Live from the Zuiderdam 7/17 Eastern Carib

[Nebraska Admiral]

Julie. Thanks for the updates. RE the internet, When I was on the amsterdam, I would write all my e mails offline, and when I was done, I would then go online and download them and then download all incoming messages then go back offline to read them. I would only half to pay for a couple of minutes of airtime that way. Always trying to save$$.

Dick

[Cruising since '81]

Cruzlover56 (Julie),

 

Thank you for all of your valuable information. I noticed that the Dutch night stayed the same (Tuesday). Please tell me how the Dutch dinner was. It sounds as if you are having an enjoyable vacation (except for the high seas the other night).

:) ;) :) ;)

[jetfixer03]

First let me say that having recently discovered this site, it's awsome. Thanks for sharing all this great info! I just booked on the Z for Sept and I'm excited as all get out! Our 3rd, 1st on HAL, and 1st balcony...can't wait.

 

To business....How much are the cabana's, (I'm assuming a cabana is different than a clamshell) and can you book them online pre-cruise.

 

Thanks all,

 

Chris J

[spcl4cs_gal]

The cabanas are $219 for the day while the clamshells are $9. You can purchase an unlimited drink package for the cabanas as well.

[jetfixer03]

ouch!

[pucarter]

Hi Julie! Hi Alison! :D I won't lie and say it's great to be home after such a great week on the Z. That was our best cruise ever -- largely due to the fact that it was just Clay and I and we didn't have anyone else's schedule/agenda/moods to deal with. Pure Bliss!

 

Alison, sorry I didn't get to hook up with you! Glad you made it home safely, though.

 

Julie, girl I'm so jealous you're still onboard! ;) Did you have fun in OUR pink cabana? Hope the water pressure was better for you than it was for us! Hope your snorkeling excursions are going as well as you hoped and planned.

 

If you, by chance, eat at the Odyssey, ask to sit in Alexandra's section and then tell her that Clay and Rebeccah, the boring clam chowder-filet mignon-chocolate volcano-chocolate strawberry couple say hello. We ate at the Odyssey 3 times and had the same meal everytime -- it was THAT good (to us, anyway). Alexandra took care of us all 3 times and even "procured" some chocolate covered strawberries for us twice (I didn't think to ask the first night). She was AWESOME and a hoot to talk to -- ask her about the difference between working Disney Magic and HAL ships...that's her career path...she was really funny. Needless to say, we tipped her really well.

 

Please have one more mojito for me (or watch someone drink one and tell me it was you ;) ). I wish I was back on the Zuiderdam with you...enjoy that S Suite!

 

Smooth Seas,

Rebeccah

 

P.S. I thought we were the only ones who weren't over the moon about Dottie. :rolleyes: Of course, we thought we were just being tough on her since we just had Graham Seymour on the Caribbean Princess -- Now THERE'S a CD for you!!! :cool:

[spcl4cs_gal]

Hey Rebeccah! Sorry we didn't meet up either on HMC day but you never know what cruise we will all be on together again. Julie stopped by my cabana to say hello and I went back to the ship shortly afterward trying to beat the lineup at the tender dock. Wow was it HOT there that day or what???

 

I'm like you wishing that I was back on the Z right now. If it wasn't for the fact that the ship is sold out this week again I just might have considered it. Oh well, counting the days til March 12 now. :D

 

Glad you had a great time onboard...and no, you weren't the only ones who weren't over the moon about Dottie. There definitely have to be better CDs around!

[superstein61]

Alexandra took care of us all 3 times and even "procured" some chocolate covered strawberries for us twice (I didn't think to ask the first night). She was AWESOME and a hoot to talk to -- ask her about the difference between working Disney Magic and HAL ships...that's her career path...she was really funny.

 

Can you give a little insight on her story. I am curious since the best servive we have ever had on a cruise was on a Disney ship - and your comments peaked my interest. Thanks

[superstein61]

.and no, you weren't the only ones who weren't over the moon about Dottie. There definitely have to be better CDs around!

 

Any word yet on who the new CD will be next week ???

[Cruising Jake]

cruzlover56 - What low cost upgrade to an S cabin are you talking about?

[pucarter]

Can you give a little insight on her story. I am curious since the best servive we have ever had on a cruise was on a Disney ship - and your comments peaked my interest. Thanks

 

I'm chuckling just remembering this story. Somehow we got to talking about "How long have you been working on a cruise ship?" and she mentioned having been on a Disney ship before. We were laughing about ALL the kids on board and she said "Yeah, it's so different working here (in the Odyssey) -- on Disney it seemed like all I ever did was serve mac 'n cheese, pizza, and chicken noodle soup." So then my husband says "Well, I'm sure you serve a lot of soup on Holland America, too -- it's just at the other end of the age spectrum." She was laughing so hard she almost dropped the plates she had in her arms.

 

Seriously, though, we thought that the service was as good as, if not better than, any service we've received on Royal Caribbean, Disney or Princess. The bar, casino, and Lido staffs all impressed me highly and I'm a big proponent of good customer service. I can't stress enough what a wonderful trip this was for us .

 

I'm sure the "speed" of entertainment/partying/clubbing isn't on par with a lot younger crowd, but I would venture a guess that the median age on our cruise was somewhere between 35 and 40. For us it was the ultimate relaxing cruise, and I hope others find their cruises to be the same, no matter which line suits them best. :)

 

RC

[superstein61]

thanks

[cruzlover56]

I have a few minutes after the early show to give you some updates.

 

PUCARTER. HMC Pink Cabana:

 

Thanks to your heads up we got the Hal rep to fix the shower and all was well. We had a great day. Although unlike you Floridians we Vancouverites had the A/C on full blast.

 

It looks like the Yum yum man has changed.

 

The upgrade some from a A cat to an S for $200.00. It is not always available.

Ours didn't become available until 4 weeks before departure. We had our TA check each week for the cost of an upgrade. The other upgrade we got was about 8 weeks out from an A to an S for about $650.00. (we are on back to back)

 

 

Short travelogue.

 

We were in St Thomas today. The rains of Torola did not follow us thank goodness. Although people in St T told us they had had a big storm the night before. We didn't do any shore excurs. today as we have been to St T before. So we shopped til we dropped. Went to my fav store Mr Table Cloth

Inexpensive table linens. E.g $29.95 table cloth ( for table with 6 chairs) and napkins. Although dropped some $ on jewelery. I suggest you attend the shopping talks on board. Chris the HAL shopping guy (sorry don't remember his title) is very knowledgeable and he'll give you the inside scoop on where to go and what to ask.

 

Well I gotta go. I've got to pick up my son from the Club HAL pool party

 

I'll check in tomorrow. Its a Sea Day and the day of the Chocolate buffet

[Tak8]

cruzlover56: I'll be interested to see if the buffet is all chocolate or a dessert buffet. Last year, it was a dessert buffet in the afternoon. Very good, but the thought of all chocolate makes a chocoholic dream.

Glad the weather in St. Thomas was better for you.

[Cruising since '81]

cruzlover56 (Julie),

 

Thank you so very much for all of your information. I am just counting the days until our 07-31-04 Zuiderdam cruise. I hope you have a wonderful "sea" day. Please tell us about the Cholcolate Extravaganza-was it around 3:00 p.m. or in the evening?:) ;) :) ;)

[cruzlover56]

Well guys I can't tell you about the Chocolate Buffet as I didn't make it.

After two weeks on the ship I am about chocolated out. I know its hard to believe but there you are.

 

It's been a quiet Sea Day today. Calm seas and clear skys. We arrive at Nassau noon tomorrow. We are there from noon until 7Pm. Its the last formal night tonight.

I've starting sorting out the receipts for customs and packing a few belongings.

 

I can't believe the two weeks are almost done.

 

I will give one last update tomorrow.

 

Happy Sailing :D

[Tak8]

cruzlover56: I'm curious to see if your port time is 12-7 or 1-8. I'm looking at next summer and the website says 1-8, but the brochure lists 12-7. Enjoy your final full day on the Zuiderdam.

[Cruising since '81]

Cruzlover56,

 

It sounds like you have had a wonderful and relaxing vacation. Thank you for communicating with us daily and letting us know what is happening on board the ship! Enjoy your last day. My countdown clock is ticking...only 8 more days until we cruise the Zuiderdam.:) ;) :) ;)

[cruzlover56]

This is my last live post from the Z. After tonight I pass the baton to the next lucky traveller.

 

We were in Nassau today. Our official arrival was 12 noon although we came in at about 11:15. We left on time at 7PM.

 

Brief Travelogue:

 

This was only my 2nd time in Nassau. (both times in the summer) Again it was stinking hot. We went to the Atlantis resort on the Hal tour. The Aquarium (called The Dig) was quite good and the resort is beautiful. They are building a whole new Marina resort that will add 1500 more rooms. It should be finished in about 2 years. Its about a 10 minute walk from the resort to the Marina, but due to the heat we couldn't face it twice. So we spent the extra $4.00 pp and took a cab back to the ship. The cab driver took us on the "scenic" route thru every back alley and side street to avoid the traffic. It certainly was interesting and not the normal tourist sights.

 

Well back to reality soon.... I won't be back home until Sunday. Once I get settled in, I'll try to write a short review of our two weeks on the Z.

 

Chao

[LittleBit0522]

Well, glad you had a great cruise. Have a safe trip back home.

[spcl4cs_gal]

Hope your trip back to Beautiful BC was a good one. :)