WriterOnDeck

Rich, can you add some leading, or space, between the lines? It isn't easy to read as it is, because the ascenders and descenders sometimes overlap, and the larger size type with serifs needs more, not less spacing between lines for readability. (Can you tell I studied typography and graphics?) 🙂 It's always nice to see another person blogging about the World Cruise. See you onboard!

Gayle Hughes sent me the attached video and asked me to share it with all of "Miss Dolly's" friends. I sailed with Dolly three times on the Amsterdam, the latest her last cruise as our World Cruise 2020 was abruptly ended in Australia by the pandemic shutdown. I know many her knew her better than I did. She was a fixture on the Amsterdam, and as we are about to take off on the 2023 World Cruise, we will miss her. Hello Dolly Goodbye

Regarding cultural speakers and experts, from my fall Westerdam cruise and things I've read it seems HAL is preparing canned talks with powerpoint slides, to be presented by the cruise director (whom I understand does not have responsibility for the activities staff). I'm sure most of the CDs do a fairly good job of presenting, but they add no value. HAL might as well make a video and show it. There is no Q&A. If it is not a standard 7-day Alaska cruise, for example, but a longer cruise, the CD probably hasn't even been to these areas. I saw many mistakes even on the CD's port talks, mostly because she hadn't been there as far as I could tell. I agree the enrichment speakers, etc., are a key element of HAL cruises.

The only times I remember HAL shorex not providing tender passage is when the shorex was several hours after we arrived. Then the tours met on shore, as many people wanted to go in early to explore on their own. Then, say for an early afternoon shorex, you don't have to tender back to the ship and then tender back with the tour group. Makes sense to me.

I have 7 cruises booked at the moment, including 2 worlds and a grand. So organization is key. As some have said, I use Dropbox and have a folder for each cruise. Within that folder I have subfolders for invoices/payments, ports, etc. I create a subfolder for each port and put PDFs or other documents pertaining to that port in each one. If I book a HAL excursion, I put the confirmation email in that folder. I only check out with one shorex at a time. I also create an Excel file listing each port, port times, hi/low temps, plans for the day, etc. In another Excel file I track all my spending. I have a master Excel file with all the cruises booked, payments and upcoming payments with due dates. I can sort that by upcoming payment dates. But my super travel agent also helps me remember. It's a lot of organization, but what else do I have to do between cruises? 🙂

I haven't been on the Zuiderdam since Sept. 2019, but I was recently on the Westerdam, another Vista ship. I loved grand cruises on the Amsterdam, but personally was surprised by the Crow's Nest with the Explorations Cafe there. We had lots of sea days this fall (11 of the first 14) and the whole area was busy, but I didn't see any "shrill attempts to sell excursions." The line for the shorex desk was generally quiet. Lots of people doing puzzles and playing games. They could have used a second barista, especially after all the Aussies boarded. But the staff was wonderful. I'm looking forward to seeing how it is on the world cruise. But I am prepared with an open mind to discover changes that are for the better. And we won't have the Amsterdam again, so best to let it go with fond memories.

In the past the Grand Asia it has been in the fall. Perhaps fall 2024. I don't think it would be early in the year, because it is too cold in Japan.

I will be blogging, as well! (and will be staying on an additional 9 weeks, which I also will blog). www.WriterOnDeck.com Easiest is to subscribe by email. That way you will receive each post and not have to keep checking. And I love (and answer) comments!

I got the survey but with 4 options and not the one you listed, which sounds more like a standard Grand than a world. There is a 2023 Grand Africa. You might jump on it. I don't think they will do a third year in a row. Maybe back to the Grand Asia?

This rings a bell.... Perhaps they outsource their customer service to HAL, or vice versa? 🙂

I just meant that regardless as to the offer, personal preference comes into play. I have passed on some "great" deals because I had already spent all that the trip was worth to me at the time. This time, I took the deal, even though as a single I will pay double.

Upgrade offers can be all over the board. I received an offer of $2,500pp from a ocean view to a verandah on the 128-day world cruise on Zuiderdam. $20pp/day. Still simply personal preference.

If I buy the AARP cards, can I turn them in at Guest Services on the ship to pay for my shipboard account, such as crew appreciation?

Not true on some ships. I was specifically told to put the tray on the floor outside my cabin. Believe me, it wasn't laziness on my part.

Not on the Westerdam. I was in isolation in my room for 8 days and there was never a stool outside the door. I was told to put the tray on the floor.

Just to note that Covid cases may be in isolation in their rooms if they are in a verandah (rather than moving to a separate area), and they are instructed to put their trays outside the door, as no one may enter their room, and call for pickup.

I've been on the Westerdam since Oct. 2. We had an "outbreak" a week or so into the cruise. The captain announced the exact numbers in isolation daily. It was around 50 something at its highest. Once it got perhaps below 20 he stopped. Then in Sydney we picked up a bunch more people (others left), very very few of whom masked. Two days later the Majestic Princess arrived in Sydney from NZ with 800 covid cases, and we went to masks required. We went from 4 to 30 something yesterday (the captain started giving the numbers daily) and EVERYONE is masking. I was on a shorex bus with 100% compliance. I think hearing the numbers, and especially when they go up daily, makes people take it more seriously. I was among those who got it earlier in the cruise and was in isolation 8 days. The first day is Day 0 (not 1) and then they don't test you till Day 6. Then daily until you test negative, or they let you out on Day 11 regardless. I read that NZ requires 7 days before the earliest release. So those who caught it on this segment probably missed every port. I did mask at all times except for eating and drinking and while outside. Who knows how I caught it?

IMHO the Navigator App is seldom accurate on many things before you get on board and it updates.

On the Westerdam (yes, smaller than the New Statendam, every weekend we have 6 NFL games broadcast on our stateroom TVs. When they are during daytime hours (we are 18 hours behind EST now), a couple of them are broadcast in the Gallery Bar. I must add that the best every was when the 2020 Super Bowl was broadcast in the Main Stage while we were in Antarctica, and my KC Chiefs won!

I'm on the Westerdam and our captain gives the covid numbers every day. At its high, during the Seattle to Sydney 36 days, there were as many as 50-something in isolation at a time. I think some came off and others went on. In Sydney we picked up 700 people (dropped off 500), and no one was wearing masks much. After the Majestic Princess case of 800 last week, HAL instituted masks required indoors for all its ships in this area (Australia/NZ). On my shipboard excursion this morning everyone on our bus wore masks for the entire bus journey. Earlier in the cruise I was one of the covid isolations, and probably one of the bloggers mentioned earlier. I do not monetize my blog or use click bait (and feel mildly offended for the previous comment, as I know the bloggers and none of us do -- anyone who has read our blogs would know they have no ads, as we are regular CC posters). I was consistent in always wearing a mask until seated at a meal, on excursions, in elevators, in the show and bars, etc. Always washed hands thoroughly (700+ cruise days and you know how to do this!). And still I had slight cold symptoms one morning, tested myself. Positive, so called medical. Eight days in isolation until I could test negative. You can do everything right and still get covid. Thank goodness after a couple of days I had no symptoms, so at least I felt OK. I've written about the experiences on my blog (www.WriterOnDeck.com) if anyone wants to read it. Yesterday the captain announced our isolations had risen to 23, from 19, 10, 3 the days before. I am very pleased our captain gives us the daily numbers. I wish they all would.

I was told it would not be on the Navigator app, but on the hollandamerica.com website on the computer. Good luck!

I was quarantined on the cruise I am still on. I got out on 10/30. I asked at guest services today about the procedure, and she said check my account at hollandamerica.com (not on Navigator, but on the web site). When I logged into my Mariner account there, under My Profile, then Future Cruise Credits, the appropriate FCC showed up. I have no idea how long it has been there. You might check there if you haven't.

Just another reason why I can't make the math for the HIA program work for me.

Yes, the Majestic Princess had 800 cases in Sydney this morning. I was surprised Capt. Wouter van Hoogdalem didn't mention that in his announcement. The news is all over the Australian and NZ media -- including here in Dunedin, where the Princess ship had visited last week. https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/cruise-ship-major-covid-outbreak-visited-dunedin

Roy, have a great cruise, even though it is short for you! As always I look forward to reading about your dining choices!