Mike B Landlubber
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From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
Docked in Sydney and I am now off the ship! (Sadness) I will come back in the evening and put up a few more pics. This was one last view from my balcony. -
From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
It is workable but not great. Very very laggy. Twice it mysteriously quit working for several hours. I find for my iPad it often stalls while loading a page, but touching the screen causes it to rapidly catch up. I was astonished that streaming video worked when I tried it once for curiosity, then when I tried it again later it worked for a couple of minutes and permanently stalled. Considering that I am getting usable service miles at sea in the southern hemisphere, I actually think it is okay, but it is not your home internet service. If you would miss the internet and keep your expectations realistic I think it is worth the price. Of course wise people will ignore the internet and take in ship activities! đ oh, and you can use the HAL app without internet service. -
From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
Had a small âmomentâ on this sea day while eating lunch in the Pinnacle. A freighter passed close by during lunch! Kind of cool⌠-
From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
It wasnât a great day for photos but here are a few: The fish look back at the local aquarium, an octopusâs garden at the aquarium, and custard with dragon fruit for lunch! -
From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
I boarded in Perth, almost two weeks ago. I posted at the time about a disturbing experience when VeriFly suggested I needed a supervised test even though the HAL info for the cruise said self-administered would do: -
From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
Masks are required and compliance is fair. I had to show a negative self-test when boarding, but not a whisper about testing since. Our captain announced on the intercom that despite a supposed rumor that he had Covid, he was fine and on the bridge with the crew at that moment! đ I havenât heard of any cases among passengers, though I wouldnât be surprised if there were a few they kept quiet! -
From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
Iâm going to guess it was auto color correction by the IPhone, trying to match the shaded balcony to the surrounding water. As you say, the wood is natural colored. I just now stepped on my balcony for an in--Sun shot: (added later) I did this in a hurry and it is upside down, but the intelligent and sophisticated people here will figure it out! LOL -
From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
For a moment I thought Iâd seen some unusual maintenance yesterday, but it was just was the shipâs photographer setting up. -
From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
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From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
We docked in Eden, though the Captain described docking as âvery challengingâ because of the wind. Apparently the storm is expected to peak tonight, so instead of leaving in the evening and cruising overnight and tomorrow to get to Sydney the next day we will stay overnight in the harbor here, then head to Sydney tomorrow. This is supposed to give us a calmer night. I actually did not think the shaking was as bad last night as it has been the previous two nights, didnât notice anything unusual. I am about to head out, will try to post some pics this evening! Iâm sad because this is the last port before I disembark in Sydney! -
From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
There was a huge rush out of the ship when we docked, I didnât participate since I had a later excursion. Mayor may have been there, but I didnât hear about it (but am not that social or wired in). I left the ship about two hours later to meet at gangplank as directed, had a lengthy wait in chilly windy conditions because they were short of buses due to our late arrival. No politicians in sight! đ -
From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
Eggs Benedict in classic English Breakfast on a sea day. We really are headed north as promised. Shore excursions for tomorrow in Eden appeared in the Navigator app as promised this morning, so those who want to can book. Iâm glad to see the option, though I would rather have seen Hobart! -
From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
The big news today is that weather, especially high winds, continues to dog us. We left Melbourne several hours late last night, and had a rough night voyage to Burnie. Iâm in a stern verandah cabin which Iâm sure made it worse, but it was worse than the famous Drake Crossing for me. We arrived in Tasmania late this morning. But were able to do most or all shore excursions. ButâWe were supposed to go further south to Hobart, Tasmania. That has been cancelled because of rough seas that among other things make us late getting to Sydney were many of us disembark in a few days. We will head back directly towards the Australian mainland instead. A port call at Eden, Australia has been substituted for Hobart. They are arranging shore excursions, but we cannot schedule yet. Should find our options during our sea day tomorrow. The Saga continues! đ -
From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
Photos from today in Burnie, Tasmania: A Tasmanian Devil at the wildlife center looks ready to eat Bugs Bunny, a beer company shot out the bus window, and two port shots. One port shot shows a GIGANTIC pile of wood chips being accumulated for export to China, and one shows a semi-truck full of wood chips being unloaded by tiling it upwards so the chips fall out the back! I tried to post a video of two Devils squabbling over a meal, but no luck. -
From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
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From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
This is my first cruise since 2018, so I am almost a newbie again! đ As for the Noordam, the staff and service is fantastic. Wait staff is great, my stateroom attendant is almost supernatural in knowing when I leave, and keeps everything spotless while I am gone. I find eating in the Lido kind of a madhouse, and have been a fuddy duddy and eaten in the area with wait service or in a specialty restaurant when time isnât of the essence. The voyage has been dogged by weather, we skipped one port entirely and for another (Kangaroo Island, big one for me) couldnât tender till about Noon because of waves, and they cancelled half the excursions (including mine). Of course that isnât at all the fault of HAL. As mentioned by Cunnorl, We were supposed to leave Melbourne over five hours ago, but there is a Gale Warning (and a sheep grazierâs warning, which was a new one on me) that I suspect is holding us in port. Hopefully it wonât mess with our port tomorrow! Incidentally, I thought our ship looked much better maintained than the P&O ship. Despite my kvetching about the weather, I have been pleased with everything in HALâs control, and would recommend the ship and Australia. I will come back and post a few more shots from the cruise later. -
From Noordam in Melbourne, Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
Today I did an excursion called âBlue Dandenongs and Mountain Villageâ. I was too optimistic in reading the description and hoped for a chance to see some of the areaâs wild birds, which didnât happen (and wasnât actually promised, to be fair). We did a photo stop at an overlook in the mountains that was merely okay but short, spent 40 minutes shopping or snack stop in a small town called Sassafras, and literally a drive through of central Melbourne before returning to the ship. Of course we drove through the country outside Melbourne, which I liked, but wasnât amazing. If I had a do-over, I would pick another. We had overnighted here, and yesterday I took an excursion to Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary that was absolutely wonderful for a wildlife lover (me) and should be at least acceptable for anybody. If you go there, see the âSpirits of the Skyâ bird show. I also got multiple clear views of a duck-tailed platypus feeding, which I didnât think I would ever see in my life, even in captivity (they are shy and nocturnal). Yes, I am a nature nerd! LOL -
After two nights in Melbourne, we are getting ready to leave. We have been tied up next to a P&O cruise lines ship. I think P&O decided their corporate image needed brushing up!
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CPAP Need to bring extension cord?
Mike B Landlubber replied to loving goldens's topic in Holland America Line
I boarded Noordam this afternoon and face this same issue. I assume the cabins are similar size. My stern verandah cabin has a USB port, but no plugs by the bed. But my CPAP machine has a long cord, and I have tested and found that I can make it from the plugs on my desk to the nightstand on that side of the bed. I will have to put the CPAP away each morning or the cable would be in the way. You might search the forums, I believe this issue has been discussed previously. I seem to remember some people saying they were able to get an extension cord from their cabin steward. By the way, my distilled water only cost a couple of bucks and was waiting on my desk when I boarded! -
VeriFLY and boarding in Australia
Mike B Landlubber replied to Mike B Landlubber's topic in Holland America Line
Sadly, I have to agree with Reova, I did NOT have any notice from HAL about a more stringent test being needed. It sounds like they may have different requirements for Sydney. I speculate that they may be in transition on the requirements now, but have no knowledge except my experience. one thing I had in mind when I presented myself for boarding was that my vaccination card showed several boosters, and I was wearing a good-quality N95 mask properly. I thought that might swing a decision my way if they had to make a judgement call. Kind of late for vaccinations, but a suggestion to consider. If I had received info from HAL that a higher level of test was required, I would sure try to have that test result in hand though. -
I just boarded Noordam in Perth(Fremantle) and had a hitch that may be of interest to those boarding on Australia. I donât think this will be an issue elsewhere. I understood from HA information on my cruise that I could meet Covid requirements by self-administering an antigen Covid test 24 hours before boarding. I did that, but when I went to enter my information in VeriFLY, I was asked for the name of the doctor ordering the test, and asked to verify that the test Certificate had my birthdate on it. I had none of this, and though Iâd had no problems elsewhere in VeriFLY, I couldnât complete the process there. I took a photo of my test results with my name and the date and time handwritten next to it and hoped for the best. At check in, my vaccination certificate was reviewed and they asked if I had test results. I Volunteered that I had taken a self test and had a photograph of the results. They perked up at the photograph mention and asked to see it. They did take a good look at my test on the photo (which I showed via my phone). If I hadnât taken the photo Iâd have had trouble I suspect, but this was no problem. If youâre boarding in Australia soon, you might take notice! Otherwise boarding in Perth was quick and stress-free! Iâm excited to be cruising again!
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For the folks wondering about crabâŚAlaska snow and king crab seasons are canceled this year because of population collapse. Someone else mentioned that Russian crab is considered verboten. There may be other suppliers, but distance and probably raised prices due to shortage could mean you wonât see a lot of crab legs anywhere on the ship in the coming year. đ https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/16/us/alaska-snow-crab-harvest-canceled-climate/index.html
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As for your one actual day of touring, is there anything in Rome that appeals to you strongly? If there is, and it is suitable for spending most of day, forget about trying to see everything, and go see what interests you. If there is a class of lesser sites that appeal, find or arrange a tour that covers those sites. I am fascinated by cathedral interiors and have made a day of going between cathedrals/churches and appreciating the different surroundings in each one (and Iâm not Catholic or even devoutly religious!). Pick one thing or category and see it well, rather than spread yourself thin and exhaust yourself moving around to all the âmust sees.â If all else fails, consider going to The Vatican and losing yourself in the Museum.
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Are MSC's Voyager's Club membership perks nearly worthless?
Mike B Landlubber replied to Stockjock's topic in MSC Cruises
Is the 5% discount only available booking direct with MSC, or is it available booking through a travel agent?