richwmn

Today is HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, I Love Reeses Day, and International Museum Day
 

I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw that my bath toys were a toaster and a radio. - Joan Rivers

Meal Suggestion for today - Asparagus with Tarragon Vinaigrette
Drink of the Day - Envy
Wine of the Day - Simonsig 2019 Redhill Pinotage (Stellenbosch)
Destination of the Day - Rarotonga, Cook Islands

Today in History:
1927 Grauman's Chinese Theater opens in Hollywood, California

Ship Locations
 

Seattle, Washington 7:00-15:00
 

Vancouver, BC Canada 7:00-16:00
 

At Sea Destination Vancouver, BC Canada eta 05-19
 

Copenhagen, Denmark 07:00 - 16:00
 

At Sea Destination Whittier, Alaska eta 05-19
 

At Sea Destination Santorini Island, Thira, Greece eta 05-19
 

Isle of Man, Peel-Douglas, UK 08:00 - 17:00
 

Montreal, Quebec Canada 7:00-15:00
 

Victoria BC, Vancouver Island Canada 20:00 - 23:59
 

Skagway, Alaska 07:00 - 21:00
 

Praia da Vitoria, Terceira Island Azores Portugal 08:00 - 17:00
 

@WriterOnDeck, @cruzingnut

Quite a few people who were on the '23 World did the '24 Grand Australia that just ended.

Today is Graduation Tassel Day, National Walnut Day, and Pinot Grigio Day
 

I can never read all the books I want -- Sylvia Plath

Meal Suggestion for today - Blueberry Almond Tart
Drink of the Day - Campfire
Wine of the Day - Apothic Red
Destination of the Day - Surabaya, Java Indonesia

Today in History:
1527 Pánfilo de Narváez departs Spain to explore Florida with 600 men - by 1536 only 4 survive

Ship Locations

Victoria BC, Vancouver Island Canada 20:00 - 23:59
 

At Sea Destination Vancouver, BC Canada eta 05-18
 

Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island Alaska 08:00 - 17:00
 

Kiel, Germany 07:00 - 16:00
 

Glacier Bay, Alaska 07:00 - 16:00
 

Limassol, Cyprus 08:00 - 17:00
 

At Sea Isle of Man, Peel-Douglas,UK eta 05-18
 

Quebec City, Canada 09:00 - 18:00
 

Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island Alaska 07:00 - 13:00
 

Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska, Juneau, Alaska 09:00 - 09:30 ,13:00 - 22:00
 

At Sea Destination Praia da Vitoria, Terceira Island Azores Portugal eta 05-18
 

Today is Honor Our LGBT Elders' Day, International Day of Light, and International Day of Living in Peace
 

Electricity is really just organized lightning. - George Carlin

Meal Suggestion for today - Mizuna Salad with Peanuts
Drink of the Day - Christmas Martini
Wine of the Day - The Prisoner Red Blend
Destination of the Day - Incheon (Seoul), South Korea

Today in History:
1920 Joan of Arc (Jeanne D'arc) canonized a saint

Ship Locations
 

Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island Alaska 07:00 - 13:00
 

Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island Alaska 11:00 - 19:00
 

Wrangell AK, Alaska, Wrangell Island 08:00 - 19:00
 

Bornholm Island Denmark, Ronne 08:00 - 17:00
 

Skagway, Alaska 07:00 - 20:00
 

Alanya, Turkey
 

Portrush, UK
 

At Sea Destination Quebec City, Canada eta 05-17
 

Sitka, Baranof Island Alaska 08:00 - 16:00
 

At Sea Destination Juneau, Alaska eta 05-17
 

At Sea Destination Praia da Vitoria, Terceira Island Azores Portugal eta 05-18
 

Today is International Day of Families, International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day, and International MPS Awareness Day
 

Life is a gift, given in trust - like a child. - Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Meal Suggestion for today - Healthy Blueberry Lemon Bread
Drink of the Day - Angel's Delight
Wine of the Day - Jones of Washington 2022 Viognier
Destination of the Day - Piraeus (Athens), Greece

Today in History:
1869 National Woman Suffrage Association forms in New York, founded by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Ship Locations
 

Sitka, Baranof Island Alaska 08:00 - 16:00
 

Glacier Bay, Alaska 07:00 - 16:00
 

Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska 10:00 - 16:00
 

Visby, Gotland Island Sweden 08:00 - 15:00
 

Juneau, Alaska 10:00 - 22:00
 

Rhodes Island, Greece 09:00 - 19:00
 

Stornoway, Isle of Lewis and Harris, Scotland 08:00 - 23:00
 

Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada 07:00 - 16:00
 

Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska 08:00 - 13:00
 

Vancouver, Canada a0700
 

At Sea Destination Praia da Vitoria, Terceira Island Azores Portugal eta 05-18
 

Today is National Chicken Dance Day, National Decency Day, and The Stars and Stripes Forever Day
 

A chain is no stronger than its weakest link, and life is after all a chain. - William James

Meal Suggestion for today - One-Pot Lemon Asparagus Pasta with Shrimp
Drink of the Day - Hpnotiq Margarita
Wine of the Day - Silver Moki Sauvignon Blanc
Destination of the Day - Kiel (Hamburg), Germany

Today in History:
1804 Meriwether Lewis and William Clark's expedition commissioned by Thomas Jefferson sets out from St Louis for Pacific Coast

Ship Locations
 

Glacier Bay, Alaska, Icy Strait Point, Hoonah, Alaska 07:00 - 16:00 ,18:00 - 22:00
 

Skagway, Alaska 07:00 - 20:00
 

Skagway, Alaska 07:00 - 20:00
 

Stockholm, Sweden 08:00 - 17:00
 

Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island Alaska 07:00 - 15:00
 

Piraeus-Athens, Greece 7:00-16:00
 

Invergordon, Scotland 08:00 - 17:00
 

Sydney NS, Nova Scotia Canada 09:30 - 17:30
 

Juneau, Alaska 13:00 - 21:00
 

At Sea Destination Vancouver, BC Canada eta 05-15
 

At Sea Destination Praia da Vitoria, Terceira Island Azores Portugal eta 05-18
 

Today is Crouton Day, Frog Jumping Day, and Hummus Day
 

We pass through this world but once. - Stephen Jay Gould

Meal Suggestion for today - Sweet Potato-Black Bean Burgers
Drink of the Day - Bloody Mary
Wine of the Day - 2021 Pinot Blanc, Frey, Rheinhessen
Destination of the Day - Gaspe, Quebec, Canada

Today in History:
1787 Arthur Phillip sets sails with 11 ships of criminals to Botany Bay, Australia

Ship Locations
 

Juneau, Alaska 13:00 - 22:00
 

Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska, Juneau, Alaska 09:00 - 09:30 ,13:00 - 22:00
 

Juneau, Alaska 08:00 - 21:00
 

Helsinki, Finland 07:00 - 16:00
 

At Sea Destination Ketchikan, Revillagigedo Island Alaska eta 05-14
 

Mykonos Island, Greece 08:00 - 18:00
 

Leith-Edinburgh, Newhaven-Rosyth-Queensferry, Scotland 08:00 - 17:00
 

Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada 09:00 - 18:00
 

At Sea Destination Juneau, Alaska eta 05-14
 

Ketchikan, Alaska 1100-1900
 

At Sea Destination Praia da Vitoria, Terceira Island Azores Portugal eta 05-18
 

8 minutes ago, rafinmd said:

A lot has happened since @richwmn went to sea.  I think Oosterdam is actually headed to Siracusa, Sicily

Actually, she already arrived --

The vessel arrived at the port of Siracusa, Italy on May 10, 04:30 UTC.

18 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

I’m not sure if they would or not.  the Mariner’s page is not that specific - not sure if an upgrade would be considered a package purchase?  Two screenshots from Mariners page below.

 

 

I would be tempted to call the Mariner’s Society and confirm.  If they say yes, ask for an email and take the paper copy with you “in case”

 

 

 

Honestly, I only want so many PG dinners.  I wish they would let us use it as a credit off the cost of a Cellar Master or Morimoto, etc.  Not free but just the appropriate amount deducted.  I’ll take a Cellar Master over a PG any day of the week 😉 \

 

I had to upgrade internet on the FLL=>Montreal segment and did get the 5* benefit. YMMV

14 hours ago, ChinaShrek said:

Are the TVs really that small on the Volendam? They do not look like the ones on the Rotterdam. 

This gives you a better idea of the size of the TV. Again, this was an outside cabin. I visited a balcony cabin and the TV was much larger

I left Volendam last weekend. I had an ocean view cabin on deck three, but I believe all inside and ocean view cabins are the same.  Behind the TV is a rather large area containing 4 European style outlets. Only 1 of the outlets is in use for the TV. I am using 2 of the others for my laptop and a European type USB charger.

2 hours ago, XBGuy said:

I would like to amend the "Today in History" portion to add this.

 

1824 -- Premier performance of Symphony #9 by Ludwig van Beethoven.

It is now on the online version and will appear next year.

If anyone has anything they would like to add, just let me know.

49 minutes ago, RedneckBob said:

Growing up in Alabama my two favorite drinks were the Alabama Slammer and a YooHoo; best served with a moonpie! 

The proper and only drink for a Moon Pie is a RC Co-cola

4 minutes ago, kazu said:

Interestingly, when you are in Canadian ports (or at least in Quebec), the ship is only allowed to have 2 or 3 bars open depending on the time of day.  Usually it was the Ocean Bar & mid Lido bar.

 

What I was told several years ago it is every Canadian Port and the rule is only one bar per deck that has bars.

On 4/27/2024 at 3:09 PM, Torquer said:

However, with CO there should be no problem getting off the ship.  There will be no need to get a tender ticket.  You will just get in line at the stairs down to the tender deck by showing your CO room key card. 

If too many 4*+, Suite, and Club Orange are aboard you will have to receive a priority tender ticket from a different location than the rest of the guests. 

It is almost 7am and Volendam is in Montreal. I just had my last breakfast for this voyage and will be disembarking shortly. After leaving the ship I will have a short trip to the train station to catch the train to Ottawa with Jim and Cathy. I will stay with another couple until flying home on the 9th.

The whole trip has been very good, and I am (as always) sorry to be leaving.

May 3^rd, 2024 – Quebec, Quebec, Canada – Day 2 of 2

It seems to be a better day today than yesterday. It is clear and doesn’t feel as cold. I have already started packing. I have an excursion this afternoon, and need to have most of it done.

I spent a lot of the day yesterday preparing to pack today. Quite a bit accumulates over 4 months and I had to sort thru it. I did get to one trivia yesterday, we didn’t win, and had dinner again with Cathy and Jim. Due to discussions in the past about the ‘Rustic Lasagna’ on the menu I decided to try it. In truth, I think the lasagna on the Lido is better, and the one yesterday disagreed with my stomach a bit later.

There was no show on the World Stage last night, a movie filled the big screen instead.

Here are today’s activities and menus –

May 2^nd, 2024 – Quebec, Quebec, Canada – Day 1

We are tied up at the dock and Kristen has announced that the gangway is ready on deck two. Security will be manning the gangway until our sailaway tomorrow at 5:00pm. The temperature is currently 43°F / 6°C under overcast skies. The winds are a bit over 18 mph with humidity at 88%.

Yesterday was a good day at sea, with lots of activities for those who wished to participate. One of the highlights was the presentation ‘A City on the Sea’ which is now the farewell of the crew to the Guests. It shows a little about the construction of a ship, followed by a quick tour of non Guest areas. At the end, most of the crew is on the stage to say ‘Good Bye’. Not quite ‘Love in Any Language’, but close.

Of course I have to mention trivia. Two good sessions yesterday with my usual team of three. We have played together since the start of the Panama Canal trip at the start of April. We have done well, won a few and came in second a lot. We had the same outcome yesterday. The whole team will be leaving in Montreal.

The show last night was again ‘Breton Thunder’ with their show ‘Unleashed’. A friend commented that it was the liveliest show they have ever seen on a HAL ship. While leaving the show another Guest mentioned that ‘Breton Thunder’ will stay aboard while the ship is doing the Boston – Montreal run for the next 6 weeks or so. The show was very good and I enjoyed both times they were on stage.

Quebec is a nice city to visit and we are located within walking distance to several sites. It should be a nice day in this city. Here are the activities and menus for today –

Volendam dinner menu for tonight

https://navigator.hollandamerica.com/anchor/api/content/vo/menu/1abfd7e6db3345f280006156eee7d93a/fa0e45786e2f2015c3c7ac9f231084c0_canada_2024_dr_menu_09_nav.pdf?download=inline

Just saw this on another site and many of y'all will appreciate it.

2 hours ago, Hogladyrider said:

@richwmn...I am curious, when did Kristen the Cruise Director join your ship?  She was the CD on our Koningsdam cruise in January of this year.

 

I enjoyed her talks and her background is interesting that she now works on a ship.

She joined Volendam in Fort Lauderdale on April 21st. She seems to be very good, and seems to enjoy the job.

May 1^st, 2024 – at sea, destination Quebec, Quebec, Canada

This morning we are having our final day at sea, with two days in Quebec before finishing the cruise in Montreal. When we look out at the shore, we see snow capped mountains and it is rather chilly today. We are currently headed Northwest at 10 knots. The temperate is 47°F / 7° under overcast skies. The winds are at almost 16 mph and the humidity is 89%.

Yesterday was a bit of a disappointment since the planned stop there was the only unique stop for me on this cruise. Oh well, it is expected at times when on a cruise. We ended up having a nice sea day instead.

I had a lazy morning again, it seems there have been several of those this cruise. After a lite lunch in the Lido, I had a nice conversation in the Crows Nest with a nice person introduced by @POA1. Later I watched bingo for a bit. I never really got the ‘thrill’ of bingo and even less now. Most of the people playing had at least a couple of boards being played on a table, which they were just watching the numbers highlight themselves. The winner of the final game took a minute to see that the screen had the winning coverall completed. Her prize was a little over $200.

After bingo I had a good conversation with Jacqui ( @kazu ), getting to know each other better. We have been friends online for quite some time, but this is the first time we have had a chance to meet each other.

After dinner in the Lido from the Asian station (last night was Korean) I headed to the World Stage to see the ‘Volendam Repertory Company’ in ‘Classique’. This is there last performance before leaving the ship in Quebec. I thoroughly enjoyed the show, even though it was the third time I have seen it. All the performers are very energetic, and the singers are really good. The shows have been well designed and were, to me, a pleasure to watch.

Kristen -- Cruise Director

Last night the clocks changed back an hour to get back to Eastern time and being synchronized with Ottawa and Atlanta so I won’t have another time change for a while.

Here are today’s activities and menus –

1 hour ago, CGinMTL said:

Not many cruise ships stop at iles de la Madeleine.

Was the issue the winds ?

Yes, wind and waves. It didn't take long this morning for the Captain to decide to skip the port.

April 30^th, 2024, at sea – destination Quebec, Quebec, Canada

It is only 7:30 in the morning and we have already tried and failed at an attempt to anchor and tender to Cap-aux-Meules, iles de la Madeleine, Canada. This was to be the only stop on this cruise that I hadn’t already been to. Oh, well.

So currently we are moving at 10 knots in a Northwesterly direction. The temperature is 48°F / 9C° under overcast skies. The humidity is 80% and the winds are almost 15 mph.

Yesterday morning I got off the ship and walked around a bit. I have called at Charlottetown several times in the past and it seemed pretty much unchanged. I got to a parking lot where several cabs were parked with a dispatcher selling cab tours. Considering the fact that it has been several years since I took one, the prices seemed reasonable. The day was cool, but comfortable.

After returning to the ship, it was a typical day. We got our disembarkation information in the mailbox so I guess this is about over. Only one paragraph really applies to me, that says that I will receive another letter the day before disembarkation for 4* and above. I will be disembarking fairly late with Jim and Cathy since we have a short trip to the train station and don’t have to be there until around 11:00am.

We have had good turnout for trivia for this cruise and the questions have been pretty good. My small group of three has been relatively successful having won several times over this cruise. We continue to have three sessions each day, sea or port, with the first being general, the second being themed, and the third being music clips to identify by title and artist.

The show last night was the ‘Volendam Repertory Company’ in a show called ‘It Takes Two’. This is a very good show featuring the two lead singers in singing several duets, with each lead singer getting a solo song. Both lead singers are very good. We have another show with the troupe tonight and they leave the ship tomorrow.

With that I give you today’s activities (subject to change) and menus –

1 hour ago, rafinmd said:

I've been a bit distracted yesterday afternoon and this morning thinking about the timeline.  My full (for now) updated version:

 

thanks for updating the time line.