WFBgal

We were on the VOV July & Aug. COVID arrived about the 5th day & we all masked up for next 3.5 wk. All excursions were small private ones except for one. Wore the masks except outdoors walking the Promanade or on tour. Wore them on the bus. Came home healthy & only have worn one to dr & dental appointments.I’m done with it.

There were 2 medivacs on the VOV on the Zaandam. One happened in middle of the night…never knew it happened. I recall an ambulance at one port. It’s a common occurrence on HAL due to number of older passengers. 

Just off Zaandam last week. I think they’re high & I’m 5’11! I got spoiled cruising on NS before & post COVID. Hope they replace all tub/shower combos with walk-in showers. Maybe, replace antiquated TV’s first!

I got 2 battery operated motion detectors from Amazon . They’re rechargeable. I have one against base of corner molding near bathroom door & other one on vanity. I’ve used them on past 2 cruises. 56 days on only overnight. You set it on Auto & turn it off when not in use. Very satisfied with them.

I bring an 8 oz tube of Philosophy body lotion. Otherwise, I’d be using up what’s on the wall next to the sink.

Thanks Doone. My hair was a frizzled mess when I boarded. Will check out TimetoSpa.com. I love having hair products in shower. Less to pack especially on longer trips.

But it’s not sold in the spa. Looked on Amazon & didn’t see it. I’ll check the beauty supply store near me when I get home.

Does anyone know the brand of conditioner in the pump in the cabin showers? I love it & thought it was Elemis, but apparently not. I bought another conditioner in lotion form to try. I looked that up on Amazon & the brand from the spa is $28 cheaper! Not everything overpriced.

Someone is extremely creative!

Remember, the Z is 22 yr old. While she was in dry dock in early Spring, new carpet installed throughout ship.( Not the cabins) New chairs in dining rm. Flat screen TV’s on order. WiFi is hit or miss. If most are off for the day, WiFi is fine but who stays on board besides the crew? Bathrooms need updating but are OK. 
 

Ate in dining room this past weekend & menu the same as when we boarded on 7/9. We tend to eat in the lido more. 
 

 Crew is fantastic & will do anything for you. Sheets changed once a week….that’s more than what I do at home. 
 

Stay calm & cruise on!

Poster wasn’t all that clear as to which ship they were referring to. I’d say about 70 at the beginning when it began spreading. We get updates daily & wear our dam masks on our dam ship. 
 

Just continue washing your hands too.

I’d like to know how the positive passenger got the 200 cases number. That info isn’t being broadcast from Captain’s updates. Yesterday 20 came out of quarantine & 15 went into quarantine. Slight improvement….step in right direction.

Who provided the info on the 200 passengers with COVID? We are on board & spend most of our time in our cabin except for meals & tours. We’ve done private tours with 17-34 people depending on destination, completely masked. I see plenty of people in the lido skipping the hand washing. Some people oblivious to seriousness. Went to a piano concert & sat in 2nd & 3rd seat. A couple came in our row & sat right next to us. We got up & moved over 3 seats. We want to avoid this plague at all costs so we can finish our 35 day VOV healthy.

After 10 days, no temp for a few days & test negative, you’re let out of jail & go back to your cabin. 🤣 Remember, when you book a cruise you agree to accept the risk of COVID. If you can’t accept the risk, you don’t cruise.

We’ve eaten in the Lido after 8-10 hr tours & just too tired to sit in dining room for at least 90 minutes. We did it several times on our Med cruise 3 yr ago. Eat & collapse.

We haven’t received the email saying VOV pax must be boosted at least once. Truly snail mail!

We are going for entire 35 day VOV. Doubled vaxed  & double boosted. Life must go on. Our daughter, a RN, says booster not worth it. Not one nurse she works with in a hospital has been boosted. We plan to live life to the fullest while we still can.

Are deck chairs still on the Promanade? We board on the 9th for entire VOV!

Zaandam was scheduled for dry dock Spring 2020. Read just last week on the VOV Roll Call it’s now scheduled this coming winter ……maybe Jan or  February. I’m hoping for new flat screen TV’s & walk-in showers. Can’t stand the tub/showers. And more outlets & USB ports. It’s an entirely different world than 2000 when ship went into service.

It’s all a royal pain. Remember 2.5 yr ago when we showed up at cruise terminal……provided our passport, boarding pass & BINGO, we boarded our dam ship. Now, it’s proctored self testing, ArriveCAN & VeriFly. Hate it all!

I used those for 3 wk on the NS. One I placed on base of wall next to bathroom & 2nd one I left on vanity at night. We were in a verandah & bathroom was 3’ from my side of bed. We board Zaandam 7/9 in an ocean view. Hoping steward can remove small table so I don’t trip over it. I love them. Easy to charge & taking them onSouth Pacific cruise next winter. 

CDC May reinstate annoying testing if cases go up, but once you remove a requirement good luck reinstating it. Why not drop the testing for cruises? Makes sense to me. It’s the government…..no common sense.

November 3-10, 2019 seas were smooth. Used our balcony. It was great!

We were in 5166 on NS about 10’ from the closed door. I was told it was unoccupied entire 21 days we were aboard. They opened a crew passageway to get to elevators. 

For people with difficulty getting around, they could rent a small scooter. I saw plenty of smaller ones on N Stantendam in Feb-March. Staff in Lido always willing to help those on scooters with taking plates to tables.