Live from Rotterdam Dec 3 - 22. Daily mini review

[didi1900]

what ports have shuttles?

 so far you have posted only Columbia. I do have issues with walking using a scooter on board Thx for posting

[QuattroRomeo]

1 hour ago, didi1900 said:

what ports have shuttles?

 so far you have posted only Columbia. I do have issues with walking using a scooter on board Thx for posting

Other than Half Moon Cay, which is by tender, the only other port we've done so far is Curacao. I didn't notice any there but there could have been; we docked pretty close to town. Of course it isn't close for scooters! The ship tour buses do come up close to the ship. Our tour was private so we just exited the security gate and waited by the side of the road. Lots of taxis there. There are some shopping tents right off the ship. 

Right now we are in Gatun Lake, and they are calling the ship tours one by one. Cannot do private ones from here. 

[iflyrc5]

1 hour ago, QuattroRomeo said:

Other than Half Moon Cay, which is by tender, the only other port we've done so far is Curacao. I didn't notice any there but there could have been; we docked pretty close to town. Of course it isn't close for scooters! The ship tour buses do come up close to the ship. Our tour was private so we just exited the security gate and waited by the side of the road. Lots of taxis there. There are some shopping tents right off the ship. 

Right now we are in Gatun Lake, and they are calling the ship tours one by one. Cannot do private ones from here. 

Interesting - so it appears they have restarted doing the excursions in Panama.  2 weeks ago they stopped doing excursions because of protests stopping traffic.

[AroundWithMAPTravels]

1 hour ago, QuattroRomeo said:

. 

Right now we are in Gatun Lake, and they are calling the ship tours one by one. Cannot do private ones from here. 

Are the excursions going to Barro Colorado island?   Truly a special place!

[QuattroRomeo]

Extremely hot and humid in the Panama Canal today. Nice and sunny, clear views. The life boats on deck 3 are nicely tucked in for the locks.

 

 

[QuattroRomeo]

[QuattroRomeo]

Deck 5 bow open for viewing.

[QuattroRomeo]

[QuattroRomeo]

Yes the excursions are back- at least some of them!

Tenders headed out at different intervals as called, from deck A gangway.

 

 

[QuattroRomeo]

We are now in the locks again, heading back. It was interesting this morning listening to Tjalling (Cruise Director) speak about the experience of the Zaandam and previous Rotterdam in Mar 2020 when they had to surreptitiously head through the locks at night with no lights on to get back to Ft Lauderdale. He was aboard the Zaandam. If you have read Cabin Fever, it was truly horrific for them.

Edited December 10, 2023 by QuattroRomeo
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[QuattroRomeo]

Had the Central Park pizza for lunch at NY Deli. Way too hot up there. Surprised the cooks didn't faint!

 

There was a display of Canal t-shirts and souvenirs on tables at the fwd end of Lido pool. Will see what's available in Colon.

[iflyrc5]

Did the have the special Panama rolls this morning that are only served on Panama Canal cruises?

[QuattroRomeo]

Yes they had panama rolls at breakast, and I also noticed them outside on Seaview deck port side. I think they were at the bow on Deck 5 too.

[john bowtie]

Also currently on this sailing. Since you have been posting photos of the art around the ship, note that guest services can print out a color brochure/guide with the artist/location of all the art.

[QuattroRomeo]

Walked around the ship a bit yesterday after lunch, only saw some watches on display by the shops.

[QuattroRomeo]

Heading back through the locks, and under the bridge:

 

[QuattroRomeo]

Saw the crew putting the lifeboats back in position as we neared open water. On our way to Colon next. 

[QuattroRomeo]

[QuattroRomeo]

Had a quick dinner in CO: watermelon and feta appetizer, rockfish for the main (overcooked), and passionfruit mousse for dessert - very tasty:

 

[QuattroRomeo]

Did a quick run to the Colon shops. Rather disappointing. A duty free place, 4 Embera Indian stalls, and a big mall with very few stores. Indian stalls were the best. 

[QuattroRomeo]

[QuattroRomeo]

[cbr663]

45 minutes ago, QuattroRomeo said:

Saw the crew putting the lifeboats back in position as we neared open water. On our way to Colon next. 

 

 

 

I've always found that there is something magical when sailing under a bridge.

[0106]

1 hour ago, QuattroRomeo said:

rockfish for the main (overcooked)

I always ask for my fish “medium rare”; then it is usually prepared perfectly.

[QuattroRomeo]

Last night there was a new comedian, Cisco Duran. Quite different from the last one- Cisco will say anything! Pokes fun at old people, fat people ( includes himself), marvelled at how few black people HAL has, (he is one),  compared HAL (favourably) to Carnival, etc. Pretty funny for the most part but will make some people uncomfortable. Don't sit in the front rows...l