goto site  answers everything - how's the weather, when does it get dark and what timezone Weather for Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada (timeanddate.com)

[Crazy For Cats]

1 hour ago, TRTraveller said:

How is the weather?  I am on the same ship from Montreal on 6/3.  For packing purposes, just wondering how cool/cold it is on the itinerary this time of year.  Thank you.

It's been cooler than expected.  The highs have been in the 50's. Tomorrow may only be in the 40's.  I'd recommend a coat and maybe more long pants than shorts. Of course by then it could all change.

[CGinMTL]

In Montreal this week we had 3 seasons in 48 hrs 

My recommendation, layers, layers, layers 

[Tim and Kim]

1 hour ago, lissie said:

This is my goto site  answers everything - how's the weather, when does it get dark and what timezone Weather for Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada (timeanddate.com)

Thank you

[Tim and Kim]

1 hour ago, CGinMTL said:

In Montreal this week we had 3 seasons in 48 hrs 

My recommendation, layers, layers, layers 

Thank you