Live from Oosterdam, Santiago-FLL through the Canal!

[Mike B Landlubber]

These signs were up in the Dive In bar. I thought the one about tastings and mixology would be of interest to those focused on activities. 

Edited March 26 by Mike B Landlubber

[Mike B Landlubber]

Food and beverage post…..

 

 

Cippiono

 

Escargot bourguignon before and after (I happily ate them all)

 

 

Biscuits and gravy

 

Fruit (whose name I didn’t get) that was part of dessert at the mansion

 

Entree on an excursion for dinner in a Lima historic mansion

 

Pisco sour

 

Baked Alaska

 

Clothesline bacon

Edited March 27 by Mike B Landlubber

[Sootey66]

You are making my mouth water!! What was the excursion you did in Lima?

[Mike B Landlubber]

Just now, Sootey66 said:

You are making my mouth water!! What was the excursion you did in Lima?

I always really enjoy the HAL food! The excursion was in Lima, it was 

Evening City Drive & Dinner at

Casa Aliaga

 

The meal was good, and it was definitely good to have a change of routine from the MDR and Pinnacle. I am eating in the Italian specialty restaurant tonight, may add a shot or two after! Here are a couple of shots from the mansion interior. 
 

Edited March 27 by Mike B Landlubber

[Sootey66]

Thanks Mike. I know MDR gets a bit boring after awhile. We have done so may HAL cruises we know the menu back to front!! Lol

[bfgood2]

Mike,

 I would be interested in knowing if HAL is offering a shuttandle from Callao Port to MIraflores and where does it stop? Is there a shuttle to the main gate of the port  what times do these run? Trying to plan our 3 days in port when we're on a similar cuise in November to do some on our own and private tours. Thanks.

[Mike B Landlubber]

Just now, bfgood2 said:

Mike,

 I would be interested in knowing if HAL is offering a shuttandle from Callao Port to MIraflores and where does it stop? Is there a shuttle to the main gate of the port  what times do these run? Trying to plan our 3 days in port when we're on a similar cuise in November to do some on our own and private tours. Thanks.

I know they had a shuttle from the port, but we have left Lima and I never used it, I did nature-oriented excursions out of town except for the night time trip to the mansion. I know they prohibited walking through the port area on your own and did have some kind of shuttle to get you away from the dock. Sorry I’m not more helpful! I did find this, which is vague but nay help. https://freewalkingtoursperu.com/en/blog/how-to-get-from-callao-port-to-lima/

[Mike B Landlubber]

Here are some city pictures from my night time excursion into Lima. The big open Plaza of Arms was closed off inpreparation for an Easter event. The large enclosed balconies on the light blue building were a Lima tradition in the old days. They were intended to let the ladies see out without being exposed themselves. The night time excursion left the port as rush hour was getting underway, so we spent a fairamount of time waiting in traffic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 28 by Mike B Landlubber

[bfgood2]

Thank you. That was helpful. Did you take the Free Walking Tour? I'm enjoying reading your posts.

[Mike B Landlubber]

y only venture into Lima was the night time shore excursion. We drove through some of the town for about an hour through traffic without stopping to get to the old town, and walked to the mansion through the old town for about a mile as the guide pointed out a few things. By the end of the dinner it was late and most were fatigued, so we had a short walk to the bus and about a 40 minute drive to ship.

 

Here is the flyer for tomorrow, a sea day.

 

 

[ModMs]

Mike - really enjoyed your posts. We are boarding the Oosterdam on April 5 in FLL for its TA to Barcelona. Save some of that food for us! 😄

[Mike B Landlubber]

Last night for dinner, I chose tuna tiradito as an appetizer. I had no idea what it was, but the waiter assured me the tuna had just been brought on board that day and it was a port to table selection so I gave it a shot. I was surprised by what I got! I expected a cooked tuna steak With accompaniment. I ate it and didn’t love it, but I did finish it. I wasn’t sure if it was sushi which I’m not a huge fan of, or ceviche, which I do like. I’m glad I tried it once, but I doubt I will have it again.
The schnitzel was almost as expected, I would’ve appreciated some gravy. But it was good. Cheese plate was also as expected.
I really like Bailey’s and Kahlúa, but wondered what the creme de menthe would do to them. I didn’t need to worry, the drink to polish things off was excellent.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 30 by Mike B Landlubber

[0106]

20 minutes ago, Mike B Landlubber said:

tuna tiradito as an appetizer. I had no idea what it was, but the waiter assured me the tuna had just been brought on board that day and it was a port to table selection so I gave it a shot. I was surprised by what I got! I expected a cooked tuna steak With accompaniment. I ate it and didn’t love it, but I did finish it. I wasn’t sure if it was sushi which I’m not a huge fan of, or ceviche, which I do like. I’m glad I tried it once, but I doubt I will have it

I like tiradito, a traditional Peruvian dish. (I loved the fact that the chef incorporated traditional Argentinian and Chilean dishes while I was on the Oosterdam in February but I digress.) The fish is raw, like most sushi; it differs from ceviche in two ways: tiradito is sliced, while ceviche is cubed; and tiradito is sauced immediately before service, hence raw, while ceviche is marinated beforehand, hence "cooked". I admire you for trying new things.

[Mike B Landlubber]

We are in Fuerte Amador, Panama, outside Panama City. Today I took an HAL tour, “Aerial Tram & Ecological Encounter”. We began with a panoramic tour of miscellaneous places, such as graveyard for people buried, trying to dig a failed French canal, and some buildings associated with canal administration and education. We drove out into the wilderness to a national park where we saw nature related things. We went through a building with poison dart frogs, saw some orchids and got a brief necessities stop at a hotel lobby. As you would expect, the highlight of the tour was a tram ride through the jungle. We saw some interesting plants and scenery, but little wildlife on the tram tour. We also got a look at some zipline people who weren’t from the ship. We drove back to the ship and arrived about 2 1/2 hours later than the Tour had been described. I had eaten a good breakfast and didn’t really mind, but some people were hungry or aggravated for other reasons. I felt it was an okay excursion, but not a great one.

[Mike B Landlubber]

Panama Canal handout

[Mike B Landlubber]

It took us about nine hours to pass through the Canal yesterday.

 

With the lock gates closed, our ship is raised. Nine minutes between the two pictures.

 

The Bridge of the Americas carries the Pan American Highway over the Canal. Once you’ve passed under the bridge you are officially in the Canal.

 

The ship has a tradition of raising everyone’s arms in the air while passing under the bridge.

 

Before dawn we were waiting our turn to enter the Canal among other ships.

 

City of Balboa, pelicans in the foreground

Edited April 1 by Mike B Landlubber

[crystalspin]

On 3/27/2024 at 4:20 PM, Mike B Landlubber said:

Fruit (whose name I didn’t get) that was part of dessert at the mansion

Your fruit is Cherimoya (Custard Apple)!

[Mike B Landlubber]

Miscellaneous pictures from around the ship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 3 by Mike B Landlubber

[FlaMariner]

Great pics.  Great cruise....We board the Oosterdam Friday......Smooth sailing into Port Everglades...

[Wehwalt]

Mike, thanks for taking us along. Quick question for you. Is the Explorations Cafe the only place you can get specialty coffees in the morning?

[Mike B Landlubber]

Just now, Wehwalt said:

Mike, thanks for taking us along. Quick question for you. Is the Explorations Cafe the only place you can get specialty coffees in the morning?

Cappuccino and espresso are available in the MDR,if you count those as specialties. That’s the only other place I’m aware of. Speaking of which, here is the MDR menu this morning.

[Ready2go11]

Have you tried the pizza? Oosterdam does not have the dedicated NY Pizza so am curious if the Lido version is any good. 
 

Thanks,

[Mike B Landlubber]

Just now, Ready2go11 said:

Have you tried the pizza? Oosterdam does not have the dedicated NY Pizza so am curious if the Lido version is any good. 
 

Thanks,

I had pizza for lunch several times, so clearly thought it was okay, but I didn’t think it was great. They tended to have just pepperoni and veggie styles over and over again. Good but not great.

[freddybeachpete]

Thanks for these great posts !! Thinking seriously about doing the March 2025 version. One question - my wife and I enjoy social dance (ballroom and Latin). Many opportunities for this ?