LIVE! HAL Oosterdam 1/7-1/29 South America & Antarctica—Let’s Cruise!

[TravelBluebird]

2 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Sorry, but that is overly simplistic and not entirely factual.

 

Yes, modern cruise ships with high lift rudders, azimuth propulsion pods and multiple thrusters are very manoeuvrable, but with high freeboard and shallow draught, the ability to manoeuvre safely is still limited by wind speeds. Limiting conditions will be clearly outlined in the ship's Safety Management System, and while the Master has the authority to hire tug(s) at any time, once conditions outlined in the SMS are reached, the Master will be required to hire tug(s). The ship can still be easily handled, but the risks increase significantly, so hiring tugs in some conditions is not unnecessary, it is mandatory.

 

In some ports, such as San Antonio, the Harbourmaster may dictate that some/all ships must use tug(s), which can be to assist manoeuvring and stopping the ship in the event of propulsion failure. In San Antonio, the tugs may also be required to keep the ship off the lee-shore, in the event of power failure clearing the breakwater.  Since the tugs should have been able to operate safely inside the harbour, the issue will be escorting the ships out of the harbour.

 

Based on the harbour approaches/egress, as a professional mariner with many years in command, I'll suggest the Harbourmaster's requirement for a tug escort is prudent seamanship, based on the proximity of the shore, not an unnecessary requirement.

 

Remember, cruise ships can also break down at very in-opportune times, some of which I have experienced and wished I had a tug available, or more of them available.

 

I note, this is not just a San Antonio requirement, as many ports around the world require tug escorts.

@Heidi13 Thank you—that is a very detailed explanation!

[TravelBluebird]

In the  Crow’s Nest this morning with our espresso and cappucino!  Pastries available for free with your coffee.  We woke

up late—so much for Tai Chi but we are on vacation!  Slow gently rolling swells this morning, pool water is sloshing 

 

 

 

Edited January 9 by TravelBluebird

[NorbertsNiece]

T'ai Chi isn't the full experience if held in the Lido pool area at 8am. Way too noisy!

 

 

 

[FLCruiser97]

11 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

 @FLCruiser97 On my YouTube channel—it’s in my signature.  It’s not posted yet but I’ll put a link here when it’s online

Thanks again.

[FLCruiser97]

2 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

In the  Crow’s Nest this morning with our espresso and cappucino!  Pastries available for free with your coffee.  We woke

up late—so much for Tai Chi but we are on vacation!  Slow gently rolling swells this morning, pool water is sloshing 

 

 

 

Does the Crow's Nest serve espresso drinks or is it just a cocktail bar? Never been on this ship so I may have many questions if you don't mind.

[Btimmer]

9 minutes ago, FLCruiser97 said:

Does the Crow's Nest serve espresso drinks or is it just a cocktail bar? Never been on this ship so I may have many questions if you don't mind.

Yes 

[TravelBluebird]

1 hour ago, NorbertsNiece said:

T'ai Chi isn't the full experience if held in the Lido pool area at 8am. Way too noisy!

 

 

 

Thank you so much for the map of our route @NorbertsNiece!

 

And thank you for the warning re the Tai Chi—it is indeed being held on the Lido!  We have been briskly walking each morning on the deck 3 outdoor Promenade instead

[TravelBluebird]

44 minutes ago, FLCruiser97 said:

Does the Crow's Nest serve espresso drinks or is it just a cocktail bar? Never been on this ship so I may have many questions if you don't mind.

the Crow’s Nest bar has the main coffee shop on the ship!  And of course cocktails as well.  Here is an example of the coffee menus.  And ask away on questions @FLCruiser97!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 9 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

I took this photo to say: I’m out on my balcony with my Holland America blanket (2 provided in room for this cruise) and its 55; brisk but pleasant!…

[TravelBluebird]

…and then it started to rain!

 

So. now I’m sitting sideways on my couch looking outside instead.

 

I was worried about my legs being able to be stretched out on the couch fully, but I fit fine. I’m only 5 foot tall, but there is at least 6” of additional room, so people a little taller than me could also sit as I am sitting.

 

 

[TravelBluebird]

Today’s itinerary is as follows (what we have selected to do):

 

This morning was Crow’s Nest Coffee with pastries, then the 10am Port Talk on Port Chacabuco. I briefly shopped (really like the general shop on this ship!). We then did our brisk walks around deck 3, and went straight to MDR lunch after.

 

This afternoon in about an hour I’ll be doing the Line Dancing Class (which, for some strange reason is entitled “Permission to Dance,” so I had to figure out what the heck that was).  We are skipping 3pm tea.

 

At 4pm will begin narrated Chilean Fjords cruising. 9pm we pass a spectacular volcano.  

 

My husband (who still after 34 years doesn’t understand my tenacity with a camera in a scenic area) has booked Caneletto’s for tonight at 6:30.  He has been warned he may be eating solo tonight!

 

There is a guitarist from Nashville for entertainment tonight, and I may wander into the casino.

 

Tomorrow we are getting into port an hour early, so 9am.  Although we have an excursion, it is not till 1:45 (Nature in Patagonia).  We are going to attempt to go ashore as soon as possible and take the municipal van into Puerto Aysen  for an hour or two. We are a little worried that we won’t be able to get the van in time to get back (it runs every 20 minutes, but what if tons of passengers are in line to return?  Does anyone have experience taking the van to Puerto Aysen?

[Hogladyrider]

@TravelBluebird...we LOVE the Crow's Nest on all HAL ships!

[TravelBluebird]

Yesterday afternoon and this morning we really enjoyed walking on the 3rd floor Promenade track. Even saw a whale spout today!  

 

 

 

Edited January 9 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

5 minutes ago, Hogladyrider said:

@TravelBluebird...we LOVE the Crow's Nest on all HAL ships!

 

Such a lovely spot!  Very popular on this cruise, as you would imagine!

 

Last night, before listening to the piano player Adam, we sat up there and had two delicious Melon No-Jitos!

[TravelBluebird]

Before I forget, I was able to upload my first video from the ship!

 

You’ve read the whole story here, but there is some of the captain’s talk in the video (which he said was OK to film).

 

 

Edited January 9 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

Heading down to my dance lesson; more after that about the first dressy night last night, our first Port Talk, and lunch today@

The rain has stopped and a bit more blue skies to the clouds at the moment

[TravelBluebird]

The “Permission to Dance” class was in the Rolling Stone Lounge has been my favorite activity on the ship so far!

 

Jacee was the instructor, and she ran the class like a proper dance class, with warm up and cool down.

 

We learned the Wobble (which, obviously, I know from years on Carnival!) and another dance that is new to me!

 

We are part dance class and part flash mob for the Orange Night Party—evidently we are going to perform the dances we learn at the party—I guess hopefully to get everyone else up and moving with us!  So hence the slightly vague “Permission to Dance” event name.

 

After that, I decided to book a tour with an airport transfer for our last day in Argentina. Our flight isn’t until 7:30 pm, so we didn’t know what to do with our luggage, etc, all day and we’ll get to see Argentine Tango, have a meal, and see parts of Buenos Aires we won’t get to see our first day. Technically, the tour says “must have flight after 8:30” but we have our flight at 7:30–the excursions desk said we’ll be fine, and we have priority luggage line at the airport through Delta. I hate thinking about the end of the cruise at all, but better to have it all sorted out!

[TravelBluebird]

It was Dressy Night for dinner last night!

 

Dressy Night for Holland America for this cruise is not very dressy (which I knew thanks to everyone here!). I wore nice black pants with a dressy top and nice necklace, and Russ wore a sports coat, and we fit right in.  Many people were even less dressy than I was…a couple of people clearly decided “hey, this is Antarctica!” and made no effort at all.

 

The dinner was outstanding. Probably the best beef tenterloin I’ve had on a ship formal night, of any line. Nice veggie sides. A properly jumbo jumbo shrimp cocktail (and I hate Louis sauce, but our waiter had no problem bringing me cocktail sauce). The flourless chocolate cake is my “Carnival Chocolate Melting Cake” for this cruise, and was very good—said it comes with ice cream and it did not, but I was so full by that time I did not care. The white choclate celebrating HAL’s 150th anniversary was a nice touch.

 

Right after dinner attended the brief Captain’s Welcome—introduction of some of the officers, key staff, and a toast with free champagne.

 

We skipped the female vocalist, and just listened to Adam the piano player. We thought the Rolling Stone lounge was OK but a bit loud…we desperately wanted a quiet corner with a folk singer and guitar or a violinist, etc to just sit and talk, but we don’t seem to have that on this ship.

 

We also had the aforementioned Melon No-Jito at the Crow’s Nest. The sunset was spectacular!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 9 by TravelBluebird

[TravelBluebird]

We are approaching the scenic cruising portion of the day!  I think the bow will be open; weather seems pretty mild at the moment.

 

For the last 45 minutes we could see land from our cabin!

 

 

[0106]

11 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

we desperately wanted a quiet corner with a folk singer and guitar or a violinist, etc to just sit and talk, but we don’t seem to have that on this ship.

Have you tried the Ocean Bar?

[FLCruiser97]

....and what exactly is in the Melon No-Jito?

[TravelBluebird]

32 minutes ago, FLCruiser97 said:

....and what exactly is in the Melon No-Jito?

 

Its a Melon-flavored Mojito with no alcohol! 

[FLCruiser97]

Just now, TravelBluebird said:

 

Its a Melon-flavored Mojito with no alcohol! 

Thanks. Sounds Yummy!

[TravelBluebird]

1 hour ago, 0106 said:

Have you tried the Ocean Bar?

 

Not yet!  No music there yet, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some!

[TravelBluebird]

My best photo from our time out on the bow of the ship—just after the bridge being built, the volcano with boats in the foreground.

 

Really wan’t fjords—more of a channel with land visible on both sides.  Narration was very nice.