Seeking the Eclipse on Zaandam!

[ski ww]

11 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

 

Here’s the schedule.  The South Pacific sounds good to me!

 

Glad every one had a great view, we had solid over cast here. This look like a great excuse to book a cruise for the next one.

[CruiserBruce]

Catching up on some past info, as something yesterday distracted me from my reporting responsibilities...

 

Sunday was shrimp day in the MDR. We both had the coconut shrimp app, which was pretty good. DW had the short rib...tender, good sized serving. I had the Aztec shrimp. Excellent, medium sized serving. They had a pan of the Aztec shrimp in the Lido, you could have as many as you wanted. One of the few times I have wished I had dinner in the Lido. I might have eaten a few hundred! Really tasty!

 

The dancers were doing a Latin dance performance. We chose to watch Oppenheimer. Very complicated movie. Not sure we agree on all the awards it has won, but interesting. 

 

Last night was prime rib dinner. Seafood Spring Roll app was very good. Portion size cutbacks are a hot topic (I will mention later), but there is absolutely NO cutback in the prime rib dinner size. Good sized slab, cooked nicely, fairly tender, great taste. Baked potato and vegetables with au jus. The only complaint was the horse radish was pretty mild.

 

We are eating in Canaletto tonight. 

 

The entertainment last night was Taylor Bryce, an impressionist. Fantastic. Enthusiastic standing ovation. Very high energy, action packed performance. Will see him again in a couple days, eagerly. 

 

There has been a rumor that when it came to routers for the new Starlink system, somehow Zaandam got shortchanged. I don't think that is the case...it appears the signal is not penetrating cabin walls well. We have a router immediately outside our cabin door...our signal inside varies considerably. Virtually every place else on board we get good signal and speed. I am writing this at the Lido pool, and as I do most days. Have talked to a couple people about it. Sounds like they will address it at the next dry dock.

 

The original plan for today at Loreto,  a tender port, was a 2pm to 8pm visit. As we skipped Mazatlan, the Captain announced a noon arrival,  but in anticipation of strong winds tonight,  a 6pm departure. Last I looked outside,  it's a bit choppy. I would say our visit is threatened. 

 

Lastly, we had lunch at the Dive In yesterday,  for 2nd time on this cruise. The burgers and fries are still great, but the size of an order of fries has been cut considerably. Our meal order is now 2 burgers, and 3 fries to satisfy our French fry addiction. 

 

5 Star Mariners reception at 11am, Crows Nest.

[CruiserBruce]

Observations and bon mots......Loreto version. 

 

Anchored at Loreto. Waiting for the tender rush to die down before going ashore. But it is a bit rough out there, and DW doesn't do rough and small boats well.

 

Went to the 5 Star Mariners event. Drinks were flowing pretty freely. About a dozen people got medals, and there are two separate sets of President's Club couples on board...one of whom have over 2000 days on board. Amazing.

 

With this reception,  I get the feeling HAL is trying to award the medallions actually earned on the current cruise. Several recipients had, for example, "307 actual days on board, at the end of this cruise". The words "actual days" was heavily accentuated in each award. So, keeping current on medallions,  but star awards will remain determined after completion of the cruise. Seems fair.

 

No Mariners lunch, it would appear. I know they essentially haven't returned since Covid, and we haven't attended one in a very long time.

 

Got to tell the "don't fly in the day of cruise" story. I didn't hear the entire story, so don't know much more than what I will report, but, still noteworthy. 

 

Met a couple yesterday at the Eclipse who had flown to San Diego from Sacramento the morning we sailed. A 90 minute flight. Easy, right? (Our flight from SFO is even easier...we flew in 2 days early.) It was raining pretty good between 9am and noon. At some point,  the airport had to switch their runway direction,  and this couple's flight got caught up in the pause to switch. They orbited for about 30 minutes, then their flight was diverted to LAX. When they arrived at LAX, the airline had arranged bus transportation to SAN, a close to 2 hour drive. BUT....their luggage stayed on the plane. The plane eventually flew empty (of pax, but with luggage) to SAN, to do whatever flight out of SAN it was scheduled for. 

 

Another reason our sailing was delayed...or at least just coincided well with the fueling issue. But their bags made it to the ship before we sailed.

[tetleytea]

How much time of totality did the HAL ships get?   Did the pilots make any attempt to track the eclipse path, so you would get just a hair more time?  

[Mary229]

@CruiserBruce  go to the Mariner lunch. .  I had quit attending but @Haljo1935convinced me they had stepped up their game and indeed they had.  Lovely lunch, lots of the bubbly and excellent menu. 

Edited April 9 by Mary229

[CruiserBruce]

21 minutes ago, tetleytea said:

How much time of totality did the HAL ships get?   Did the pilots make any attempt to track the eclipse path, so you would get just a hair more time?  

Pilots? The Captain had explained ( see post #60) a very detailed plan to put us, clear sky permitting,  in the middle of the path of totality for the maximum time possible,  considering ship speed,  seas ( and resulting rougher ride affecting all the picture taking) and related issues. It was projected we would get 4:27 of totality, in reality,  we got 4:20 of totality. I think the only way to get more, would have to been to go much faster than the ship is capable of.

 

I don't know how much Koningsdam got. As I understand it, they were a little bit off the midline of the path. It might have cost them 20 or 30 seconds of totality...maybe.

[tetleytea]

I just looked it up.  The eclipse shadow moves at around 1500mph.  A cruise ship moves what, 25 knots?   I heard planes were able to achieve 74 minutes of totality yesterday, but a cruise ship just can't do that.  The best you can do is position the craft.   

 

I was looking into whether an eclipse cruise looked interesting.  If the ship's course cannot lengthen the totality, that makes it less so, but the physics of it is just not there.  A ship's speed can't compete with a celestial body's. 

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, Mary229 said:

@CruiserBruce  go to the Mariner lunch. .  I had quit attending but @Haljo1935convinced me they had stepped up their game and indeed they had.  Lovely lunch, lots of the bubbly and excellent menu. 

@CruiserBruce do go to the Mariner Lunch if you're able. As @Mary229 said, ours was lovely w/an excellent menu, many officers in attendance, several officers dining at passenger tables and a lovely toast from the Captain. 

 

 

 

[CruiserBruce]

@Haljo1935, when was this luncheon you experienced?

[Mary229]

2 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

@Haljo1935, when was this luncheon you experienced?

I had one very much like this on the K last month and one on the O in January.  I am not positive but the beef was prime - the same grade as in the Pinnacle. 

[Haljo1935]

2 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

@Haljo1935, when was this luncheon you experienced?

Those pictures were taken on the K'dam Jan 2, 2024.

[BetsyS.]

The Mariners luncheon on the Zuiderdam last summer was very nice. I don't remember the exact menu, but the food was very good. Officers were there and the Captain said (I'm paraphrasing) "thank you for your loyalty. That's why we're here." As we were leaving, they gave us the tiles.

[CruiserBruce]

The sunset last night near Loreto and the sunrise from the gym today near La Paz were awesome. The mountainous desert landscape and the very clear air make for such pretty sights. I have, in my 67 years, been to various parts of the Gulf of California a few times, sprinkled all over the area. This is still one of the prettiest desert areas I have seen.

 

The port is industrial, and out in the middle of nowhere. HAL is providing shuttles to downtown and the beach.

 

Dinner last night at Canaletto was excellent. We both had the tiger shrimp app...couldn't get enough of the seasoning on the shrimp. DW had the Italian sausage and pasta, very good. I had the spaghetti and lobster tails, with the superb garlic/butter/oil sauce. Even got extra sauce. One of my top meals on HAL. The Nutella tart is also a big favorite. DW had not had it before...now she knows why I have it every time.

 

DW is not a huge pasta fan. At lunch in the Lido yesterday, they were offering a carbonera, which is her favorite, as well as one of mine, but I like many pastas. So she actually ended up eating pasta twice yesterday. Somehow she will survive. 

 

The entertainment was a saxophone player last night. Not appealing. So we watched a Mission Impossible we had not seen.

 

With some shopping yesterday,  we have consumed our large amount of non-refundable OBC.  A major relief. No Eclipse tee shirts or other memorabilia. Already looking at the very extensive selection on Amazon. 

 

I work out almost every morning, unless an excursion or an Eclipse gets in the way. At this point in every cruise we see the "I have eaten way too much the past XX days, better start working out" surge. You can set your clock by it.

 

The primary gym employee is finishing his contract in a couple days. He was euphoric today. I asked "8 months, eh?" His response was "9 months 19 days". I said, " you have seen much of the world" knowing Zaandam travels a lot of unique and non-repetitive routes. I said " you have been through the Panama Canal a couple of times". He replied " 4 times". 

[cruisin'teach]

Just saw your posts of eclipse. We are on Koningsdam and saw your ship out in the water on the 8th. The eclipse was amazing!! Agree with you about the t-shirts -- think HAL could have sold many but none onboard. Several people bought t-shirts on Amazon before cruise! Wish we had done that!!

[CruiserBruce]

Ah....where did I leave off...

 

Today is Friday,  the last full day of the cruise. The quiet gloom has settled over the ship, both because it is cloudy heading towards San Diego, 20 knots into the prevailing wind and current, causing white caps on the pools, and because reality of the end of the cruise is setting in.

 

Wednesday night was Dutch night. I had the herring trio app. I have never had herring but have wanted to try it. So nothing to compare it with. It was good, but it didn't seem to have much herring in it. I would definitely have it again. DW stuck with shrimp cocktail and tenderloin. The Bami Goreng was excellent. 

 

The entertainment was " Musicology " by the dancers. I thought we had seen it before and liked it, but I was confused. Not what we wanted to see. We left early. 

 

Yesterday was Cabo San Lucas. Crystal clear, beautiful day. We had booked a "Luxury Sailing" excursion (HIA money). Overall it was very nice, saw whales, great crew, fun time. The water was only 72...about the same as the air temp, so not many people got in the water. Even the crew said was probably not the best time for water sports...which we knew from a previous land tour. The was a couple minor issues that I will address in my wrap up after the cruise. But overall a fun day, recommend it.

 

Last night was a dressy night. Oddly, no entree ( even though there were 10 entrees listed) grabbed us,,so we both had the lasagna. We also both had the escargot. The entertainment was Tyler Bryce again. Maybe not quite as good as his first show, but still very funny and entertaining.  Definitely need him to be on more HAL ships.

 

We will eat at Pinnacle tonight. 

 

Not sure if I will write again today. I plan an extensive review a couple days after we get home.

[Haljo1935]

@CruiserBruce have thoroughly enjoyed following your Run for the Sun!! I look forward to your final thoughts - safe travels home.

[BetsyS.]

Thanks for taking the time on your vacation to give such great updates. 

I had the lasagna on Niew Statendam and on the Zuiderdam. I thought it was very good. Enjoy your last day and night. Save travels home. 😊🥂

[albingirl]

It's been fun following along with your fan club.  I appreciate your effort to give us all insight into your great traveling adventure!

[CruiserBruce]

A few observations and bon mots...

 

Orange Party and attire is very popular! I would say two thirds wore something orange, and there were some really creative and crazy attire. The Party was held at the Lido Pool and fairly well attended. This is really growing on people. 

 

Today is Cake Me  Away day. They had about 15, maybe 20 cakes. The Executive Chef in charge was celebrating his birthday today, with everyone. I passed through 3 times, and every time, he was telling someone it was his birthday,  which prompted the nearby staff to lunch into "Happy Birthday ", (again) joined by anybody in the area. Pretty funny.

 

There is also some "desert surprise " at 9:30 tonight. Doubt we will make it.

 

Tom Vassos' final presentation was today. It must have been well attended....we didn't go, but the rest of the ship was vacant. Just before was " A City at Sea", so the crowd just hung around,  I'm sure. 

 

I hear suitcase packing calling my name...or is that a bartender?

[cccole]

I'm hoping it's the bartender with a couple drinks ready for you to take back to your cabin and enjoy while packing!  Thanks for fun and informative posts.  Cherie

[CruiserBruce]

41 minutes ago, cccole said:

I'm hoping it's the bartender with a couple drinks ready for you to take back to your cabin and enjoy while packing!  Thanks for fun and informative posts.  Cherie

You were right ....it was a bartender. Don't do now what you can put off for an hour or two! 

[CruiserBruce]

Wellllll....as our flight has been delayed 6, 7 or 9 hours, depending on which source you check, I guess I have some time to do some writing. 

 

The cruise was fantastic, loved every minute of it. The Eclipse was worth every penny of the cruise fare...the rest was just icing.

 

Let me wrap up a few odds and ends before I do my review. Last night we ate in the Pinnacle...DW had the surf and turf, and required me to taste the filet and the lobster to make sure it compared with our previous meal. It did, very well. The filet was almost no knife required...I didn't have a steak knife, and had no problem cutting the meat, or the lobster with a regular knife. I had the scallops. I am a big scallops fan, and we have a very good restaurant that serves excellent scallops...the Pinnacle was going to have to work hard. Our favorite restaurant gets a 10 plus for their scallops, Pinnacle gets a 9.5...very good. DW loves the creme brulee...I had the chocolate souffle...not bad, but maybe a little less chocolat-y than in the past. 

 

By the way, there was several mentions around the ship that the Pinnacle is now run by a female Executive Chef. She came around and talked with us last night (but not our previous meal), and I recognized her from working out in the gym some mornings. I am not sure what exactly she might be doing differently from anyone else,  but the food is really good.

 

The saxophonist didn't interest us, so we had our final drink, listened to a little music,  and finished up our packing before going to bed.

 

United played games with our flight schedule. We originally had 1:30, then it was 2pm, then 3, then finally 5pm. We took the opportunity to switch to 10:20, and figured we would be the first off the ship. And we were, literally. We ate breakfast at 6am, the ship docked at 7am, and the gangway opened at 7:30. Immigration was facial recognition by HAL land based staff...the Immigration folks were there, but off to the side somewhere. We were in a cab by 7:40, and through TSA just before 8am. The only hang up is if you are dragging your bags, you MUST use the elevator, as the escalator is too narrow for checked bags. Otherwise, disembarking has never been easier. Ever. And, the line for people carrying off was pretty short. Again,  not an early group of pax, and a fair number who can't carry off luggage. 

 

Then, the United saga begins. We boarded on time, looking good...then broke something taxiing to the takeoff spot. Took us awhile to get back to the gate with all the traffic. Just now, as I am writing this, they texted to say it's now a 6:30 pm flight now.

[CruiserBruce]

OK, to start the review,  please know that we like the product HAL offers, otherwise we wouldn't be 5 star Mariners. Is it perfect? No, of course not. I will certainly mention some negatives. But none are worthy of a hasty detachment from HAL, at least at this point. And I am not one to think badly of people who like the classical music, even though we don't. We like the 60s-70s-80s music tilt that HAL is doing. Or the lack of a yum yum man is not driving us to some other cruise line, even though we frequently liberated mints from him. We have two cruises booked in 2025 on HAL, one a 21 day Med cruise to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. 

 

First, please fly in the day or two before. San Diego is a beautiful,  pretty easy to use town with a small airport that has a fair amount of flight services. And it's a short flight from most West Coast cities, and with the time changes, not hard to fly from the middle or eastern parts of the county, and still get here in the middle of the day, and make your flight. Until it's not...

 

It really does rain in Southern California (contrary to the song), and be honest,  Southern California doesn't handle moderate to hard rain very well, which we had on March 30, sailaway day. This rain caused a major bump in the road for flying into San Diego, and, along with a couple other things, a delay in our sailing to allow people and bags to catch up. To be fair, the delay was not just delayed passengers. But there was definitely some serious problems. 

 

That rain also made disembarking and embarkation on March 30 less than pleasant,  especially for those using the Broadway terminal. The Broadway terminal was an ugly political compromise between people who wanted a big expansion of cruise service,,and those that wanted no additional cruise visits. It resulted in a less than efficient cruise terminal for ships greater sized than Pinnacle class ships. The Terminal building worked pretty well for Zaandam,  except there is not sheltered area outside, and only a small staging area inside after check in. Lots of people getting wet. There were some tents set up..the small 10 ft by 10 ft size, but it was also windy, and thus not overly effective. 

 

And, then, with Zaandam and KDam parked at adjoining docks, there was barely room for one fuel barge at a time. It frequently takes 3 to 5 hours to fuel a ship, so you can see at least 8 hours the two ships couldn't move due to proximity. If there were two Pinnacle class or bigger ships side by side....ugh...

 

[AryMay]

20 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Or the lack of a yum yum man is not driving us to some other cruise line, even though we frequently liberated mints from him.

 I have been enjoying your review. We have spent 69 days (I believe) on the ship and are in the process of packing and will board the Zaandam again on April 20th for another 18 days (B2B cruise.) 

 

Just wanted to let you know that the Yum Yum Man was back on the Koningsdam in February. He didn't have his usual uniform, but the goodies were all there!

 

 

[CruiserBruce]

The crew, as always, were wonderful,  happy, friendly, and of course, hard working. Every single one. The only member we even had any doubt about was one we interacted every day, knew us...and everyone we saw around us, by name. We know that he is coming to the end of his 4th contract, and about done with the cruise ship life. He has used his money to purchase some farm land, and is ready to settle with his wife and children on it. He seemed a bit tired and down a couple days, but the next day, greeted us by name, with a smile.

 

Susette was the primary Neptune concierge. Professional, exuberant, greeted us with a big hug as we had sailed with her last September. Handled the few small problems we had easily and quickly. Funny and a great smile. Top notch...she already knows she is going to Volendam next.

 

Madi and Midi were our room stewards. Reached out to us immediately, perfectly adapted to our routine,  perhaps better than any other crew we gave had. The "ordering" form for specific services was followed to a "t", first time, every time.

 

We like to have a table for 2 at dinner, but we quit seeking window seats a long time ago. Instead, we like to people watch, so we request a table in the center raised platform of the lower dining room floor, all the ships have them. We usually have a selection of table numbers that meet our desires. Niman, the assistant maitre d, arranged the exact table we wanted at noon during boarding,  then personally arranged the guide to the table when we arrived at the MDR. The platform area is not in high demand,  nor was any time dining on this cruise, so our wait staff rarely had more than 2 tables...3 people. It was like Rachmat and Hery were our personal waiters. They were very attentive, very focused on us. They were funny...we had a routine going about how stressful our day was...not.

 

Lastly,  Richard and Ryan at the Ocean Bar. Yes, it's easy to be happy when they are plying you with drinks. But these guys were very busy, and the definition of a team, and a well oiled machine. Not only that, but they constantly kept all the customers and wait staff laughing  every night. Lastly, they had a new employee who they were training. Having been a firefighter,  team building in a stressful situation is one of the most valuable skills I can imagine. But these two did it so well...and the "new guy" just ate it up.

 

Just a few examples...HAL has not lost a single step in the employee selection and development process.