richwmn

April 12 -- Amsterdam Day 2

Today in History: 1770 British explorer Captain James Cook first sights Australia. Writes in his log book that “what we have as yet seen of this land appears rather low, and not very hilly, the face of the Country green and Woody, but the Sea shore is all a white Sand.”

April 18 -- Amsterdam Day 1

To repeat a note I have mentioned several times. The days to acknowledge (celebrate) come from two website that I don't have available to me right now. I don't know where they got the lists. It is also possible that things are country specific. edited a quick internet search finds these three headlines as the fist entries. April is Stress Awareness Month National Stress Awareness Day – November 1, 2023 April is recognized as National Stress Awareness Month

Since you didn't mention a particular ship/date it is not possible to totally answer your question. However, taking a quick look at their web site you are purchasing from them the cruise plus some additional entertainment and enrichment seminars available only to those booked thru that group. It is also possible that the have a full ship charter and you would not be able to book that particular cruise from anyone else.

Today in History (From Amsterdam) 1506 The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid in the Vatican by Pope Julius II

April 17 – Zeebrugge, Belgium This morning we came into Zeebrugge, followed closely by Sky Princess. We moored quickly and were cleared by immigration very quickly. At 8:00am we heard the announcement that we were cleared to go ashore. We are again at a dock that is part of an industrial port and is quite a bit from the cruise terminal. We boarded the shuttle right at the ship, and as mentioned by @grapau27 Graham it was just a short ride to the town of Blankenberge. One thing that I noticed was how much of the city seemed new while we drove into town. The shuttle dropped us off next to a park in front of a church. From the church we walked thru the area toward the beach. The area was an urban canyon where the street level of the buildings contain commercial space and the upper levels appearing to contain apartments or condos. The commercial space contained just about any type of business you might need to use, including a small supermarket. For the most part this was a pedestrian area, but every now and then a car would drive thru. The beach area was interesting. Most of the beach contained areas fenced off with names as if they were controlled areas. Each contained some loungers and what looked like a snack or beer bar. It was chilly enough that no one was at any of these locations, and the businesses that would support the beach were all closed. After walking around for a bit we proceeded back to the park where a bus was waiting and we boarded it. A few minutes later we headed back to the ship. When we got to the cruise terminal we had to get off the bus, proceed thru the terminal which included a gift shop, and then get on another bus that took us to the ship. The bus we came in on proceeded to the ship to pick up any guests that still wanted to go to the town. One thing I haven’t mentioned, HAL has been using a table with facial recognition to verify we are passengers before being allowed up the gang plank to enter the ship. We still have to check in using our key card. During the day today equipment was loaded by crane into the midship lido pool area to use for the big Gala Celebration tomorrow in Amsterdam. Because some supplies were loaded today rather than in Le Havre some of the crew is having to work extra to get everything ready. We will be in Amsterdam along with Rotterdam and a celebration of HAL’s 150th anniversary will take place with all the dignitaries and a group of guests from each ship. The ceremony will be streamed to both ships here (at least). Maybe it will be streamed as well to the other ships and the internet in general.

The answer is in two parts: On the Pinnacle Class ships I tried to get a table for 8 and was told they didn't have any but would put us at two tables side by side. On all other ships it is easy to configure part of the dining room to set up for a group of up to 14, although a group that size has problems talking to everyone. Check with ships services to make the reservation, they will give you a form to send in with the names and booking numbers.

Today in history: 1492 Christopher Columbus signs a contract with the Spanish monarchs to find the "Indies" with the stated goal of converting people to Catholicism. This promises him 10% of all riches found, and the governorship of any lands encountered. 1982 Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Queen Elizabeth II sign 'Proclamation of the Constitution Act', establishes Charter of Rights and Freedoms as part of the country’s new Constitution

April 17 – Zeebrugge, Belgium This morning we are back on schedule in Zeebrugge. Sky Princess arrived shortly after we did and is berthed behind us. It looks like we are going to have another nice day, a little cool but sunny out. Today is a bit of a change over day. Two of the servers in the Lido for breakfast have their last day today. They are going home at the end of their contract tomorrow. They have both been excellent, every morning greeting us and having our drinks ready. Today we are in another industrial port, and this one is pretty big. We will have two shuttles to chose from, one that simply goes to the port gate and another that goes into town. We will go into town and walk around a bit to see what is here. Most of the European towns I have been to are extremely walkable and I expect this to be the same. Sky Princess

Today in history: 1929 New York Yankees become first MLB team to permanently feature numbers on backs of uniforms

Today's activities and menus:

We looked at those when we walked around but not to closely. While some might have been mobility scooters we had the impression that they were for more general use. Maybe there will be some out today and I can look a bit closer.

There were a few people on the beach, but not many. It was a bit chilly for most people to be on the beach.

April 16 – Dover, England Dover was not a stop on our original itinerary. It was added a few days ago due to a labor strike in France. It was an easy overnight trip from Portland and we arrived here without any problems. Right now it is a little chilly outside and is overcast. We have a shuttle again today from the ship into Dover. For the first time there is a charge for the shuttle. It is not much, $10 for a day pass payable by cash or tap card. Like yesterday, there will be two stops. One of the stops will be in the city proper where we can walk around and see the city. Sitting on my verandah I can see the famous White Cliffs of Dover and the area is very nice.

Shuttle was free, stopped at both the Castle in Portland, and a stop in Weymouth. They were supposed to run every 30 minutes but it seemed to be a little more frequent.

April 15 – Portland & Weymouth, England Today we entered England and had to do an immigration check. Again it went quickly and everyone had a sticker placed on their card. I remember a long time ago when no one could leave the ship until everyone had cleared. The stickers make things much nicer and I am very glad many countries are allowing the practice. After the immigration check we went out and got on the shuttle. It was a bit chilly but the sun was out and it wasn’t overcast. The first stop on the shuttle was at a castle in Portland, then on to Weymouth. We had a very nice walk around the old portion of the city and the waterfront. We went into several stores and ended up getting a beer at one of the pubs.

Today in history: 1947 Jackie Robinson becomes 1st African-American to play in US major league baseball (Dodgers)

April 15 – Portland, England After a nice evening of movies off Portland, we pulled into the dock this morning on time. We are now going thru the procedure with immigration and should be able to leave the ship shortly. I’m meeting friends at 9:00am for a run into Weymouth. Menus later

No, we were told that as soon as another ship cleared the dock it was ours. However, the weather didn't co-operate and it took longer to unload. They will clear the dock at 05:00am, then the pilot will transfer to Zuiderdam and we will get to dock. We have to do a Face-to-Face with British Immigration before we can go ashore.

Position at 5:00pm. We will stay here overnight. Our berth won't be available until 5:00am.

1pm position

@grapau27, @StLouisCruisers That is an old itinerary for Zuiderdam. Half Moon Cay was deleted prior to sailing and we added Praia da Vitoria, Azores on day 123 instead. Dover has now been substituted for Le Havre but the rest of the schedule has not changed at this point. The information at halfacts has been updated and is currently correct.

Today in history: 1981 1st Space Shuttle, Columbia 1, returns to Earth Zuiderdam is on the way Portland, England where we will stay until tomorrow when we will head to Dover, England instead of Le Harve, France.

April 14 – at sea / Portland (Weymouth) England Today we were supposed to be in France, but the weather prohibited it. Now we are approaching England where we have to wait for a freighter to vacate a dock so we can tie up. That could be any time from 1:00pm to tomorrow morning. Then we will have to do a Face-to-Face meeting with our passports to British Immigration. We also had an announcement a little bit ago that due to the strikes in France, we would also be missing Le Harve and substituting Dover, England instead. Oh, the joys of the World Cruise.