Live from the Zaandam - Circle Hawaii.....

[nobbync]

Hello Everyone,

 

I have enjoed reading some of your live from ships thread so I thought I'd start my own. Tried to post this last night by internet at sea is sometimes not so fats or doesn't work at all. Last night was one where everytime I tried to send email or post it was just hang up. This morning it looks faster so I will post todays thread. The signal is string all over the ship includinhg my cabing which is where I am now. Hope you enjoy and photos wil come after the cruise.

 

I have been looking foward to this cruise since the Voyage of the Spammed last year.

 

Nobby

 

MS Zaandam Circle Hawaii

 

10-11-07 (Thursday) – Day 1

 

Hello Everyone,

 

This is a cruise I always wanted to take so glad we are finally on the way. I am really looking forward to all the sea days. And Hawaii will be a nice “extra”

 

Arrived at the pier at 11:30 am and was on board the Zaandam by 12 noon. Checkin was really smooth even with both the Ryndam and Zaandam in at the same time. This is the 3rd time I’ve sailed from San Diego and all three times it was very easy getting on the ship. As we boarded we were sent to the Lido Deck for lunch. We were told rooms would be ready at 1:30 pm. I loved the grilled sandwiches on my past Oosterdam cruise so that’s what I had and it was delicious. Also made a nice salad but I was disappointed at the selection. There was just the very basics for salad but hope that was only because it was the first day. I had the bread pudding which was delicious as always. Now I may be eating bread pudding for lunch for the next 15 days!

 

After lunch we walked around and went to the spa. My friend Cindy and I got the thermal suite package for $240 for the 2 of us for the full 15 days. I think for $120 each it is worth the 15 days. The thermal suite chairs are so relaxing and I loved the pool in there as well. Okay, it’s a hot tube they use as the pool but it is relaxing. This is one of the areas I LOVE the vista class ships because the pool in the suite is much larger with the bars to lay on. Still the Zaandam is nice and more on that another day. Also booked a spa treatment, the massage with rocks. I’ve never done it before so thought it would be nice. My mom also got a full body massage and we’ll do this on Sunday. I can’t wait.

 

At 1:30 pm we went to our room and it was ready. Our room steward was there and I have to ask him again his name as I forgot already. I ordered the Bon Voyage Package with balloons and champagne for us in my mom and Cindy’s room and it was there as we came in. Balloons are at the door so it is easy to see our rooms. Also ordered flowers for them and it was delivered just before dinner. We have connecting rooms on the Dolphin Deck. I am in room 1861 by myself and they are next door in 1859. The room is huge and there’s plenty of room. It is also very clean and a nice layout. The DVD player is nice to have but movies do cost for those that are not in the suites. It doesn’t matter because I brought my own anyway. I may not need to watch too many because there’s a couple movie channels and I am watching Surfs Up as I am typing this. I love animation so this was a perfect first night movie. On another channel is Happy Feet but I can’t watch both… Anyway, back to the room. The beds are wonderful. I also have a full size sofa in this room and lots of closet space. The bathroom is nice with a good size deep tub.

 

Our bags were in our room by 2 pm and we unpacked. I went to the Explorations Café to sign up for the internet and got the 250 minutes for $100 and signing up the first day you get 20 minutes for free. I like the Explorations Café setup. They have a very good selection of books. Lots of travel ones and just a quick glance I found a book about birds in Hawaii. I am an avid photographer doing wildlife but mostly birds since that is what is mostly around San Diego where I live. I had plans to go out a few times in Hawaii to capture some shots of different birds so this is a great book and I was surprised they had it.

 

Next up was the lifeboat drill and it gets too crowded out there but as we were going through our drill we could see the folks on the Ryndam doing there’s. Anyway, we were done and it was painless. It was time to head to the aft pool for the sailaway and it was a wonderful day in San Diego. Crystal clear skies and a nice cool breeze but still nice. We were the first to leave with the Ryndam following not to far behind. So far the seas have been calm but I can feel some roll now but perfect for sleeping.

 

I was worried about dinner. My first HAL cruise was on the Oosterdam and I probably had the bad luck of the draw but I thought our service was really bad at dinner. Today everything about the dinner was spectacular. Our waiter (I am terrible with names but I have 15 days to learn it) was very fast and friendly. We are at a table for 8 and so far it seems we have a very nice mix of people and I will enjoy the 15 days with this group. I started with the Crab Tower that was outstanding. To me it tasted like a cold crab cake but a good one. Next was just a spinach and mushroom salad which was good for a salad. For the entrée I ordered the prime rib and it was really outstanding. Came with green beans and carrots which were perfectly made. For dessert I decided to stick with the no sugar added item which was a black forest cake and I will say that was the best no sugar added dessert I ever had. So it was a good first night at dinner. Looking forward to more outstanding dinners here with some great company.

 

After dinner we hit the show and it was just okay. I really didn’t think any of the singers were great and neither was the dancing. Still it was enjoyable and I guess that is all that matters.

 

I wanted to go watch the movie tonight as it was Evan Almighty but I decided to stay in tonight and do this report. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask and I will try to send out reports daily.

 

Thanks for reading and Aloha to all and to all a good night…

 

Nobby

[lstrong]

Awesome first post; thank you so much. I will look forward to your daily reports. We are on this dream cruise scheduled to leave 3-19-08 so I am soaking up all your thoughts and info on the Zaandam and Hawaii. Laurie

[capnjoe]

Thank you for posting, I was on the Zaandam a few years back and found her and her staff excellent! We are looking forward to reading more, have a wonderful time on the beautiful Zaandam!

Capn

[GmaPajama]

Thank you, Nobby, for doing this Live From thread. I'll be following along with interest and am wishing you one of those "perfect" cruises. :)

[casavaha]

Nobby:

We were on the Zaandam for lunch on Thursday. Unfortunately we only

had a few hours to look around the ship. Lunch was great, wild salmon.

The service was great. We were in the dining room. The lunch was for

150 persons, supposed to be on the Ryndam but since it arrived late,

the lunch and tour was changed to the Zaandam.

 

Needless to say we were all envious of all the passengers who were

staying on the ship. We had to be off by 1:30.

A few hours on the ship is better than none.

 

Changing the subject. I am very interested in your upcoming

estate sale, I will give you my email address later in your cruise, if you

would please contact me about time and place.

 

Have a great cruise, I enjoy your reviews.

 

Greg

[spottedcamel]

Hi Nobby,

What a wonderful preview - I can't wait to read the rest of your reports.

 

Taking the same trip in a few weeks (leaving November 5th) so this is just getting me all the more excited about the trip.

 

Steven

[kakalina]

Thanks for taking the time to post your live thread. We have done Hawaii on the Zaandam and really enjoyed her staff and crew.

Keep 'em coming. Have a wonderful time.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for checking in.

There are many of us here who love "LIVE" reports.

[FLBEACHGIRL]

Thanks For The Info, My Parents Are On The Ship Also. I Can Keep Up With Whats Going On Without Having To Talk To Them Directly, Which Is Great Also Gives My Girls Something To Read Everyday, They Are Missing Them Too...;)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Aloha Nobby:)

Count me in as another one looking forward to your reviews. Sounds like you are off to a great start. I have admired your photography for quite some time and still you one of your great Oosterdam photos as my home computer wallpaper. So in saying that I know that you will have some wonder photos of one of my favorite places.:)

Mahalo,

[earl_m]

Thanks for telling us about your cruise, I guess you are anxious to reach

the islands . Hope you have great weather!! keep the reports coming!!

[RuthC]

It's going to be fun reading your report and remembering I was on the same ship/same cruise just a year ago. :) Mahalo!

I'd love it if you report about the ship's entertainment. Not the performers in the show lounge, so much. I'd like to know who is playing in the various lounges, and what you think of them.

Until the next post---aloha! :)

[sassyredhat]

Nobby~~~We are on this cruise in April 2008. We did this itinerary before but on the Statendam.

 

It will be our first time on a vista class so I am really excited to hear about the Zandaam. I just know everything will be great.

 

Thanks for the "vicarious" fun. :)

[Susie51]

Thanks for the Live post. I'm looking forward to everything you write about. If I can't be on a cruise, then I like to read about someone else's cruise. Have a wonderful time.

 

Nov. 3 will be my second HAL cruise. Will I be able to buy 250 minutes for $100?

[jeda]

Thank you for the live report! I will also be following along. We are booked on the same cruise/ship departing Vancouver April 22/08.

Have a a wonderful cruise!!

 

Jess

[RuthC]

It will be our first time on a vista class so I am really excited to hear about the Zandaam.

Er, the Zaandam is an R-class ship, not a Vista.

 

She's a very pretty ship, though. She's one of two HAL ships with a "theme"---her's is music. There's notes etched in the glass doors, and staffs woven in some of the wall coverings. And there's musical instruments scattered around in the public areas. Find Bill Clinton's sax.

[ON cruiser]

Dear Nobby,

Thanks so much for your informative report. We are on the Nov. 5 sailing so follow what you write with interest. Several questions come to mind:

1) Can you advise who is piano player/singer in Piano Bar, who the group are in Ocean Bar, and up in Crow's Nest? Just wondering as some Piano Bar players in particular we have enjoyed...

2) How are people--in particular, the men--dressing for dinner? Perhaps after formal night you can advise.

3) What is the age group? I expect an older, relaxed crowd...true?

 

Hope your seas are calm as you while away the relaxing time to Hawaii! Many thanks,

[clogaltocruise]

Thank you for reporting. I will look forward to reading more. We cruised the Zaandam in Alaska a couple of years ago and loved her and her crew. I want to do the Hawaii but my DH doesn't think he can handle so many sea days.

Kathy

[nobbync]

DAY 2

 

Last night I called it a night around 11 pm but I wasn’t sure as I was watching TV and the rocking motion just left me in dreamland. I woke up about 7 am as refreshed as I have been in a long time. The bed was wonderful and the rocking of the ship just made the sleep that much better.

 

I didn’t eat breakfast but just had an apple and banana from the fruit basket they leave in the room. They also leave a card where you can select what fruits you want and they’ll bring it. Also asked room service to bring a pitcher of water everyday at 11 but the gentleman I talked to just said to call anytime I needed a pitcher and they’d bring it right away. I wasn’t sure about that as I really didn’t want to wait for it. . On Oosterdam they brought it everyday when I was at lunch so it was there but it was okay as I have ordered a pitcher of water now 3 times and it was at my room in less then 5 minutes each time. So I can handle that.

 

This morning I did laps on the lower promenade wood deck that runs around the entire ship. It was very windy but I love this area of the HAL ships. In fact I am typing this as I sit on one of the great deck chairs they have outside watching the ocean roll by. Today is partly cloudy and it was 67 degrees today at noon. Not bad for the Pacific at this time of the year and still close to San Diego. In fact yesterday wasn’t that cold either leaving San Diego. I didn’t need a jacket on the top decks even as we passed Pt Loma but my mom and Cindy needed them. Also skies are partly cloudy but nice. When sitting in the sun it feels very nice. The main pool is covered today with only a crack opened to let some fresh air in.

 

One thing I do want to comment that a few people mentioned recently. It’s the sewage smell and on the lower promenade outside the starboard side is very smelly. Not sure if there’s a problem or not but walking around the outside deck is not as fun because the starboard side is bad. I’ll let you know if it last the entire cruise. I am typing this now on the port side…

 

About 9 am I went up to the thermal suite and fell asleep on those nice heated chairs. I was just watching the ocean go by and the next thing I knew it was one hour later. Wonder what happened to that hour?  The pool, or I should say Jacuzzi is nice also but it’s just a normal Jacuzzi. It’s nothing like the wonderful Thelosatherapy pools on the Vista ships. I do miss that but the thermal suite itself is not bad and after I finish the morning half of this update I will head up there for another hour of sleep.

 

Lunch today was in the Lido. We were there as soon as it opened at 11:30 for lunch. The crab and cheddar soup was outstanding. Also had a grilled Italian Panini and it was also delicious. Tried some Asian Shrimp and Veggies over rice which was also delicious… Also loaded up on very fresh strawberries and melons. All were really good. For dessert I was going to get the bread pudding again but next to the regular bread pudding was banana bread pudding so I tried that and it was even better then the regular bread pudding but not by much.

Everyday I will try to tell you my thoughts on a part of the ship. Today I will talk about the HUGE organ in the main atrium area. I have very mixed feelings with it because overall I love it but on the other side it is too big and takes too much room. It makes the atrium area seem small. For those that don’t know what it is it’s a HUGE working pipe organ. It covers the 3 floors of the atrium and the stairs go around it. On all the ships I have been on this is a very open area but on Zaandam it really closes this area. On the positive side it is incredible. It plays three times a day and if you’re on this ship you can’t miss it. Today I watched it play some of the Les Miserable soundtrack and it really sounded good. There are a bunch of little figures all over it that also plays. You have some playing a harp, banjo, bells, drums and more. These figures move and it’s kind of neat to watch. One problem with this being so big when they have the putting contests and other things in this area it is difficult to walk around and I found it is easier to just walk up another deck and then go where we need to go. Even though I say this area is crowded overall this ship is the least crowded of any ship I have been on. Very minimal waits for anything but today the shore excursion line had 100 people in it. Glad I booked everything I planned before leaving.

 

The rest of the afternoon was spent….relaxing…what’s a cruise for?  I spent another hour asleep in the Thermal Suite. Went to the Explorations Café and I was reading in one of those nice chairs they have there and can you guess what I did? I fell asleep of course! Today’s movie was License to Kill.

 

By the late afternoon the wind and waves were picking up. Waves still aren’t bad with swells running about 8 foot tonight but the wind was about 20 knots so the ship is rocking and some people are getting sick but most are okay. Bags have been placed around the ship. I finally got my sea legs and I am walking fine on the ship but other people are really moving around as they walk. As of 10 pm tonight we have sailed 557 nautical miles from San Diego but still have 1616 nautical miles to get to Hilo so we’re just starting our journey. Temps outside at 10 pm are 69 degrees so it is already warming up.

 

Dinner tonight was casual again. I just realized our table is with 10 people and it’s only 3 of us guys and 7 women so we have it made… or do we???? Service again was superb and the food was also great. I had the Italian Wedding Soup, Salad and Mushroom Ravioli. The mushroom ravioli was an appetizer but it said you can get it as a main course. A few of us ordered that and when the first lady got hers it had 4 ravioli. I think they decided to just give us the appetizer but in a dinner plate! Our waiter was quick to bring us two servings. The soup and ravioli was excellent. For dessert they had the Banana’s Foster with the head waiter in our section cooked it up as we watched. I got the no sugar added apple tart which as excellent. My friend Cindy got the Banana’s Foster and I had a taste and it was excellent. Just too sweet for my tastes.

 

Showtime tonight was really good. It was called LOVE BROADWAY with costumes done by Bob Mackie. I haven’t been on many cruises but this show may have been the best production show I have seen on a ship. The costumes really were excellent. If you have this show on your ship get there early. Showtime was 8:15 and we arrived at 8 and got a few of the last seats in the house.

 

After the show we stopped by the Piano Bar and Bob Berhalter is our Piano Bar entertainer. We sat through one set and it was fun. We had a lively bunch of passengers singing along with the piano man. When he did the 50’s music everyone was singing along. I had to bring my mom back to the room and now I am writing this before heading back out. The clocks go back an hour tonight so we have an extra hour to have fun. I’m going to check out the Crow’s Nest and see what’s happening. When I got in the room we have our first towel animal, a stingray…complete with eyes…

 

Thanks for reading and when I get time I’ll read the replies and try to answer what I can.

 

It’s only been 29 hours since we left but if you want a relaxing vacation this really is it. Some of my stress aches and pains ate already gone. I’m as relaxed as can be… I may never want to come back… Time for the Crows Nest…

 

Nobby

[nobbync]

Hello Everyone,

 

Well I just went to the Crow’s Nest and not much going on. Lots of people in the casino still and a few in the Piano Bar but it’s not as lively as before. So I decided to go check out the 11 pm buffet and it’s All American Night so I grabbed a burger and now I’m back in my room. Thought I’d answer all your questions because I can’t sleep now after taking so many naps…

 

First I want to say thanks to all of you for the positive support. I have enjoyed reading all the cruise reports everyone has posted over the years I have been on this board but I have especially loved the LIVE reports so I wanted to do my own. With all the positive reports it makes me want to do it even more so thank you!

 

Now onto the questions and if I forgot someone please ask again… I will do all questions in one post between each days reports. All of you doing this trip in the future I think you’re in for a treat.

 

RuthC “I'd love it if you report about the ship's entertainment. Not the performers in the show lounge, so much. I'd like to know who is playing in the various lounges, and what you think of them.”

 

Tonight was the first night I watched any of the performers in the lounges but plan to do more. And I will report what I see. In my Day 2 report I mentioned seeing Bob Berhalter in the Piano Bar. He was good for what I saw but I only watched one set. One thing with him is I felt his voice was the same on every sing but on the positive side he was good in getting the crowd going. Tonight’s other entertainment was the following. Crows Nest has Norman Austin on Piano, in the Ocean Bar the Sean Bell Trio is playing. I haven’t seen either yet but when I do I will tell you what I think.

 

Ruth, were you also on the Voyage of the Spammed? Now that would have been a great cruise and because of the posts by everyone it’s one of the reasons I booked this cruise. I just hope we don’t cause another earthquake!

 

Sassyredhat “It will be our first time on a vista class so I am really excited to hear about the Zandaam. I just know everything will be great.”

 

As Ruth pointed out this is an R class hip but still nice. As she points out this ship is music themed and many of the things she mentions I LOVE about this ship. I will comment more on this in a future post.

 

Sussie51 “Will I be able to buy 250 minutes for $100?”

 

I doubt it will change by the time your cruise comes around but I was able to get the 250 minutes for $100 on here. I bought it on the first day so I got 20 minutes free added on. I’m also sure there will be more specials as the cruise goes along if I need more minutes. Having my own laptop with me helps since I can do all this off line and just logon to post.

 

ON_cruiser “1) Can you advise who is piano player/singer in Piano Bar, who the group are in Ocean Bar, and up in Crow's Nest? Just wondering as some Piano Bar players in particular we have enjoyed...”

 

Bob Berhalter is in the Piano Bar and tonight in the Crows Nest we had Norman Austin. Ocean Bar has the Sean Bell Trio. There is a band with a really good female lead singer but I do not know their name and I haven’t seen them yet but I am keeping an eye out for them.

 

“2) How are people--in particular, the men--dressing for dinner? Perhaps after formal night you can advise.”

 

First two nights have been casual and it’s really been that. I haven’t seen anyone that is a mess but overall it is mostly Dockers and sports shirts for men and pants and blouses for women. Tomorrow night is our first casual night.

 

“3) What is the age group? I expect an older, relaxed crowd...true?”

 

This trip is in October for 15 days so yes it is old. How old is it you ask? Well I am 44 and I may be the youngest on here except for a couple with 2 young children. But it is a very relaxed crowd and I enjoy it. I already met quite a few great people on this cruise.

 

Hope this answers your questions.

 

Nobby

[KAYEF]

Enjoying your input; we got off so you could board. We did back to back, five days down from Vancouver, BC and then the M. Riviera.

 

We've done the Hawaii round trip and LOVED IT; rented cars on each island and did our own thing. Would have gladly stayed on. Actually, they had a waiting list for this cruise (yours) and some of those waiting were on the Mex. Riviera one.

 

Imagine the reason you were a bit disappointed with the salad on Day 1 was because they didn't have all the new produce on-loaded. We were out of tortilla chips at the hamburger bar. Guess they were SO good, they ran out (I never tasted them) and then they made their own. We were out of field greens and had only iceberg for salads......except they did have romaine for the Caesar. We were out of pineapple and tomatoes but we never suffered or starved!

 

The No Sugar added desserts are delicious AND they have No Sugar added Coffee Ice Cream in Lido that is SO, SO, SO good........just ask for it.

 

We were in 1829, a cabin from HELL. :mad: In San Diego they began off loading luggage at 4 a.m. right across our bed...............metal floor above and rollers on the carts............THEN the people started with their rollies. We were trying to sleep in since we were staying on; so much for sleep.

Then, on the first Tender Day about 6 a.m. someone with a sledge hammer was trying to bash open the Tender Doors right BELOW our bed. You couldn't believe the noise. We could feel the bashes in our bed, too. It sort of bounced. Those noises went on for over 30 minutes.

I haven't even mentioned the A/C malfunction so that we and others heard what seemed to us were steel balls bashing the side of the ship and our ceilings for hours...............VERY loud.............no sleep for two full nights from that.............I could go on but won't. Just am glad you are down the hall!!

 

We enjoyed our cruises anyhow...............first time on this ship. Our Cabin Steward and Waiters were the usual excellent employees......if you see Darma or Angga in Lido (port side at bkfst. and lunch) tell them Monette says, "Hi"...........Darma was our Asst. Waiter in the DR and both of those fellows rushed to grab our trays in Lido.

 

Hope you try the Asian stir frys every day; they are SO good.

 

So, aren't you glad we all disembarked so you could board?

 

BTW, they offered something new and it was EXCELLENT. We turned in our flight information and they got our boarding passes and the bar-coded labels that go around suitcase handles e-mailed to the Front Office. They gave them to us, we put our luggage outside our doors and never saw it again until we got home to Portland! No hunting luggage on the pier; can you imagine???????? What a service. It was definitely worth the $15. each. We just hopped on a shuttle and got to the airport for $5. Of course, we were there by 8:45 a.m. for a 2 p.m. flight.............just so you could have the ship!:)

[dfish]

Nobby,

 

Thank you for taking the time to report live from the Zaandam. Your cruise is one I would like to do someday (deep sigh), but it will have to wait until I get some medical bills paid off. I know my mom and dad would love it as they really like sea days and this cruise has plenty of them. Mom has always wanted to see Hawaii. I'll be saving your posts and sending them to Mom and Dad, hoping to spark interest. I know you've certainly done that for me! Thanks again and have the time of your life!

 

Debbie

[Cruising-along]

Nobby I'm really enjoying your live reports, thank you! This is a cruise we hope to take in the not-too-distant future, so I'm very interested in your review. Great job on detail!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for taking us along on your cruise. Am enjoying reading everything.

 

Let us know what that "smell" is on the starboard side of the Promenade Deck.

[RuthC]

Ruth, were you also on the Voyage of the Spammed? Now that would have been a great cruise and because of the posts by everyone it’s one of the reasons I booked this cruise. I just hope we don’t cause another earthquake!

Guilty as charged. :D Yes, I am one of the motley crew who reported from the Voyage of the Spammed last year. I'm glad (and hope I can remain that way) that our humble efforts at reporting the cruise prompted you to book this one. I do hope you have as good a time as we did (sans earthquake, of course ;) ).