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Everything posted by Navybikermom
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I much prefer the Zaandam due to the placement of the Explorerās Cafe. I donāt want to go all the way up to the Crowās Nest for a cappuccino. I would really like to try the Dutch Cafe on the newer ships, but the rest of the ship isnāt radically different. Music venues are laid out a bit differently, but they still have music! I found the Explorerās Lounge classical duo and the Ocean Bar jazz band to be my favorite places to spend time. The pipe organ in the atrium is pretty special too. Biggest drawback for me is the casino on Zaandam. They allow smoking and itās awful. I was on a 7-day cruise earlier this month and didnāt notice any non-smoking days. I would spend way more money in it if there was no smoking.
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I flew from the US to Montreal one day before the Canada/New England cruise and only filled out ArriveCan for my initial arrival. I used the hotel as the address. There was no need to fill it out again for the cruise, because I hadnāt left Canada. If I were flying back to Canada at the end (from Boston), then another ArriveCan entry would be needed. The cruise terminal did not ask for any ArriveCan info.
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The ice in my room bucket always melted enough by the next morning that I was able to fill my water bottle most of the way up with nice chilled water that had a few cubes left in it. Otherwise, the water from the tap is fine.
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Starting Sept. 6, 2022 - Simplified Cruising
Navybikermom replied to Roz's topic in Holland America Line
I was just on the Zaandam Canada/NE cruise and only did ArriveCan once to cover my flight into Montreal. I was not asked to do it again the next day to board the ship. -
When did Pinnacle Grill start charging for appetizer?
Navybikermom replied to TotallyCruzin's topic in Holland America Line
Iāll be eating in the Pinnacle next week on the Zaandam so I will check the fine print. It irks me that their sides are for two people. What about those of us who travel solo and donāt want a pound of asparagus or a giant potato with their meal? Iām only eating there because I ended up with the HIA deal and have two free dinners. I really want to try the clothesline bacon! I guess they gave me the HIA because the cruise was rescheduled a few times due to Covid. Their way of apologizing? š¤·āāļø -
You are probably doing nothing wrong. They might not have posted the complete schedule yet. I had checked the When & Where last week and there was nothing there yet for my upcoming cruise.
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I noticed one listed in the Navigator for my cruise this coming weekend on the Zaandam. It was listed for 9pm in the Crowās Nest. I have cruised 9 times and donāt recall ever seeing that on the list of events, so Iām looking forward to my first Orange Party!
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What do you choose for your first embarkation lunch?
Navybikermom replied to zhuangcorp's topic in Holland America Line
Thatās the same menu posted in the Navigator, so they must be the same on all the ships. Thank you for posting it! Iām on the Zaandam next, and that crispy cauliflower dish and tomato bisque soup sound delightful for lunch! -
Best Tour Of New Rotterdam I Have Seen
Navybikermom replied to aliaschief's topic in Holland America Line
Iāve cruised once since my post here, and am heading out on two more in the next few months š -
I usually travel solo and always have an early dinner at a large table. Iāve met so many wonderful people and sometimes have been able to have a companion or two when wandering around a port city (instead of a set excursion). Iām pretty tolerant of peopleās different beliefs and behaviors, I donāt push mine, and if someone feels the need to dominate the conversation, then I just keep to myself and drink more wine š. Only once have I had a āsituationā and it was due to a very disagreeable man at lunch in the MDR. He and his wife (who both appeared to spend more money on cruises than what little teeth they had) were very rude and loud. I was so disgusted at the way he treated the server over a trifle matter with his food that I just got up and left. I asked the staff to never seat me with those two again.
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Mine was also the Pusserās Painkiller, until I had two on the NA in March that tasted awful. Not sure what was missing, but they were definitely bad. Maybe they had to substitute something.
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I received an email from Holland America today that said due to restructuring of roles, Seth will be leaving Holland America, and therefore my āSail With Sethā that I signed up for was cancelled. He would have been on the Zaandam, Canada/New England itinerary, Sept 3-10. So very sad to have missed out on this! They said I would be getting two special cocktail parties and the chance to win some extra dinners, etc., and then a $25 refund. š
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Is Holland American and the Volendam "for us"?
Navybikermom replied to Bluewake's topic in Holland America Line
Hopefully they have the almond cookies! -
Is Holland American and the Volendam "for us"?
Navybikermom replied to Bluewake's topic in Holland America Line
I agree! Prinsendam was my favorite, so now since sheās gone, the Zaandam is now my favorite. I have two cruises coming up on Zaandam and am really looking forward to it. I havenāt been on the Pinnacle ships, and the only reason I would want to is to experience the Dutch Cafe. Iāll stick with the little guys for nowā¦ -
I think Iām bringing a box of cereal AND a box of triscuits on my next cruise. The tasteless cereal in the āhotelā dispensers just doesnāt appeal to me, and I do love a good cracker with cheese. I really missed that on my last cruise.
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Military/First Responder $100 OBC
Navybikermom replied to CATandSQUID's topic in Holland America Line
I got mine approved for my Sept 3 Canada/NE and Jan 5 Panama Canal. HAL sent me an email and so did my TA. She said if she ever gets a chance to chat with a HAL business development rep, sheās gonna suggest they link this to the Mariner accounts so it will just be automatically added each time. -
Panama Canal - Fort Lauderdale to San Diego
Navybikermom replied to asebastian's topic in Holland America Line
I booked the same cruise for January so my TA asked another client who has done that same trip several times and starboard was their favorite side. However, the others have mentioned being out and about on the ship, which makes sense - you wonāt necessarily watch the whole transit from your room unless you have a coveted aft cabin. āŗļø -
Military/First Responder $100 OBC
Navybikermom replied to CATandSQUID's topic in Holland America Line
Thanks for posting this! I got it for my last cruise but didnāt realize it was still ongoing. I submitted it for my two upcoming Zaandam ones āŗļø -
I watched that show too! Not enough about the inside of the ship, but I do enjoy watching those shows. The show following was a Viking longship on a river cruise, and that was really interesting.
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Live From Zaandam June 25 until July 9
Navybikermom replied to Crazy For Cats's topic in Holland America Line
I did a great winery tour on PEI - Rossignol winery. I still have their stemless wine glass. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of their wines. They make great liqueurs from native fruits. The raspberry is sooooo good. I booked it again for my cruise this fall. You have to see a few lighthouses on the tour first, but the winery is worth it. -
The Fleet Report and Daily for Saturday June 25th, 2022
Navybikermom replied to richwmn's topic in Holland America Line
Ours is set to 78. We live in the South and the summers are quite hot and humid, but we moved here because we donāt like to be cold so we donāt want the A/C set any lower than that. š